Every business, no matter how big or how small, needs a vision, some kind of guide to future success.

If you have been working as a contractor for a while, you are probably no stranger to the numerous payment issues that plague the industry. Payment delays and even nonpayment are all too familiar possibilities contractors need to prepare for every time they take on a construction project. 

As we head into what will more than likely be one of the most fascinating — and perhaps explosive political times in our nation’s history — now is an excellent opportunity to sit back and reflect on how you feel about the direction of the country. 

Make a New Year’s resolution to understand the amount of money you must charge for the services you provide to the public to recover the costs you incur providing those services. The right price also allows you to earn the profit you deserve for delivering excellence through those services. 

As we’ll see from our interview with William Montgomery, director of national accounts for Hydrolevel Co., not many companies can claim to have started out quite like Hydrolevel did.

How have changes in your products led to a reinvention of your distribution process?

I would like to know — in this great country of ours, which continues to be ours to keep, improve or destroy — why can’t we all try to work and understand our neighbors and get along for the good of the country and world we all get to live in? 

Nobody has to tell you how difficult it has become to find the “right people” to employ. Barring a recession, it doesn’t look like the situation will get any better soon.

Like your house, your business projects an image to potential buyers. When they come to see your business for the first time, your “curb appeal” can attract a buyer to your business — or cause him to walk away from it.

I often use parallels when I’m describing the physical appearance of a showroom and the culture of the company. It’s typically easy to see the differences between a high-performing showroom culture and one that is not by walking in the front door.