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 […]

March Madness

Let’s face it, I’m about this entirely and I’m guessing many of you are too. I don’t have many conversations it seems without someone having a college team that inspires them. Now, maybe you’re not a basketball fan and prefer wrestling or football, but you have to admit that there is a frenzy, a delirium, […]

Why Attend Convention

Between podcasts, YouTube tutorials, webinars and google.com, why would I invest the time and money to attend a convention? What will I learn there that I can’t learn online? If this is your mindset, I challenge you to take your company to the next level and explore the real benefits of attending your industry events, […]

Top Safety Awards Call For Entries

The Board of Directors for the Concrete Foundations Association has created a Top Safety Awards program to recognize contractors in the industry committed to maintaining safe working environments on their job sites. In 2011, OSHA rescinded the exemption from fall protection for residential construction, including that of residential foundation construction under the belief that significant […]

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 […]

Around The Association

It’s been a busy start to 2017 in this industry and certainly throughout CFA membership.  After a very productive and energy-packed World of Concrete, there have been some great developments and challenging progress made that we are proud to report on. New Members Everyone is encouraged by the growth of the Association.  When a new […]

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 […]

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, […]