You ever heard someone tell you not to be a quiter. Great line, but very detrimental.

We have started some projects over the past couple years during this down economy to capture more customers. The ideas started with great plans and high hopes. Investing the money was no problem because we envisioned such great returns, how could we possibly go wrong.

Since I was a kid, I was told to never quit and never give up.

Well I am here to tell you, there is a time to quit. In fact, it is exponentially more difficult to quit than to keep going. But what is the point of continuing down a path you know will ultimately fail.

Deciding to quit will set you free to take on other ideas that may be more successful. Sure it was dificult knowing that your great idea is actually crap, but it is a load off.

Free yourself from your bad ideas to invest more time in the good ones.

I dare say that there are a number of ideas that worked well in the past that seem to be floundering in this economy. There are some changes happening in the industry right now that will end up making a wall of separation between people who are ready, and those who aren't.

For example, BIM modeling and clashing. We're starting to get experience with BIM, but the cost makes me wonder if it will really be worth it. Just this week we got a notice from one of our regular customers that their future projects will all be clashed out in BIM prior to starting, and all the subs need to be on board. I'm also seeing requirements like this making their way into RFP's right now, so I am pretty sure that over the next year we will be seeing this requirement coming our way.

Interesting times.

Exactly, you build your business around certain ideas that sound good. When it is time to quit going down that path due to pressures from outside customers, it is better to let your good idea go and concentrate on the new.

Seems like the BIM modeling will add a substantial amount to your projects.

It will definitely raise our cost some, but it also creates a barrier to entry, so it's interesting. Subs who don't model in 4D may not be able to work on large commercial projects in 3 or 4 years, but in the meantime, we just have to absorb the costs.

For now, I see it as an investment in the future. Time will tell.

Okay, I'll bite.

What is BIM?

BMI =Building Information Model
RFP  to me meant Request for Production when i was mass producing for the lighting industry, however, I think he meant request for proposal..  Different industries use different ones.

However, I have found "PITA" is universal.

Andy:

There is a difference between quitting when the going gets tough and pulling the plug on an idea that didn't pan out within a specific time/budget.

If you quit when the going gets tough, your business doesn't deserve to live. However, if you spend too much time and energy hunting the wrong prey that will kill you too. It's rough out there, but that's what makes success so sweet.

Joe

Joe, you are right, but I think many have a tough time distinguishing the difference. I know it's tough for me to see that my idea sucks and that pulling the plug is actually the best thing to do. I just wasn't taught that way.

BIM is Building Information Modeling. I have not done it myself, but it is basically the modeling of your product and application to avoid issues when installed. Cost more money up front but eliminates unforeseen issues.

No Idea if it is accurate, but I think Twain was credited.

Paraphrased.

"If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.  If you still don't succeed.  Give Up.  There is no use being a da%$ fool about it" 

Hey Quitting a bad idea is a good idea.

I quit / resigned an SS company, and went to a trade association. i resigned the trade association and established my own biz, and never looked back.

Paradigms change, and the astute individual or business looks forward, abandons the old and embraces the new.

Those who do not, go the way of the T Rex.

Oh speaking of old teenie bopper bands like T rex....I am playing Jeepster right now!

I bet only the immaculate Tom M,  doctor  of songology and all around general old fart like me, remembers that little ditty!

I prefer the term "adapt" or "evolve" over the word quit. I think you constantly have to reevaluate your game plan, especially in todays economic environment. Even if something is working, you need to be vigilent and pay attention to when it is not working as well. If you wait until it's not working at all, it's too late.

But yeah Andy, I agree. We've "quit" on a couple of ideas recently. These were bad ideas from the start. It just cost us time and money to figure it out.

Yup, Building Information Modeling, as has been said.  Some of the BIM programs use the information to not only clash out all the problems prior to construction, but the 4D programs add a 4th dimension to the program, which is time.  So while they are modeling the project, they are also building the project schedule.

from memory:
"You're so sweet, you're so fair,
You've got the universe revolving in your hair..."

Thanks for the reminder, Lenny- sama.

Marc Bolan, RIP.

Ah Marc Bolan,

Tom didn't he wrap his sport cars around a tree if I remember correctly, just as he was making a comeback?

Yeah.
So many stars in cars.
Jayne Mansfield counts for two, I would think.

Ahhh.... Jayne Mansfield.....

I know, right?
And she can make Sophia Loren jealous????

Posted By Len Smith on 07 Aug 2011 07:19 PM
Yup, Building Information Modeling, as has been said.  Some of the BIM programs use the information to not only clash out all the problems prior to construction, but the 4D programs add a 4th dimension to the program, which is time.  So while they are modeling the project, they are also building the project schedule.

BIM is already being used on projects we are working on, but mostly with Structural and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) subs.  Really saves them time in the field, where they would normally be competing for interstitial space.  You find out that piping is running thru structural members, or fire sprinklers are in spaces where ducts need to go.

I see the benefit at those stages of construction, but at the finishes?  The jury is still out....but in the mean GC's seem to be telling us that they will require that we produce submittals using a BIM program in the near future.

Len, If the architect and mechanical guys are all designing in 4d, design and spec your job for you to bid on.. then why do you need to input into the BMI system.  How can you even design into their existing BMI system when I doubt if they would ever give a sub access to it.

Hi Kelsey,

The Architects don't design the project complete in BIM, and each sub is being asked to provide their shop drawings in a program like Revit.