Thomas C. Schleifer, PhD

Construction Leadership Tools

Dr. Schleifer joined the construction industry at age 16 and has more than 50 years of contracting and consulting experience. He has a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees in construction management from East Carolina University, and a Ph.D., in construction management, from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Schleifer’s experience includes serving as foreman, field superintendent, project manager, and vice president of a construction company.  View Full Resume

This library is a compendium of his extensive writings, tools, and views that have advanced numerous construction companies, their leaders, and the industry as a whole. 

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• Construction Business Success

• Organizational Structure

• Business Planning

• Flexible

• Using Financial Data 

• Much more!

CONSTRUCTION TOOLS

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SELF-ANALYSIS PROGRAM

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Every organization can improve performance. Advancing a construction organization towards world-class performance requires accurate identification of the organization’s strengths and weaknesses. Decades of research lead to this do-it-yourself diagnostic tool that provides the equivalence of an independent expert evaluation of every aspect of your business. Research suggests that most managers understand construction methods better than the multi-layered business side of the business and the complicated interdependent relationships between marketing, production, and accounting. This tool will provide you with a comprehensive insight into the complex functional areas of your business. Once identified, most contractors have little difficulty correcting potential limitations or compensating for them. Identifying strengths and weaknesses is the bigger issue.

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PROJECT SELECTION PROGRAM

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The project selection tool provides an accurate measurement of project selection risk based upon what is known or not known about a potential project at a given point in time, and how well the project matches the firm’s experience.

The project selection tool provides an accurate measurement of project selection risk based upon what is known or not known about a potential project at a given point in time, and how well the project matches the firm’s experience.

Use our online project selection tool or download the tool in excel format.

ONLINE PROJECT SELECTION TOOL

 

Late payment to contractors is an industry nightmare that violates contracts and multiplies the risk. Worst of all, contractors allow it to happen. Having been paid late for so long, contractors think it’s normal. Most feel they have no influence over the payment process. The reason is what I have called for many years an “entitlement” paradox.

DOWNLOAD: BLAME? LOOK IN THE MIRROR ARTICLE

DOWNLOAD: DON’T IGNORE YOUR CFO ARTICLE

 

Learn more about pursuing only profitable work.

DOWNLOAD: PURSUING ONLY PROFITABLE WORK ARTICLE

 

CORPORATE FINANCIAL SELF-ANALYSIS

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To begin any planning process and effectively decide the future of an organization, it is important to precisely establish the organization’s present status, which requires a review of where the organization has been. For many contractors, a comprehensive analysis of the last three to five-year financial history of their company is a good learning experience; and for some, it may be a little surprising. Many business owners deal with the good years and bad years as they come along but have not considered their organization’s average financial performance over time. Many entrepreneurs provide very specific reasons or causes for their bad years; at the same time, they consider all their good years as the norm. When plans made on this basis don’t work out, it is often because too much optimism is built on the assumption good years are normal years and will repeat themselves, while bad years are an anomaly and unlikely to be repeated. This complicates measuring a company’s current performance against its prior performance, a necessary element in corporate financial self-analysis.  The links below provide detailed information about financial self-analysis and the FREE tool to be able to start your journey to advance leadership for your construction organization.

 

DOWNLOAD: DR SCHLEIFER’S CORPORATE SELF-ANALYSIS WHITEPAPER

DOWNLOAD: CORPORATE FINANCIAL SELF-ANALYSIS TOOL

R-SCORE CALCULATOR

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The R-Score measurement is the result of extensive research by Dr. Tom Schleifer. It is a single formula that determines whether a construction company’s financial condition is improving or deteriorating, and to what degree. Unlike any single ratio discussed here, this formula consists of a combination of interrelated financial and organizational performance indicators. Simply stated, this indicator measures the ability of a company to produce its work at a profit while effectively utilizing its financial resources (essentially keeping debt low in relation to equity). The R-Score—and, of course, the company’s actual risk—increases when the company’s ability to earn a profit is diminished, or when their financial structure becomes more highly leveraged.

DOWNLOAD: R-SCORE CALCULATOR SPREADSHEET

MANUAL OF CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

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Dr. Schleifer has worked in Construction for more than 50 years and has accumulated an astonishing amount of knowledge about the inner workings of the industry.  Over the past years, he has compiled all of his knowledge about the business side of the business of construction and created a Manual of Construction Practices.

DOWNLOAD: MANUAL OF CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

GLOSSARY OF SURETYSHIP AND RELATED DISCIPLINES

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Suretyship is a discipline demanding an interdisciplinary approach. Accounting, banking, law, insurance, reinsurance, government, and, in some instances, engineering, architecture, and construction all meet on common ground, a bond or contract of suretyship; and, each must be considered as important as the others.

We, Construction Management Associates, Inc., have searched for a glossary of suretyship, comprehensive, yet with simple, clear, readable definitions. We have not found such a glossary; therefore, we decided to write one. Construction Management Associates, a surety consultant with years of experience, was well-suited to meet the challenge.

We trust that we have produced a book of value, of utility. We are proud of and satisfied with the glossary; however, we will continue to update, expand and improve this work. Hindsight has a certain clarity; we hope that our foresight will as well.

DOWNLOAD: GLOSSARY OF SURETYSHIP AND RELATED DISCIPLINES

MANAGING THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS: THE CONTRACTOR'S GUIDE TO SUCCESS & SURVIVAL STRATEGIES

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Take control of your construction contracting business and manage it through the natural highs and lows of the construction market.
Learn from a team of construction business veterans led by Thomas C. Schleifer, who is commonly referred to as a construction business “turnaround” expert due to the number of construction companies he has rescued from financial distress. His financial acumen, combined with his practical, hands-on experience, has made him a sought-after private consultant. His experience and no-nonsense philosophy have truly given him a unique perspective.

Important topics covered include:

  • Understanding the primary areas of construction business failure in the next decade
  • Minimizing business risk with real-world examples
  • Developing a positive and competent management attitude and strategy

Discover how to maneuver through this complicated and risky industry by using the authors’ research and proven success strategies to sustain and grow your business.

PURCHASE: MANAGING THE PROFITABLE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS

 

COMMON CONSTRUCTION ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

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The construction industry is full of acronyms, symbols, and abbreviations that vary between companies and workers.  If you ever find yourself wondering what MEP, CMU, FFE, or UNO mean, explore these websites.

Construction Abbreviations

Construction Symbols

For the most common construction symbols, look here

 

MANUAL OF CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

CONSTRUCTION ARTICLES

ENGINEERING NEWS RECORD PUBLISHED ARTICLES

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CONSTRUCTION PROFIT VIDEO SERIES

The Dr. Thomas C. Schleifer Construction Profit Video Series offers a timeless perspective on the business of construction and the best methods for making your construction business profitable. You’ll find some priceless nuggets of knowledge specifically tailored for the construction industry that will help you build your construction business the right way.

Ask Questions and Request Topics

Have a question for Dr. Thomas C. Schleifer? Contact him here with your questions about articles or the business of construction in general.

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If you wish to contact Dr. Schleifer directly, he can be reached at tschleifer@q.com or letstalkbusiness@simplar.com