Thoughts on Being a Connector

Some time ago, I figured out the value of being a connector, working to connect the right people who may not know each other, but would benefit from being acquainted. I’ve been doing this for several years now, and typically with no strings attached. The realty is that if you expect nothing in return, then one will never disappoint. The second reality is that generally much will be returned either now or in the future. Good people do not forget.

I try to connect people who have resources with people who might not, but have sound ideals. I might try to link a person who is down on their luck, needing a leg up, with someone who can offer assistance. One thing I have also learned is to always try to concentrate on quality people. We all have limited amounts of time to give and might as well spend it with good opportunities and good people, the best we can.

At least in my book, nothing worth doing is ever easy, and while their may be some strike outs connecting folks, there are also some singles and doubles out there.

{Image Source} 

The post Thoughts on Being a Connector appeared first on Stewart Perry.

3 Tips to Ensure Heat Safety for Construction Workers

As many of us sit in air-conditioned offices and homes, it’s easy to forget that some workers have no choice but to work outside in the elements, whether it be rain, snow or severely hot temperatures. In 2015, 280 construction workers fell ill due to heat, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Between the hot temperatures and extra layers of protective clothing, it’s important construction workers and their bosses are aware of heat safety.

The Power of “No”

Over the years, I have learned the hard way that saying “no” can sometimes lead to just as much success as saying “yes.”

It’s human nature to want to say “yes.” We all wish to be positive and help, but sometimes knowing our own limitations or those of our company means certain business situations or opportunities are not for us. The wisdom of experience can be key here, and I have a few scars on my back to prove it.

This week, I was reminded of my lessons learned. I had been working on a project, something with a duration of maybe five years for the company, and it looked pretty good in the beginning. As I learned more and evaluated the players, it did not seem as inviting, so I made the hard call and said, “Not for us.” Maybe I made the wrong decision, but I made one.

The recipient was taken aback at first, but when I explained the facts, I think he began to understand. The simple truth is that when a potential customer leaves the room, you sometimes make more money than you would have otherwise.

We all have finite amounts of time in our weeks, months and years. How we choose to spend that time, either saying “yes” or “no,” affects us in different ways. The magic is knowing when to say “no.”

 

 

 

 

The post The Power of “No” appeared first on Stewart Perry.

7 Tips for Preventing Subcontractor Collusion

Most public and some private companies require a competitive public bidding process to choose the best qualified contractors who will provide the lowest prices, the best services, and the most innovative solutions. The competitive process achieves those goals only when companies compete honestly and ethically and agree to the terms up front. Bid rigging disrupts this natural market competition and often results in shoddy work, cut corners and the use of subpar materials.

The Right Insurance Coverage for Home-Based Contractors

Because many homeowners’ policies cover only up to $2,500 for damages to business property, home-based contractors should not rely on their homeowners’ coverage to protect their business. Find out how to protect your home-based business here. 

Getting the Grades Right

Just a few years ago, a 10,000 sf slab pour was a large one. We are now in the 50,000 sf range.

We have recently made a series of large pours on a 15-acre project, using a laser CAD guided screed. It yields better, more accurate pours. Here is the run down on the means and methods of our equipment.

1. Total station surveying equipment is mounted to the laser screed. Grading information is filtered through CAD, which creates a 3-D model.
2. Slope and grade changes on a slab are handled by the screed, translating to less labor, more accuracy and the ability to make larger pours.
3. This also allows for a lower slump concrete with higher strengths and less labor. On this particular pour, we used a mid-range water reducer to give us more workable slumps but keep the water to cement ratio down. We get better early breaks which allow quicker access on the slabs.
4. Document control is a must. Ensure the latest, most accurate CAD drawings are used. A lesson learned.

 

The post Getting the Grades Right appeared first on Stewart Perry.

The Perils of Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage

The auto line of business is the loss leader for most, if not all, insurance carriers. Underwriters are scrutinizing companies’ hiring practices, fleet safety and maintenance programs and, most importantly, loss history. History has a way of repeating itself. An often overlooked coverage detail/limit within an auto policy is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

September 2018 Construction Industry Stats

The Construction Business Owner team compiles statistics each month from multiple sources, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the United States Census Bureau, to give you a better understanding of the current state of affairs for the construction industry. The statistics featured in each month's print issue are for 3 months prior to the publication of the magazine, based on the data available.

A True Warrior

The flow chart on this sidewalk sign caught my attention. Simple. All options lead to the “right” answer.

It reminded me of an important truth in sales. Every customer is different, needing a different approach to lead them to the end goal.

The object is the same for us–we wish to earn the business or gain the trust for a relationship. Most of the time, good customer relationships deserve and need a customized strategy and approach if we are to earn this business. To me, taking the time to respect the nuances is what turns potential customers into long time relationships. (This along with dozens of other things along the way.)

As to this sign, I got the haircut. While it might not have turned me into a “true warrior,” it was worth it. And I needed to reward this person’s creative efforts. Just because. And to say thank you.

The post A True Warrior appeared first on Stewart Perry.

Your Guide to the Best Rental Equipment

In today’s construction environment, the name of the game is agility. With concerns about labor and job complexity, contractors are constantly looking for ways to make their businesses more nimble and profitable. Utilizing rental equipment is a cornerstone of building and maintaining a versatile organization. The following examines essential elements of the typical construction rental decision-making process.

3 Leadership Styles to Identify the Next Generation of Leaders

Thirty-eight years of exposure to the construction industry have provided me with a look at a broad spectrum of industry leaders, leadership styles and insights into a correlation between those varying styles and company success. These leadership styles have, of course, evolved over time and will need to continue their evolution in order to remain impactful.

Continued Training Pays Off with Long-Term Growth

There is always much discussion surrounding education, beginning with preschool and spanning all the way through the post-college years. And the question is always the same: How do we improve the quality of education to better prepare everyone to find their talents and equip them with the knowledge to excel.? As a CEO, president or business owner, candidates’ education levels are often a major consideration during the hiring process. But education doesn’t stop with high school or college graduation; it requires an ongoing pursuit of excellence and productivity at work.

Best Practices for the Empathetic Leader

In July, the construction unemployment rate hit 3.4 percent, the lowest monthly figure since January 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the same time, the industry added 19,000 jobs. It’s safe to say the entire industry is feeling the effects of the skilled labor shortage. It’s more important than ever that contractors focus on creating an environment that both attracts skilled talent and provides those employees with the benefits and culture necessary to keep them around.

6 Steps to Build a Long-Standing Safety Program

Anyone involved closely with workplace safety has heard presentations, webinars or people just generally talking about the need to develop an organizational “culture of safety” in order to reap long-term, incident-reduction benefits. It’s a term that, despite being around since the Chernobyl disaster in the 1980s, recently has become a bit of a buzzword among safety professionals and modern business leaders.

How In-Cab Excavator Technologies Boost Your Productivity

Today’s crawler and wheel excavators offer technologies that make it easier for equipment owners and operators to minimize mistakes while using hydraulic-powered attachments. In fact, the integration of more sophisticated technologies, such as in-cab monitors, continues to improve attachment versatility and productivity. It’s easier to adjust and operate attachment rates, flows, pressures and preferences than ever before.

3 Mistakes that Could Derail Your Business Transition Plan

For most construction business owners, the sale of the company is the largest and most impactful transaction of their lives. The proceeds will likely be the main funding source for the next phase of their lives and provide financial freedom for them and their families.

While every business owner has different goals and objectives when it comes to transitioning out of their companies, there are plenty of common challenges along the way. Retiring owners can put themselves, their families and their businesses in a better position to succeed by avoiding a few common mistakes.

Inside the Minds of Modern Leaders

Today’s business environment requires a different kind of leader. Changing dynamics within internal environments and external landscapes are forcing leaders to think and act differently with increasing regularity.

Today’s leader is required to be agile, responsive and innovative, collaborative, thoughtful, and capable of thinking outside of the box. To accomplish this is no easy task.

Using Root Cause Analysis to Solve Common Problems

Leaders are usually quick to act. However, without careful examination of a problem, leaders often make decisions that simply treat a symptom, rather than address the true cause of an issue. Great leaders don’t make decisions based on superficial information; instead, they dig deep enough to provide real, problem-solving solutions.

10 Ways a Mechanic’s Lien Gets You Paid

Most people in the construction industry have heard of the term “mechanic’s lien.” But if you ask anyone to explain what a lien is, how it works or even how the word is spelled, you will likely learn that their knowledge about mechanic’s liens is basic at best. Aside from a general awareness that liens exist, perhaps the only other shared understanding is that liens are unfavorable.

How to Prioritize Your Business Goals

I recently returned from a trip, throughout which I coached clients from four different construction companies. The owners of these companies come from different backgrounds, have different goals for their businesses, employ teams with varying roles and personalities and entertain projects of different sizes. However, during our conversations together, we found there to be one common denominator: They are all busy, but they are all not earning profits at the pace they could be.