I recently read an article regarding the balancing act we all face between growing business and taking a pause. The thesis is that building and backing off at the same time can be the right answer if done with the correct foresight. In the past, I’ve discussed times when the smartest play is to say …
We all have to have hard conversations from time to time. While you can’t control the outcome, I’ve learned over the years that you can take a few steps to set yourself up for success, or at least a more positive and productive discussion. The first thing I always consider is timing, which can be almost …
When we first launched our business in 1984, we were the definition of low tech. There was no email, all our phones were landlines and there was no scheduling software. Hard copy plans were the only option. As I consider how our processes have evolved over the years, most of it is for the better, …
For years, I have heard about a decreasing quantity of trades people entering the workforce. When we add in the impact of covid, it seems the challenge is even greater. I recently read a statistic that over the next dozen years or so, the high school graduation rate is expected to drop by about 10%, …
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. …
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 …
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 …
Marketing can feel like an easy line item to skip, or in times when the project list isn’t full, cut. My gut has always told me that marketing needs to have a core spot in our business, and a recent article I came across in Harvard Business Review gave me the research to back it …
I recently read an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on feedback response, or the anxiety and sometimes visceral response some experience during performance reviews. It seems several major companies are considering changes in this process in the hopes of making the experience more constructive, retaining talent in the process. Some chose to rebrand …
We’ve all been on the receiving end of written communication that can be interpreted as condescending, making us feel disrespected. Often, the communication intensifies the original problem, the opposite of the desired effect. Perhaps the sender’s attempts at being direct and straightforward were misinterpreted, or maybe they were in a hurry and didn’t consider the …
I recently heard a smart rule for making the decision of how to communicate: Use email primarily for notifications where emotions will be low. Save the discussions for two-way communication like a call, or better yet, a face-to-face meeting. While it may take a little more planning on the front end, this allows for instant responses back and …