What's in it for your customer?
What's the angle? Or, in other words, what's in it for your customer? Stop, look, and most importantly, listen. Your customer asks, "What's the least expensive way for making hot water?" ...
Is there a risk in Builder's Risk Insurance?
The construction insurance industry has developed the concept of a "Builder's Risk" policy, which covers all the work in process, regardless of who happens to own it at the time of the occurrence. ...
Succession planning: why so many fear it
FDR, the 32nd president, said in 1933, "Fear paralyzes those who succumb to it." Some things are downright scary. Try taxes … especially estate taxes. Can you guess what area in estate tax planning causes the most anguish? Hands down it's business succession....
Fleet tracking, BIM offer advantages
Management can take advantage of the numerous tracking and reporting capabilities to improve fleet efficiency, reduce fleet fuel and maintenance costs, and modify driver behavior. ...
Tax-advantaged investment strategies for everyone
Investors are suffering. Interest rates are at historic lows. The stock market, plagued with roller coaster-like volatility, is like a Las Vegas casino. Many readers of this column complain that it feels like they have been fleeced by Wall Street. Most have either totally or partially (usually a large portion of their portfolio) abandoned the equity market....
There aren't any good job candidates out there
When you hire a $15 per hour employee, he'll cost you about $10,000 in hiring and training costs, plus $30,000 in salary and another $7,500 in tax and benefits. That's $47,500 in the first year....
Contractors explore opportunities at Generation Geo
Generation Geo 2010, the first annual conference and expo of the Colorado Geo Energy Heat Pump Association (CoGEHPA), took place this September in Denver. It attracted 100 attendees from the geoexchange industry, including HVAC, geoexchange, drilling and design build contractors, home builders, mechanical engineers, architects and representatives of the Governor's Energy Office. ...
An open letter to future architects
I am a second-generation mechanical contractor with unlimited Master's licenses in boilers, air conditioning, heating and plumbing, with extensive project management experience. I'm writing this open letter to you in hopes you'll take these hard-earned wise words from a contractor in the spirit that they're offered, that of not cursing you nor praising you, but encouraging you....
The largest heat source in the world — Part 2
This is the second installment of a multiple part article chronicling the true geothermal district heating system at the Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort, Detroit, Ore....
It’s not a fad. Your customers are online.
I cringed when a contractor suggested at a recent convention that joining the Rotary is social networking. It may be networking, but that’s not what we're talking about when it comes to social networking....
Avoiding the competitive bid process
I don't make a practice of writing columns about isolated court decisions, particularly those that turn on fine points of state law, but the editors of CONTRACTOR magazine have brought to my attention a recent opinion that would warm the heart of any contractor patient enough to wade through its 18 pages, plus six more pages of footnotes....
Utilize a marketing mix to recruit employees
The best talent is not found among those looking for work, but those already gainfully employed. The challenge for the business owner is to recruit them. This is a marketing problem....
Being ethical in an unethical industry
Today personal integrity and moral and ethical relationships are the cornerstones of your business. It is not only good business, but good for your business to act with personal integrity when dealing with clients and customers....
Smart ways to avoid water damage
Add a little TLC (Time for a Leak Check) to plumbing service contracts or simply as a value-added service your company provides. These days, anything that helps you stand out among the crowd will enhance your company's image and the bottom line. ...
Ignore social media at your own risk
Imagine having your business name and information, whether it's your special of the month or job-site pictures, showcased in a venue your potential customers visit every day. Facebook is the new word of mouth. It's where a good portion of Americans have an ever-expanding voice though their online presence....
Why I won’t renew my subscription
— I hope I am directing this to the correct person! Had I not enjoyed your magazine for a number of years, I would not even bother. Lest you believe that the ONLY reason your readership is slipping is the Internet revolution, please let me share MY reasons for leaving you....
Is it an ill wind or can you make lemonade?
The title of this column refers to two adages that pretty well sum up our national economic situation. The first is "It is an ill wind that blows no good." The second is "When life gives lemons, make lemonade." The two sayings both have optimism at their cores; the ability to find some good or to try to make the best of a bad situation....
Do you hear the customer’s voice?
A recent survey from Industryweek found that most companies (44% of the survey respondents) are focusing on cutting costs this year. This is up from 36% last year. When a company is in a survival mode, cutting costs is usually the first response. The same survey found that some companies (18%) are focusing on improving customer service. This is down from last year’s 27%....
Be the customer's energy conservation specialist
You are an energy conservationist of the first order. We don’t save energy. Instead we offer our customers the opportunity to conserve energy and avoid spending their hard-earned money on wasted fuel. ...
Estate planning: Mr. Courage leads the way
The story you are about to read has all the ingredients to make you cheer, applaud and cry. Yes, it's an estate planning story. But more than that, it's an inspiring story of one man’s courage. ...
Projects without project managers
Imagine a world in which when you go to see your primary care physician there's a receptionist present to greet and sign you in, and then you're escorted to a room where there's nothing but a series of cameras and high-tech gadgets....
The largest heat source in the world
A few years ago, I wrote an article that spoke about some of the true geothermal heating systems that I'd had the opportunity to look at and work with over the years. By true geothermal, I am referencing the direct use of the earth's molten core to generate steam and or super-heated hot water, as opposed to the refrigerant based systems that take advantage of the lower-grade earth heat. ...
RPA hookup with ACCA is good idea
The Radiant Panel Association has announced that it's joining Air Conditioning Contractors of America and the Indoor Air Quality Association in San Antonio in February where all three associations will hold their annual conventions and share the Indoor Air Expo. ...
Web-based design, flat rate book applications
Here's a new online solution that combines pre-packaged design knowledge, opportunity for customization, and professional printing that enables users to create themed marketing materials of all sorts, ready for pickup at a participating local printer....
Damages for delay: what is fair?
Few people pay for construction work unless they intend to put the end product to use, either as their own residences or for a business or public purpose. In any case, there are repercussions — with dollars attached — if the end users can't get access when they planned. Yet more often than not, the subject of damages for delayed completion isn't adequately discussed (if it is discussed at all) at the time the customer and contractor are entering their agreement. ...
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