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HEADLINES ADDED: June 23, 2008
Strategy says home renovations must be green
Home owners could be forced to improve the energy efficiency of their homes when carrying out renovation works.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: June 02, 2008
Rental And Construction Build A Business
What is the key to success in today's construction market? If you ask Rene Sanchez of Rene's Equipment Rental, a multifaceted firm offering a variety of equipment and construction services to clients in Dade and South Broward County and surrounding areas, he might say the key is loyalty — to customers, to employees and to suppliers.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: May 30, 2008
5 ways to motivate staff
As the economy slows down, and concern over job security grows, employee morale invariably takes a direct hit. So how do you keep productivity high in these difficult times?... Read More
State And Local Immigration Laws: The New Challenge For Business
New laws and regulations at every level of government are likely to change the way subcontractors recruit, hire and manage employees. During 2007, more than ....... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: March 26, 2008
Attitude Improvement for the Construction Industry
For basketball fans, it’s March Madness again. But for some in the construction industry, there is a different kind of madness going around, an attitude that says, “It’s no use. The housing market is going to pot, and so will my business.” It isn’t true. Many contractors are busy and making good money, it’s all in your attitude. Michael will be leading a free one-hour “attitude adjustment” webinar this Saturday morning specifically for those in the construction industry. If you aren’t familiar with webinars, all you need is a... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: March 02, 2008
Construction Industry Faces Ethical Challenges, Exec Says
To replace departing Baby Boomers, industry must change its behavior.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 26, 2008
The 100-Page Start-Up Plan -- Don't Bother
FEB 2008 from the Wall Street Journal | Read the full story» [A] growing body of research suggests that some entrepreneurs spend way too long polishing 50- or 100-page business plans when they should be out in the marketplace selling their product or service.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 18, 2008
Rock Trenching Opens Door To Growth
Here's a look at how the decision to buy specialized equipment opened the door to business growth for a Tennessee contractor. There was a time when some folks in Lebanon, Tenn., were concerned that Eddie Conrad had gone a little crazy. His company, Conrad Construction, was primarily in the business of building roads.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 17, 2008
Smaller Builders Share Survival Strategies
Getting more from less was a common theme expressed by small builders and remodelers who participated in a seminar at the International Builders' Show in Orlando on Thursday that focused on how to weather the housing downturn.... Read More
Measuring Up: How to Avoid Plunder in Slower Economic Times
Sometimes it can be difficult to keep things in perspective. Adapting to a changing market versus panicking and imagining problems that don’t exist can be a tough balancing act to follow. How do you keep your business sharp and prepare for the future without making mountains out of molehills? This article contains some business tips designed to help you keep things in perspective.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 14, 2008
Battle Plans
Corporate war games could be the best way of testing business strategy.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: February 12, 2008
Specializing in Everything
I was in New York last week, participating in a workshop to develop the new national test for commercial contractors. I’ve been involved with this group for the past 3 years. When the test is complete, commercial contractors nationwide will be able to take the test allowing them to work in any state in the nation without having to deal with the differing requirements now heaped on them by the Contractor Licensing agencies of different states. I’ve written before, both here and in our newsletter, on the importance of... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 22, 2008
Should You Start a Profit Sharing Plan for Your Small Business?
If you're looking for a way to attract or retain employees to your small business, you might consider adding a Profit Sharing Plan to your benefits roster. Profit sharing is an excellent way to motivate employees to work toward a common goal, focuses employees on profitability, and recognize their efforts as a group.... 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: January 13, 2008
Competition: How McDonald's Will Kill Itself Killing Starbucks
McDonald's has nearly 14,000 stores nationwide, all of which will be equipped with full-fledged coffee bars and baristas by year's end. Having already begun adding plush seating, gentler lighting and subtler colors to their franchises, the big M is looking to steamroll the limping Starbucks on its own turf. Starbucks, however, isn't going anywhere; rather, it's McDonald's that will be maimed most by its own campaign to destroy the Seattle super-brand.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 08, 2008
State Your Business
Along with vague mission statements, most companies also lack values with grit. Forget "excellence." Try "Never lose a superstar," say BusinessWeek Columnists Jack & Suzy Welch (Audio)... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 07, 2008
Selling Your Business
Selling your business is not as easy as you thought: Potential buyers won't flock to your business if you simply put up a for sale sign. Here are some tips to help you find the best buyers.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 06, 2008
The 80/20 Rule -- and Surviving (thriving) during a recession
... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 03, 2008
How Do I Develop My Children into Family Business Leaders?
If you own a family business and are hoping to someday turn over the reins to your adult children, you may be struggling with the best way to help develop their leadership skills. Experts say start early, be open, provide opportunities, and hold them to the same business and performance standards as non-family members... Read More
3 Easy New Year’s Financial Resolutions for Every Net Worth
Now that the new year is here, Americans are busy making resolutions for 2008. Why not resolve to make some straightforward improvements to your financial life?... Read More
Why Large Contractors Fail
Will Hill from FMI Corp. is the guest on this episode of the Construction Equipment Owner’s Podcast. Hill discusses a recent report from FMI Corp. that looks into the results of an in-depth study and analysis of the causes of large-contractor bankruptcies and why these failures occurred. Get a copy of the report by contacting FMI Media Relations at mediarelations@fminet.com or calling (919) 785-9359.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: January 02, 2008
Buy-Sell Agreements: Ticking Time Bombs or Reasonable Resolutions?(Brief article)(Book review)
Buy-Sell Agreements: Ticking Time Bombs or Reasonable Resolutions? by Z. Christopher Mercer, ASA, CFA Peabody Publishing LP, 2007, 324 pp. Predicting the future is practically impossible. For businesses, that uncertainty makes planning crucial. Z. Christopher Mercer offers a granular look at one Publication: Journal of Accountancy... 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
Look Who's Not Talking
Both company directors and senior managers place a premium on strategic planning. So what keeps them from collaborating on it?... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 25, 2007
Is Your Company Prepared For Your Absence?
If you had an unexpected accident or suddenly fell seriously ill, how prepared is your company to operate without you for any extended period of time? ... Read More
Overhead Question and Answer
Question: Hello Matt; After reading your book, I have a question regarding dual overhead percentage and Total Mark-up percentages. My mark-up percentage calculates to 35%. For my dual overhead calculations I am using a 8% profit, 7% material/sub-contractor & 20% Labor and equipment. This totals to 35%. The thing that I have noticed is that if I take my raw labor/equipment, materials/sub-contract costs, & take them x 1.35 this total number is higher than if I accumulate the percentages separately on my spreadsheet. Is my process correct? Is this... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 19, 2007
Ownership: The Ultimate Motivator
Encouraging employees to take ownership of their work will result in better customer service and a stronger company.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 18, 2007
Small Jobs in Construction
After publishing our 5 newsletters on “How To Get Your Phone To Ring”, I have heard from any number of contractors that tell me they are focusing on small jobs. Those small jobs are turning into additional calls asking for work to be done on a larger scale. So, small jobs = large jobs. When the market is adjusting, as it is now, don’t get to hung up on the idea of “We don’t do small jobs.” Put your ego in your pocket and leave it there. Those small... Read More
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
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 13, 2007
Include Public Works In Your Offered Contracting Services
... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 12, 2007
Why Partnership Agreements Are Important for Low-Voltage and Electrical Contractors
As integration of low-voltage equipment becomes increasingly in demand, low-voltage and electrical contractors alike will be pursuing this avenue of revenue. Make sure it all works out.... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 09, 2007
The Founding CEO's Dilemma: Stay or Go?
Q&A with: Michael J. Roberts and Noam T. Wasserman Editor's Note: Noam Wasserman is an assistant professor and MBA Class of 1961 Fellow in the entrepreneurial management unit at Harvard Business School. His paper "Founder-CEO Succession and the Paradox of Entrepreneurial Success," published in Organization Science in March-April 2003, won Harvard's 2003 Aage Sorensen Memorial Award for sociological research. With his coauthor, Rock Center Entrepreneur-in-Residence Henry McCance of Greylock Partners, professor Wasserman recently completed a case study about founder-CEO succession at Wily Technology. New Business publisher Mike Roberts met... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: December 04, 2007
Contractors: Boost Your Bottom Line with Green Building Practices
... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 29, 2007
Diversify for stability
How has your year been? Pretty good, Id guess unless your market focus is new residential construction. A recent report by Associated Builders and Contractors finds that in the 12 months from September 2006 to September 2007 nonresidential construction spending grew almost 17% while residential construction spending declined almost the same amount, just over 16%. So contractors invested primarily in that market have felt the seat belt tighten and heard the tires screech as residential new construction slammed on its brakes, and those contractors probably are trying to decide... Read More
HEADLINES ADDED: November 28, 2007
After Six Corrections, Centex's CEO Knows the Ropes
"At Centex, we are used to taking advantages of these cycles .... Read More
Contractors - Do You Offer Discounts?
... Read More