Business planning isn’t exciting. But the effort you put into it has much to do with the results you’ll see next year and in years to come.
Office Management
Year-End Planning, Part 2
This is part two of our year-end planning paper. We’re going to pick this up by continuing an indepth look at your overhead budget for the coming year.
Can You Afford to Hire?
Can you afford to hire a new office employee, or take on any overhead increase? Michael Stone discusses what you need to do to insure that increase in overhead won’t put your business in financial peril.
Your Phone Message Matters
A great reminder that your phone might be the first contact a client has with you, and what they hear matters.
All Staff should be Productive Staff
When I'm consulting, I interview key staff to get a feel for the company. More often than not, I hear certain things are "Not my job" or "Not my responsibility".
Website Designers – Hire Carefully
If you're looking at hiring a website designer or SEO provider, beware! The stories we hear from fellow business owners on how they've been treated defies description.
Paying a Bonus to Employees
We are approaching the time of year when the subject of bonuses comes up. Your employees might be saying, “Do you suppose they will pay us a Christmas Bonus this year?”
You Shall Take a Fixed Salary . . .
Too many construction company owners don’t pay themselves for their work. It’s nice to have a hobby, but it’s not why you are in business. Pay yourself for your work.
Miscommunication – It’s not pretty
Today, with email and the internet, we have nearly instant communication. But there is a down side to this rapid give and take, and that is miscommunication.
Social Media Abuse in the Office
At the National Tile Contractors Association national convention this fall, I sat in on a class about social media and how it can benefit your business.
Hiring on a Retainer
A contractor last week told me they'd just heard from their CPA that they had a tax bill due the next day. It was a surprise.
The End Game – Have one
I am one of those pour souls who needs a little pressure to finish what I start. I have a shop full of projects that demand my attention.
Growing Your Company
How do you grow from a small, one-man firm to a larger firm? That was a question asked by a respondent to our recent survey.
Unlicensed Contractor
The old law said that the owner could recover 100% of the money they had paid a contractor if it was found that the contractor did not have a valid license.
Audits Happen. Be Prepared.
A contractor friend just went through an IRS audit. After going through all his records and asking a ton of questions, they said, "In my opinion, you owe us $22,000."
Making a Good First Impression
I received a spam email yesterday advertising a phone answering service. Normally, spam gets my delete key immediately. But this one caught my eye:
Employees Asking for Draws
One of my buddies has an employee with constant money issues. My buddy said he switched companies that handle his payroll and there was an extra day between paychecks.
Are your “subs” really sub-contractors?
Many contractors tell me they only use subs to do their work on jobs. But when it comes right down to it, many are claiming employees as subs.
Keep Your Business Running Smooth
Recently Brian Tracy sent out a newsletter talking about the importance of checklists.
Construction Business Advertising Example
I don’t know much about their company, but I do know they understand communication with their customers and all those they do business with.
