Modular Spotlight: Hilton’s Palacio del Rio in San Antonio When I read about Hilton taking their “first” step into modular, in another publication a few weeks ago, it hit me. My dad, a commercial modular pioneer, always told me that what was once old is new again — and that was never more true than thinking about this step and... Read More October 2019 Issue #11243
The Hiring Zone: Remote Offices – This is How We Do It! Sitting in my Home Office, after 27 years of working from home, I get it. The perks that come with working from home are great and the freedoms that come with it are priceless. There are downsides too. If you haven’t worked from home long term, I will just say that I hope your positives... Read More September 2019 Issue #11242 Page 84
The Hiring Zone: Bonus Plan or Performance Plan—Is One Strategy Better? The goal is the same for both a bonus plan and a performance plan—reward an employee for performance. The higher the position, the more defined are the goals. Not many bonuses that are consistently over $10k are subjective. It can’t be about how well departments out of your control... Read More August 2019 Issue #11241 Page 80
The Hiring Zone: Opportunity Knocks Just a couple of years ago, I went back to the commercial modular/classroom/mobile office plant where I had my first GM job in the ’80s. I was 27 then, am much older now, but one thing hasn’t changed much, technology. The stations had the same kind of equipment, home build when... Read More July 2019 Issue #11240 Page 80
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
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
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
The Hiring Zone: Remote Design in 5 Years As I gaze into my crystal ball, conjuring up a future based on my 27 years of recruiting and industry experience, I can see big changes ahead for our industry and Remote Designers. Come with me and let’s see what my crystal ball shows…. The Year is 2021: As the mist in my... Read More March 2019 Issue #11236 Page 74
The Hiring Zone: Career Moves Before remote design was “the new thing,” designers would relocate to advance. Not just a promotion, but for better pay, better benefits, and stability for the long term. While remote offers flexibility in everything from scheduling to attire, it lacks one thing—proven... Read More February 2019 Issue #11235 Page 78
The Hiring Zone: Another Customer Survey? How do you measure customer satisfaction? Do you rely on your P&L, sales perception of your performance, the lost deal, the next order, the no-bid deal, your Google or Yelp score, or all of the above? Maybe the number of followers on your Facebook page? Do you wait for someone to complain or... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 66