Speaking their language
One of the most important aspects of selling something is to speak the language of your customers.
Eight places to look for hourly workers
As I moderated panel at the LBM Strategies Conference last September, I noticed a common theme among dealers in the audience: Finding yard workers...
The amazing value of credits to EBITDA
Two years ago, this column covered the concept of adjustments to EBITDA, and how valuable they can be when boosting the overall value of...
Product Picks: January 2019
Each month, hundreds of products hit the market. Here’s our pick of the ones to watch.
Technology: Poor planning in = garbage out
With the start of the new year, many of us are trying to figure out how to make our businesses better and more efficient....
Don’t forget to think inside the box
In recent articles, I’ve offered contrarian concepts such as prospecting with a sieve instead of a funnel; or planting seeds instead of hunting. This...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Credit Card Fees
Accepting credit cards for payment is great for cash flow. But in a business known for razor-thin margins, the 2% or 3% fees charged...
Why I’m skipping local home shows this year
In the past I’ve talked about how our team at The Deck Store has invested a lot of time and energy into making creative...
Inventory shrinkage is like having a hole in your pocket
The rule of thumb that I use for the amount of annual inventory attrition a business can live with is 1/2 of 1% of sales....
In Depth: Insulation and housewrap
With building codes and industry trends emphasizing energy efficiency and higher building performance requirements, and with a continued robust building market, one thing you...