http://www.remodeling.hw.net/expert-opinion/columnists/contributors/tim-faller.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1774471http://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/the-5-essentials-of-jobsite-leadership.aspx?rssLink=The+5+Essentials+of+Jobsite+LeadershipRemodeling consultant and lead carpenter authority Tim Faller identifies five key principles of jobsite leadership.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-management/lead-carpenter-system-returns.aspx?rssLink=Lead+Carpenter+System+ReturnsRemodeling expert Tim Faller suggests that remodelers reevaluate the advantages of having an on-site lead carpenter as smaller jobs become the norm.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/product-proliferation.aspx?rssLink=Product+ProliferationSimple tips for helping remodeling staff safely and properly use new building products.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/managing-the-small-jobs.aspx?rssLink=Managing+the+Small+JobsRemodelers accustomed to managing a few large projects adapt to working on more small jobs.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction-management/sure-thing.aspx?rssLink=Sure+ThingIn a slow economy, it can be challenging to balance your available workforce with homeowners' demands for your services. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/human-resources/ask-the-expert.aspx?rssLink=Ask+The+ExpertA remodeler asks: Are there any pre-employment tests out there to qualify an applicant for a project manager or field employee position?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/tim-faller.aspx?rssLink=Test+for+SuccessHow can you be sure you’re putting qualified people in the field? Without industrywide hiring tests, many remodelers develop their own pre-employment evaluation systems. Use these tips to build yours.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/special-orders.aspx?rssLink=Special+OrdersIf not managed well, special orders can be a production challenge and a timing disaster. Here's how to make them work for the company and the client alike.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/controlling-labor-costs.aspx?rssLink=Controlling+Labor+CostsWith the economic slowdown, jobs are smaller, more difficult to get, and sometimes at decreased margins. Material costs are rising and about the only way to make a profit is to control or reduce labor costs. But how?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/tim-faller-better-benchmarks.aspx?rssLink=Tim+Faller%3a+Better+BenchmarksHow much volume should your project leads produce? I'm always reluctant to give a general answer because of the endless variables within companies, markets, and projects.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/employees-on-edge.aspx?rssLink=Employees+on+EdgeThe market slowdown has made job security a real concern for many remodeling professionals. If you foresee slowdowns, I suggest these practices for shoring up morale:http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/tim-faller-sweating-the-punch-list.aspx?rssLink=Tim+Faller%3a+Sweating+the+Punch+ListThe never-ending, final list -- the list that drives us all crazy because it's the little things. How do we get carpenters to care?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/simple-bonus-systems.aspx?rssLink=Simple+Bonus+SystemsCarpenters and other field employees tend to think in terms of the quality of their work, and good remodelers wouldn't have it any other way. The downside is that carpenters' quest for excellence sometimes distracts them from the company's bottom-line goals and needs, and their attention to detail can take more time than the budget allows.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/tim-faller-emergency-contact-plan.aspx?rssLink=Tim+Faller%3a+Emergency+Contact+PlanEven after hours, anything that happens on the jobsite is the responsibility of the remodeler. From a burst pipe to a door left unlocked, a long list of catastrophes can destroy an otherwise good relationship with a homeowner.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/consultants/tim-faller-smoother-handoff.aspx?rssLink=Tim+Faller%3a+Smoother+HandoffThe next time the sales team hands off a job to production, examine the job package, and if it doesn't clearly explain the following, get some clarification.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/consultants/better-outcomes-through-job-costing.aspx?rssLink=Better+Outcomes+Through+Job+CostingJob-cost reports are invaluable tools for keeping projects on schedule and on budget, and for improving remodeling processes. If a report shows that the project is starting to lose money, try these constructive responses.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/consultants/time-management-part-three.aspx?rssLink=Time+Management%2c+Part+ThreeFind what you need, when you need it.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/time-management-part-ii.aspx?rssLink=Time+Management%2c+Part+IIThought for the day: The client is paying you and your crew to produce a product and to manage your job well. To work efficiently and intelligently, I suggest a daily planning period: a half-hour at the same time each day in which the lead carpenter or project manager sets up activities, people, and materials for the next two weeks.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/time-management-part-i.aspx?rssLink=Time+Management%2c+Part+IWasted time accounts for 2% to 3% of annual sales at most remodeling companies. Do the math, and you'll see how poor time management can erode your net profit.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/just-the-fax.aspx?rssLink=Just+the+FaxI'm often asked about the use of communications technologies on the jobsite. My answer is simple: small steps. Although a few lead carpenters are using wireless laptops and/or BlackBerries, the biggest technology trend appears to be jobsite fax machines.