These originally appeared in Don Taylor's popular business book, "Up Against the Wal-Marts." They offer good food for thought for contracting companies, as well. Here, I offer them with some

Frankenstein, Dracula and the Bogeyman don't scare anyone in our enlightened 21st century. The blood-curdling monsters of today bear names like Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Chaetomium and Pennicillium. Don't worry about pronouncing

I never thought the day would come when I singled out a lawyer for praise but that day arrived last November. That's when I gave a presentation on good business

It's a socially acceptable vice-most of us have indulged in it from time to time. Some companies even sponsor employee outings to casinos. It is this widespread acceptance that makes

As a trade journalist for more than a quarter-century, I've visited hundreds of manufacturers, wholesalers, reps, contractors, engineering firms, associations and other types of organizations at their place of business.

As soon as a company grows to more people than can be counted on one hand, the temptation builds to call frequent staff meetings in order to keep everyone "on

Among the many hassles of uprooting one's residence is the need to establish new business relationships with all the people we rely on to keep up the household. When we

Many trade workers have trouble adapting to the subtleties associated with renovation. Renovations, both residential and commercial, present special challenges that one doesn't have to deal with on new construction

Think back for a moment to the year 1988. What are some of the most dramatic changes that have taken place in your contracting business since then? Certainly there have

Turning down a job goes against human nature but often is the wisest thing to do. A very large and successful mechanical contractor once told me that the key to