Quality, value and price are often big deciding factors as to what lands a job. If those things are equal, or close to it, what drives the transaction? The answer might be simpler than you think. We all would rather do business with people we like. In my book, likability–being relatable and making that personal connection–is one of …
Too often, I have seen folks change jobs because they think the grass is greener only to find out they have made a mistake. It’s been happening even more in these recent times, and I always counsel people to proceed with caution. Instead, I would like to make the case for “stickability,” where one finds …
Last weekend marked an important date–20 years since the September 11 Attacks. Like many, I spent some time re-watching the coverage and remembering. One of the things that stood out for me was the unity that our country felt in the fall of that year. In the shadow of that dark day, Americans felt less …
Recently, my daughter, Chappell, had a chance to listen to a panel discussion led by Dr. Raphael Bostic, President & CEO of the 6th District of the Federal Reserve regarding racial inequities in our economy. We had the opportunity to discuss what she learned. While the chief goal of the Central Bank is to create …
We have a project underway that is adjacent to the Civil Rights District in our city. It will be a catalyst for change among entrepreneurs, small businesses and startups alike. This project is more than just “space to rent.” It is a place where there is daily social interaction among like-minded individuals, sharing ideas and …
People come first. It’s one thing to know that truth and another to put it into practice daily. Over the years, I’ve struggled with putting my head down too far into my work, and neglecting to set aside time for the people on our team, even if it’s just to visit. I think I’m getting …
Last evening, I had attended a presentation given by someone I hadn’t had the chance to meet just yet. After the presentation, I found her in the crowd, tapped her on the shoulder and told her how much I enjoyed what she had to say. I make it a point to do this whenever someone’s …
“If only I knew then what I know now, I would have done things differently,” is probably something many of us have said more often than we wish to admit. In my own life, I have at times found myself so concentrated in the future, that I have had a tendency to forget about the …
I’ve been in business long enough that I can speak with confidence when I say the actual construction is just a part of the formula that gets a building constructed. It’s all about relationships. The better the relationships, the better chance for success, at least most of the time. In my opinion, this applies to …
Whether we wanted it or not, the pandemic has accelerated so much change. Some of it was good, and a lot of it was not so good. We’re almost at year now, and I think for some, these last months have meant spending even more time indoors than normal. It might have been the work-from-home …
As I mentioned last week, I recently had a phone call with a sharp group of professionals from our region. I shared takeaways related to the vaccine and business operations. I also have a few notes regarding the service sector and real estate: It appears that across the Southeast, restaurants are beginning to enjoy increased occupancy in …
This has been a tough week among tough weeks for S/P and me personally. We lost a long-time project superintendent and a heck of a good guy. This virus plays no favorites. Larry and I have been working together since we were in our 20s. He was the reassuring type I could trust with anything. …