The Business Metrics I’m Watching Like a Hawk (And You Should Too)

Hey fellow blue collar pro,

I was thinking the other day about how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of running our businesses—fixing this, building that, and making sure customers are happy.

But as you know, there’s more to running a successful business than just doing good work. We’ve got to keep an eye on the numbers that actually tell us how we’re doing.

So, I figured I’d share the business metrics I’m tracking, the ones that really give me a clear picture of how things are going. I know it might sound like a snooze fest, but trust me, these are the numbers that keep us in business.

1. Revenue vs. Profit: The Bottom Line

It’s easy to get excited when you see that revenue number going up—money’s coming in, things are good, right? But here’s the kicker: if your expenses are eating up all that revenue, you’re not really making money.

I learned this the hard way a few years back when I had a record month in sales but barely saw a bump in my bank account.

That’s when I started focusing on profit margins—making sure that after paying for materials, labor, and all those other costs, there’s still something left for me (and not just coffee money).

2. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): What’s It Costing You to Get a New Customer?

How much are you spending to bring in new customers? Whether it’s ads, promotions, or even discounts, these costs add up.

I once ran a Facebook ad campaign that cost me $500, but when I crunched the numbers, I realized it was costing me $50 just to get one new customer through the door.

Not terrible, but it made me think—what if I could bring that down to $25? By tracking this, I can see what’s working and what’s just draining cash.

3. Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV): How Much Is a Customer Worth Over Time?

Now, here’s one that’s easy to overlook. It’s not just about how much a customer spends with you the first time—it’s about how much they’ll spend with you over the years.

If someone comes back to you again and again, that’s worth a lot more than just a one-time job. I had a customer who started with a small job—just fixing a couple of leaky faucets.

Over the next year, they called me back for a full bathroom remodel, and then referred me to three neighbors. Tracking CLTV helps me see who my real MVPs are.

4. Job Completion Rate: Are You Finishing What You Start?

This one’s a biggie, especially in the blue-collar world. How many jobs are you completing on time, and how many are dragging out (or worse, falling through)?

I had a project last summer that got delayed because of a mix-up with suppliers. It ended up pushing everything back and costing me another job.

Now, I keep a close eye on job completion rates, making sure we’re hitting deadlines and keeping customers happy.

5. Cash Flow: Keeping the Money Moving

Cash flow is like the lifeblood of our businesses. If it’s not flowing, we’re in trouble.

I’ve had times where I was waiting on payments from customers and suddenly found myself scrambling to cover payroll.

Now, I keep a tight watch on my cash flow, making sure there’s always enough coming in to cover what’s going out. It’s not just about having money—it’s about having it when you need it.

6. Employee Productivity: Getting the Most Out of Your Crew

If you’ve got a team, this one’s key.

Are your employees getting the work done efficiently, or is time slipping through the cracks? I’ve got one guy who’s a machine—he gets stuff done faster and better than anyone else.

But I’ve also had a couple who needed a little nudge to stay on track. Tracking productivity helps me know where to focus my attention and where to offer some extra training or motivation.

7. Customer Satisfaction: Are Your Customers Smiling?

At the end of the day, happy customers mean a healthy business. I make it a point to follow up with customers after a job to see how things went.

I ask for honest feedback—sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s a wake-up call.

But by keeping track of customer satisfaction, I can see trends and make sure we’re always improving.

What’s next?

So, there you have it—these are the numbers I’m keeping an eye on to make sure my business stays on track.

It’s not just about doing good work; it’s about making sure the business side is solid too. I know it might seem like extra work, but trust me, these metrics can make a big difference in how smoothly things run.

What about you—are there any numbers you’re tracking that I should be? I’m always up for learning a new trick or two!

Catch you next week,

The Blue Collar Build Up Team