Customer Relationships
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…
Customer Relationships
Actions vs Mindset
Maybe one of the secrets to being a successful company isn’t all about what you do. Maybe it’s more in how you think. For us, it’s been important to focus…
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The Art of Listening (Or Paying Attention)
One of our senior managers recently told me about walking a project with our civil site superintendent and a customer. As they toured the job site, the customer asked several questions and shared other thoughts while they walked. Without…
Customer Relationships
Skill vs. Judgment
In the last few days, I was talking with our CFO about what distinguishes between a good hire and an average one. He said something like this: By watching how…
Customer Relationships
Just Ask.
About a year ago, a senior project manager of ours was having lunch in a local BBQ joint and happened to be sitting next to someone he had not seen…
Customer Relationships
How to Cancel With Class
As much as I try to avoid canceling commitments, it happens on occasion. We accidentally double book a lunch appointment or fail to calendar a meeting. Unexpected deadlines pop up….
Customer Relationships
Code Switching and Real Connections
I’ve been hearing a lot lately about “code switching,” where one adapts a “fit” to a conversation or meeting. I have done this most recently when I was having lunch…
Customer Relationships
Navigating the Exit Lane
I’ve been in the middle of estate planning the last year or so, and in the summer 2015, purchased some substantial life insurance. It was a hefty premium indeed. The…
Customer Relationships
Let’s Not Forget What Got Us in the Game
Over the years, I have heard contractors, and for that matter, the many service providers in this industry, say something like, “I’m not interested. That job/customer is just too small…
Customer Relationships
Trouble in River City
Earlier in the week I was meeting with an equity firm we’ve partnered with over the years. They are experienced, and just solid folks. We have worked on several projects…