Blogs: Desertropolis


Desertropolis, one of our new blogs, examines the most interesting projects, issues and controversies within the design, development and contracting industries of the Desert Southwest; it's written by Southwest Contractor’s senior regional editor, Scott Blair.
Full Story >>

Blogs: Neon Desert


Tony Illia is a Las Vegas-based journalist and ENR Special Correspondent. He has been contributing to the magazine since 2000. This blog covers everything happening in Vegas of interest to the A/E/C community.
Full Story >>

Insurance


Insurance for Contractors - What you need to know
As every contractor who has recently gone through an insurance renewal knows, cost is (way) up and coverage is (way) down. With very few exceptions, most small to medium size contractors are now or will be upon renewal, in the Excess and Surplus market. Basically there are two distinct markets providing insurance for contractors.
Full Story >>

Finance


Confronting Turnaround Situations
Far too many contractors have faced revenue shortfalls of 20 percent or greater within the past year or two. Yet in many cases, they suffer silently as if there were few options available. The non-residential construction boom peaked in 2000, and for the majority of contractors, times were as good as they could get. The boom has been followed by three straight years of declining non-residential activity, but it hasn't had as broad an impact on contractors as the comprehensive boom did. Full Story >>

Buy-Sell Agreements
"It's just not fair. I know the business is worth much more than what I'm getting from the Buy-Sell agreement," explained the widow who just lost her husband. "I know," stated her deceased husband's business partner. "The problem is, the buy-sell was drafted over 10 years ago, and it hasn't been updated since then. In order to give you your fair share of what this company is worth I would have to sell the business, and then I would loose everything I worked so hard for." "I'm not trying to be difficult," the widow replied, "But I have a mortgage and three kids. I think I'm going to have to talk to an attorney." Full Story >>

It's Never Too Early for Estate Planning
For many people in their 20s and 30s, "estate planning" may not yet be a priority. As a matter of fact, the term often conjures up images of older, wealthy investors with mansions passing along their estates to their numerous heirs. What most people don't realize is that estate planning can truly be for everyone. Here are a few pointers to demystify the estate-planning process and help get you started. Full Story >>

CONTINUITY PLANNING: IS YOUR COMPANY READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED?
The tragedy of 911 confirms that anything can happen. We know that it is impossible to prevent certain events from taking place. However, one can be ready for the unexpected. If a business is not prepared, how would unexpected death or disability of an owner affect the business? Full Story >>

Green Building


The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED™) Program
In June of 2000 the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) introduced the 2.0 version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) Green Building Rating System for commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings. LEED evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective over a building's life cycle. The program has grown tremendously since then by proving itself a viable method of providing a third-party green building certification tool designed to ensure building owners and occupants that their building meets stringent standards of performance. Full Story >>

What IS "Green Building?"
What IS "Green Building?" It's a question that's asked frequently throughout the architecture, engineering and construction industry during the last few years, and our goal at Southwest Contractor is to answer the question in a detailed, contractor-focused manner. Full Story >>

Study Proves Green Buildings are Highly Cost Effective
Washington, DC - October 17, 2003 -
Investments in green buildings pay for themselves 10 times over, according to a new study for 40 California agencies. The study, by the Capital E group, Lawrence Berkley Laboratory and participating California state agencies, is the most definitive cost-benefit analysis of green building ever conducted. Full Story >>

Marketing


Integrating Marketing Efforts into Operations
When construction companies initiate marketing and business development efforts, the other employees typically resent this new kid on the block. Everyone notices that not only does the Owner and Managers lend helping hands to promote this person's success, but this person expects everyone else to lend a helping hand, too. This does not normally sit well with Estimators, Project Managers, and Accounting personnel since they were originally thrown to the wolves and asked to figure out what their jobs should be. Where were their "helping hands" within the company when they needed them ? Full Story >>

Marketing Challenges Within the Construction Industry
Before construction companies decide to take on the challenge of implementing a marketing function, becoming more formal and serious about the marketing function, hiring a key management individual, or increasing awareness of their company within the marketplace, it is healthy to take a step back and acknowledge the looming pitfalls and obstacles that will likely plague companies over the next few years as they proceed with implementation. Full Story >>

Do I Know You?
Do we really know ourselves? This may seem like a silly topic for this publication, but knowing ourselves helps us work and play better. It can help you find a better job, the right friends, and social activities that make you feel good and relax. Without knowing yourself, you never quite fit in and you spend precious time and energy doing stuff that doesn't really mean anything to you. Full Story >>

Acts of Kindness Shouldn't Be Random
Before construction companies decide to take on the challenge of implementing a It's a rough world out there. Many agencies and businesses are shrinking their staffs, while still servicing the same number of people or clients. We keep being told we have to find balance in our lives. But, with demands of work, leisure and family, we may be pushing our time limits even further. Other than our sanity, what gives next? Is there enough time for kindness? Full Story >>

Scott Blair
Senior Regional Editor, Southwest Contractor magazine
480-656-7615

scott_blair@mcgraw-hill.com