Remodelers face tough decisions on new low-volume realities for staffing. More
Be prepared to market and sell small projects in a downturn. More
There's no sure way to disaster-proof a remodeling business, but it's usually instructive to look back and identify any mistakes, shortcuts, omissions, or denials that might have allowed little problems to snowball into big ones, and big problems to turn calamitous. More
Often, to succeed, you have to get out of your own way. That may be especially true when you run your own business: You can carry all the responsibilities for just so long. You know you need to shed tasks ó replacing yourself in the field, in the office, as a manager ó but a combination of fear and hubris stops you. More
Despite the risk, it's worth the effort to help key employees grow and take on new responsibilities. Here's why. More
Marketing: it's everything a business does that touches prospects and clients. It should be the heart of your business, from which all operational and management plans flow. So why do so many small-business owners fail to market or to develop marketing plans? More
When remodeler Ron Trull was looking for a part-time person to run errands and deliver materials to jobsites, the owner of Trull Building Company in Newton Square, Pa., ran an ad in the local paper for a "carpenter/runner." Trull pays Koster $9 an hour to use a company van to pick up and drop off materials. More
