Contractor's Best Friend

If you don’t feel amped how do you realistically believe that your employees will feel it?
How to Get Your Construction Workers Excited for Work
Taking a time out once a year is a great time to refresh tired minds and bodies
December 31, 2020
No matter your situation, look today to move your next vice president to a greater level of responsibility and accountability. The effort will benefit both the new vice president and just about everyone else with whom they come into contact!
The Making of a Leader: The Construction Vice President
February 27, 2017
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Become a 'Yankee Doodle Contractor'
June 19, 2017
Developing your vision must not be tied to some hard number such as revenue or profit margins. Vision is where you want to see your company in terms of culture, market dominance, reputation and customer satisfaction.
How to Create Your Construction Company Vision
June 11, 2020
A construction contractor must commit to a flawless “pre-presentation” regimen of studying schematics, drawings, specifications, personalities, needs, expectations, tendencies, etc., during phase one of preparing a winning presentation.
How to Develop a Winning Presentation - Pre-Presentation
May 13, 2020
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The Trifecta of Mentoring
December 10, 2019
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Recognize the Barriers to Successful, Profitable Construction Projects
Understanding and addressing the barriers to successful project completion can help you get them done profitably.
April 14, 2021
Top 10 Hottest Construction Stories This Week: Ensuring Forgiveness Under the PPP
Top 10 Hottest Construction Stories This Week: Ensuring Forgiveness Under the PPP
Most-read construction stories include a timelapse of a bridge in the United Kingdom, the March 2021 Dodge Momentum Index, selecting the best wheel loader tire, GM’s electric Chevrolet Silverado, and the complicated process of PPP loan forgiveness.
April 16, 2021
BlueCruise is an SAE Level 2 driver-assist technology that has the advantage of offering a hands-free driving experience while in Hands-Free mode that does not require a driver’s hands to stay in contact with the steering wheel, unless prompted by vehicle alerts.
Hands-Free Driver Assist Coming to 2021 Ford F-150
Technology allows hands-free driving on prequalified sections of divided highways.
April 14, 2021
Latest
As the construction workforce continues to age, construction managers must prepare for changes and adjustments in our benefit packages, the manner in which we “man our crews” and what responsibilities we place on our workers
Tips for Managing an Aging Construction Workforce
Seven techniques that construction contractors can put into practice when it comes to managing 'seasoned' employees
December 2, 2019
Most good workers, even those who can slip occasionally, want their performance to be assessed and discussed.
How the Right Performance Review Can Help Employee Retention
Brad Humphrey addresses the why, how and what should be covered when conducting performance reviews
October 2, 2019
Crew Leaders
Ways to Address the GC Superintendent to Earn Preferred-Contractor Status
Increasing jobsite workloads creates great opportunities for positive, proactive, and polished communication to distinguish your company
April 9, 2018
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How Skill Training Plays Into Worker Retention
It’s important for contractors to recognize that providing educational opportunities, training classes and personal development for all levels of the workforce can directly impact the retention of workers
January 23, 2017
The making of an estimator, your estimator, will enable you to move your business further down the road of performance and profitability.
6 Tips to "Making" Your Next Construction Estimator
The making of your estimator will enable you to move your business further down the road of performance and profitability
July 2, 2012
The role of general manager is a role that is designed to be active and engaging.
The Making of a Leader: The General Manager
The construction general manager must be engaged and active in leading, directing and motivating all the right people and processes to produce a profitable result
April 24, 2017
Even good people can fall prey to not taking the time to make good decisions, or worse, ignore important and available information that would have led them to a better decision.
7 Tips to Keep Your Construction Company Thinking from Going to the Dogs
How can we shake up our construction workers to be more active in their thinking and to think more clearly, objectively and effectively?
March 27, 2017
Engagement and participation is not hiring a new worker and then putting him immediately into the work process and expecting unbelievable results right away.
How to Retain Construction Employees Using Engagement and Participation
The earlier and more consistent a contractor is in getting a new worker engaged and participating in the company, the more productive and motivated that worker will be
August 28, 2017
Foremen will need to be more hands-on with new hires, invest more time to make sure employees understand their work assignments, and look for more ways to train and coach their people.
The Making of a Leader: Construction Foreman
Vision (1-2 weeks), state of their crew, and proper equipment and tool management will point any construction foremen in the right direction
December 9, 2015
It is in the spirit of Christmas that I would like to encourage you in yet one last customer service tip, let’s call it, Customer Service “Plus.”
Holiday Cheers for Customer Service “Plus”
Give all of your customers this year a special gift — an incentive really — to do more work with you next year
November 29, 2017
If you have never developed a business plan then consider this winter season to do so. If you have a business plan, consider revising it, updating it, strengthening it to be more realistic and more useful for this next business season.
Winter is a Great Time for Contractors to Develop a Business Plan
Effective business planning is more than simply putting some goals out there and then making a mad scramble to reach the goals
November 20, 2017
A construction estimator must have an understanding of numbers: both the numbers of measurement (i.e. quantities) and numbers of value (i.e. dollars).
What to Look for in a Construction Estimator
Without a doubt, future estimators will be more “techie” than ever and need to be well versed on many of the software options available
October 30, 2017
In this economic time it is sure tempting even for the most honorable of contractors to consider offering their own “trick.” Instead, provide them a 'treat'.
What Can Construction Contractors Learn from 'Trick or Treat?'
Do not "trick" your customers but rather provide a "treat" that the customer can trust in and count on
October 2, 2017
No matter your construction focus, attending an annual conference is not only a great idea, it can and often does provide you with profit-increasing and production-improvement ideas.
Preparing for Conference Season
September 18, 2017
The contractor who takes time to study an employee’s strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and goals and expectations is the contractor who will be much wiser in preparing workers for greater responsibilities and retain workers longer.
How Responsibility Enhancement Fits Into Employee Retention
Responsibility Enhancement is less about dumping more “stuff” on workers and more about contractors recognizing workers are ready for growth and additional responsibility
August 21, 2017
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How to Build Greater Patriots for Your Construction Company
It’s easy for a customer or employee to be loyal — even patriotic — about investing in a contractor who tries hard to be professional and a full step above his or her competition
June 13, 2017
With the great personal drive and determination of so many construction owners and leaders poised to spring into action, I think it is very realistic and possible for our construction industry to bring America back to a country again known for its commitment to excellence, opportunities and achievement.
Can Contractors Bring America Back?
Eight reasons author Brad Humphrey believes the construction industry is the perfect place to resurrect the middle class and a great America
June 7, 2017
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Lean Construction: Planning to Reduce Transportation Waste
Planning and organization prevent problems that cause inefficiencies and wasted time when mobilizing tools, materials and people on construction projects
May 29, 2017
Take to heart the potential pitfalls of over-processing within your operation, then begin to apply these four practices. You’ll see an impact in productivity, job clarity and bottom-line performance.
Four Techniques to Help Construction Contractors Prevent Over-processing
Reducing over-processing -- applying more resources than are required, needed or requested -- is a great way for contractors to move towards leaner, more profitable construction
May 22, 2017
Educating employees on the importance of preventative maintenance is key to avoiding many equipment challenges.
How to Face Construction Equipment Challenges Head On
Planning now will help you and your company navigate future equipment challenges our industry faces going forward
May 15, 2017
For some construction companies, the need to have a single overseer of the operations is critical, and a general manager could fill that role.
8 Skills of an Effective Construction General Manager
As contractors face a future that includes their own retirement or retirement of senior leaders, the general manager role might be one that, if not already in place, could provide a nice alternative or option
April 17, 2017
Start recognizing those whom have done well and done you well, and make a big deal out of milestones and goals.
The Importance of Recognizing, and Celebrating, Company Milestones
Start recognizing those whom have done well and done you well, and make a big deal out of milestones and goals
March 20, 2017
Like any other construction leader, the construction spouse will be challenged to communicate clearly, consistently and carefully.
The Making of a Leader: The Construction Spouse as Business Partner
Like any other construction leader, the Construction Spouse will be challenged to communicate clearly, consistently and carefully
March 13, 2017
Succession planning is growing on most firms’ employee and leadership “radar” because as an industry, we’re getting older, in larger numbers than ever. A growing number of construction companies are realizing that they might be seeing a significant percentage of their most-experienced and most-knowledgeable workers and leaders exiting...and soon!
Succession Planning: Why Contractors Need to Have a Backup Plan
Contractors must always be prepared for the inevitable such as a key person leaving, retiring or being terminated
February 20, 2017
It’s never too early to get started on considering who your next generation of leaders and key performers will be.
10 Ways Construction Leaders Can Ease Succession Planning
Ten proven, easy-to-use steps every contractor can use to start or advance the succession planning every company needs to implement
February 13, 2017
There is a right and wrong way, a better way, to drive greater efficiency, productivity and a lot less “looking for stuff.”
4 Organizing Tips to Prevent 'Looking for Stuff'
Follow these four techniques to reduce the cost associated with having your workers less organized
December 19, 2016
When you communicate with other contractors remember to first seek to understand where the other contractor is coming from and what he is experiencing. You might not always get all of what you want, but you certainly will gain greater results by applying the suggestions presented in this article.
How to Improve Contractor-to-Contractor Communications
Eight suggestions to help improve your contractor to contractor communication
September 26, 2016
Contractors who choose to extend positive and proactive communications will be leaders in their industry and surface as a preferred contractor for customers.
What Factors Prohibit Good Contractor-to-Contractor Communications
Contractors who choose to extend positive and proactive communications will be leaders in their industry and surface as a preferred contractor for customers
September 19, 2016
You need to be prepared for emergencies that truly can be a threat to you and your workers. This is one of the most often overlooked policy efforts by many contractors. Take the initiative and create your emergency response plan now .
How to Plan for an Emergency on the Jobsite
Big or small, jobsite interruptions have an impact on a contractor's bottom line, but here are 10 tips that can help contractors plan for these interruptions
September 12, 2016
Brad Humphrey offers seven tips to help maximize a strategic retreat's effectiveness and prepare your construction leaders to think strategically.
Why Construction Businesses Need a Strategic Retreat
These seven tips can help maximize a strategic retreat's effectiveness and prepare your leaders to think strategically
September 5, 2016