Training

It’s that time of year again. It’s time to make your plans to attend JLC Live Northeast at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. I will be teaching 3 construction business seminars this year and speaking on a panel discussion, and I’d love to see you there. Here’s a…
Read More

Most contractors are people, pleasers. Serving your clients is a priority for you. And, you may be wondering how to sell construction services in an effective way to make you money and please your clients. You like to build things with your hands, show your clients the results of your craft,…
Read More

HOW TO RESPOND TO A CUSTOMER’S QUESTION ABOUT SAVING MONEY A problem for many construction business owners is that you believe your customers when they say they want to save money. I am not saying your customers are lying, but the idea of saving money makes your customers feel secure.…
Read More

You Must Master Cash Flow Management to Make a Profit If you don’t understand the financial side of your company, you will continually struggle to turn a profit and grow your construction business. Yet, understanding your financial statements is confusing, stressful, and – depending on who does your reporting –…
Read More

NAHB International Builders’ Show Speaking Schedule for Shawn Van Dyke It’s that time of year to make your plan of attack for the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, NV. If this is your first time, then my advice is: PLAN AHEAD. You’ll want to get familiar with the conference…
Read More

3 THINGS BUILDERS CAN DO TO INCREASE PROFITS AND EFFICIENCIES  Bidding against other builders is a race to the bottom.  There will always be someone cheaper than you. If you chase after these “competitive bidding” opportunities, then you will waste time on potential customers who are shopping for a commodity…
Read More

HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS Has a potential client ever told you the following: “You can’t do that.” “You can’t charge for estimates.” “No one in this market does that.” Or “I’ve never heard of that before.” Statements like these from potential customers cause contractors to lose confidence in…
Read More

DESIGNERS NEED HELP FROM CONTRACTORS Designers struggle just as much as contractors do when it comes to getting paid for their time and expertise. They might not admit it, or even be aware of it, but designers waste a lot of time designing projects that homeowners can’t afford. This is…
Read More

Construction business owners have to trust in their employees if they want to grow their businesses.  It’s frustrating when your employees don’t do what they say they will do.  When they don’t follow through with the duties and responsibilities of their jobs, you have to hold them accountable. Here are…
Read More

THE ONLY PATH TO A GOOD JOB Most high school students want to pursue an education that leads to a successful career. In order to do that, they need confidence in choosing the right path for their postsecondary education – any education after high school such as college, trade school,…
Read More