Small business owners often feel overwhelmed by marketing because there are so many things to pay attention to. It’s hard to know what to prioritize. Not only are there hundreds of potential ways to spend money, there are always new and exciting tools being introduced that you feel you need[Read More…]
Columnists
For Want of an Air Conditioner, Part 3
Our on-site job in Newalla was going terribly. The first day went great, until we discovered our trim was cut wrong and decided to come back and finish on the second day. The second day was going reasonably well, until I needed a couple things from the truck, only to[Read More…]
Profit Per Unit
Earlier this week a client asked for help sorting out and prioritizing a list of nearly 30 projects and tasks that were competing for his attention. The list of ideas, tasks, and actions to take was growing so large that anyone would get overwhelmed. He wisely used his investment in[Read More…]
The Formula For Success
Every industry and business has formulas that they use–a framework for decision making, if you will. Banks plug your numbers into their formula to determine if they should give you a loan. Publishers hear a pitch about a new self-help book and use their formula to decide if they should[Read More…]
Markets Remain Volatile
In terms of the overall U.S. economy, real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017, according to the Department of Commerce. This is subject to revision, but it’s below the previous increase in the fourth quarter 2016 of 2.1 percent.[Read More…]
Chaotic Markets
Prices will move around a lot.” Did I really say that in the previous column? What an understatement! The catalyst for this volatility is the same—the failure to resolve the softwood lumber dispute and the uncertainty in the near future. Prices Lumber prices have been all over the map the[Read More…]
For Want of an Air Conditioner, Part 2
If you’ll recall at the end of last issue, my crew leader—who shall remain unnamed—decided that we should bring our little F-150 the next day rather than the tool truck to a brutally hot build. Why? Air conditioning! After a stop by the hardware store for a pallet of blocks,[Read More…]
Incentive Plans
I have no doubt that employee bonus plans, or incentive plans, work. Most production workers will get really smart, really quick, when they realize they have a good chance to earn more. I don’t think it matters if compensation is the number-one reason to keep employee engagement and morale high.[Read More…]
Tuff Shed Opens New California Location
Tuff Shed Inc. opened a new location in Redding, Calif., the company reports. A Grand Opening celebration took place November 10, 2016. The company says the event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Redding Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Tuff Shed raffled off ten $100 Tuff Shed Gift Certificates and offered[Read More…]
2016 Lumber Market Review, Forecast
When it comes to the lumber market, many factors affect supply and prices. And that has a direct impact on shed builders. For my first report of 2017, I can say that consumer confidence is up, but lumber prices are in flux. Read on for more details. Economic Background[Read More…]
