FIRING LINE: 3-Pronged Approach to Prospecting
Over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of LBM dealers across the country. One of the most consistently requested topics I’m asked to present on is “prospecting.” It’s no surprise—virtually every dealer is looking for effective strategies to drive business growth. That’s the purpose of this article […]
Rising Star: Keegan Safford
Location: Jaffrey, N.H.Position: Purchasing Agent • Belletetes Inc. How did you begin your career in the LBM industry? I began my career in the industry in 2016 with the same company I work for today, Belletetes Inc.,a family-owned retail lumberyard based in New Hampshire. I started as most would— in the lumberyard, assisting with pulling […]
WRB, Continuous Insulation and Seam Sealing: Can One Product Do It All?
(Click here to view as published in print.) Imagine this: One product that combines a weather-resistant barrier, continuous insulation, and an innovative pre-applied seam-sealing solution to save time and money on a jobsite. This tactful combination of solutions delivers everything a builder is looking for today in one SKU. Continuous insulation is currently being brought […]
Making Workplace Safety Part of Your Company’s Culture
(Click here to view as published in print.) When you develop a work plan for the day, what do you think about? If you’re like most people, you probably spend the majority of the time considering what needs to be done in order to produce. “A machine needs to be moved here.” “This operator is […]
Takeoff Preparation: Going Beyond Ordinary Sales Training
(Click here to view as published in print.) You’ve hired a new salesperson. They are very professional, organized, and well-spoken. You’ve provided company training, including basic product knowledge, internal operational procedures, and shipping parameters, and given them basic blueprint reading training. They have driven with the sales manager and gotten the green light to take […]
Trace It Back
(Click here to view as published in print.) There is nothing that happens at Hancock Lumber in the way of a problem that I can’t trace back to myself as the senior leader of the organization. I can connect every challenge we face to something I did that I shouldn’t have done or something I […]
Performance Review Toolkit
(Click here to view as published in print.) Receiving performance feedback is a fundamental part of any job. Without some sort of reflection, how would your employees know what they’re doing well or what needs improvement? They likely wouldn’t—at least not in any formal capacity. Although most employers agree that performance reviews are important, the […]
Rising Star: Vincent DeKoskie
Location: Darien, Conn.Position: Operations Manager • Ring’s End How did you begin your career in the LBM industry? I started building framing loads and unloading train cars full of lumber. Every day I am learning something new! What are some of the responsibilities of your position? I currently operate Ring’s End’s flagship station. Every day […]
Football & Advocacy: Get in the Game!
Passing legislation is like a game of football; you make progress towards the goal line (passing your legislation), but it is not a fast process. You gain a little ground at a time over the course of a 6-month session (working your way down the field gaining yards), but then if your bill does not […]
Making Sense of Thermally Modified Wood
Every November, lumber wholesalers gather for the NAWLA Trader’s Market. It’s an opportunity to network with peers around the country and deepen ties with our mill partners, and for suppliers to introduce new products. Last year’s conference was notable for the large number of new thermally modified lumber offerings. Typically, it takes 12-18 months for […]