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From Builder to Manager
From Builder to Manager Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. With the possible exception of prostitution, construction is the world’s oldest industry. It is, however, a business unlike any other. All modern industrial companies introduce a product or service to the marketplace...
Big Small Business
Big Small Business Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. The oldest known structure on earth Göbekli Tepe, the remains of a temple at an archeological site in Southeastern Turkey dated back to 9500 - 8000 BC marks the earliest example of what we now call the construction...
A Flawed Business Model
A Flawed Business Model Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. Construction organizations often select projects to fill their growth goals, satisfy their need for immediate cash flow, capture work near their headquarters, keep their crews busy, serve owners they have worked for...
Managerial Maturity
Managerial Maturity Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. Back in the day when I started as a contractor, construction was still considered a custom product and my brother and I enjoyed sufficient profit margins despite our inexperience and limited management training. In other...
The Death of Expertise
The Death of Expertise Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. The invention of the internet, powerful search engines, and the cellphone have made supposed experts of almost everyone. Some doctors are actually retiring early because they are tired of arguing with patients who use...
“Ya Puts Up Ya Money…Ya Takes Yer Cherce”
“Ya Puts Up Ya Money…Ya Takes Yer Cherce” Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. So says Charles Dickens’ racetrack tout in his native cockney accent. This colorful character in Dickens’ 19th century novel describes construction contracting more accurately and concisely than all...
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