by Simplar | Mar 5, 2026 | Built Environment, Business of Construction, Leadership, Leadership, Organization Transformation, Partnering, Planning, PM, Weekly Construction Message
The success of a construction company depends on the skill level of each team member and the coordination of their individual efforts toward a common goal. Most contractors realize this but may not be aware of the prerequisites required to accomplish this level of...
by Simplar | Aug 7, 2025 | Built Environment, Business Development, Business Failure, Business of Construction, Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Financial Management and Risk, Growth, Leadership, Weekly Construction Message
In last week’s message I closed my eyes and dropped a bomb. Did you hear it? If not, I suggest you go back and reread last week’s message. For me to admit to my readers that construction financial accounting is, to a large degree inaccurate, is I assure...
by Simplar | May 23, 2025 | Built Environment, Business Failure, Business of Construction, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Financial Management and Risk, Financial Management and Risk, Leadership, Leadership, Weekly Construction Message
Last week we established that the high failure rate in the construction industry comes down to a single cause – a shortage of working capital. Some blame failures on a whole variety of causes: labor unrest, natural disasters, economic stress, market shrinkage,...
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 | Apr 20, 2023 | Business of Construction, Business, Strategic & Project Planning, Business, Strategic and Project Planning, Weekly Construction Message
Working Capital Engineers Thomas C Schleifer, Ph.D. No sane construction professional would prepare a bid or start a job without input from the estimators, designers and/or engineers, and project managers. After scrutinizing specifications and understanding quality...
