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HEADLINES ADDED: May 10, 2008
Gearing Up for Bauma: A Talk with David C.A. Phillips, Managing Director of Off-Highway Research
Flights to Munich are booking up for the Bauma equipment show in April, with more than 500,000 equipment buyers expected to attend the triennial extravaganza. International market analyst David Phillips talks about why construction equipment is selling out like hotel rooms in Munich, and offers key insights into the huge growth of manufacturers from China that will be exhibiting at the show. He also answers our question: Is Chinese equipment for real, or is it all for show?... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 18, 2008
AudioVisions: Doing it Best
The AudioVisions business model, which also incorporates software that provides real-time cost analysis for every job, is the scalable platform they plan to use to expand its high-end custom installation business nationally.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 27, 2007
Growing Pains or Growing Gains?
The devil is in the details when you build your company through acquisitions.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 25, 2007
"The Process" for smaller projects
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"The Process" (2)
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"The process"
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17 Ways to Improve Your Efficiency
Following are 17 suggestions to companies for trimming budgets, saving time, avoiding service calls and improving efficiency during a lean time.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 19, 2007
Google Knows How Late Your Flight Is Running
Google has announced a flight tracking service that provides up-to-date information for those flying over the Christmas/ New Year break.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 18, 2007
Acquiring Minds Want to Know
New software and services help buyers assess the IT systems of potential takeover targets.... Read More
5 Ways to Prepare Your Company for Your Absence
Here are five ways a business owner can help him or herself protect against the effects of long-term absence.... Read More
Should You Join a Buying Group?
If you run a custom-only boutique or hybrid custom retailer, at some point you’ve considered the pros and cons of buying your products direct from the manufacturer or from a distributor. But have you considered a buying group?... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 16, 2007
2008 Business Planning
Brian Tracy says, “It doesn’t matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going.” So, let me ask you. How are you doing with your year-end planning? You should be well into the process by now, at least 2/3 of your 2008 plan complete. A little effort, a little work each day, some good quality thinking time and you will assure yourself, your family and your business a better 2008.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 09, 2007
Marketing Lowdown: The Business Plan
Recently, I have been seeing more and more entrepreneurs striking out on their own. They have accumulated skills and experience over time, and have amassed a fair cadre of friends and acquaintances who encourage their independent streak. So they decide to slap together a business plan and take the plunge.... Read More
Get Ready for Holiday Season Service Calls
The holiday season is fast upon us—are you ready for the inevitable service calls from clients hosting holiday parties?... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 28, 2007
It is Dangerous to Take Shortcuts When Preparing Your Proposal
A recent GAO decision highlights the need for offerors to fully understand a Request for Proposals (RFP) and to pay close attention to the details when preparing a proposal in response to an RFP. In C. Martin Company, Inc., the agency rejected the protestor’s proposal, determining that it was technically unacceptable. The agency discovered that the offeror had referenced outdated regulations, standards, and procedures. Some of the references were to processes and standards that had been obsolete for at least three years. It became evident that the offeror had incorporated parts... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 26, 2007
Firing a Client
It is a tough emotional day when you have to fire a client. When we started in this business, we had one or no customers. It was scary. I can remember waking up in the middle of the night and asking myself why I ever left my regular job to go out on my own. No clients means no income. A truly humbling but, electric experience. Small victories mean more when you have little. So, we all remember that time. As we mature as business owners, we soon discover... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 25, 2007
Cutting The Fat - Slow Down Survival Tips
Action is the key to success. Here are just a few tips on leaning out during a slow down. This is a first of an upcoming series on surviving the market slow down. Look around your company for those employees that just don’t shine quite as brightly as others. OK, now trim the fat. It’s that easy. Use this time to get rid of non performers. Think very carefully before cutting key employees. Replacement many of the costs for replacement are hidden. Long term employees know and understand your... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 20, 2007
Integration in Construction Contracting
There are three business activities every construction contractor must perform. 1. Acquiring Work 2. Building that Work 3. Tracking it All Doing these with accuracy and speed assures a certain future. Clients, Service Providers, Subcontractors, Material Suppliers and others affect the quality of these three critical functions. Each of these project partners must be communicated with if the three functions are to be done well thus, provide a competitive advantage. Acquiring work means building work. That is where the real risk starts. This is no place for fumbled information... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 15, 2007
BUSINESS BASICS FOR CONTRACTORS:
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HEADLINES ADDED: November 14, 2007
CE Pro Summit Aims to Determine Business Valuations
The CE Pro Business Valuation Summit brought together top integrators to hear information from a leading consultant, broker and lawyer, as well as from panels of their peers. ... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 12, 2007
Non-marketing brilliance
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HEADLINES ADDED: November 05, 2007
Homeowner Warranties
New home builders and remodelers should be aware that more and more homeowners are trying to come back at contractors for items they think their state required guarantee should cover. A lot of these claims are fueled by consumer advocate websites where some “shade tree lawyer” has declared what they think you should cover. While there are things that should be covered, all too often the problems are deferred maintenance or normal wear-and-tear. These include floor coverings, painting, roofing, appliances, wood or rubber base, electrical breakers and the like.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 23, 2007
A Good Financing Program is Like Money in the Bank
The HVAC business is built one happy customer at a time. You can create more of them with a strong, effective, flexible financing program.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 22, 2007
The Finer Points of Change Work Orders
We have discussed Change Work Orders for several years now, but new stuff keeps cropping up. Let’s take a look at some of the new things that have come our way. First - We continue to hear from contractors that insist on sending out invoices and bills for their work, and that includes CWO’s. Sooner or later, probably sooner, that practice is going to bite you right in your assets. When you do change work orders, get paid up front, BEFORE you do any work. Anything up to $2,500... Read More
Company Culture Helps Mercedes Homes Net NHQ Silver Award
A strong company culture that garners high customer and employee satisfaction contribute to Mercedes Homes’ receiving silver recognition for the National Housing Quality Award.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 19, 2007
Builders Reassess Their Supply Chains
The recent departure of Paul Dodge, Centex Homes' vice president of purchasing and distribution since 1998, calls attention to the increasing volatility of supply-chain management among big builders that, in several cases, are scaling back and centralizing that function within their operations.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 15, 2007
Smart Business: A Graceful Exit
Subcontractors in certain trades experienced a magic moment in time during the roll-up craze of the 1990s. Scores of owners were able to sell their businesses to consolidators for millions of dollars. Many are still living the good life off those deals. A few got burned by accepting payment mostly in consolidator company stock, almost all of which subsequently tanked, but those who negotiated cash or mostly cash buyouts did well for themselves. For a handful it was like a well-paid extended vacation, because they ended up reacquiring their... Read More
Measuring Up: Don’t Let A Slower Economy Catch You With a Fat Business
Business always has ups and downs, and fluctuations are to be expected. The U.S. economy has been enjoying an economic building boom for over 10 years. The housing slowdown is definitely impacting certain areas. However, things are not as dire as one might think.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 11, 2007
High-Performing Contractor - NEWSLETTER Oct 2007
**************** Leadership Ted Garrison discusses the importance of being a high-performing contractor: read more... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 08, 2007
My Visit to Clemson University
I recently was invited to speak before two Project Management Sections at Clemson University. As they had adopted my book for the course, this was a very easy decision to make. I made time and arrived to that beautiful campus in Clemson, SC. in the month of October. As you may have wondered about the next generation, I found them to be a smart and interesting group. Especially those who sit in the middle rows of the class. Of course, I am assuming that all college seniors in construction... Read More
Innovative Firms Perfect the Use of BIM, Green Building
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HEADLINES ADDED: October 05, 2007
How to Carry Zero Debt
Gerard Lynch doesn’t mind if System 7 has to carry a lot of inventory in its warehouse—as long as he doesn’t pay for it.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 04, 2007
Top Structured Wiring Dealers Making More Money Per Job
Virtually every Top 30 Structured Wiring dealer interviewed this year has focused on making more money on every job to make up for the shortfall in the volume of installations.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 03, 2007
Are You Legally Prepared For Security Installs?
Branching into the specialized field of low-voltage contracting, however, may not be as easy as it looks. ... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: October 01, 2007
Company Integration
Currently we have several clients who are involved in acquiring, merging or otherwise integrating the operations of their company with another. This is a very exciting way to grow because of the upside of almost immediate revenue dollars but behind the scenes there are thousands of details that need to be managed. If these details are not managed correctly then the chances of those additional revenue dollars turning into profits are slim to none - losses are more likely. There is a great short article called "The Right Way... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: September 28, 2007
Innovation Farms
"In thinking about large companies, think of them as farms. And what you’re trying to do is grow rows of corn. You don’t want surprises, you want it to work well, you apply incremental innovation to be as productive as you can."... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: September 27, 2007
CSI Construction Minute- May 28, 2007
A twelve minute late bid costs a contractor $1 million. CSI NewsBrief :: Construction News Delivered to Your Inbox File Download (1:13 min / 1 MB)... Read More
Let's Not Forget Low-Tech in a High Tech World
The Special Projects Office of the United Nations (UN), Fergus Gleeson, has reported in the Irish Engineers Journal, vol. 58:01 January/February 2004, that for countries whose infrastructure has been damaged by war, "labour-based technology is appropriate." The concept finds expression in Afghanistan under the National Emergency Employment Programme. Through this program, construction technologies are "those founded on indigenous knowledge, skills and materials, thereby allowing a maximum of the project fund to be retained within the project area." This policy of labour based appropriate technology (LBAT) is coupled with "social... Read More