Remodeling: Recruiting + Compensation

Business How-To: Implementing an Incentive Plan to Motivate Employees

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 01:40:37 EST

Motivating and rewarding employees through an incentive plan is nothing new, but take care to choose the approach that's right for your company and your staff.

Wooing Clients: Courtship vs. Seduction

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 12:53:36 EST

RICHARD STEVEN: Seduction seeks quick commitment without taking the time to qualify, educate, or create realistic expectations. Courting clients leads to a long-term relationship.

Movin' on Up: Should You Promote From Within to Fill That Sales Manager Position?

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 12:36:05 EST

You might have a successful outcome promoting from within to fill the role of sales manager, but there are solid reasons why it might not be a good idea.

Busines How-To: Paper or Plastic? Accepting Credit Card Payments

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 12:18:48 EST

Should your business accept credit cards or not?

Sales Calling — Three Scenarios for Hiring Sales Staff

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:36:33 EST

Three companies that needed additional sales staff to help convert leads into sales describe their different sales team needs, and how this affected hiring.

Ahead of the Curve

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:56:55 EST

Looking for hidden opportunities in a challenging economy has helped California Energy Consultant Service position itself for close to 50% growth in 2010.

Don't Bank on It

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:58:42 EST

Securing financing is getting more personal in the wake of the credit crunch. Remodelers are finding they may need to dig deeper within clients' finances and with their own lending partners.

Ask the Expert: How Do You Keep Cut Credit Lines From Crashing Projects?

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:44:50 EST

Ways to deal with clients' reduced credit lines and still make remodeling projects happen.

Sales School: Funny Money

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:27:36 EST

In the tight credit market, some homeowners are proposing alternative means of paying for remodeling projects, such as a monthly annuity for a relatively small aging-in-place job. How do remodeling salespeople evaluate these possibilities and not get burned?

The Upsides of Downsizing Can Include Better Replacement Staff

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:25:58 EST

Layoffs can be unavoidable in the remodeling recession, but they can also be a valuable impetus for rewriting job descriptions and coming out stronger.

Thoughts for Structuring Remodeling Sales Commissions

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:16:01 EST

In a less-than-robust market, remodelers could benefit from different sales-compensation plans.

Successful Selling in a Tough Economy

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 09:47:39 EST

We will look back on the last few years as the golden years for remodeling — a time when many remodelers thrived as mere order takers. But tough times like those we have now mean a return to true selling.

What Remodelers Need To Know About Their General Liability Insurance Policy

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 09:18:01 EST

Your general liability insurance policy may cover less than you think. Don't be caught off-guard.

Deferred interest promotions are a great way to increase sales

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 09:14:04 EST

Retailers such as The Home Depot and Best Buy have found deferred-interest “same-as-cash” credit promotions an effective way to increase sales. The store lets the customer walk away with the purchase for no money down, and agrees to not charge interest if they pay in full before an agreed-on deadline, which could be 30 days, 6 months, or 1 year from the date of purchase.

In financing, no one size fits all

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 09:14:00 EST

Most contractors find that people who finance home improvements tend to spend more than those who pay cash. Contractors who understand the various types of credit products and know how to present them will be more likely to lead the customer to make the decision to finance.

Creating efficiencies helps make small jobs pay

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:41:53 EST

There is plenty to worry about when you take on any project

Stick with a plan and change business habits

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 09:05:53 EST

With statistics such as the Small Business Administration's oft-cited prediction that nearly 95% of all businesses will close or fail within five years of their opening, it's a wonder that anyone starts his own company. But such is the nature of the entrepreneur. And when a business owner finds her- or himself at the brink of disaster — 5, 10, 20, or more years down the line — it's those innate entrepreneurial skills that help them take charge and turn the business back around.

Not all salespeople are comfortable with traditional compensation

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 02:45:59 EST

Not all full-line remodeling and design/build salespeople are comfortable with traditional compensation.

Financing Q&A

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 08:51:16 EST

Does offering financing make a remodeler into a mortgage broker or a bank? Is there any investment risk? Lenders and remodelers answer these and other questions that are commonly asked by contractors contemplating offering financing.

Some of the Big50 answer business questions about payments

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 08:42:58 EST

Some of the Big50 answer the question: How do you handle clients who do not pay invoices?