Winning the Tug of War in Sales
Often, when speaking with a salesperson, evaluating a client’s business, or training a sales team, I refer to the schoolyard game of tug-of-war. Now, to set the stage for this analogy, this isn’t a win-lose situation where the “sales team” is on one side of the rope and they are battling the “customer team” on […]
FIRING LINE: “Planet Warbucks”
What do you give a builder who has everything? An extra 30 days. I probably shouldn’t have waited to bring this up, but I know how to solve some countries’ financial problems: Put a builder on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) negotiating team. Warbucks Construction was a multimillionaire developer and a good customer, at least […]
Debunking 5 Common Cybersecurity Myths
Also known as IT security, cybersecurity refers to the act of safeguarding internet-connected systems, critical data and other digital assets from potential cyberthreats—threats that may attempt to exploit sensitive information, steal funds or disrupt normal business operations. In other words, cybersecurity consists of the strategies implemented to help protect people, processes and technology from cyberattacks […]
5 Tips to Build Trust Using Content Marketing
Trust as an aspect of content marketing is a huge topic to tackle. It can encompass the basics of human trust, trust in business and trust in marketing. Each of these is hefty on its own, let alone combined as a single blog post. But there are some basics at work in all these segments […]
THE TIME BOMB: If parting is such sweet sorrow, Zeke was the sweetest guy you’ll ever meet.
Disciplining employees is never fun. Like most companies during litigious times, we made sure we dotted every “i” and crossed every “t” when we were forced into disciplinary action. We started with a friendly chat, escalated to a verbal warning, then proceeded to a written warning, and then possibly a suspension without pay (depending on […]
Rising Star: Emily Holtshouser
Location: Manchester, NH Position: National Account Manager-Pro Supply • Simpson Strong-Tie How did you begin your career in the LBM Industry? My dad has been a part of the LBM industry as an outside sales representative for building materials distributors since before I was born. I grew up in an LBM family, which showed me what […]
Material Takeoffs: Necessary Evil or Powerful Sales Tool?
Over recent years, the construction industry has evolved at a rapid pace. Projects have become much more complicated and technical. Thirty years ago, entire developments were shipped and built with very little thought into what materials would be required. Units of dimensional lumber and plywood were delivered and used as needed. There were very few […]
Inventory Management: A Game Changer for Hardware Retail
For lumberyards and hardware retailers, an effective inventory management system can transform their business. As a retailer that sells to professional contractors, as well as consumers, your customers depend on you for the right tools and equipment they need to get their work done. It’s your responsibility—and your opportunity—to meet these expectations efficiently. Inventory management […]
AI-Powered Personalization in Marketing
In the zip-paced world of marketing, one of the most transformative advancements of late has been the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance personalization strategies. AI-powered personalization in marketing represents a sea change in how brands engage with their audiences, offering tailored experiences that not only captivate consumers but also drive conversion rates and […]
Telematics: There’s More To It Than You Think!
When many of us think of employee safety, our minds shift toward incidents that occur in the workplace. It’s easy to forget that the main exposure for fatal incidents for workers does not occur at the workplace, but when they are behind the wheel of a vehicle. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation […]