Tough Call: How much is too much?
New owners want to cut your top rep’s pay, which would likely send her to the competition.
Like many family-owned companies, XY Lumber recently reached...
Tough Call: The temptation of Paul
Your top sales rep has an aggressive job offer from a competitor. Do you attempt to match it and keep him on board, or...
Tough Call: Broken down and wasting time
The owners at your yard are reluctant to repair and replace.Unlike many of your industry peers, you didn’t grow in the lumberyard, and initially...
Tough Call: Between a rock and Hal Hardplace
A top customer consistently orders far too much product, then insists on full credit when returning the excess. What would you do?
When your lumberyard...
Tough Call: The Tough Case of Stonehead Homes
During the 30-plus years you’ve been operating an independent LBM business, you’ve seen a lot of changes, which has introduced a number of great...
Tough Call: Bridging the Sales/Culture Gap
What to do when your relationship-based sales reps collide with price-only buyers?As the second-generation owner of a company with four full-service yards, most of...
Tough Call: Thrown Under the Bus
A builder struggling to complete projects on time is blaming you and your team for the delays—though he knows it’s not true. What would...
Tough Call: Gamblin Ramblers and You?
A builder-customer wants to partner with you on some luxury spec homes, sharing the risk and reward. What would you do?
After holding your breath...
Tough Call: Decision Points
Your company’s future will be shaped by strategic decisions you make today. What should you do?
Finally! It’s been a long slog since the Great...
TOUGH CALL: Friendly Fire, Stealing Sales
TOUGH CALLLooking back on more than four decades in the LBM industry, you can’t help but smile when you think about how simple it...