The Power of Following Up
You can get many of the things you want in life simply by following up. Follow up with that prospect that hasn’t returned your call. Follow up with your customer to let them know your men are on the jobsite. Follow up to ensure the concrete is on the way. Follow up with your employee/coworker […]
Trick of the Trade: The Step-Down Flow-Stop
This ‘Trick of the Trade’ is shared by Mary Wilson of Michel Concrete Inc. in Springfield, IL. Mary offers this solution in response to the challenge by CFA President, Dennis Purinton. Mary’s company is rewarded with 50 points to her member account to be redeemed for an upcoming registration, event or purchase. The tip comes […]
Concrete Contractors Should Use the New (and Better) I-9 Form
Effective January 22, all US employers must be using the new version of Form I-9. Although in its simplest format, the form is relatively unchanged, contractors can and should download the form from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services webpage and use the new form on a computer. Use this link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9 There are […]
Tips for Pouring Concrete Foundations in Cold Weather
As published in Concrete Contractor Magazine December 04, 2013By James R. Baty II, F.ACI, F.TCA Question: Concrete foundation pours in cold weather will be affected by temperatures in the mid 30s to mid 40s or lower. How should I ensure my customers and our building inspectors that the walls will perform as designed? – Concrete Contractor […]
Confirming the Connection Detail for a Residential Footing
As published in Concrete Contractor Magazine, January/February 2017. This column is an expansion of the footing detail discussion offered in the December 2016 edition. In this issue, a CFA member asks for an interpretation of the cover requirements for dowels in a footing used to provide connection between the concrete footing and the foundation wall. […]
Opiates and Workers’ Compensation Injuries: Dangers and Solutions
In combating the epidemic of addiction, the U.S. Surgeon General has just announced plans to tackle alcohol and drug abuse, nationally—especially opioid addiction—urging doctors, policymakers and the public to ramp up efforts to combat the growing U.S. healthcare crisis. The numbers are real! Since 2000, the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids—Fentanyl, Percocet, Vicodin, […]
Trick of the Trade Corner: Labor Savings & Quality Improvement
This issue’s Trick of the Trade is shared by Andy Stachler of Stachler Concrete Inc. in St. Henry, Ohio. Andy responded to last quarter’s column featuring the inside corner stripping tool offered by Dennis Purinton and answering the challenge by our President. Andy’s tip has rewarded his member account with 50 points he can redeem […]
Impressed To Success
Many years ago, a customer made the comment that he only wanted to do business with successful people. He explained, part of being successful is acting successful and dealing with successful people. The mission of this Association for the past forty years has been to promote and help Concrete Contractors along the path to success. […]
What’s In Your Wallet?
Another round of Capital One commercials are streaming across every form of my media these days. While I enjoy seeing the newest way to get (or prevent) a point across, it did give me a reason this week to pause and contemplate what it means for our industry. Seriously, what’s in your wallet (if I […]
The Essentials of a Return to Work Program
Lost time is a term used by OSHA to describe the number days an injured employee is away from work, but lost money is what OSHA should really call it. Each and every day an employee is away from work because of an injury or illness leads to greater losses to the employer and employee. […]
