Getting to Know the Technology in Your Power Tool Battery

The advantages of lithium-ion battery technology make compact, heavy-duty tools the standard, not an exception. And the three inherent benefits—more power, increased runtime and no weight penalty—are the basic building blocks behind what makes this battery system attractive. Lithium-ion cells can either hold more power in the same-size package (as tools change) or maintain the same power in a smaller package.

3 Growth Barriers Keeping You From Reaching Your Goals

Construction business owners usually begin their industry venture with a long-term vision of what they want their company to do for them. For example, when you buy stock in a public company, you want the stock to earn dividends and increase in value over time. When I coach contractors, I begin by asking, “What is your long-term vision? Can you define where you want your business to be in 5 years? To help find the answer to this complex question, my clients complete an exercise that explores:

Beyond Gallipoli

I am a member of a group that provides startup capital and mentoring to young entrepreneurs in our city. This week, I attended a presentation on the life of Winston Churchill that was sponsored by our group. As the past can give us some insight to the present, it was nice to see young entrepreneurs in the audience listening.

I have visited Churchill’s childhood home of Blenheim, but like most, I know him from the war years of 1940-45. We learned that he struggled with depression throughout his life, especially after the colossal loss of life and tragedy at the Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey, circa 1915. His failure there got him kicked out of the British Army, which led to deep depression. Seems he found solace during this time, and throughout his life, through painting, which he believed made him more creative and a more effective leader.

Winston Churchill’s successes during World War II were somewhat framed by many failures from the previous three decades. In his words, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

It was suggested that we build on Mr. Churchill’s thoughts, creating an environment that encourages intelligent failure, being flexible, but keeping our eyes on the route ahead. After all, failure can be, or is, a most essential step toward success.

{Image Source, a Painting by Churchill as seen in Vanity Fair}

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How Jobsite Technology Can Drive Your Company Forward

In 2018, technology solutions that help jobsites and backoffices run faster, smarter and leaner are the focus for many construction business owners. If you're wondering what tool you should implement next, or what tech trends are on the horizon, we may have the right advice for you. 

3 Essential Elements of a World-Class Safety Program

Are you still using Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) metrics as your safety standard? Do you plan on being in this business 5, 10 or 20 years from now? If you answered yes to both, you have a value conflict. Why accept some random statistical average composed of questionable data as your standard when it is more effective to create personalized best practices and performance metrics?

How Benefits Packages Can Attract & Retain Valuable Employees

Pain points—every industry has them. And, at times, it might feel like contractors have more than their fair share. Contractors who work on prevailing wage jobs undoubtedly see the complex regulations that apply to these projects as a burden they learn to live with in order to benefit from the opportunities presented by government-funded jobs. For example, there’s the sometimes-confusing question of how to handle the fringe cost on government jobs. Today, your employees may want the fringe amount paid in cash.

When Pigs Flew

There was a time when pigs did fly. Each year in December, I would look forward to my mother taking me to ride “The Pink Pig” at the downtown Atlanta department store of Mr. and Mrs. Rich (Rich’s). It’s an iconic holiday memory, and one that always endeared me to the now out-of-business retailer.

As an adult, I was in Minneapolis one late November afternoon and happened upon the downtown Marshall Field’s store. Customers were being treated to champagne and piano music that evening. After enjoying a couple of glasses of champagne, I ran into the paraffin wax lady. Before I knew it, I was walking around the store with wax-dipped hands wrapped in steamy towels. I laughed, thinking I looked more like an ER patient than a shopper.

While these experiences were very different, they share a commonality. Shopping was once a form of entertainment, an experience in itself, beyond the pointing and clicking which is now part of the process. The question becomes: Will the stores adapt? By offering a hands-on experience, can they fill a gap that online stores just cannot?

Online shopping for some products is more efficient, but also at times is lonelier and less fun. Sometimes it may feel more like a chore than a pleasure. It’s less social for sure. I believe we will see the balancing act continue for both.

{Image Source}  

 

 

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