GlassBuild gives us a rare opportunity to have manufacturers, suppliers, technology companies, industry experts, and other glass shop owners all in one place.
It also gives us a LOT to look at.
Go In With a Mission
Ever walk into Home Depot without a list? You go in for one thing, wander 14 aisles, find six things you didn’t know you needed, and hopefully remember what you originally came for.
GlassBuild can be a little like that. Some people came back with a good deal on a used machine they needed, and some people just came back tired.
You’ve only got so many steps on that show floor. Make them count.
Make A List – Measure Twice
Before you start making a list of booths to visit, ask yourself:
What would make this trip worth it for my business?
Think about what’s costing you time, money, or frustration right now. Maybe measuring is taking too long or your looking at bringing some fabrication in-house. Maybe it’s estimating, scheduling, employees, lead times, customer communication, software, learning how to use AI, or getting more jobs.
- ⏱ Time: What takes longer than it should?
- $ Money: Where are we losing it?
- ⚠ Frustrations: What comes up over and over?
- Growth: What do we want to do next?
Whatever it is, write it down. Now you have something to look for instead of just something to look at. And don’t only look for vendors who can help.
Look for other shop owners who have already solved the problem.
If you’re considering a piece of equipment, find somebody already using it. If another Co-Op member has figured out something you’re struggling with, buy them a drink and ask them about it.
Some of the best resources at GlassBuild won’t be sitting in booths. They’ll be walking around with you.
Let Us Help Build Your GlassBuild Mission
Since this is Rob’s Tech Corner, I had to make this a little techie.
I put together a simple GlassBuild Mission tool for our members below.
Don’t want to fill out another form? No problem. Grab a piece of paper and write: TIME | MONEY | FRUSTRATION
Put a couple of problems under each one and bring it with you. That’s your mission… If you choose to accept it…… 🤣
TRY THIS BEFORE GLASSBUILD
Build Your GlassBuild Mission
Give me about 90 seconds. Tell me what days you’re attending, what you want to find, and what’s giving you headaches in the business.
I’ll use that information to help point you toward vendors, booths, people, Co-Op events, and questions worth asking while you’re there.
What Happens Back Home While You’re Gone?
Here’s the other part of your GlassBuild plan that I don’t want you to forget.
Your company is still open.
- Who answers the phone while you’re gone?
- What happens to a missed call?
- Who follows up with Tuesday’s new website lead?
- Can your employees make decisions without waiting for you?
Are you going to spend GlassBuild learning and building relationships, or standing in a hallway answering questions from the shop all day?
You don’t need to rebuild your company before you leave.
Pick one or two things you can put in place now.
Forward calls. Turn on missed-call text back. Set an automatic response. Give somebody on your team authority to make certain decisions. Have your team send you one end-of-day summary instead of interrupting you twelve times.
If you already have automation or an AI receptionist available, this is a pretty good week to actually put it to work. The technology isn’t the point.
Being able to leave your business for a few days without everything depending on you is the point.
Come Home With Something
You don’t need to come home from GlassBuild with 25 new ideas.
Come home with one or two things you’ll actually do differently and a few new relationships with people who can help you do them.
Ask questions. Meet the vendors. Find the other Co-Op members. Talk to somebody you normally wouldn’t. Look at the machine you can’t afford yet. Ask somebody to explain the technology you don’t understand.
And if you’re wondering how to put any of this stuff in place before you leave, or you find something at GlassBuild and want to figure out how it could actually work in your business, reach out to me.
Find me in our Kajabi member chat, email me, text me, or grab me at GlassBuild.
That’s what I’m here for.
You’ve only got so many steps on that show floor. Make them count.