While a number of critical topics fall under this generic topic, we will specifically look at taxes this week. Maybe you’ve heard of “taxmaggedon” or the “fiscal cliff,” common phrases used to describe the 2001/2003 tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2012 in addition to a series of spending cuts many in Read the full article…
What really stinks is how much effort has to go into getting paid on time. For many reasons, public works projects, most new construction, even projects sold directly to the end-user have become mired in delays. I swear it’s a game that other players know the rules better than we do. This is often a Read the full article…
2011 should be a much better year for systems integrators based on the construction forecasts I’ve seen recently. First, the McGraw-Hill construction market forecast shows a positive picture for the fist time in several years. Overall, we can focus on one big number: new construction starts nationwide are projected to be up 8%. The full Read the full article…
On Tuesday, July 20, NSCA members in Chicago met to discuss how to add value to projects and for clients in light of eroding margins. I was shocked to hear some of the margins that integrators were living on. I must admit, when our members on the East and West Coasts described the competitive pressures Read the full article…
I’m reading now that companies are supposed to provide their employees health insurance that costs them less than 9.5% of their adjusted gross family income. If they are paying above that, then the employer pays a penalty for not making it affordable to them. Okay then… I have a couple questions: As employers, do you Read the full article…
I hate to self-promote, but this is one of those times that I think it’s worth it to promote something for the better of the industry as a whole… Since our introduction of www.mnec.org, many industry professionals have begun to investigate the opportunities in Mass Notification & Emergency Communication Summit (MNEC) and how it may Read the full article…
We’ve been talking a lot about policy issues lately, but I recently came across an interesting information privacy topic that relates well to all of us as business owners/managers. Here’s something I bet you never thought about before. Did you know that almost every digital copier built since 2002 has a hard drive? If not, Read the full article…
At least half of NSCA members find a part-time spot for their son or daughter, nephew, or another young person during the summer months. Business owners in all industries do this primarily to help groom, mentor and instill a work ethic into the next generation. Seldom have we run across problems with the child labor Read the full article…
OK, so I opened up a can of worms. To follow up on my last blog on prevailing wage — this is a very complicated and sensitive issue. Many people have asked for solutions and guidance. The current political climate is shifting project labor agreements (PLAs) and prevailing wage beyond the norm into things like Read the full article…
Among the many spirited debates we had last week at NSCA’s Business & Leadership Conference, one of my Canadian friends (congratulations on hockey gold!) asked a great question about why I am so opposed to prevailing wage. I want to explain further: it’s not that I oppose it or suggest that our members fight the Read the full article…
