Tough Call

A manufacturer you’ve worked with for years is getting ready to launch a new product that you believe could be a game-changer. You could get in on the ground floor, but there’s a catch.

You have the chance to hire an old colleague who is well-qualified for the job but was prone to outbursts. What do you do?

One of your customers is poisoning the well for others. What would you do?

A small builder can grow his business (and his purchases from you) exponentially—if you’re willing to risk expanding his credit limit into dangerous territory. What would you do?

Builders aren’t required to prepay for special orders, but now you’ve been burned twice—because their homeowner clients had a change of heart. What would you do?

You found yourself in a jam when your top salesperson and his family moved out of state for a new opportunity. There was no shortage of candidates interested in the job, but after going through interview after interview, it was clear you were going to have to pay more to get the right person.

A builder is convinced he can nearly double his completed homes and his purchases - if you're willing to work with him and his aggressive schedule.

Though the LBM industry is hungry for young talent, a company's lack of formal training and a "sink or swim" attitude as a new employee questioning his decision to to to work for the local lumberyard.

Your predecessor excelled at driving away business. You've been tasked with regaining it, but customers' memories run deep. What would you do? Having worked in...

Looking back at a long career in the lumber business, you've decided it's time to put the company up for sale. But what options...