One person cannot do this activity near as well as the team – all of the participants combine to achieve a remarkable effort – not unlike what happens when we create an aging in place response team.
Being self-sufficient is a great goal
Regardless of what type of work we do (such as design, construction, installation, or therapy), many of us like to do things ourselves without relying on others. We know that we can depend on ourselves, our work product, and the way we relate to our clients. That may not be so true when others are involved.
We can make promises or commitments to our clients and then follow-through to make sure we have done what we said we would do – and that they are happy with the outcome.
There also is the idea of taking pride in the finished result without having to share any of the glory with anyone else. Knowing that we have completed everything we see when we finish a job, and leave it to tackle another project, gives us a measure of satisfaction.
Many smaller projects or simple installations can be accomplished this way. However, when it comes to more complex home renovation and remodeling projects, with elements where we might not be as strong as some of the other customary items we do, we might realize that we need some help.
It’s not a sign of weakness to admit that we are not as experienced in certain home renovation areas as others. We might not have as strong of a background in installing certain elements in the home as someone who specializes in this – plumbing, electric, cabinetry and counters, assistive devices, flooring, lighting, windows, or mirrors, for instance. We can get the job done, but why not rely on people who are experts in their field to come alongside us and participate in creating an outcome for the client that is first-rate?
All of us have our areas of expertise
Regardless of what we do or for how long we have been doing it, all of us are good at something. Many of us are experts in our field.
If we are committed to trying to do everything ourselves for the client, however, we may run into a time situation and well as one of scope. There are only so many hours that we can work. Without involving anyone else to work with us – as employees or independent team members – we are going to be limited to the amount of time we can personally devote to the job and the amount of time the client can open up their home to have us be present.
As we find and engage experts in other fields – occupational or physical therapists, interior designers, engineers, lighting contractors, HVAC, flooring, kitchen design and installation, roofing, or flooring, for example (when those aren’t our areas of expertise or competency) – we can enrich the job we offer and deliver a more complete scope for the client. We will become more valuable in the marketplace when we reach out beyond ourselves to find others we can partner with to deliver a great outcome for our clients.
Doing what we do well
As the lead contractor or handyman on a renovation project (or as the designer, therapist, or mobility assistance provider), we should understand the various elements of the job, but we don’t have excel in creating all of them. That’s the concept behind having a team approach. We surround ourselves with experts in their fields.
Take a baseball team – all of us likely have played or watched a baseball or softball game at some point – and how it functions. There are nine players on the field when the other team is batting. Can anyone of them pitch? Maybe, but not likely as well as the one who has been hired for that role. Can anyone play any position on the field? In a way, but some positions are more physically demanding than others, require quicker reflexes, a stronger throwing arm, better eyesight, or other attributes that make one player more suited for that job than someone else. In a pinch, anyone could step in and play fielder, pitcher, or catcher, but that is not where they excel. Therefore, they rely on teammates to do what each does best and contribute to an overall strong performance.
The same applies to us. We should determine what we like to do and what we do really well. Then we should identify other professionals that can assist us in delivering a quality job by performing those roles where we are not as strong.
Deciding to become a team
As we become comfortable with the idea of assembling a team for delivering more complete aging in place solutions for our clients – for those who are normally aging with no specific needs to those with progressive or traumatic needs that require a specific response form us – we can be a most more sought after and engaged aging in place renovation professional to offer our services to the marketplace.
The first step is to make the decision that this is a direction we want to go. Them we need to identify the people in our marketplace who can help us deliver the improvements we desire offering to our clients.
Having a team approach means that we can multiply our efficiency and impact on the marketplace as we serve more people who would like our help.