Real Issues. Real Answers: The future of the independent LBM dealer
This month’s Real Issues question is from an independent LBM dealer who wonders what the future holds for their company, and whether staying independent is the smart move, or if it’s better to consider buying or selling.
Real Issues. Real Answers: Unexpected price increases
This month’s Real Issues. Real Answers. question asks how your company is navigating unexpected price increases.
Real Issues. Real Answers: Growing forward
This month’s Real Issues. Real Answers question, from a dealer in Rhode Island, acknowledges the opportunity for growth and asks, “where to start?”
What is fair compensation?
This month’s Real Issues. Real Answers. survey is a variation on a theme from our September issue, in which we asked about creating a “sticky” workplace where people wanted to come to work—and stay long term.
Real Issues. Real Answers. Employee loyalty
It’s no secret that attracting and hiring good people remains a top challenge for many LBM companies.
Maintaining margins vs. market share
To sell more (at lower margins) or sell less (at higher margins) is an age-old question facing LBM dealers.
Real Issues. Real Answers: Sales quotas and commissions
This month’s question, from a dealer in Ohio, explores the idea of adjusting expected sales quotas, and possibly even commission tiers and percentages, in order to keep our top performers from jumping ship.
Real Issues. Real Answers: Should LBM dealers require their teams to get vaccinated?
As COVID-19 vaccines became more widely available, an LBM dealer in Virginia reached out to LBM Journal asking whether or not companies in our industry were requiring employees to get vaccinated.
Real Issues. Real Answers. Managing returns
With lumber prices near record highs, and many other materials in short supply, it’s more important than ever that LBM dealers have smart return policies in place.
Real Issues. Real Answers. How to handle the quoting process
With extreme price spikes in commodity products, and ongoing product shortages, how are dealers handling the quoting process on potential new projects?