FIRING LINE: Happy Go Lucky
Ralph was all business; Ted was getting all the business. Ralph and Ted both came to work for me about the same time, and both were promising prospects. They knew construction well, had some outside sales experience, and were highly motivated. But if I had to bet on which one would ultimately generate greater volume, […]
Decking Fastener Trends: Speed and Efficiency Leading the Way
When it comes to deck building, time is of the essence. Both contractors and homeowners are increasingly prioritizing project timelines and quick completion. This shift in expectation is driving significant changes in the decking fastener market, where speed and efficiency have become paramount. One of the major challenges facing the construction industry today is the […]
Water Management for Wood Decks: A Retailers Guide
Building a beautiful wood deck is an exciting project, but in the midst of design choices and material selection, the long-term impact of water exposure isn’t always top of mind. However, water is the silent enemy of wood decks, leading to warping, rot, and even structural issues that can compromise the safety and enjoyment of […]
Trends to Watch in Decking + Outdoor Living
The outdoor living market has been on an incredible high since 2020. Outdoor spaces are now an almost standard part of residential construction, while commercial spaces increasingly integrate green spaces and other features to encourage spending time outdoors. As we look ahead, shifts in the market are shaping outdoor living investment and how outdoor living […]
Lumber Safety: Understanding Our Industry’s Top Risks
The lumber industry is building safer workplaces, thanks to significant strides made in recent years by industry leaders. Across the board, property insurance claims have declined, in addition to less frequent fire and auto losses. In fact, we have seen total claims drop nearly 17% year over year, with pending property claims down 23% annually […]
Are You Leaving Money on the Table?
For many people, the fall represents a change of seasons, with leaves changing color, days getting much shorter, and cool crispiness in the morning air. In our business, this is typically the last big push for business before winter arrives. As a marketer, I tend to look at fall a little differently. For me, fall […]
FIRING LINE: The Wiz
The way Otis had it figured, he’d never fall short of his goal if he never had one. Good salespeople tend to have strong personalities, and over the years, I’ve noticed they have traits that define their selling style. You know what I mean: “Bob’s a fireball,” or “Randy’s a smooth operator,” or ‘Mary’s so […]
Early Preparation Is Crucial for 2025 Open Enrollment
The job market remains highly competitive as employers work to attract and retain today’s top talent. With the 2025 open enrollment season around the corner, employers have an opportunity to develop attractive benefits offerings and proactively communicate with employees to win them over. Early preparation can help show employees they are valued, convince top performers […]
4 Innovative B2B Construction Marketing Tactics
The construction industry continues to grow, but you may feel as though it’s shrinking, as new competitors are part of the growth, and additional construction companies may be squeezing in on your business or company. Your day is probably filled with paperwork, team management, legal proceedings, raw materials and parts purchasing, and budget balancing, so […]
KILLING THEM SOFTLY: Yeah, So They’re Not Your Customers. Not Yet, Anyway.
“Hey, isn’t that Hank up on the roof?” It was, and Carl had a good reason to be surprised. He didn’t expect to pull up to his jobsite and find one of our salespeople on the second floor, helping a laborer unload some long-length lumber from a boom. What really threw Carl was that the […]