Tom Jakobek is aware of a factor or two about venture administration.
Jakobek has constructed a profitable profession as a venture supervisor who’s snug managing the finances of the Metropolis of Toronto, overseeing large-scale infrastructure tasks, or taking over personal contracts by means of his development consulting agency, KBNJ Consulting, Inc.
Jakobek’s experience in each the personal and public sectors has taught him that venture administration requires juggling all elements of the venture on the identical time. Success doesn’t at all times occur in a straight line.
Jakobek likes to say that “in politics and in life, typically it’s essential go from A to M after which J earlier than you get to B.”
Canadian shoppers search him out for assist managing main restorations and renovations, constructing conversions, the retrofitting of public services, in addition to new residential and industrial improvement tasks.
Earlier than launching KBNJ Consulting Inc., Tom Jakobek was normal supervisor and director of Romlek Enterprises, Inc., a property improvement and administration firm that he additionally based. The corporate centered on the redevelopment or restoration of economic and residential properties within the Larger Toronto Space.
We needed to know what recommendation he has for different venture managers and the way he manages a big consulting agency.
Listed below are the highlights from his current Q&A with us at YoungUpstarts.
You transitioned to the personal sector after a few years working for The Metropolis of Toronto. What did you be taught from that have that helped you handle your individual firm?
Tom Jakobek: Effectively, I realized to be extraordinarily cautious when coping with governments or authorities officers. Particularly when working with a forms, you can not depend on assist from others to get the job executed. An enormous lesson for me was studying that delivering a venture on time and inside finances — you may’t delegate an excessive amount of. The one means to make sure success is to supervise as a lot as you may. It’s essential to work with folks you may belief, however in the event you’re in cost, in the end the accountability for what occurs falls on you. Meaning checking in as typically as attainable on the assorted elements of the venture.
What’s one factor you want you had identified earlier than you started this profession?
Tom Jakobek: I used to be at all times bold. However I want the youthful model of me had taken extra time to gauge all of the attainable choices for work alternatives. It’s really easy to leap on the first alternative while you’re younger and hungry. Time and expertise have taught me that there’s at all times extra alternatives than you understand. It simply takes time and persistence to see them.
Do you might have any day by day or weekly habits which might be essential to your productiveness?
Tom Jakobek: Operating. Each different day, I get out and run at 6:30 within the morning. After I don’t, I begin work at 6:30 a.m. I’ve discovered that working helps preserve my psychological agility. Mornings are constantly the best a part of the day for me. I feel plenty of us busy professionals overlook the significance of train for conserving the thoughts and physique productive and alert.
Are there any tendencies within the development trade or venture administration that you just’re thinking about proper now?
Tom Jakobek: In the event you’re concerned within the development trade within the Larger Toronto Space, there’s rather a lot to stay up for. There are numerous large tasks deliberate for the following few years. There must be as a result of the town continues to be rising quick. You solely have to have a look at the state of actual property to see that. In Ontario, we’re going to see extra housing, extra transportation tasks, extra infrastructure. It’s an thrilling time and place to be in venture administration.
What recommendation would you give to younger entrepreneurs simply beginning out?
Tom Jakobek: You’ll be able to’t do a lot better than studying. Books stay the most effective and best methods to consistently be studying and rising. I’d counsel that younger entrepreneurs learn every little thing. Even books exterior of the enterprise part. Whenever you’re a venture supervisor, you must know as a lot, and ideally extra, than everybody else within the room. Information is essential.
