http://www.remodeling.hw.net/expert-opinion/columnists/columnists/guest-commentary.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1774552http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/you-cant-fool-the-budget.aspx?rssLink=You+Can't+Fool+the+BudgetDiscounting during a recession may just speed your company's demise.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/cultivating-culture.aspx?rssLink=June+Labourdette+Guest+ColumnDo you know what company culture is and how to create one in your business?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/eating-humble-pie.aspx?rssLink=Wiese+Guest+ColumnIn fiscal year 2007 I saw a declining remodeling market and decided to combat this with increased marketing. My average job size had shrunk, but my revenue soared, and I broke the $4 million mark. Did I mention that I had less profit than the year before at $3.5 million? http://www.remodeling.hw.net/customer-satisfaction/sound-advice.aspx?rssLink=Reva+Kussmaul%3a+Sound+AdviceA remodeling coach can take the mystery out of remodeling by bridging the communication gap between homeowner and contractor.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales-and-marketing/surviving-the-economic--downturn.aspx?rssLink=February+2009+Guest+ColumnFour steps to broadening your business niche and staying afloat in a down market.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales-and-marketing/advisory-role.aspx?rssLink=Guest+Column%3a+Brad+LittleHelp clients see their remodeling project as an important long-term investmenthttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/facing-the-downturn.aspx?rssLink=Facing+the+DownturnTake a good, hard look at your company. To prosper and grow — even in a slow economy — your company may need a full makeover.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales-and-marketing/picture-perfect.aspx?rssLink=Picture+PerfectIs it necessary to hire a photographer to document your remodeling projects? The short answer: No. The smart response: Often. The best answer: Yes, when the project is unique.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/just-say-no-june.aspx?rssLink=Just+Say+NoIt can be the toughest choice to make in an overcast remodeling climate: when to say no to a project. Like many of our peers, we have seen a slight dip in sales due to the stagnant housing market, fluctuating interest rates, and a general “tightening of financial belts” by our clients. The six-month backlog of work we once took for granted is now more like six weeks. Fortunately, we've been able to keep our heads above water and keep our valuable staff. But we don't walk with the swagger that we once did — we can no longer turn our backs on the smaller or less-desirable projects.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/quest-for-an-office-manager.aspx?rssLink=Quest+for+an+Office+ManagerAre you at the stage where hiring an office manager is critical? Are you approaching that abyss of information control and feel like you're on the edge of total chaos? Relax. Help is on the way.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/hiring/youre-hired.aspx?rssLink=You're+Hired!Wouldn't you agree that hiring staff is somewhat like buying a good bottle of wine?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/booked-out.aspx?rssLink=Booked+OutAs your business grows, you may find you need a full-time bookkeeper. But before you prepare to hire someone to take on the job, consider outsourcing this business function.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/know-the-business.aspx?rssLink=Know+the+BusinessCraftsmanship is just one component to being your own boss.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/remodeling-a-second-career.aspx?rssLink=Remodeling%2c+a+Second+CareerGuest columnist Gary Morrison wanted a second career as a remodeling contractor: "I now work twice as many hours for half the money, and it's the most rewarding, enjoyable job I've ever had."http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/words-to-work-by.aspx?rssLink=Words+to+Work+ByAfter 25 years of trial and error, guest columnist Tracey Bail ranks the top 10 things he's learned in the remodeling business as follows:http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-contracts/resolution-solution.aspx?rssLink=Resolution+SolutionUnfortunately, at some point in your career, you may face an issue with a client, vendor, or trade partner that won't be resolved by rational discussion, and before you know it you'll be looking for your lawyer's phone number. To save yourself a lot of time and money, it's best if your contracts have a clause for mediation — a process in which a trained, neutral person helps people communicate with each other and, if possible, reach agreements that satisfy their needs.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/reaching-out.aspx?rssLink=Reaching+OutOne challenge most remodelers share is the ongoing search for qualified and dependable subcontractors and trade partners.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/design/design-duty.aspx?rssLink=Design+DutyOne might argue that giving away design is a part of marketing. But design is so much morehttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/winning-the-business.aspx?rssLink=Winning+the+BusinessRemodeling contractors spend a lot of time and money trying to win jobs. The Farnsworth Group, a market research company specializing in the construction industry, recently spoke with 184 homeowners involved in remodeling projects to determine how they located a contractor, which household member was most influential in selecting the contractor, and what were the key selection criteria.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/older-clients-new-opportunities.aspx?rssLink=Older+Clients%2c+New+OpportunitiesPerhaps you fit this mold: You do only high-end work or period restorations and target the affluent, or some similar market segment. Or you focus on a specific line of business such as refinishing cabinets or bath fixtures; installing closet organizers, gutter toppers, etc. But, in the U.S., the swelling of the 60-plus age group presents a new opportunity for remodelers to develop a business serving a demographic segment whose members have more in common than just the size of their pocketbooks.