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Strength in safety – tackling manual handling and slip risks in fencing work

Fencing work has always demanded physical strength, grit, and good judgment – but as the industry evolves, so too must our approach to health and safety.

One of the most significant (and often underestimated) risks in fencing is manual handling – lifting, carrying, and positioning heavy materials, tools, and posts. Coupled with this is the ever-present hazard of slips, trips, and falls, especially when working on uneven terrain, muddy paddocks, or in wet weather conditions.

A single strain or awkward lift might not seem like much in the moment, but over time, those repetitive, high-force tasks can lead to serious musculoskeletal injuries. For those working long hours in rugged paddocks, the combination of heavy strainers, treated timber, uneven ground, and unpredictable weather only adds to the challenge. Even experienced fencers are at risk of losing footing when carrying heavy loads or navigating soft, soggy soil – making awareness and footwear critical.

The weight of the job

Consider this: some strainers can weigh up to 82 kilograms — and that’s before factoring in awkward shapes, muddy conditions, or limited access for machinery. When you’re also dealing with tanalised posts and rails, there’s the added hazard of chemical exposure from treated timber. Gloves, long sleeves, and good hygiene practices (washing hands and arms before eating or drinking) are essential to reduce skin contact and contamination.

Even with years of experience, fatigue and time pressure can lead to shortcuts – like lifting without help, twisting while carrying gear, or moving quickly over uneven ground. These habits are often the root cause of back, shoulder, and knee injuries – and, combined with slips and trips, can result in serious injuries that take workers off the tools for weeks
or longer.

Thinking smarter, not harder

The fencing sector has a reputation for problem-solving on the fly — and that same ingenuity is driving innovation in safety. Across farms and contracting crews, there’s a growing focus on designing tools and systems that minimise manual handling and reduce slip hazards without compromising productivity.

A great example is the modification recently made to the post rammer. Adding a small ATV electric winch bolted to the lower mast and connecting electric wire to the tractor with an Anderson plug.

The winch rope runs up to the hinge in the main beam and out to the post for lifting from the ground. This small but clever improvement reduced the need for two-person lifts, cut down on fatigue, and made handling safer — especially on slippery or uneven ground.

Other crews are exploring:

  • Mechanical lifting aids for strainers and rolls of wire.
  • Custom trolleys or carriers to transport heavy loads across rough terrain.
  • Training refreshers on safe lifting techniques, team lifts, and safe footing.
  • Job rotation, so the same person isn’t carrying the physical burden all day.

How Rural Safe can help

Rural Safe works alongside fencing teams, contractors, and landowners to identify practical risks associated with manual handling and slips, trips, and falls — and to find real, workable solutions. Through on-farm safety assessments, manual handling workshops, and hazard management reviews, Rural Safe helps businesses pinpoint where the biggest strains and fall risks occur and supports them to introduce controls that fit the work environment.

Rural Safe can also assist in developing or reviewing standard operating procedures, safe work method statements, and training plans that cover hazardous substances, lifting techniques, footing, and equipment use.

Culture change on the fenceline

Improving safety in fencing isn’t just about compliance — it’s about longevity. Fencers are tough, but bodies wear out faster than we think. Encouraging a ‘lift smart, step smart’ mindset, investing in innovation, and recognising when a job
needs a different approach are all part of ensuring crews can work well for years to come.

Manual handling injuries, slips, trips, and falls remain some of the most common causes of lost time in agricultural and rural contracting sectors. By combining practical controls, the right gear, smarter tools, and support from Rural Safe, we can keep both productivity and people strong.

Because in fencing — safety isn’t just about surviving the job, it’s about sustaining the craft.

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Published in WIRED issue 79/December 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Tool safety on the fence line – meeting WorkSafe NZ requirements

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Weeds don’t care how hard you work

Most tradie business owners hit a point where they’re tangled in the weeds. Constantly putting out fires, with no time to work on the business.

So, they push harder, take more on themselves, go back on the tools, work long hours, and try to muscle through. But eventually, the hours stack up, mistakes creep in, and the pressure gets even heavier. The danger is that the longer you stay stuck in the weeds, the less time you have to work on the things that move the needle in the business.

Working harder won’t get you out of the weeds; you need a different approach.

When a boat gets caught in the weeds, speeding up just gets you stuck faster. A good skipper slows down, assesses the problem, clears the propeller, resets direction, and then heads to better waters. Weeds come in various forms; some are thin and stringy, wrapping around anything they come in contact with, while others are thick and heavy, slowing the boat to a standstill.

A fencing client, Mike (not his real name), came to me with what I call the ‘bad job’ weeds. When Mike was scoping a particular job, there were some initial alarm bells, but he decided to take it anyway, as there was a gap of a few weeks in the schedule and he wanted to keep his team busy.

The job lasted longer than expected, with the client adding more and more requests almost daily. Then he argued about the bill, and then demanded a massive discount at the end of the job. When Mike asked around, he discovered that he wasn’t the only contractor this client had played this game with. He eventually got paid, but much less than the original invoice. He screens more carefully now.

Then there was John (also not his real name), who was stuck in the ‘too much work’ weeds. The work was piling up, and with a man down in the team, he chose to go back full-time on the tools for a few months to get things under control.

But that meant there was no time left to work on other parts of the business. Work booked ahead went down, and invoicing wasn’t getting done on time, which put pressure on cash flow. Once John found time again for marketing and invoicing, job bookings increased back to the 3-4 month buffer, and there was a healthy bank balance again.

Keeping out of the weeds is a lot about having the right strategy that suits your business, not just using the latest, most popular tactic.

I see this a lot as a trades business coach; clients with plenty of tactics, but they don’t have the game plan holding everything together. Let me explain. Strategy is looking at the big picture and overall direction of the business, whereas tactics are day-to-day actions dealing with what’s in front of you. The problem is that most of the so-called experts promote tactics that, if applied without a good strategy behind them, can get you into trouble.

For example, one tactic my clients use is ‘Controlling the quote’, a strong follow-up process to maximise the conversion rate of quotes to jobs. It works well. But if it snags the wrong kind of work with poor margins and difficult clients, then that tactic has made the business worse, not better.

Here are five ways to keep you out of the weeds:

1. Be clear on where you’re headed and the dangers along the way.

Be clear about your vision, your map. The map is your vision: what kind of business do you want that works for you and your family? What do you want your business to look like in the next three to five years? What kind of work do you want and don’t want? What size ideally do you want your team to be? What’s too big or too small? What kind of team do you want, and which key team members do you want to work with in the long term? How much profit and cash buffer do you need to be making in the business?

2. Identifying the landmarks

Once you know where you want to go, you need a way of measuring it to make sure you stay on track. These are your KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in the business. They must be clearly measurable, so it’s really obvious if you have achieved them or not.

One of my painting clients lost a major builder client. In this market, finding another building client who had the work and would pay the rates he wanted was difficult. He needed more work now, but one of his KPIs was a Gross Margin of 25%+. He decided to target residential work instead, where margins would fit. He got the turnover back and still had strong margins, while others in his market were buying work and going backwards.

3. Watching the compass

Just like the compass shows you which way to head, KPIs only work if you regularly measure your results. Review your progress against the KPIs at least monthly and adjust fast if you’re off track. It’s easy to fix one month, hard to fix twelve.

4.Be flexible when bad weather comes.

When storms come, and they will, it’s time to take shelter, rather than head for open water. Your destination or overall strategy likely won’t change, but your tactics will.

A painter client of mine was going to stay on the tools another one to two years while he trained key team members to run the job sites. However, he was carrying a number of long-term injuries that deteriorated quicker than anticipated. These injuries required several surgeries close together. He could no longer be on the tools, so he had to change tack quickly, targeting work in the short term that the team could do without him being on site.

5. A good captain is always accountable.

A captain of the ship is accountable to the passengers, crew and boat owner. Maritime laws and rules must be adhered to, which provide a structure and ensure everyone onboard is kept safe. So, who are you accountable to, so your business is safe and thriving?

_______________________________________________________

It always takes effort and focus to keep on track. Without proper accountability, it’s easy for even experienced tradies to slip back into old habits and start reacting to what’s in front of them rather than the main mission. This could be a mentor or coach who knows enough about you and your business, with whom you can talk about the real issues. Someone you respect who can call you out when you need it, help you get clear on your goals and how to get there.

If you feel you’re getting caught in the weeds or just want to avoid them, then leave your credit card behind and book a FREE strategy session with me. We’ll map out where you want to go, spot what’s holding you back, and give you a clear plan forward.

Here’s the link: www.nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep/
Written by Daniel Fitzpatrick Business Coach, Next Level Tradie

Published in WIRED issue 79/December 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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AI challenges for small businesses

Artificial Intelligence is designed to solve a business’s problems but can quickly become the source of them. If you are considering harnessing the power of AI in your business, read our shortlist of the AI challenges small businesses should watch out for.

1. The latest AI solutions

Artificial Intelligence is nothing new – the first AI program was written by Christopher Strachey at the University of Oxford in 1951. However, the world has recently been rediscovering the possibilities of AI following the release of ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a natural language processing chatbot capable of understanding requests and generating detailed written content in seconds.

ChatGPT can be used to whip up a snappy ‘about’ page, a corporate white paper, or even a catchy tagline for a marketing campaign – the possibilities are endless.

With Google Bard recently added to the range of experimental AI platforms, various business tasks can now be automated, including:

  • Analysing company data
  • Producing business reports
  • Filtering job candidates for HR
  • Calculating accounting figures
  • Personalising marketing campaigns
  • Debugging and fixing code
  • Creating graphic designs
  • Providing customer service via chatbots
  • Responding to social media posts

2. The challenges of implementing AI

AI technology remains experimental, and many companies who choose to use it are effectively acting as test-cases, discovering both its possibilities and flaws.

Business leaders investing in AI systems should evaluate the risks and challenges that come with using innovative tech for business processes.

3. Making roles redundant

The biggest AI challenge for businesses is the ethical implication of reducing the need for human workers. Ideally, AI should enhance productivity and simplify jobs without making them redundant.

Many businesses benefiting from digitalisation will intentionally deploy AI in a supporting role. Used in this way, AI can automate lower-level and repetitive tasks, freeing-up employees to perform more high-value work.

4.The cost of AI

The amount of money you invest in AI will be determined by the scope of your initiatives.

If you are using AI to create written content or web graphics, the process will be quick and only cost a monthly subscription.

However, if you plan to use AI to analyse your company data, this could easily be a significant investment. Businesses often need higher computing power, database integration, or even a lengthy process of data training.

5. Data security

While AI increases the amount of information your business can make decisions with, it also increases the risks of mishandling sensitive customer data. Ensuring customer data is properly secured is one of the biggest AI challenges for small businesses.

Many businesses implement additional cybersecurity measures, such as multi-factor authentication or encryption, to ensure they maintain strong data protection and governance.

6.Lack of technical skills

As a branch of machine learning and data science, AI is a specialised skill set that demands extensive knowledge and training. A routine change to your AI system might require a programmer to write neural network algorithms. This is every bit as complicated as it sounds.

To maximise the benefits of AI in your business, you may need to outsource to external tech specialists or invest in training your existing IT staff. Either way, small businesses should carefully consider the ongoing costs involved.

7. Data quality

The results of AI are only as good as the input data. In most businesses, data is siloed, disorganised or of low quality. Unreliable data poses a major obstacle for businesses looking to benefit from AI.

So called “dirty data” can be outdated, inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent, and must be cleaned before it can be used. Most businesses contemplating large data-driven AI projects will start by evaluating the amount of work required to prepare their data sets.

8. The future of Artificial Intelligence for small businesses

There is always an opportunity for businesses to increase operational efficiency, and companies have a lot to gain from embracing AI. For small business owners, the cost is likely to be the biggest barrier keeping them from exploring the full potential of AI tools.

However, with demand growing and the industry making rapid progress, the price of AI systems is likely to fall dramatically. In the coming years, expect to see businesses of all sizes lean into the possibilities of AI.

Article written by Peninsula NZ

Published in WIRED issue 79/December 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Working smarter: 4 ways AI can help your business

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Working smarter: 4 ways AI can help your business

AI is on everyone’s mind, it’s exciting and can greatly help people be more productive and creative. But how can AI help the average Kiwi business or entrepreneur? Spencer Bailey, Head of New Zealand – Meta, asks this very question.
In New Zealand, small and medium-sized businesses are constantly looking for ways to work smarter, not harder. A recent New Zealand.AI article suggests that there is growing interest and strategic consideration of AI among many New Zealand businesses, driven by various commercial needs such as cost reduction and improved customer experience.
There are many ways businesses can leverage AI, which can help you save time on tasks, increase your capabilities, or even reach new customers more effectively.

1. Leverage AI to bring your imagination to life

Today, the majority of us are discovering brands online and on social media. But for small and medium-sized businesses, it can be incredibly onerous and time consuming to balance always-on marketing campaigns while juggling other business needs.
Now, brands can bring their most imaginative ideas to life with AI tools right at their fingertips. Need a suite of campaign images for an ad but don’t have the budget for photography? Not a problem with AI image generation technology from the likes of Meta AI, Adobe and Canva.
Creative represents one the biggest levers advertisers can pull to improve campaign performance. We’re investing in more generative AI features on our platforms within our Ads Manager, making it easier than ever to diversify creative assets.
AI can also help businesses keep up – generating video content ideas, plan production and timings, generate visuals and even speed up the editing process.

2. AI can help you to stay on top of customer service

A happy and loyal customer base is the key to success for any business. It’s no longer enough just to provide timely replies to customer queries; the modern consumer expects personalisation. Importantly seeing promos and offers relevant to their interests and receiving a customer service experience that feels personal. AI-powered chatbots or virtual assistants can automate customer interactions, freeing up valuable time for more strategic tasks.
Meta is leading the charge in this space, empowering businesses to harness AI tools to personalise recommendations based on customer behaviour and preferences. These technologies enable companies to offer a bespoke experience that keeps customers engaged and satisfied. So buckle up because, with AI on your side, you can take your customer service to a whole new level.

3. AI can be your advertising ally

How much time and money could you be saving with AI? If you manage your marketing internally and need a faster solution to advertise your products or services, AI can be your most powerful ally.
Most advertisers expect to save time by using AI, with more than half estimating that generative AI will save up to five or more hours a week – the equivalent of one month per year.
Social media companies are making it easier than ever for brands to tap into AI advertising and marketing tools within the platform itself. AI and machine learning can help optimise campaign results, personalise ads by serving them to the right people at the right time.
AI does more than just save time, it enables businesses to deliver personalised ad experiences to users, it tailors content based on preferences and ensures your content is delivered to the right audience.

4. Don’t miss out on AI-powered data insights

Imagine having a crystal ball that shows you exactly how your customers interact with your content, and what works and what doesn’t. Well, that is exactly what AI powered tools can do for you.
The days of online surveys and customer feedback forms are long gone. AI tools can offer instant information by crunching the data and creating smart insights, allowing you to tailor your content using real-time data. For the first time, small businesses have the power to use big-player technology to get ahead of their competitors and make the most of the data and analytics they might have been missing out on.
By employing these strategies, you can start to really captivate your audience, streamline your processes, and take your business to the next level.
Originally published on ITBrief.co.nz

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: Digital marketing that works

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A new standard for low-loader ramp safety

In New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure sectors, the use of low-loader trailers is routine – but the risks they pose are anything but ordinary.

Ramp-related incidents have led to serious injuries and fatalities, often stemming from uncontrolled drops, hydraulic failures, or poor maintenance practices. To address these high-energy hazards, Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ), in collaboration with industry leaders and WorkSafe NZ, has released the Good Practice Guide for Low-Loader Ramps. This comprehensive resource offers practical, evidence-based strategies to eliminate or minimize risks during the loading and unloading of heavy machinery.

Designed for owners, operators, maintainers, and designers, the guide aligns with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and introduces Energy-Based Safety principles to tackle hazards exceeding 1,500 joules. Whether you’re a PCBU looking to implement direct controls like double-acting rams, or seeking alternative measures such as trained spotters, this guide empowers you to make informed, safety-first decisions. It’s not just a document – it’s a blueprint for safer worksites across Aotearoa, and well worth a read.

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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Digital marketing that works

As a tradie in New Zealand, chances are most of your business comes from word of mouth. A mate recommends you, a neighbour remembers your sign at the gate, or someone calls because they saw you out on the job. It’s simple and it works – but what if you could take that word of mouth and give it unlimited reach?

That’s where digital marketing comes in, and I’m not talking about expensive, fancy campaigns. I’m talking about simple strategic marketing that works for real businesses like yours, without draining your time or budget.

First things first: why consistent branding matters

Branding might sound corporate, but it’s just how people’s brains work to recognise you. If your logo, colours, and style match across your signs, shirts, Facebook, and website, you start to stick in people’s minds.
Think of branding like a good fence line: when everything’s straight, strong, and tidy, people trust it. When it’s all over the place, they don’t.

Even if you’re a new business, invest in a clear logo and simple design that you can use everywhere. If you look professional, people assume your work is too. Think about colours and the font you choose, as they all convey ideas about your business.

I’ve worked with dozens of rural and trade-based businesses, and I’ve seen one thing time and time again: when you look professional, and you show up consistently online and offline, you build trust – it’s trust that gets you the job!

There is a reason that big businesses spend millions on branding.

Why an online presence matters

You might think, “I’ve got enough work, I don’t need marketing.” That might be true now, but what about next season? Or when you want to grow?

Your online presence means people can find you 24/7. It builds trust before they even meet you. Even in rural New Zealand, people Google before they call. Think of your Google Business listing, website, and Facebook page as a digital handshake. If they look good, people feel confident hiring you.

Your Google Business profile 

If you’re not on Google Business, you’re missing a huge opportunity. It’s free and helps you show up when people Google “fencers near me.”

How to set it up:

  • Add your business name, phone, service area, and photos.
  • Include a short description of your services.
  • Ask happy customers to leave reviews.
  • Upload photos of real work – Google loves fresh content.

This also puts you on Google Maps, making it easier for locals to find and trust you.

Building your website

A website is your digital shop front. It’s where people go to check you out before calling you.
You don’t need a flashy site, just one that works, is SEO and mobile optimised, and is user-friendly.

A good website should:

  • Be mobile-friendly (most people browse on their phones).
  • Load fast (3–5 seconds max).
  • Be clear: What you do, where you work, how to contact you.
  • Show your real work: photos, testimonials, services.
  • Have consistent branding.
  • Be easy for customers to navigate.

Even a one-page site can work if it’s professional and easy to navigate.

What’s the buzz about social media?

Social media is different from print media because it’s ongoing and shareable. One good post can reach far beyond your town for free. You don’t need a huge following – just consistency. Post your latest job, a before-and-after shot, or a tip about fencing care, and suddenly you’re the name people remember.

Social also gives feedback. On Facebook, you can see who’s clicking, liking, or messaging you. With print, you never really know who’s reading it, making it difficult to monitor success and adapt future marketing efforts.

How to optimise your Facebook business page

If you only do one thing after reading this article, let it be setting up your Facebook business page properly. It’s free, easy, and it’s where most of your potential clients will look first.

Here’s what to check:

  • Profile Photo & Cover Image: Use your logo as your profile picture and a strong, clear image of your work or your team for the cover.
  • About/Bio Section: Tell people who you are, what you do, and where you work. Example: “Quality rural fencing across Nelson and Tasman. Over 20 years’ experience.”
  • Contact Info: Add your phone number, email, website, and hours.
  • Post x3 times a week: Share before/after shots, happy customers (with permission), tips, team photos, or seasonal reminders like “Spring is the perfect time to check your boundary fences.”

Quick social media tips

Social media doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s what works:

  • Post real work: before-and-after fence shots beat stock photos.
  • Use your phone: natural light is your best friend.
  • Tag your location: helps locals find you.
  • Show your team: people trust people.
  • Use local hashtags like #nzfencing or #ruralservicesnz.
  • Don’t overthink it. Done is better than perfect.
  • Think of social like word of mouth – just online. When you share your work, people share it too.

Carissa Marsh

Published in WIRED issue 78/September 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

You may also like: How can I work smarter not harder in my business?!

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Unsafe quad bike killed farmhand

A quad bike rollover, which cost a Tararua farmhand his life, could have been avoided if the farm manager had kept the bike in good working order, WorkSafe New Zealand says.

Worn brakes, uneven tyre pressure, and poor suspension were among the defects found on the bike that flipped at low speed and killed 31-year-old Ethen Payne at an Eketahuna dairy farm in November 2022.

The bike was purchased second-hand and had no crush protection device installed. The farm manager and bike owner, Dane Hemphill, has now been sentenced for health and safety failures uncovered by a WorkSafe investigation. A victim impact statement read in court said Mr Payne’s mother has since died of a broken heart.

“This tragedy should be the lightning rod the agriculture sector needs to up its game on quad bike safety,” says WorkSafe’s central regional manager, Nigel Formosa.

“First and foremost, WorkSafe strongly recommends installing a crush protection device on the back of a quad bike.”

Pre-start checks are important, primarily to check tyre pressure and brake function before setting off.

Regular servicing in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation is also a must. This may include oil changes and filter replacements. A checklist can be handy to document the frequency of servicing, what was looked at, and any fixes undertaken.

Any issues identified during pre start checks or servicing should be addressed promptly to avoid further problems or potential hazards.

“We know life is busy for farmers, but there’s no excuse for letting your quad bike maintenance slide – especially when the consequences can be catastrophic. Ideally maintenance checks are done by a mechanic. If you are too busy to take your quad bikes in for a service, arrange for a mobile mechanic to come out to you. The cost is nothing compared to having a preventable death on your conscience,” says Nigel Formosa.

WorkSafe Media Release, 1 May 2025

Published in WIRED issue 77/June 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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Three simple ways to free up your time

You can’t get more time. But you can make yourself use it better. Business coach Daniel Fitzpatrick from Next Level Tradie explains how.

If you’re like most tradies, you’re so busy you can barely catch a breath right now. Make hay while the sun shines. I couldn’t agree more.

But there’s one small catch: Avoiding burnout is paramount. For you, your family, your team, and for the success of your company.

Sucking it up “to just get through the next big job”? Not the best plan. Why? Because there’s always another “next big job” around the corner.

To stay on your game, handle the curveballs of this ‘new normal’, maintain strong margins and profits (and still have family time), you’re going to need tried-and-true strategies that work in the real world.

You’ll need to get a better handle on managing your time. 

Here are three of my favourite insights:

1. Only 20% of tasks move the needle

Heard of the 80/20 law? Here’s how it works:

  • 80% of referrals come from 20% of your contacts;
  • 80% of your profit comes from 20% of the jobs you do;
  • 80% of the problems come from 20% of your clients;
  • 80% of staff issues come from 20% of your team (if you have 10 staff, most of the headaches are caused by the same 1 or 2 individuals).

Same with your time: 80% of results come from 20% of the efforts.

In 8 hours at work, you’ll find that less than 2 hours of your time is spent on tasks that make a real difference.

Take a look at your week. What are the things that move the needle?

Profit-generating tasks might be: speaking with key clients; negotiating  deals; organising your team; staff training and keeping standards high; setting targets with your team; working on profitability; hiring; streamlining systems so things happen without you being involved every step of the way… and so on.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the wrong things. Fires and squeaky wheels distract you from what you should be doing. This can leave you shattered week after week. Chasing your tail. Frustrated that there is no time left to make the business better. No time left to get the important stuff done.

Instead of reacting to the demands of the day, step back. Just for a moment.

Don’t let other people’s priorities dominate your day.

Identify the 20% of tasks on your plate that drive results – things that move you closer to your goals.

Here’s how: grab a piece of paper. On the left, list all your daily and weekly activities. On the right, write down your recent wins. Then draw a line to connect your wins to tasks directly responsible for making them happen. Then you’ll know exactly where to focus your efforts.

Start each day by jotting down your top 3 tasks. Do the most important or hardest one first – minimise interruptions during this time.

Remember: you can’t do it all anyway. So you’re going to have to choose. Be strategic and intentional about how you spend your time. And you’ll be way ahead.

2. Using money to save time makes you happier

As a skilled professional, you probably think it’s crazy when a homeowner wants to DIY. It’s stressful. It takes longer. And the quality isn’t nearly as good.

But here’s something really interesting:

Most of us DIY stuff inside our own business. All the time.

I’ll tell you what though. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

Let’s be honest: The bulk of your time is probably spent on stuff you could pay someone else $30/hour (or less) to do.

Did you know using your money to free up your time actually makes you happier?

A study by University of British Columbia found people felt happier when they spent money on a time-saving purchase, rather than a material one.

People who invested in time-saving services (such as house cleaning, grocery/meal delivery, lawn mowing, errands, childcare) reported higher levels of satisfaction with life.

This was true regardless of income level, even when participants had very little disposable cash.

Let’s apply this to business. Take another look at your to-do list. Ask: does this task need to be done? For real? Does it need to be done by me? Who else could do this?

Could you outsource, employ an admin person, a foreman, or an extra pair of hands on the tools?

Do you need to be: answering the phone 24/7 (dealing with the tyre­kickers)? Wrestling paperwork, doing all the bookkeeping (invoicing, following up late payers, handling payroll)? Fiddling around sorting out IT issues, or wasting 40 minutes fixing the printer? Manning social media?

Running out to collect materials for jobs (could you pay for delivery?).

Don’t get me wrong. Delegating is not just about handing work over – but also checking in to ensure it’s done to the same high standards you expect.

Letting go is easier than you think. But having the confidence to let go – staying in control – happens by putting in place standards and systems, so you can trust that your team will get it done right.

Don’t forget to consider what you can automate. Bad systems cost you time and make your life harder. You might invest in apps so you can get paid on the spot, log timesheets, use GPS, or project management software for job tracking, and to keep clients updated/ get the same information out to everyone in real time.

3. Work expands to fill the time available for its completion

Ever swore you couldn’t possibly fit one more task into your busy day, then something urgent cropped up, and somehow you still got everything done?

Weird, right? When push came to shove, you did have time.

The secret is, for the most part, things get done when they need to get done.

It’s Parkinson’s law: work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

In other words, time is elastic. That’s why we often get more done when we have less time to do it. We fit the task to the timeframe.

Try it: set yourself deadlines. Shorten the allocated time.

Here’s another clue: “My #1 productivity hack is understanding the difference between “doing” and “done”. When you shift your focus from what you are going to be “doing” in a given time period, to what you are going to get “done”, your productivity skyrockets.” – Dr Sam Hazledine.

By now, you’ll be wondering: Can I use this idea with my team? Heck yes!

Give your crew set targets for when you expect the job to be completed by. How many hours are allocated on fixed price jobs before you start eating away at profit? Break it down to each stage to stay on track.

Sure, sometimes things take longer, and delays are unavoidable. But I can almost guarantee that if you adjust expectations and set targets, you’ll shave significant time off each job.

A drainlayer I worked with would book inspections on jobs before they were complete. When they didn’t, jobs would take 2.5 days instead of the usual 2. Staff productivity increased when “gotta get it done, because the inspector is turning up on Friday” was in play. Interesting, isn’t it?

Let’s wrap things up

A word of caution: Ideas are useless without execution. Yet to get results, you don’t have to implement every idea that comes along. Just the ones that make the most difference.

You can have your nights and weekends back and a highly successful business. My clients have achieved this and so can you.

Like the idea of getting some support and accountability to be the best version of yourself as a business owner? Book a free call with me. It’s a zero-pressure chat to see if private 1 on 1 mentoring might be right for you.

Go here and book a time now: nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep/

Written by Daniel Fitzpatrick, Business Coach, Next Level Tradie

Published in WIRED issue 77/June 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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