Blog Archives




 

  • Asking The Dumb Question
    By Todd Mather - Thursday June 14, 2012
    Undoubtedly, it’s within the third or fourth meeting with my clients that I find myself having to explain my statement: “I’m really not thick-headed.” And it is generally after they give me that look. You know the one.  That facial expression where they appear to be dumbfounded that I would have to ask seemingly ridiculous questions or have them clarify a seemingly obvious answer. It might go something like this: “Of course I don't want a door into my master bathroom!” or “Do you really have clients who want to see their kitchen from their front door?” They say it with disgust that suggests a lapse in trust that their new architect would even be entertaining this conversation. While yes, although we’re...

  • Change Perception: Make Green the Standard
    By Todd Vendituoli - Thursday June 7, 2012
    We hear a great deal about green homes. It’s it the news and many people try to use green in their homes as a selling point. However the term is misleading and has been branded in ways that many do not totally understand. Recently I asked someone if they were in the market to build a new home, would they make it a green-built home? I should also mention that this person is what I would call the average American; they are not wealthy but they are not poor either. They said they would love to but assumed it would add too much to the cost of the project. They were under the impression that “green” equals higher building costs. So there seems to be a few problems here that need to be addressed. One is that green needs to be rebranded to...

  • The Entrepreneur Wealth Cycle – The 6 Keys to Building Wealth
    By Greg Crabtree - Thursday June 7, 2012
    Most entrepreneurs fall for the idea that the only way to build wealth from their business growing is to sell it. Since very few sell for the mega millions they dream of, I think they are missing out on the real secret. A profitable, well-capitalized business can be your ticket to a life full of wealth building. Here are 6 keys to make your business work for you. Key #1 – Get profitable Entrepreneurs often sacrifice profits in the name of growth. Most do this as an excuse because they are not willing to make the hard decisions to get profitable or have no clue as to how to do it. If you make the statement that you are “reinvesting in your business” it should mean you have left all of the after-tax profits in your business to...

  • Awards Season Brings Excitement
    By Laurie Banyay - Monday June 4, 2012
    As much as I dislike watching sports, with the exception of the Pittsburgh Steelers, I cannot wait for the Olympics to start next month. Maybe it’s because every time I turn on the TV there’s a different sport to watch, or maybe it’s because it’s one of the few world events that brings almost every major country together in good sportsmanship. But I think most of it is because once every two years, we have the opportunity to watch the best of the best compete. There’s something exhilarating about watching these world-class athletes who have spent their whole lives training for Olympic glory go for the gold. The determination, talent and raw emotion on display is inspiring. Seeing the best go head-to-head is thrilling, which is...

  • Lessons from the EcoSmart House
    - Friday June 1, 2012

  • What kind of boss are you?
    By Maureen Alley - Friday June 1, 2012
    Do you know if you're a good or bad boss? Earlier this week, AOL posted an article about the seven characteristics of bad bosses . It's an interesting list and I've experienced bosses who've done all of them. I agree with the article that if you change your approach, your management style and leadership will approve.  Oftentimes problems come from lack of communication or poor use of it. That's proven in this list as many of the characteristics involve communication. I especially love number seven: Hinting, rather than speaking straightforwardly. Hey boss, be direct. Everyone will have a better understanding of what you want and how you want it done if you're clear and concise. As someone who grew up in D.C., I love people who are...

  • Successful Project Management
    By Mark Gandy - Monday May 28, 2012
    So you’ve closed a $50,000.00 kitchen remodel. All of your materials are ordered and delivery dates confirmed. So far, you have a happy customer whom is probably very anxious about the coming remodel of their home. What is the next step in order for you to keep that happy client, add to your reference list and generate repeat and referral business? The answer is successful project management. Remodeling is an invasive procedure that creates anxiety for clients. It is a process that disrupts their daily lives and routines. As project managers, we can alleviate much of this anxiety up front by being honest about the intrusive process we are about to begin. I have told more than one client before ever closing a sale that any contractor who...

  • My refinancing revelations
    By Rob Heselbarth - Thursday May 24, 2012
    It’s a rare day that something truly shocking happens. Last month, I was shocked. My wife and I are going through the process of refinancing our mortgage, and one day in May we received a call from the bank with the results of our appraisal. I wish we missed that call. We expected a low number, but not this low. Zillow.com is way, way off the mark. Not even close, really. Equally as significant as the low home value was the number of foreclosed or distressed homes in my neighborhood. I’ve known that Illinois has had one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the country, but when reality hits so close to home, like I said, it’s shocking. Aside from realizing how depressed my local housing market is, another realization was how the...

  • Tips for Hiring as the Remodeling Industry Recovers
    By Jeff Kaliner - Monday May 21, 2012
    Just a few weeks ago, Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies released a promising outlook for the home remodeling industry, with the prediction that it would be on the upswing by the end of 2012.  With more and more homeowners looking to remodel, now is a good time for remodeling professionals to consider evaluating their current hiring strategies to ensure they are prepared for what will hopefully be a year of growth and increased sales. For a company like ours, the nation’s fourth largest home remodeling company, offering energy efficient exterior home remodeling solutions, including replacement windows , siding, roofing, entry doors and home insulation, recruitment is a constant priority across a wide variety of departments...

  • Are you LinkedIn and linked up?
    By Bonnie Pickartz - Thursday May 17, 2012
    Social media can be a bit overwhelming. You're working hard to stay afloat. You've reinvented your business by adding new products and services. You spend more time working on proposals, beating the bushes to keep work in the pipeline, and trying to do more with less staff. And now you hear that you should be more active in social media. Well, you're hearing it right. And while you're using your social media outlets to make yourself more available, to let people know that you are open for business and to establish your authority in your field, you can easily miss yet another advantage social media offers. Social media can be an educational resource. Use it! Recently a client asked about the pros and cons of different window materials...

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