by Simplar | Nov 15, 2023 | Business of Construction, Growth, Weekly Construction Message
I started my career in construction as a carpenter apprentice decades ago. My brother and I eventually formed our own general contracting business that operated continuously until last year when my brother retired. Years ago, while running our start-up contracting...
by Simplar | Oct 12, 2023 | Business Development, Business Development, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Growth, Growth, Weekly Construction Message
Capital capacity is just a fancy way of saying having enough cash around to finance projects ongoing plus projects under consideration. The construction industry is grossly undercapitalized. This, I believe, is the primary risk factor that contractors deal with daily...
by Simplar | Sep 7, 2023 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Growth, Growth, Weekly Construction Message
Big Small Business Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. The oldest known structure on earth Gƶbekli 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...
by Simplar | Aug 3, 2023 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Growth, Growth, Weekly Construction Message
We Are the World Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. The construction industry functions in a world economy beyond our national borders. The United States is the 2nd largest importer of building construction materials in the world, importing most of it from China, South Korea,...
by Simplar | Jun 15, 2023 | Business Development, Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Growth, Growth, Labor & Labor Issues, Labor & Labor Issues, Labor & Labor Issues, Leadership, Leadership, Leadership, Project Teams, Weekly Construction Message
Firing Up the Team Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. Successful construction professionals build a team in four successive steps: 1. Recruit 2. Train 3. Motivate 4. Retain. This week weāll take a closer look atĀ motivation. Many in our industry are tough, hands-on personality...
by Simplar | Apr 13, 2023 | Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Growth, Growth, Weekly Construction Message
Managing Working CapitalĀ Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. As we noted last week, the primary cause of construction business failure is running out of money. Why when contractors run out of money is it so often a surprise? Financing Growth Ā American industry is addicted to...
