Real Issues. Real Answers. The production builder problem
When it comes to supplying material to high-volume production builders, there are clear pros and cons. On the one hand, the large volume of...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Hire or hold off?
While business remains rock-solid in most markets, economists remind us that a slowdown is inevitable. It’s impossible to know when that’s going to happen,...
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...
Real Issues. Real Answers: Transitioning to a new ERP/business software
Knowledge is power. That’s especially true in the wildly competitive LBM distribution market, where accurate, up-to-date insights into sales, margins, deliveries, inventory positions and...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Advertising: what works best?
Some things never change. Like the need to attract customers, grow our sales and build our brands. That straight-forward business challenge has grown much...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Fair profit vs. price gouging
As in any business that sells a product or service at a profit, even one known for delivering razor-thin margins, the question of what...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Lumber Quality
Many readers cite quality products as a defining difference that separates their company from the competition. So what to do when the lumber you’re...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Rising lumber prices and the credit crunch
The housing market is strong, which is great. And lumber prices are rising sharply, which is good for the bottom line, because 10% markup...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Training Programs
Conversations about employee training raise all kinds of questions: “What if we train them and they leave?” “What if we don’t and they stay?”...
Real Issues. Real Answers. Contractor Discounts
Offering purchase discounts to pro customers is an accepted, long-standing strategy that many lumberyards use to encourage loyalty from pro customers. But given the...