Taking Care of Business

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Readers share policies and procedures that can help you run your business smoothly and profitably Going Solo Like many builders, Carl Hagstrom, who runs Hagstrom Contracting in Montrose, Pa., used to accompany prospective clients on visits to past projects. But he worried that, because he was within earshot, his new clients didn't feel free to ask his past clients tough questions about his company. So for the past year, Hagstrom has been sending customers solo to visit past jobs — and everyone seems to like the new arrangement. When choosing which completed projects to send prospects to, Hagstrom tries to match the house style, trim choices, and other features to the plans for the new job.