Seven Lessons Learned From Firing 300 People
Over the course of many years, I’ve fired more than 300 employees at our concrete construction company. The list of reasons for the dismissals is long and varied. I’ve fired people because they’ve caused problems on job sites, refused to take direction from their Foremen, stolen from the company or coworkers, been under the influence […]
Code Compliance with Insulated Concrete Form Foundations
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are increasingly being used as foundations in commercial and residential projects. Part of the reason is that ICFs naturally help comply with increasingly strict energy codes. While many are familiar with ICFs for above-grade walls, their benefits transfer to foundations as well. Energy code compliance, quicker more efficient construction, and safer […]
Profoundly Impacted by Convention
This issue of the magazine introduces the newest CFA Board members. One of the common threads between them is easily found in the profound impact that Convention, meeting and networking with peers has had on them. This is not unique by any stretch of the imagination to a member of the Board. Talk with any […]
Success Only Comes After Work!
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. After many years in business, I can attest to that being a “Concrete Fact.” Becoming a CFA member will never take the hard work out of success, but membership sure can lighten the load and, hopefully, help avoid the pitfalls of our industry through […]
Acceptable Tolerances for Residential Footings
As published in Concrete Contractor Magazine, August/September 2017. This column pertains to the nature of minimum requirements or specifications for the size of concrete footings in relation to the foundation walls they support. Question: I have a foundation that was poured and I am not impressed. The footings were poured and when they set the […]
ASSOCIATION NEWS: CFA Health and Safety Survey Says…
CFA conducted a survey on the state of safety education in member companies. The survey was the precursor for work being undertaken to develop a learning management system (LMS) and offer online courses for access by members of the Association, to bring better education to the workforce. Such an LMS not only elevates the quality […]
MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT: Find Better Customers to Make More Money
Many concrete contractors are experiencing busy workloads. Their schedules are almost as full as they were before the Great Recession. However, their profits are not where they should be. I am often asked, “How do I make more profit on my construction jobs?” One of the best ways to make more money on your construction […]
Defining Leadership
Here is the problem with being seen as a leader: leaders continue to give a lot of time, energy and often money as a way of contributing to the larger goal or to honor the position they have attained. This is increasingly hard on the organization and the individual as it regularly conflicts with the […]
Is Bigger Really Better?
Many years ago at a summer meeting the topic of one of the speakers was “How To Grow Your Business?” His opening statement was, “Why do you want to grow? Do you think that growth is going to substantially increase your bottom line?” “If you are willing to do more than you are paid to […]
Safety 24/7
Last fall a truly “by the book” safe GC tendered a project. Submission of our OSHA training certifications and Safety Program was part of the subcontractor selection process. The submittal included a full-page list of questions about our safety practices. I met with the safety officer on the jobsite and explained that I chose to […]
