http://www.remodeling.hw.net/expert-opinion/columnists/columnists/mark-richardson.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1773354http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/figuratively-speaking.aspx?rssLink=Figuratively+SpeakingClear, effective communication with your clients and your team is a challenge, but it's a goal worth striving for.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/learning-to-cope.aspx?rssLink=Learning+to+CopeDon’t let tough times turn your business habits upside down. It is more crucial than ever to keep thinking ahead, improving, and planning for the future.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/survival-of-the-fittest-revisited.aspx?rssLink=Survival+of+the+Fittest%2c+RevisitedBusiness survival requires more than just hanging on. Mark Richardson defines what it takes.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/defining-survival.aspx?rssLink=Defining+SurvivalIn this challenging economy, it's critical to adopt a survival mindset toward changes in your business.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/are-you-changing-enough.aspx?rssLink=Are+You+Changing+Enough%3fThe current economy has prompted all of us to change. But the answer to the question of what and how much to change may not be what we've come to expect.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales/creating-a-sense-of-urgency.aspx?rssLink=Creating+a+Sense+of+UrgencyIn this tough market, you are the economic stimulus package. Here are ways to move your clients from "Let's think about it," to "Let's do it."http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/sounding-board.aspx?rssLink=Sounding+BoardAn advisory board can provide insight and guidance for your business over the long haul.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/easy-does-it.aspx?rssLink=Easy+Does+ItWhen clients are on the fence about moving forward with a project, you need to remove any barriers to decision-making. Make it easy for them to decide to move forward with the job.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/adjusting-your-course.aspx?rssLink=Adjusting+Your+CourseUsing the apt metaphor of stepping in quicksand, Mark Richardson discusses managing risk in a tough economy.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/the-perfect-storm.aspx?rssLink=The+Perfect+StormThe right attitude and a sense of urgency will help you adapt to economic turmoil.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/make-change-a-priority--now.aspx?rssLink=Make+Change+a+Priority+%e2%80%94+NowThere is opportunity in today's tough economic climate if you proactively seek new ways of going to market.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/paralyzed.aspx?rssLink=ParalyzedWhen numbers are down and anxiety is up, it's more important than ever for small-business owners to keep an even keel and stay positive.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales/selling-urgency.aspx?rssLink=Selling+UrgencyWhen the economy is shaky, customers are more reluctant to commit to remodeling projects. Mark Richardson discusses sales strategies to overcome this reluctance.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/survival-of-the-fittest.aspx?rssLink=Survival+of+the+FittestThe remodeling environment is tougher now than it has been at any time during the last 15 years. With home prices slipping, new-housing starts down, the war in Iraq, an uncertain political climate, a poor stock market, and sinking consumer confidence, your clients are comfortable in “do nothing” mode.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/success-habits.aspx?rssLink=Success+HabitsThere are many factors that help define success--but there is one common denominator: successful remodelers develop habits that breed success. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/green-building/positioning-green.aspx?rssLink=Positioning+GreenThese days, the buzz about "green" is evident everywhere. It is also appearing more frequently in the remodeling industry, but owners of remodeling businesses are still asking themselves how to embrace the subject and make it an integral part of their company culture.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales-and-marketing/make-it-happen.aspx?rssLink=Make+It+HappenSeveral months ago I ran into an old friend who is a successful executive in the technology industry. When he asked me about how we were handling the soft housing market, I told him about some new products and services we were introducing and the new offices we were opening.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/do-it-differently.aspx?rssLink=Do+it+DifferentlyBy now, most of you recognize that the residential remodeling market is not what is was a few years ago. I also think you know why. The more important issue is what you are doing about it.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales/selling-risk.aspx?rssLink=Selling+RiskOver the years I have become a bit of a remodeling evangelist, speaking every chance I get not only to the industry but also to consumers. This self-appointed role is good for my ego, but my primary motivation is to fill the information void and correct misconceptions, as well as a genuine desire to help keep homeowners out of trouble and have a more successful remodeling experience.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/false-positives.aspx?rssLink=False+PositivesEvery industry has its own pet beliefs about what constitutes a sign of good business health. Unfortunately, not all of these commonsense diagnostics are reliable. Here are some misconceptions that I encounter most often in the remodeling industry.