Al Levi helps contractors manage employees through operational manuals and sales training. https://www.pmmag.com/rss/2660 en-us There’s an ancient proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. There’s an ancient proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103509 Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103509-al-levi-new-practices-for-covid-19 COVID Practices 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103442 Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:05:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103442-al-levi-marketing-needs-great-testimonials 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103396 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103396-al-levi-fleet-management-done-right 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103331 Fri, 22 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103331-al-levi-the-goal-writing-is-on-the-wall Goal Setting I’ll admit it. I was skeptical that distance learning could be a worthwhile experience for service contractors. I’ll admit it. I was skeptical that distance learning could be a worthwhile experience for service contractors. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103274 Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103274-al-levi-distance-learning-works Distance Learning 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.” 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.”

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103223 Mon, 23 Nov 2020 10:10:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103223-al-levi-do-whats-in-the-book With every new consulting client, I begin our work by asking the following: “How are you judging your staff’s performance?” With every new consulting client, I begin our work by asking the following: “How are you judging your staff’s performance?”

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103156 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103156-al-levi-how-are-you-judging-your-staffs-performance evaluating Bad attitudes are everywhere, or so it would appear. In most cases, it is based on nothing other than your opinion. Bad attitudes are everywhere, or so it would appear. In most cases, it is based on nothing other than your opinion. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103104 Mon, 21 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103104-al-levi-attitude-versus-behavior-whats-the-difference Attitude Vs. Behavior One of the most common things I see when I begin my work with a new contracting client is the resistance to train employees. One of the most common things I see when I begin my work with a new contracting client is the resistance to train employees. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/103040 Thu, 20 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103040-al-levi-what-if-i-train-them-and-they-leave Training What is finally going to fix things at your company? What is finally going to fix things at your company? 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102959 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102959-al-levi-fix-things-at-your-company Fix things at your company “Hire willing people and provide them the skills — as opposed to hiring spoiled, experienced people with skills and behavior problems.” “Hire willing people and provide them the skills — as opposed to hiring spoiled, experienced people with skills and behavior problems.” 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102910 Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102910-al-levi-hire-willing-people-provide-skills-or-pay-the-price Hiring Everything in business is important! Not everything in business is urgent — thank heavens! Everything in business is important! Not everything in business is urgent — thank heavens!

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102876 Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102876-al-levi-urgent-versus-important Urgent vs important It was working when I left!” It was working when I left!” 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102860 Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102860-al-levi-it-was-working-when-i-left Callback Ratios There are only two types of companies I’ve ever worked with in my 18 years of being a consultant to the contracting industry. There are only two types of companies I’ve ever worked with in my 18 years of being a consultant to the contracting industry.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102775 Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102775-al-levi-the-secret-bonus-of-documenting-how-you-do-business Levi: Documenting Business 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? 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?

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102695 Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102695-al-levi-mastering-the-master-project-list Master project list I’ll admit it. I’m not a giant fan of reading financials and management reporting. I’ll admit it. I’m not a giant fan of reading financials and management reporting.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102661 Wed, 05 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102661-al-levi-loaves-of-bread-not-slices Loaves of Bread 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102599 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102599-al-levi-10-things-to-think-about-company-culture "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. "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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102540 Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102540-al-levi-its-a-drug-and-were-hooked-social-media-world-company-culture social media and company culture 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102484 Wed, 06 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102484-al-levi-money-from-the-scrap-heap 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.” 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.”

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102434 Wed, 02 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102434-al-levi-behavior-in-the-new-social-media-world-company-culture Behavior in the new social media world 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102387 Wed, 04 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102387-al-levi-sharpening-the-axe-before-you-need-it-company-culture Sharpening the axe before you need it 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102317 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102317-al-levi-no-such-thing-as-accidental-company-culture No such thing as accidental company culture 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102261 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102261-al-levi-delivering-poop-sandwiches Delivering poop sandwiches Frequent short feedback sessions are the trick. 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102202 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102202-al-levi-doing-good-ending-badly Although I believe in second chances What does getting employees to “released” mean? What does getting employees to “released” mean?

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/102145 Fri, 10 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/102145-al-levi-getting-employees-to-released Getting employees to ‘released’ 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/101982 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/101982-al-levi-practice-what-i-preach We’re too emotionally close to see it all 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.” 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.”

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/101922 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/101922-al-levi-nepotism-keeping-it-all-in-the-family Al Levi: Nepotism: Keeping it all in the family Planning ahead helps ensure you get the most out of the events you attend. Planning ahead helps ensure you get the most out of the events you attend.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/101873 Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/101873-al-levi-5-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-trade-shows PM0219Levi-961940450 Once you know your learning style, you can start to create real change within your company. Once you know your learning style, you can start to create real change within your company.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/101747 Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/101747-al-levi-self-study-group-study-or-personal-coach Al Levi: Self-study, group study, or personal coach? 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. 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/101709 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/101709-al-levi-busting-the-multitasking-myth Busting the multitasking myth