Contractor
Showing 193–208 of 390 results
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Construction Success Story – Contractor looks to raise her small company’s profile
September / October 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 450
Abstract: In this issue’s “Construction Success Story,” we meet a remodeling contractor who believes she’s missing out on opportunities well suited to her company. She asked her financial advisor how she might raise her public profile without wasting time and dollars on fruitless marketing efforts. Together, they came up with an affordable, effective way to get noticed — contact local media as a source for firsthand information on exciting, interesting construction projects.
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Should you add life-cycle costing to your portfolio?
September / October 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 662
Abstract: Today’s construction companies do more than build things; they can be information providers. A prime example of this is a contractor’s role in a process called life-cycle costing (LCC). This article describes LCC analysis, which is a risk-evaluation method that identifies, qualifies and analyzes all costs associated with the construction and operation of a building over its expected life.
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Gamification plays well in construction training
September / October 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 531
Abstract: “Gamification” is an odd word that’s gained acceptance in business circles recently. In its most general sense, the term refers to integrating characteristics of game-playing into business-related tasks as a way to excite and engage the people involved. This article explains how gamification could prove highly useful in employee training for the construction industry.
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Year end tax planning – Key points for managing your liability
September / October 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 848
Abstract: Now is a good time for contractors to consider their year end tax liabilities and take any steps possible to minimize them. As usual, 2015 has brought some changes to the tax laws and, as of this writing, there’s been no congressional action on various tax-law “extenders” that may affect businesses. Nonetheless, this article offers several key points for construction company owners to keep in mind. A sidebar discusses provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are taking effect in 2015.
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Construction Success Story – Contractor clocks in to time-tracking software
July / August 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 436
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” features a concrete contractor whose formerly small company had grown to the point where tracking employee hours and correlating them with the right jobs was becoming a serious problem. His financial advisor suggested he look into buying time-tracking software. So, together, they embarked on a journey to find a solution that fulfilled the contractor’s wish list and fit his budget.
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Could operational visibility reveal a brighter future?
July / August 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 674
Abstract: Most business owners, including contractors, probably believe they have a pretty clear vision of their operations. But the hectic travails of running a construction company can understandably narrow a contractor’s viewpoint to only the problems directly in front of him or her. This article reveals a way to manage the risks of such a predicament: through the concept of operational visibility.
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Create a standard structure for your estimates
July / August 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 528
Abstract: Every contractor knows that, the more accurate an estimate, the better the chances of completing a job within budget and realizing the anticipated profit. For this reason, every construction company should create a standard structure for its estimates. This article looks at some of the key components of a standardized approach.
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Buying and leasing and renting…oh my! Strategic thinking for equipment acquisitions
July / August 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 871
Abstract: Some construction companies buy and maintain large fleets of equipment. Others choose to lease these assets and, in some cases, purchase select pieces at the end of the arrangement. Still others opt to rent what they need, for only as long as they need it. This article looks at the pluses and minuses of each option. A sidebar notifies readers of impending changes to the current accounting rules for equipment lease payments.
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Construction Success Story – Creating an employee wellness program
May / June 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 433
Abstract: In this issue’s “Construction Success Story,” we meet a frustrated general contractor who was doing everything he could to run a successful company yet still suffered lackluster profitability. His financial advisor noticed that employee absences and escalating health care costs could be partly to blame. So, together, they looked into creating an employee wellness program.
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What’s goin’ on? The power of job status reports
May / June 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 644
Abstract: Every construction company needs to respect the power of job status reports. These documents, clearly established and regularly refined, can mean the difference between keeping a good job rolling and letting a bad job happen. This article discusses the importance of accuracy, timeliness, updated cost data and communication in the critical process of reporting on project progress.
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3 advantages of cloud computing for contractors
May / June 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 524
Abstract: The term “cloud computing” has been around for many years now. But, at the end of the day, the cloud is simply a metaphor for the Internet and “moving to the cloud” involves transferring some or all of a company’s applications from its internal infrastructure to an Internet-based service. This article describes three advantages of cloud computing for contractors.
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Cause and effect – How purchasing policies can impact profitability
May / June 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 860
Abstract: Winning the bid for a job is only the first step toward a successful project. It’s important for contractors to plan carefully, communicate clearly and track expenditures every step of the way. This article explains some ways to establish and follow consistent purchasing policies to increase the chances of achieving a beneficial profit margin. A sidebar looks at the effect change orders and variances can have on purchasing policies.
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Construction Success Story – Improving job-site logistics puts project on fast track
March/April 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 434
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” features a concrete subcontractor who noticed that he was repeatedly falling behind schedule on his projects. His financial advisor suggested that he re-examine his job-site logistical practices to see whether he could find more streamlined ways of working. She also urged him to research the principles of efficient job-site management. Following her advice, the subcontractor saw big improvements over the ensuing six months.
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5 ways contractors can reduce their insurance premiums
March/April 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 530
Abstract: Most contracts, as well as simple common sense, dictate that contractors carry various forms of business insurance. Still, there’s no reason to pay unnecessarily high premiums just to obtain adequate coverage. This article offers five ways contractors can reduce costs without sacrificing the quality of their policies.
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Detect the defects – Six Sigma can help take customer service to the next level
March/April 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 664
Abstract: One approach that contractors can consider for achieving stable and predictable process results is “Six Sigma” — a disciplined, data-driven methodology for improving any business process, but particularly useful in improving customer service by identifying “defects” at every stage of a construction project. This article discusses how to execute a Six Sigma program, including five stages involved in improving existing business processes.
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Is an ESOP a good fit for your construction company?
March/April 2015
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 854
Abstract: One approach to succession planning that has received quite a bit of attention for some time is the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). But do these arrangements fit the distinctive aspects and challenges of a construction business? This article explains how ESOPs work and their considerable tax advantages. But there are also disadvantages — and, as a sidebar explains, ESOPs can affect bonding capacity in both positive and negative ways.