With the start of a new legislative year, and with many states still not quite in session, it’s time to prepare you for what will appear in our legislative tracking . This report is specific to prevailing wage legislation that has been introduced in the last year and is still “active.” With more than 270 Read the full article…
There have been mixed stories that Congress won’t be too busy this year due to the mid-year elections; however, based on the communications I’m receiving from coalitions and other news reports, I beg to differ. Here are some of the main priorities you should be aware of for 2014. These priorities all vary between Congressional Read the full article…
I’ve been on several member visits this fall already, and have been around some of our very best business leaders as part of my travels. Without exception, I’m seeing more frazzled and worn-out people. Even the very best companies are working harder and struggling to show good profitability. Even the companies with record sales and Read the full article…
It’s time once again to start looking at budgeting and forecasting for next year’s business. Likewise, bankers are also evaluating their 2013 books of business and their loan portfolios for 2014. Many NSCA members have experienced that all-too-familiar call from the bank, with a message about re-evaluating revolving line of credits and assessing the preferred Read the full article…
No one can make more excuses than I can on being too busy to take a class or learn about a new approach. I did, however, just sit through a four-hour financial course on increasing profitability for systems integrators. It was great, and I am quite proud of my level of concentration. I also learned Read the full article…
The long awaited national healthcare program, Obamacare, is finally upon us. Many companies have already made plans to either a.) stay the course b.) reduce the number of full-time employees, or c.) simply calculate the costs associated with providing medical insurance and add that amount to wages as they discontinue offering this through their business. Read the full article…
Chances are pretty good that your technicians and installers didn’t go to charm school. I’m sure many of you can relate to this statement from observing behaviors and communications skills from many of the entry-level installer and technicians. I’ve seen and written plenty about their shortcomings but I’ve also come to develop a new appreciation Read the full article…
surprising number of well-established business owners don’t know what to do when they get to work. This may seem odd, but it’s becoming all too common. To set a good example they arrive early, work long hours and then lock up at the end of a long day. Learning a new routine is a problem Read the full article…
I am quite impressed at how many people in our industry actively look for ways to invest their time, treasures and talents. In a time where we are all so busy and everyone seems to be doing more with less, we have some great people willing to contribute in various ways to improve and enhance Read the full article…
o you know people who say, “I could have told you that would happen?” Perhaps a parent, a coach, a former boss, or maybe even a co-worker? It drives me crazy when people do that – and I hope you don’t do that with your employees. Hindsight is useless unless used to improve predictable situations Read the full article…
