Joe Holm from Sandler Sales Training Center and The Contractor Coaching Partnership are offering a free seminar for residential contractors. This program is specifically designed for contractors and the trades who provide contracting services to the home owner market.

I met with a prospect recently who is afflicted with chief cook and bottle washer syndrome. He is the CEO, the salesman, the bookkeeper, the office clerk, the production manager, the service manager, the marketing manager. He is working over 75 hours per week and said he is concerned that he is working at a breakneck pace. He said he would like to leave the business to his kids who work in the business. He also said he doesn't really take vacations and when he does he is working from the vacation destination.

On 10/8/08 we are offering a free seminar for contractors at the Sandler Training Center in Marlboro form 4-6PM. This program is designed specifically for residential contractors. The seminar will focus on system development and exposure to Sandler Sales approaches and how to use them in residential construction applications. Please stay tuned for sign up information or contact Mark. Please let any contractors you know about the upcoming seminar.

The recent commotion in our economy is presenting many of us with challenges we haven't faced.

An article recently published by Eastern Mass NARI in the monthly newletter sent to all members about The Contractor Coaching Partnership. 

Yesterday the the financial world and economy took a big hit. On top of recent oil, gas, electric and cost of living increases it is hard to escape the negativity all around us. On www.ContractorTalk.com I see many comments from contractors regarding the difficulties of securing any business. Many are saying they are just hanging on. Most have never experienced a downturn in residential work like we saw in the early nineties. Work has been so plentiful up until a couple of years ago. Just returning the phone call or showing up on time with a smile and clean truck ,you were hired.

Last week I attended the Remodeling Show in Baltimore hosted by Remodeling Magazine, NAHB, NARI and Hanley Wood. The show was well attended by hundreds of contractors from all over the country in spite of a tight economy.

In May my firm, The Contractor Coaching Partnership, joined The Eastern Mass NARI chapter to network with professional contractors. My goal is to help the chapter grow its contractor membership using effective best practice networking strategies. Over the summer, I have been exposing this great organization to contractors, sub-contractors, and companies who provide services to the residential construction industry. On September 10th, I was joined by several clients and guests at the monthly NARI dinner. The theme for the night was to recognize the contractors who earned their NARI certifications.

On September 10th, Eastern Mass NARI held their monthly meeting at the Natick Crown Plaza. The night was dedicated to recognizing residential contractors and their carpenters who successfully completed NARI sponsored education courses. The designations were for Certified Lead Carpenter, Certified Remodeler, Certified Kitchen and Bath, and Certified Green Builder courses. Many of the companies recognized are very active in the NARI organization. These companies know that it is important to educate and train their people. NARI is one of the premier contractor associations in the nation that is committed to providing education and training for contractors. Any contractor who is serious about being a professional and making money in residential contracting should consider joining NARI. I was there with several guests and they commented on how professional the contractor members were. (stay tuned for future post of details on my guests who attended)

Our first joint seminar hosted by Joe Holm of Sandler Sales Training in Marlboro and Mark Paskell of The Contractor Coaching Partnership, on 8/28/08, was well attended by 12 companies.