by Simplar | Jun 4, 2026 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Leadership, Weekly Construction Message
Piloting a plane by instruments is the practice of navigating and controlling an aircraft using only the cockpit displays, entirely independent of outside visual references like the horizon or landmarks. It requires precise cross-checking, interpretation, and control....
by Simplar | May 28, 2026 | Built Environment, Cash Flow (Getting Paid), Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Weekly Construction Message
A key risk factor I discovered dealing with thousands of failed contractors was that these contractors failed to use business science tools to manage their business and were often surprised and angry when they suddenly ran out of cash and had to close the doors. If...
by Simplar | May 21, 2026 | Built Environment, Financial Management and Risk, Leadership, Leadership, Risk Management, Risk Management, Weekly Construction Message
Magicians only perform a trick once for the same audience. A second time and the trick loses its luster. The third time around the audience figures it out. The trick no longer fools the audience and the magic is gone. Legacy Tricks of the Trade We contractors start...
by Simplar | May 14, 2026 | Built Environment, Cash Flow (Getting Paid), Weekly Construction Message
Most contractors start out with plenty of ambition, guts, and resourcefulness. That’s what it takes to quit a good paying job and ‘go off on your own’ not knowing where your next buck will come from. Most studies reveal contractors to be type A personalities...
by Simplar | Mar 19, 2026 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Organization Transformation, Organizational Change Management, Organizational Change Management, Project Delivery, Weekly Construction Message
Contractors are either selling finished buildings (highways, bridges, etc.) to ultimate owners or they are providing owners with construction services. Not both. The legal structure of construction contracts holds the contractor responsible not only for erecting a...
