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 | May 7, 2026 | Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Growth, Growth, Weekly Construction Message
Despite its vast size ($2 trillion in annual sales) and impact on the nation’s economy, the construction industry remains, at its core, a collection of small businesses. Unlike other American industries, construction has never become a darling of Wall Street,...
by Simplar | Apr 30, 2026 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Leadership, Leadership, Organization Transformation, Weekly Construction Message
My career as an educator and consultant to the construction industry has followed an unusual path through every aspect of this amazing industry. It is from a unique background that I evaluate our industry and am inspired to share some lessons learned. I quit high...
by Simplar | Apr 16, 2026 | Business of Construction, Weekly Construction Message
This week we will be discussing the distinction between construction activity and commercial activity. Many contractors start their careers working with the tools and because of the unique nature of the construction financial transaction (contracting for one new job...
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...
