by Simplar | Aug 24, 2023 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Project Delivery, Weekly Construction Message
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...
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 | Aug 10, 2023 | Project Selection, Project Selection, Risk Management, Risk Management, Weekly Construction Message
“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...
by Simplar | Jul 27, 2023 | Business of Construction, Prospering Cyclical Market, Weekly Construction Message
Contractors Were Right Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. Since the beginning of 2023 I have been cautioning contractors to beware of the potential for a coming recession. To my frustration, contractors have been ignoring us and pressing on with business as usual. “It will all...
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,...
