While technology has changed, and we have a lot more tools in the toolbox, email is still the primary business communication for most of us. It has the advantage of being an easy searchable virtual paper trail. However, it can be nuanced, lack context and personality, and even feel a little cold. Over the years, …
When I first got started in the construction business, I was hesitant to turn down new projects. We might have been overwhelmed and understaffed, but I wanted to say “yes” and expand our customer base and portfolio. In those early years, I learned that hard way that outrunning your infrastructure is bad for multiple reasons. …
In the last couple of weeks, the new administration has announced a slew of changes that will likely impact the construction industry. We are trying to keep a watchful eye while realizing that some of these initiatives might get pulled back before they become reality. Sometimes it’s senseless worry to worry too soon. For several …
This morning, we were on a call with a relationship customer, discussing the cost of a project. Obviously, everyone involved, including us, wants the lowest possible cost. It got me to thinking about risk management in regards subcontract pricing. I have learned am important lesson. Most of the time, one can continue to work numbers …
I recently read an article generalizing the types of leaders you often find in a construction setting. It discusses the importance of creating a mix of people who are great at coaching, pacesetting, being autocratic, and working as servant leaders. These are all vital to a company’s success, but the one that really resonates with …
I have recently seen a few stories about the way depression is on the rise. Maybe it is just the time of year, or maybe other reasons. No matter the root cause, The World Health Organization (WHO) has called depression an epidemic, and in his departing message, the Surgeon General warned against dangers of loneliness …
I’ve been privileged to be surrounded by a lot of high performers. We work in a task-oriented field, and many in project management excel at pushing through a checklist, all with quality control and customer relationships top-of-mind. These folks are the core of our company and are much appreciated. Most days, they make achieving our …
The market took a hit this week, and most of the post-election gains were wiped out. This came after the Fed announced that they plan to cut rates twice in 2025 instead of the forecasted four, and also that they don’t expect inflation to reach its target rate until 2027. To me, it’s all part …
This week, Robbie Cather from our company attended the annual CenterBuild conference in Phoenix, a two-day event sharing ideas and learning. Perhaps the most interesting thing he shared was a stat from Williams Sonoma regarding the relationship between bricks & mortar and e-commerce. When their company closes a physical store, online sales in that market …
We spend a lot of time piecing together the right teams for each project. It’s more of an art than a science, but factors considered include background, relevant experience, management style, personality and so much more. There are many paths to arrive at the same result, but we want to pair our folks in a …
We work in an industry where conflict is common. Our project team regularly works with owners, developers, architects, engineers, subcontractors and more. These contributors are all advocating for different phases of the project and goals. The good news is, we have a common vision. We might just have different thoughts on how to get there. …
Back in 2000, I read a book called “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. You can get an overview here, but the basic concept is that, “ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do.” He goes on to describe the agents of change that drive these shifts. Like many, the book resonated …