April, 2016

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5 Interpersonal Skills Every Project Manager Should Possess

Construction Business Owner

According to a recent report published by project management researchers at Brandeis University, technical skills alone do not determine a project manager's success. In fact, some of the most common reasons for project failure include a lack of clear expectations, poor leadership and misalignment between workers and management. These causes of project failure are not the result of inadequate technical skills.

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Lawsuit Challenging Approval of Genetically Modified Animals

Green Building Law Update

Last week a coterie of environmental groups sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approving the first ever genetically engineered animal for human consumption, a salmon engineered to grow quickly. The Institute for Fisheries Resources, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Golden Gate Salmon Association, Kennebec Reborn, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, Cascadia Wildlands, Center for Biological Diversity, Ecology Action Centre, Friends of the Earth, Food and Water Watch, and

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TYPES OF STAIRS AND THEIR USES

The Constructor

Types of stairs is broadly based on the shape of the stairs. Straight stairs, Turning stairs and Continuous stairs are broad types of stairs. A stair.

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Silica Standards Signal Safety Commitment in Construction

HardHatChat

The construction industry has a reputation for sometimes being slow to change, and in some instances that reputation is understandable. After all, many practices used on the job site are tried and true – the way construction firms pour cement, lay brick and erect steel has been virtually unchanged for decades. But while many longstanding construction techniques are still the best way to do business, one area where construction firms have a responsibility as employers to continually evolve, chang

Safety 159
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Optimize Operational Processes With an Industry-Specific ERP

As the use of Enterprise Resource Planning systems in the construction industry is critical to optimizing operations, it's critical that decision makers conduct a thorough software evaluation to find the one that best aligns to their needs.

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5 Success Factors for Construction Firms

Construction Marketing

Since the economy’s slow improvement, the construction industry has seen growth as well. The issue, however, is the growth is mixed. Some companies are benefitting from the economic environment, while others are still being trampled by the lasting effects of the recession. Raken, a construction reporting app, shares success factors for construction firms in a recent whitepaper.

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The Case for Rental in a Good Economy

Construction Business Owner

Not long ago, the United States economy experienced a severe recession that not only devastated the housing market in many areas, but also heavily impacted construction business owners and their equipment fleets. Because purchasing a compact track loader, skid-steer loader or compact excavator seemed too risky during this time, many contractors turned to rental.

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Mr. Ethics - April 2016

Mr Ethics

Dear Mr. Ethics, Our company owner instituted a program when the market tanked a few years ago. The program called for each project manager to meet with our regular developers and potential clients at least once a month. These meetings could include luncheons as well as meeting for cocktails. The program was a success in getting us opportunities and actual projects.

US 100
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FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT DESIGN BY CBR METHOD

The Constructor

Flexible pavement design by CBR method is used to determine the total thickness of pavement. Pavement design by CBR method recommended by California.

Design 182
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Renovation Begins at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada Food Pantry

The Korte Company

The Korte Company has begun work to renovate and expand the kitchen and food pantry on the campus of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. The renovations will help grow the Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels programs. Both services are managed through the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, one of the largest nonprofit social service providers in the state.

Nevada 68
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The Ultimate Procurement Software Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the right procurement software is a crucial step in ensuring third-party risk management, process governance, and bidding efficiency. With so many procurement solutions to choose from, it can be overwhelming without a frame of reference and a solid starting point. This free buyer’s guide will cover: Benefits of Procurement Software –– Why do you need it?

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Another Maine Community Moving Toward Pesticide Ban

Green Industry Professionals

South Portland City Council unanimously approves first reading of partial pesticide ban that could begin affecting private property owners in May 2018.

Maine 65
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Construction Workers Are Not Created Equal

Contractor Bookkeeping

There Are Three Unique Types Of Construction Workers. Construction Is A Wonderful Profession for anyone with the grit and determination to take it on and master it. And it is getting better every day in every way mostly because of the recession that began in 2008. The economic downturn put enormous pressure on all Construction Companies to innovate and change or go out of business!

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A New Imperative for Worker Safety

Construction Business Owner

Over the past decade, the construction industry has made strong strides in improving safety management. Safety is now broadly defined as a core value throughout the industry. There is an increasing focus on changing safety culture, attaining zero incidents and monitoring key safety performance metrics. An emphasis on the workforce and behavioral safety initiatives challenge business owners to widen what it means to value health and safety.

Safety 166
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Mr. Ethics - April 2016

Mr Ethics

Dear Mr. Ethics, Our company owner instituted a program when the market tanked a few years ago. The program called for each project manager to meet with our regular developers and potential clients at least once a month. These meetings could include luncheons as well as meeting for cocktails. The program was a success in getting us opportunities and actual projects.

US 100
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Stop Making These Mistakes and Start Scaling Your Specialty Contractor Business

Anything that is built on a poor foundation will soon crumble from the ground up. This is literally the case in the construction stage of projects and it applies just the same during the pre-construction stage. This free eBook is your ultimate guide to scaling your business with customizable software as early as during the bidding stage.

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HOW TO SELECT RIGHT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

The Constructor

How to choose right construction equipment for your project? Most of the construction projects involve laborious work which is to be handled by men.

Equipment 176
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The CV of failures: Would we ever do this sort of thing ourselves?

Construction Marketing Ideas

What would our CV look like if we listed all of our failures? We are all familiar with traditional CVs — all full of success and progress, and perhaps (and sometimes in fact), with exaggerated accomplishments. However, a Princeton psychology professor decided to do something different — he published a CV of his failures. It is long, and revealing, in part because it is so rare that we see individuals broadcast our failures.

Deals 48
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Raptors Invade China, Via Ford

Construction Equipment

Ford will send its F-150 Raptor SuperCrew pickup truck to China in 2017. The truck has the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine paired with an "all-new" 10-speed transmission that promises the power of a V-8 with the fuel economy of a V-6, Ford says. Billed as an off-road performance truck, Ford says the Raptor will have a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension.

Roads 49
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Unique Challenges And Confessions Of A Contractor's Family

Contractor Bookkeeping

Hi, everyone! This is Norhalma from Fast Easy Accounting. You've probably seen the videos I made and just heard my Podcast with Randal. If you don't know me yet, you must be thinking, "Well, what does she know about construction accounting?" To tell you the truth, I am neither an accountant nor a contractor. I am the company's webmaster. I also build, maintain, and fix stuff - only I'm in front of a computer dealing with the company's website.

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The Specialty Contractor's Guide to Job Cost Accounting

Supply chain challenges and rising material costs are forcing specialty contractors to pay more for what they need to complete each job. Following a simple set of principles, this easy-to-follow guide can help you manage job costs, ease the pains of accounting, and run a more profitable businesses. If you are a Specialty Contractor or Self-performing GC, you do not want to miss out on this essential guide!

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How Can Remanufactured Equipment Help Your Company?

Construction Business Owner

Any construction manager or planner will tell you that when all is said and done, the most important question is always the same: How much will this cost? The planning and design that goes into a typical large construction project can be mind boggling. Blueprints, computer projections and manpower all go into the mix before a final cost can be assumed.

Equipment 157
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Mr. Ethics - April 2016

Mr Ethics

Dear Mr. Ethics, Our company owner instituted a program when the market tanked a few years ago. The program called for each project manager to meet with our regular developers and potential clients at least once a month. These meetings could include luncheons as well as meeting for cocktails. The program was a success in getting us opportunities and actual projects.

US 100
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PREPARATION OF APPROXIMATE CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE

The Constructor

Preliminary or approximate construction cost estimation is required for studies of various aspects of work of project and for its administrative.

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Whirlwind Steel wins 2016 best construction blog competition — with a blog that will soon be updated

Construction Marketing Ideas

The Whirlwind Steel blog the judges liked will soon be revised for a new format that the company believes will be a major improvement. Whirlwind Steel has won both the judging and popular vote and is the top 2016 Best Construction Blog finalist. Yet, ironically, the blog that the judges reviewed and voters supported will soon be replaced by a revamped blog/website that “will be more modern, eye-catching, and easy to read,” says Whirlwind’s digital marketing strategist Aylin Po

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Report: Optimism for Construction Growth in the Next Year Remains High

Research reveals 96% of respondents are very or fairly optimistic about their organization’s growth prospects for the next year. The InEight Global Capital Projects Outlook also finds over half see digital technology as the greatest growth opportunity. But these are only some of the findings. Don't be kept in the dark when it comes to the future. Read the report today!

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Who’s Responsible for What on a Concrete Pumping Jobsite?

Construction Equipment

Christi Collins, executive director of the American Concrete Pumping Association, says in her " Placing Responsibility " article on ConcreteConstruction.ne t that as of March 2015 almost everyone working on a concrete pour acquired an expanded job description.

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Drone News: FAA Updates; Drone Investment

Construction Dive

FAA 333 exemptions for commercial use of drones has now surpassed 5,000. As of April 27, 5,114 exemptions have been issued. Many of these are for construction, surveying and inspection (see breakdown below). In other news, PrecisionHawk, a producer of autonomous surveying drone technology, has raised an additional $18 million in funding bringing its total to $30 million.

News 48
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A New Imperative for Safety

Construction Business Owner

Over the past decade, the construction industry has made strong strides in improving safety management. Safety is now broadly defined as a core value throughout the industry. There is an increasing focus on changing safety culture, attaining zero incidents and monitoring key safety performance metrics. An emphasis on the workforce and behavioral safety initiatives challenge business owners to widen what it means to value health and safety.

Safety 153
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Make skid steer loaders go all terrain

Digger Blog

Canadian off-highway tyre specialist Camso, formerly Camoplast Solideal, makes rubber tracks that wrap over the tyres of skid steer loaders to give them extra traction in rough terrain. Canadian off-highway tyre specialist Camso, formerly Camoplast Solideal, makes rubber tracks that wrap over the tyres of skid steer loaders to give them extra traction in rough terrain.

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Discover 7 Ways to Cut Construction Inefficiencies

Construction sites are often just-barely-controlled chaos. Without clear coordination, you risk everything from clashes to delays, cancellations, and missed deadlines. Get the free eBook & learn how to solve the biggest challenges in construction!

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POINTING IN BRICKWORK CONSTRUCTION

The Constructor

What is pointing in Construction? The term Pointing in construction is applied to the finishing of mortar joints in masonry (stone or brick). In.

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Variations on the one-legged sales call: Can you control the story?

Construction Marketing Ideas

Inbound or outbound — and lead quality — are often determined by decisions and activities long before you see your first inquiry or make your initial sales call. It’s a classic problem, especially for residential sales, but variations exist in the ICI market. You travel some distance for a meeting with prospective clients, only to find that all the decision-makers aren’t there (or worse, no one in the room really has any authority to conclude the transaction.).

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PennDOT Trip Talk App Talks to Drivers About Construction Ahead

Construction Equipment

. . This spring the Pennsylvania Turnpike is rebuilding three miles of the Northeast Extension in Luzerne County. (yawn) And as they drive down the Northeast Extension, drivers are being notified of the construction through the usual methods – signs along the highway. What's different now? Users of the turnpike's Trip Talk app are also part of pilot program – one that is transmitting live updates about the construction to their cars and into their phones.