Al Levi: Managing your business

Al Levi: New practices for COVID-19

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

There’s an ancient proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

Al Levi: Marketing needs great testimonials

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:05:00 -0400

When we see a testimonial, we know someone else has already tested the waters for us. Especially in today’s crowded marketplace, you need something that sets your contracting company apart.

Al Levi: Fleet management done right

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

You may think you are too small to have a fleet manager, or so big you need a full-time fleet manager, and neither of those things is necessarily true.

Al Levi: The goal writing is on the wall

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500

By the time you read this, most people’s New Year’s resolutions or goals will be a distant memory, and they’ll be back to doing the same things they said they weren’t going to do.

Al Levi: Distance learning works

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

I’ll admit it. I was skeptical that distance learning could be a worthwhile experience for service contractors.

Al Levi: Do what’s in the book

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 10:10:00 -0500

The conversation typically goes like this: The owner tells me, “Al, I don’t know if I can get buy-in here for the operating manuals.”

Al Levi: How are you judging your staff’s performance?

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400

With every new consulting client, I begin our work by asking the following: “How are you judging your staff’s performance?”

Al Levi: Attitude versus behavior: What’s the difference?

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Bad attitudes are everywhere, or so it would appear. In most cases, it is based on nothing other than your opinion.

AL Levi: What if I train them and they leave?

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400

One of the most common things I see when I begin my work with a new contracting client is the resistance to train employees.

AL Levi: Fix things at your company

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

What is finally going to fix things at your company?

Al Levi: Hire willing people, provide skills or pay the price

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

“Hire willing people and provide them the skills — as opposed to hiring spoiled, experienced people with skills and behavior problems.”

Al Levi: Urgent versus important

Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Everything in business is important! Not everything in business is urgent — thank heavens!

Al Levi: It was working when I left!

Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

It was working when I left!”

Al Levi: The secret bonus of documenting how you do business

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

There are only two types of companies I’ve ever worked with in my 18 years of being a consultant to the contracting industry.

Al Levi: Mastering the master project list

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Why is it that your staff isn’t quite as excited as you are when you discuss a new project, a new process, new policy or a habit you want to change?

Al Levi: Loaves of bread, not slices

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

I’ll admit it. I’m not a giant fan of reading financials and management reporting.

Al Levi: 10 things to think about company culture

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500

One of the nice things about my job is I’m usually busy. I like when I look up at the end of the day and see that the day has flown by.

Al Levi: It’s a drug and we’re hooked: social media world company culture

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500

"It’s a drug and we’re hooked!” is what I said to my brother, Richie, about the fix I felt we got from doing the really big monster commercial and residential jobs for what we felt were lots of dollars.

Al Levi: Money from the scrap heap

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500

A client called me awhile back because he wanted to know what my family did with the scrap metal from jobsites, and he wanted to know what the other companies I work with do on this matter too.

Al Levi: Behavior in the new social media world company culture

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400

The old adage goes, “Do something good for someone and they’ll tell 10 people. Do something bad to someone and they’ll tell 100 people.”

Al Levi: Sharpening the axe before you need it company culture

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400

It was still hot and sweaty in the midday sun just a couple of days after Labor Day in New York, and at first glance, you’d think we were out in the yard in the dead of winter.

Al Levi: No such thing as accidental company culture

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some great contractors over the years. I shared what I had learned along the way at my own company, and I brought those insights and systems to their companies to help them grow and succeed.

Al Levi: Delivering poop sandwiches

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

I got an email from a client the other day that instantly reminded me of how I once delivered “poop sandwiches” to my own employees.

Al Levi: Doing good, ending badly

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

I’m lucky enough to work with a lot of good-hearted contractors. What I know is contractors in general, despite the skewed view of the media to the contrary, want to do the right thing for their customers and their community.

Al Levi: Getting employees to ‘released’

Fri, 10 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400

What does getting employees to “released” mean?

Al Levi: Practice what I preach

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400

For more than 17 years, I’ve been helping contractors learn and practice good habits. It has improved their lives, their employees’ lives and even the lives of the customers they serve.

Al Levi: Nepotism: Keeping it all in the family

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400

When I was the last of the three brothers to enter the family business, my dad said to me, “I owe you an opportunity, not a guarantee.”

Al Levi: 5 ways to get the most out of trade shows

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Planning ahead helps ensure you get the most out of the events you attend.

Al Levi: Self-study, group study, or personal coach?

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Once you know your learning style, you can start to create real change within your company.

Al Levi: Busting the multitasking myth

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0500

It’s déjà vu all over again” is a famous quote by the late, great Yogi Berra. I’ve lived this scenario, and I’m betting you have, too. I’m talking about callbacks — the woe of the contracting industry.