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September 19, 2008
Courtesy and Professionalism on the Jobsite
So my wife is flipping through one of the billion or so catalogues that comes our house every day when she stumbles on the Painted Selvedge Jean. I have no idea what selvedge is, but take a look:
I know what you’re thinking ... oh come on.I throw these away, quickly followed up by... for $285 bucks I’ll give them every old pair of jeans I have.
But this whole thing raises some issues—the difference between style and substance.
J Crew makes a bazillion dollars selling stuff people like. There’s nothing wrong with it and there’s a lesson there for us: design matters.
But if all you’ve got are cool looks and no substance, you won’t last long in our business. Indeed, I’ve hired subs and laborers based on their sales pitch, which I quickly learned had no substance backing it up. And when we build, mangled 2x4 studs or caddy-wompuss 5/4 deck boards don’t care if we have panache or if people like us. They must go in straight—and it’s our job to get them there: that’s our substance.
J Crew also raises another issue for me: style and gentility.
No matter how dirty we get at work, we are business owners. Professionals. Period.
Looking good is one thing and when you look like you got yanked through a keyhole it’s easy to act that way. Acting appropriately in someone’s home is a skill I see fewer people exhibiting, to wit perhaps some substance that’ll require turning off Grand Theft Auto for a while would help. [By the way, in that game you’re not stealing pretend cars; playing that game, or any game, too much is stealing your brain... joke’s on you.]
Ben Franklin’sPoor Richard’s Almanack has been around for 240-ish years because it’s got something that connects with people—substance. And George Washington could lead men—George Washington On Leadership—
because he had substance too.
There’s even a line in No Country for Old Men that struck me... It’s one of the best windows into the world I’ve seen in a long time. Tommy Lee Jones says that society goes to hell in a handbasket when kids stop saying sir and ma'am. There’s something to that... it’s not in there by accident.
Sir, ma'am, please, thank you, holding the door for someone... it all matters. Substance.
Is it important to you? Do you counsel your crews about courtesy? Is smoking or chew allowed on your sites? How do you use courtesy to best serve your customers?
And, did you buy the jeans?
Posted by Mark Clement at 2:01 PM | Comments (0)
September 9, 2008
Water, Water... Not Everywhere
I wrote recently about Iowa's flooding. But if I click the GoogleMaps "-" sign on my world view, I notice some parts other areas that are desperate for H20. And, if my imagination wanders, Mad Max looks less post-apocalyptic joy-ride and more Nostradamus in leather chaps.
Two well-researched pieces, one I read National Geographic a few years back , and more recently called Peak Water in Wired Magazine www.Wired.com each point water crisis. And without a cool drink, say good-bye to a civilized economy my friends.
We're not running out of water, according to these articles. Rather we ("we" being: industry, agriculture, rising population) are consuming it faster that it's replenished. Eyeballing the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, then again in LA you'll notice this trend: one is water, one is dirt.
Kohler www.Kohler.com not surprisingly, is hitting hard on the water-front with a conservation program called WaterSense in partnership with the EPA and innovative new products—and a message aimed at us.
Kolher's "closets" (toilets) are lower-flow than industry standards they say and their waterless urinals make sense in some residential apps (man-caves, bar areas). Lower flow shower heads/aerators consume less—which adds up.
How green are you? Are your customers requesting water savings? Is it an upsell? Are you learning products to weave a green strand into the black of your bottom line?
Kohler—a company that does Super Bowl add for heaven's sake—is reaching out to contractors big and small, notably The Remodeling Show (where I'll be on assignment) www.TheRemodelingShow.com to get their water—and product—message across.
I know its business, but it also seems…well…right. I bet Max would like it.
Posted by Mark Clement at 9:23 AM | Comments (3)
September 4, 2008
Company Car
I admit that, somewhere inside me, there's a 10 year old boy alive and kickin' and he (not adult me... puhlease) spends lots of time daydreaming about trucks.
I said "dreaming" and not "analytical decision."
Ten year old wants a dump truck.
Grown-up me knows that a truck purchase is more than buying a work vehicle. You're investing big cash into the heavy iron that makes the most money for your business and family. But let's face it, the truck becomes a family car at some point. Indeed, it's nothing less than our lifeline between work and family.
If grown-up me bought a dump truck, it'd be this bed http://www.abctruck.com/catalog/rugged_american_landscaper.asp on a crew cab Isuzu truck—and it would make sense. A crew cab enables me to lug office stuff, tools, and crew inside. A long, cubic bed means I can carry materials efficiently, whether it's a deck package or roof tear-off. I can even section it off. On the other hand, I have to park it at home. And while I may even be able to sub myself out to other builder for their hauling—hooray multiple revenue streams--it's a lot of truck to use for getting a tube of caulk.
That leads me to truck-and-trailer. While gas prices are ionosphereic, I've tried contracting from a small pick-up and there isn't enough room. The last time I shopped for pick-ups my favorite was the extra cab GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 1500. www.Cheverolet.comwww.GMC.com But it's not enough truck for all the material I move so I need a trailer.
I own a 12 foot Star utility trailer and it's incredible, but with the increasing number of gut jobs I do a Bri-Mar dump trailer http://www.bri-mar.com/trailermenu.php looks like a great call.
But the dump truck is a billboard (I think that's 10 year old me talking). And you can use a compact pick-up for all the little things, estimates, and driving your real kids to school.
Bottom line, grown-up all of us need a truck situation that makes the most money and best serves company and customers. What works for you?
Posted by Mark Clement at 5:45 PM | Comments (0)
September 2, 2008
I'm Not Paying Attention -- On Purpose
I'm reading this awesome, albeit, out of print book -- The Higson Home Builder's Guide by James D. Higson . My edition, copyright 1977 was recommended by one of the most talented builders I know.
It's like Higson is writing right now, too. His knowledge, insight and even writing style are sensational. While much of any building book can be dry, he peppers his with personality. I'd have a beer with him.
Contrast this with the knuckle-dragger I met recently at Home Depot. First, he wore what I call the "I'm not paying attention" uniform.
It's (and if this is you, I'm sorry) the over-sized, extra-flat rim ball cap (visor askew), shorts that were too long and untied shoes. It appeared English was not his first language. Actually, it appeared Language was not his first language.
But I couldn't help talking to him. He was buying pressure treated decking and aluminum flashing. "Treated and aluminum don't mix," I mentioned. He replied he was in the business and that he knows "all the codes."
Uh huh.
It turns out I'm parked next to him. His truck (at least it was a truck) was not for work. It was a "ride." He kept the shiny bed cover -- heaven forbid you get…you know…dirt on your work truck--closed for loading. The deck boards cantilevered 4 feet out and were steadied with bags of concrete.
Building looked like a distraction from his image, one that seems in total contrast to how my customers carry themselves. I also know that my customers have all the money I'll ever make so this matters to me. I wonder what Higson would do.
What do you do when you need help and it's ball-cap boy? Do you take a chance? Train him? Company uniforms? Do you go it alone? I'm dying to know how as a leader of your company, you lead guys like him…And you have to lead. All that decking was a pothole away from being spread all over the road.
Posted by Mark Clement at 9:31 AM | Comments (1)
