-
Change the behavior of your negative, underperforming technicians
Roger Daviston Facilities & GroundsThe boss almost gave up on one of our plumbers, Mike. His average invoice was terrible at $400. He made excuses and blamed his circumstances. He was negative, and his attitude was that "life sucks." Mike thought nothing could change for him, and we were ready to let him go. However, one day while doing a ride-along with Mike, I recommended that he listen to "The Strangest Secret" by Earl nightingale. After all, he wouldn't read, so maybe he would listen to something.
-
New directions emerging in multigenerational housing
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsExtended life span, increased immigration, a weak economy and a tight housing market have contributed to a resurgence in multigenerational households. For some time now, builders and remodelers have helped families accommodate these changes.
-
Young affluents are biggest consumers of luxury homes
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesAlthough the media have focused on the large numbers of millennials who have struggled to get a toehold on their financial independence during the economic downturn, a smaller segment has been making news for their phenomenal wealth. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is perhaps the most famous example, but millions of other millennials have amassed sizeable fortunes while still in their twenties.
-
Report: Market for corrosion inhibitors expanding rapidly
Alan Kelsky EngineeringThe use of corrosion inhibitors is expanding rapidly across the world as more plants, refineries and drilling sites come online. In a report published earlier this month, Grandview Research disclosed that the global anti-corrosion market expects significant growth, especially in Asian countries, to $7.55 billion by 2020.
-
Parent lenders: A new turn of events for the US housing industry
Bambi Majumdar Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesThe economic downturn and the slow market recovery have left many struggling. They have also opened up avenues previously unseen and quite unexpected. Instead of going to traditional lenders, many millennials are turning to their parents for home loans.
-
Home design in the age of Transformers
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesIn homes large or small, homeowners are looking to do more with the space they have. That's the message coming out of the latest round of industry news on home building trends. Whether to maximize available space, get rid of clutter or increase functionality, today's consumers want their homes to be easily adaptable and multifunctional.
-
Construction technology: The cloud and beyond
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsWe use technology to improve or simplify our lives and jobs every day — no matter what job you have or what industry you are in. The only thing that changes is the exact technology you use. Despite the fact that everybody uses technology in some way, some industries lag far behind the curve in the adoption of certain technologies.
-
Stop storytelling and start story‑sharing
Timothy Clark Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesWhen it comes to marketing, it's time to start differentiating your home improvement company from everyone else. And here's how to do it. For decades, home pros have told the story of their business. One company was founded by two brothers who learned the trade from their hard-working father. Another has been in business since 1946. This one has earned 17 major awards, and that one has a five-star rating.
-
What makes lien waivers unfair?
Scott Wolfe Jr. Construction & Building MaterialsA few years ago, a Texas contractor got a $20 million judgment against a property owner who was withholding payment. Shortly thereafter, an appeals court unpinned the judgment and awarded $10 million to the property owner for reimbursed attorney fees. What happened?
-
US manufacturing desperately needs infrastructure upgrades
Alan Kelsky ManufacturingAmerica's public infrastructure is in poor condition. News stories rightfully tout how repairing roads and bridges is an opportunity to fix our aging infrastructure. However, what most people don't realize is that American manufacturing has seen no major capital investments in private infrastructure since the onset of the Great Recession.
All Construction & Building Materials Articles