by Simplar | Dec 5, 2024 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Leadership, Leadership, Weekly Construction Message
Unexamined beliefs about the contracting business often lead to management decisions that limit success. That’s the whole point of this recent series of messages. Only after we recognize the existence and impact of unexamined beliefs can we alter our...
by Simplar | Dec 5, 2024 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Leadership, Leadership, Weekly Construction Message
For the past twelve weeks we have been examining the long-held but largely unexamined beliefs that subconsciously guide construction professional’s decision making. This week I would like to pause and closely examine the concept of “beliefs” and how they...
by Simplar | Nov 14, 2024 | Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Financial Management and Risk, Growth, Growth, Leadership, Weekly Construction Message
For many years I have been cautioning about the risk inherent in accelerated growth. Construction professionals, however, have not been listening to these cautions because, unlike all other industries, construction has no ongoing business inertia. Contractors must...
by Simplar | Nov 7, 2024 | Built Environment, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Leadership, Project Selection, Risk Management, Weekly Construction Message
A Case Study I was very young when I found myself running the field operation of the contracting firm my brother and I started. After a number of years, we were the successful bidder on a church nearby. We diligently submitted our first payment requisition to the...
by Simplar | Oct 31, 2024 | Business of Construction, Financial Management and Risk, Weekly Construction Message
Contractors usually start out as closely held companies that grow their business gradually over time. Many have formal education as engineers or constructors, but rarely do they have any business education or experience. Their first bookkeeper is often their spouse or...
by Simplar | Oct 24, 2024 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Labor & Labor Issues, Organization Transformation, Project Delivery
The construction industry is perhaps the best example of an industry built on firmly held but largely unexamined beliefs. Most contractors I have worked with over the last 30 years believe that: top line growth in sales is always good; their company can build...
