Blogs

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Quality Management

Silver Bullets

In business so often what one wants is a silver bullet, that one solution that will solve everything, improve the whole business in one...

Building Operations

The curious case of Mel Tucker: NFL coach, language learner

Mel Tucker is the new Defensive Coordinator for the Chicago Bears. In theory, that’s a good gig. Less so when you consider the Bears...

The Lean Builder

Sales Fulfillment's Missing Link

A builder’s ability to proactively manage a customer from contract through close with every option and selection made on time profoundly impacts the bottom line

Quality Management

BENCHMARK Roundtables 2013

BENCHMARK Roundtables 2013, November 6th & 7th 2013 Scottsdale AZ Professional Builder Hosts Leading Builders in One-day Peer-to-peer...

Building Operations

Man up, Funnyman (You too, Funnywoman)

There’s a lot of testosterone on the jobsite. And there’s always plenty of stress. This can be an explosive combination. This is why...

Remodeling Insider

Shelter your profits from the storm

Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and countless other destructive weather events cost billions of dollars in damage in North America every year...

Building Operations

You and your signage.... Why so angry?

The beautiful curved pavers led me to the front door, past the unbelievable fire pit patio. The product was impressive. The...

Man looking over fence at cheeky (offensive?) topiary

Building Operations

Bridging the language gap... without language

When it comes to communication, it pays to think smart. Or rather, thinking smart can keep you from paying…. In reading the book,...

Building Operations

On Safety, Spanish and Forgiveness

As a member of the Association of Subcontractor and Affiliates (ASA) of Chicago, we try to share the collective expertise of the...

Jerry Seinfeld guesses your greatest fear: public speaking or death?

Building Operations

Labor Days: The Labor Crunch and the Hispanic Diaspora

Three stories jolted me in quick succession last week. A close friend who leads a residential home building firm in Chicago responded...

Building Operations

Field Rework Index

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Tiia Monto CC by-SA 4.0) A good tool for predicting rework and cost impact on a construction project is the...

House construction_Wikimedia Commons_Tiia Monto CC by-SA 4.0

Lean Design

Combating narrow-lot woes

This 2,800-square-foot plan utilizes Lean design to combat narrow-lot woes. One of the most important aspects of Lean design is value. It...

Building Operations

Malcolm Gladwell vs. Bradley Hartmann: Is expertise overrated?

In his 2008 book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea of the 10,000-Hour Rule. That is, the essential component in...

Remodeling Insider

New products push the envelope

As we continue to distance ourselves from an economic downturn that had a deep impact on the remodeling industry, one key variable is still...

Building Operations

Alone in the backfield: 4 ways to prepare for “GameSpeed”

We were winning by several touchdowns when I got the nod. “Just hand the ball off, stay in bounds, & keep the clock running...” ...

Building Operations

2 big lessons from Big Tuna’s (Bill Parcells) Hall of Fame speech

Sometimes numbers alone can tell the story of an organization’s leadership. Here is the Win/Loss record for the NY Giants: ...

Quality Management

Benchmarking for Home Builders

Tips for benchmarking your home building business

Lean Design

Lean 2285 Plan solves all the riddles

Imagine you are in a cement box quickly filling up with water. The box is sealed on all sides, yet you still find a way out and survive. How...

The Design Side

Chicago green-home tour is an eye opener

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit a group of homes that were featured in Chicago’s first GreenBuilt Home Tour. Sponsored by the U.S....

Building Operations

Eye-droppers vs. Buckets: Choose wisely

A reminder that business is about people

Eye dropper and bucket: remember to offer encouragement to people with a bucket rather than an eye-dropper

The Design Side

This conference is a must for timber-frame lovers

On August 8-11, the Timber Framers Guild (TFG) will hold its 2013 National Conference at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt. The event has...

The Design Side

Steel cube pays tribute to Pittsburgh’s heritage

Dwell magazine recently featured a Pittsburgh home made of recycled glass and steel that stands apart in a neighborhood filled with...

Remodeling Insider

Under 40s, our next leaders

Where else can a former Marine, college football player, sheepherder, alligator hunter, and professional chef come together and share a...

Lean Design

Re-imagining existing plans can pay off huge

What do you do if a previous best-selling plan hits the skids? Dump it, pitch it, give it the old heave-ho? Possibly, but many builders are...

The Design Side

Darling Homes knows how to stir buyers’ passions

In the June issue of Professional Builder, I discussed the American Classic Series by Dallas-based Darling Homes. Unfortunately there was no...

Home Builders Institute's Schools to Skills Grant Application Open Through December

As Mortgage Rates Rise, Buyers Lose Purchasing Power

Renters Are Choosing Single-Family Homes for These Features