“Is that up to code?” I hear this often. Construction codes are complex and at times hard to navigate. Regulations can vary by trade and locality. To complicate things, there is no uniform building code in the United States, nor is there a common language for what is written. Industry groups publish standards that are then …
I recently had dinner with a friend, who is a great golfer in his own right, and whose brother is of one of the top PGA tour players. While we did not discuss the dynamics of the game, I thought to myself that, while these guys compete against one another, in a way, they compete against …
I was talking with our CFO this week, discussing tactical and strategic types of thinking. In tactical execution, one does not have to look over the horizon. These are the folks who focus on short-term goals and milestones, planning and organizing for a set timeframe. Problems always seems urgent and concrete, with the immediate goals …
In the construction industry, one usually finds “left-brained” thinkers, people who tend towards the analytic and objective. Bruce Adams, a part of our senior management, is one who also exercises his “right brain,” being a talented artist. Recently, he was telling me a process he uses for still life paintings. When he finishes his sketch, …
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve had a feeling that reminds me of flight delays. We have two different projects where the end date will be missed (not by much) because of circumstances beyond our reach or tightened delivery dates. Nevertheless, it is important to our customer. To me, it is the human nature …
As we emerge from the largest financial crisis we’ve seen in 8 decades, companies have a unique opportunity for expansion. But growth presents a new set of challenges, so it’s also a good idea to plan cautiously for the future. We all need a cushion, and the art is finding the sweet spot of just …
In commercial construction, we have found it’s easy to get in a rut. Sure, we build different types of structures, but we are often dealing with a similar set of trade contractors—structural steel, MEP, masons, paint, etc. After years of working in the industry, most of us have a list of folks we trust. We …
These days, salt gets a bad rap. The USDA tells us that sprinkling too much on food can result in high blood pressure. We’re encouraged to steer clear. But in ancient times, salt represented a lifeline. It’s main role was as a preservative. In the absence of refrigeration, that was exceptionally important. So important, that Roman …
Organizational structure. It’s something I have struggled with over the last few years, seeking just the right approach. I’ve observed that some in the industry have thick playbooks, and some have no playbooks at all. Others claim they are team players within their companies, but reality is, the “boss” never holds a rifle. A recent visit …
We all have things we view as assets, with wealth and other tangible possessions often being the primary focus. To me, personal reputation is sometimes the most important asset we possess. Being preceded by a positive reputation is a faster path to creating a relationship, delivering better product and attaining more success. If yours isn’t …
Last week, our CFO Del Allen attended a presentation by Mr. Kevin Kliesen, the Business Economist at Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and the person to whom we can credit the quote used for this post’s title. As most of us know, the recovery is a slow one. There is flat income growth and cautious …
Mike Prior recently retired from a career managing a real estate portfolio which at times was in excess of $5 billion. He now works as a consultant, officing with us. It’s been great having this kind of experience under our roof. Mike has been a big help on our financial side and with our customers. This …