by Simplar | Nov 9, 2023 | Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Weekly Construction Message
Our ongoing discussion on the importance of managing the flow of cash into and out of a construction contractor’s balance sheet identified the two major financial risk factors that contractors face: (1) a chronic shortage of working capital; and (2) a highly...
by Simplar | Aug 31, 2023 | Business of Construction, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Project Delivery, Project Selection, Weekly Construction Message
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...
by Simplar | Aug 17, 2023 | Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Project Selection, Project Selection, Project Selection, Weekly Construction Message
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...
by Simplar | Jul 20, 2023 | Business Development, Business Development, Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Project Selection, Project Selection, Weekly Construction Message
Tony the Temper Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. Contractors and their senior executives don’t pull wire, pour concrete, drive nails, or dig holes. They don’t do the estimating, scheduling, or accounting for ongoing work. Once a contract is signed and a project is underway,...
by Simplar | Jul 7, 2023 | Business Development, Business Development, Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Leadership, Leadership, Leadership, Weekly Construction Message
Experts Make Money Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. Because too many construction projects are priced through a low-bid auction process, contractors have only minimal control over their selling price. Expense inflation over the extended life of a project is hard to control....
by Simplar | May 18, 2023 | Built Environment, Business Development, Business of Construction, Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Leadership, Leadership, Leadership, Organizational Change Management
It Takes a Team Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. Even with a visionary founder or CEO firmly in control, a professional team is necessary to execute the founder’s or CEO’s vision of success. As I referenced in last week’s message, day to day management of construction work...
