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Tag: business tips
Business
Material Tracker site matches contractors for receiving construction materials or dumping excess
In its sales pitch, Material Tracker makes a scary-good point: “Unknowingly, you may have driven past a dump site that could help save time, fuel costs and make more money.” Having too much or too little material on construction sites has just been a harsh reality of the business. Now, it’s just one more cost the […]
May 1, 2015
Business
Hard work, soft touch: 3 steps to becoming an effective, modern construction company leader
As anyone who has ever owned a business can tell you, being in charge and being a leader isn’t necessarily the same thing. When you’re running a company, it’s important to make conscious decisions as a leader that will not only enrich your firm, but also benefit your people. In construction, reputation is everything, and […]
June 17, 2014
Business
The 6 habits of highly successful construction company owners
In our recent special report, “The Future of Your Construction Company”, we focused so much on contractors retiring or transitioning out of the business that it almost begs a question. What does it take to succeed in the construction business? I’ve been in the fortunate position of interviewing at length dozens of our Contractor of […]
March 28, 2014
Success Stories
How a loyalty to your employees can result in big growth for your construction business
“I’ve stayed with Larman Construction so long because of this guy right here,” said Fred Barhydt, pointing a finger at company owner Vernnen Larman. Barhydt, a Larman employee for 30 years, was just one of the employees I met expressing this sentiment during my visit to the Garland, Texas-based Equipment World Contractor of the Year […]
February 12, 2014
Business
3 things contractors can do to keep valuable workers on staff during the skilled worker shortage
The skilled worker shortage has been looming over the construction industry, and the Associated General Contractors’ 2014 outlook shows that contractors are already having a problem finding skilled professionals and craft workers. With that in mind, it’s more important than ever to hang on to the valuable workers you already have. Do you have a […]
January 29, 2014
Business
Already break your New Year’s resolutions? 3 tips for getting back on track
In a couple of weeks, people will be lamenting about their broken New Year’s resolutions. Their friends who don’t make resolutions will go into I-told-you-so mode, saying that’s why they never make resolutions, that they’re too hard to keep. So, my question is why are they too hard to keep? I think it’s because of […]
January 13, 2014
Contractor of the Year
How one 3rd-generation paver expanded the family business into concrete, sealcoating
Operating the business started by his late father Dale, third-generation contractor Chris Fink knows a thing or two about paving. Performing a mix of public and private work; residential and commercial, Chris is known throughout the Shreveport area as being a leader and a go-getter. With the help of his wife, Tracey, who handles much […]
December 30, 2013
Business
Go With Your Instincts: Why it’s not always a good idea to separate personal and business decisions
Possessing the ability to make good decisions is obviously crucial when running your own business, but good instincts are just as critical. Take Matthew Gilligan of Magnolia Landscape, for example. Gilligan is one of our sister site Total Landscape Care’s 12 finalists for the Landscaper of the Year program, and I visited and interviewed him […]
November 20, 2013
Business
3 smart strategies to try in your construction business from a successful landscaper
We’ve all heard stories of unconventional entrepreneurs taking the path less traveled to success. The challenge lies in finding practical ways to apply alternative strategies to your own business. Terry Sims of the Garden Artist in Boise, Idaho, has taken her landscape design firm to the top of her field using smart strategies. And though […]
October 29, 2013
Business
Five tips for growth from an expert construction marketer
Neenah, Wisconsin-based Miron Construction Company has annual revenues of $500 to $600 million and more than 1,200 employees. But contractors don’t have to be a certain size to implement great marketing moves, says Jen Bauer, Miron’s director of marketing. Here are a few of her suggestions: 1. Look around. Take a good look at how […]
September 5, 2013
Business
Three reasons every contractor should have taken a summer vacation
In Alabama, we’ve just had our tax-free weekend for parents to buy all the back-to-school stuff their kids need. Every year, it’s the signal the summer is, for all practical purposes, over. So, where did you take your vacation this year? Did you even take one? If you didn’t, you should have. If you can, […]
August 5, 2013
Business
74 tips for reducing equipment costs (1-10)
One thing I learned long ago was the bottom-line impact of reducing costs.  I don’t mean cutting costs—I mean reducing costs.  There is a significant difference. One brings immediate relief to the bottom-line while the other brings more sustainable results. Over the next several posts, I will share 74 tips to help you reduce costs. […]
July 31, 2013
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