Empower Your Team to Success Ben Hershey When I recently started some restructuring work for a client, I saw a sign posted on the wall. As shown in the image [see PDF or View in Full Issue], it took a sad approach to giving 100% at work. How many of the associates on our teams show up to work on Monday with this attitude and energy... Read More June 2019 Issue #11239 Page 44
The Hiring Zone: Hiring Zone & JobLine: Two Industry-Specific Hiring Options When it comes to finding the right industry-experienced person to fill a key role, like a designer or plant manager, you have several options. You can DIY and network with employees and industry contacts, engage a recruiter, or place ads and screen candidates internally. I can’t speak to... Read More June 2019 Issue #11239 Page 80
An Effective Productivity Incentive Program for Truss Manufacturing Todd Drummond It is possible to give your shop employees a raise and actually achieve more capacity through greater productivity and make more net profit for your company by implementing an effective productivity incentive program. However, most of the incentive programs (IP) that are touted in the component... Read More May 2019 Issue #11238 Page 41
Question of the Day: Where Can I Find Truss Technicians? Stan Sias “I’ve looked everywhere, even at my competitors, where can I find truss technicians?” This is a question heard at some point during almost every conversation with component manufacturers these days. The answer isn’t as simple as saying, “Oh, call Truss... Read More May 2019 Issue #11238 Page 60
The Hiring Zone: Overtime Blues The Designer Hiring Season is here and now, and with it comes overtime. It may be a Saturday or two, or even some 9–10 hour days. Short term, managing your labor needs with overtime is a great alternative to the expense and risks of hiring another designer. Long term use may cost you a few... Read More May 2019 Issue #11238 Page 74
Lumber Briefs: Labor and Lumber Demand are “Coming Back” Matt Layman For the past three years, the housing industry has bemoaned labor as its primary deterrent to increasing productivity, i.e., housing starts. Framing crews suddenly vanished when detainment and deportation of undocumented workers became more prevalent. The initial impact on the housing... Read More May 2019 Issue #11238 Page 78
Better Net Profits, Not Hyped-Up Business Philosophies Todd Drummond Whether your company is a single-location or a huge multi-location operation, 2018 should have been a banner year for profits for your company. Most of my clients were in the high teens and many were in the mid-twenties for net profit to total sales. How well did your company perform in... Read More April 2019 Issue #11237 Page 19
Effective Ways Leaders Solve Problems Ben Hershey With as many problems as we all face in our work and life, it seems as if there is never enough time to solve each one without dealing with some adversity along the way. Problems keep mounting so fast that we find ourselves taking shortcuts to temporarily alleviate the tension points, so we... Read More April 2019 Issue #11237 Page 38
The Hiring Zone: Missing the Point Missing the point could cover a lot of things, but this month it means considering different perspectives during an interview. Employers and candidates can get trapped into looking at things from just one side. Employers are thinking: What skills and abilities do I need in a candidate, does this... Read More April 2019 Issue #11237 Page 74
Success Through Failure Ben Hershey “I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan While it... Read More March 2019 Issue #11236 Page 20