In this episode, I had the pleasure of continuing the discussion from last episode with Brendon Fenton (VP, PowerNorth Utility Contractors Inc.) and his partner Nick Gatien (President, PowerNorth). We discuss the future of the high voltage industry and the next 25 years.

Maintaining current customer as well as finding new opportunities to provide high level services. Being engaged early with long-time customers with constructability and details for planning to perform permitting, design, procurement, or construction planning.

Building the organization is critical. Developing the talent in the office to make sure there are new key people in the business to take on more activities. Managing the capacity to service today’s responsibilities but see the long-term work to be able to respond to you client when they need you. The apprenticeship program in the company is a core investment being done.

The importance of Business Development for the long-term is critical to your success. That includes understanding the Indigenous communities, leaders, and businesses. Find out what the stakeholders, landowners, and rights holders need.

Getting engaged with customers at many levels including development, planning, risk review and deliver great services with high quality and safety. The enthusiasm with which the leadership and key supervision can time and time again interact with customers creates trust.

Once the customer finds their service provider is an extension of them, the integration into ECI process, collaborative approach, and integrated project management helps de-risk a project and lead to successful outcomes. This leads to service agreements or review services for planning.

Stay focused on what you do and what you are good at. Manage the specialty items you need to provide a complete project solution. Develop good relations with vendors, engineering, subcontractors to create teams with similar focus, values, and great performance.

Develop the right team in the business to deliver a unique solution and compete at the highest level.

Key Takeaways:

1. Maintaining current customer as well as finding new opportunities to provide high level services.
2. Managing the capacity to service today’s responsibilities but see the long-term work to be able to respond to you client when they need you. The importance of Business Development for the long term is critical to your success.
3. Getting engaged with customers at many levels including development, planning, risk review and deliver great services with high quality and safety. The enthusiasm with which the leadership and key supervision can time and time again interact with customers creates trust.
4. Once the customer finds their service provider is an extension of them, the integration into ECI process, collaborative approach, and integrated project management helps de-risk a project and lead to successful outcomes.
5. Stay focused on what you do and what you are good at. Manage the specialty items you need to provide a complete project solution.
6. Develop the right team in the business to deliver a unique solution and compete at the highest level.

Please subscribe to this podcast and connect with me on my website at DGG5Advising.com or on LinkedIn at Dean G. Gatien.