I have spent many years as the boss and fully realize how many critical items we are responsible for and how much attention that requires. Unfortunately, as the boss, you forget about your own personal safety. My No. 1 concern is for you, the contractor — for your safety and that of your managers and all your employees.

 The three critical and costly items where contractors ask for help more than any others are Occupational Safety and Health Administration citations, personal injury and safety.  

 At a recent seminar, three contractors invited me to have lunch. Two of them had used my consulting services more than 10 years ago and they were trying to convince the third to call me.  

Let’s look at some of the realistic possibilities for a contractor hoping for survival, as well as continued growth and success. One option is to expand whatever type of work that your employees can perform, based on their database skills inventories. 

 Many good contractors are struggling to survive America’s economic crisis and some have already lost their businesses. And far too many good employees are struggling at work as well as with finances at home.