Qualified Remodeler Magazine

AUG 2016

Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.

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local trade school to find young carpenters, and all of it seems to be working. I found it interesting that home improvement companies and single-line specialty firms seemed to have more answers to the hiring and retain- ing question. Universal Windows Direct and NewSouth Windows are two fast-growing firms who say they've been able to attract new sales and management talent via their strong visibility at the local level. And Universal is taking the added step of bringing in a full-time recruiter. A CORE COMPETENCY IS REQUIRED In this special issue of Qualified Remodeler, which features the 2016 Top 500, it should come as no surprise to nonetheless learn that this was a very strong year for the industry's biggest firms. ey returned to harbor with flags high. e collective gross revenue grew by more than $1 billion year-over-year. is was reflected top to bottom as the No. 500 com- pany, Crossroads Contracting of Londonderry, N.H., reported revenues of $2.1 million — up more than $600,000 from the firm that held the same position in 2015. Our columnists this month took up their keyboards to address the keys to hiring and retaining and growing. You will read about it from Shawn McCadden, Scott Siegal and Dave Yoho. e common thread is that top companies are engaged in the search for talent continually, 365 days per year. In addition, they have clear objectives about the kind of people they want to hire. At the same time, it makes no sense to be paralyzed in pursuit of perfection. Don't be like Melville's Captain Ahab, in search of a mythical whale. Make hiring and retaining a core competency at your company. It's a sure path to growth and profitability. | STERVILLE, MASS. — Forgive a former literature major for look- ing out at Nantucket Sound and drawing on the imagery from Herman Melville and 19th century whaling to describe the dilemma facing most remodelers today. Two centuries ago, hundreds of ships left Massachusetts harbors to spend years at sea searching for whales. ey did not come back until their hulls were full of precious oil. Many remodelers are on a similar quest to- day. ey are looking for people — carpenters, project managers and sales staff, among oth- ers. ey are also looking for dependable trade partners. Together, their employees and trade partners are vitally precious cargo. Without one or both, remodelers simply cannot stay afloat, nor can they grow. In compiling this, our 38th annual list of the largest remodeling companies, we heard it over and over again. Companies could grow faster if only they had more of the right kind of people. Or worse, we heard about turnover, where trusted employees sought greener pas- tures, forcing companies to miss otherwise achievable targets. ere were even some companies who thought they had found the "right" people, but after honeymoon periods, those new hires had washed out. Hiring and retaining was the No. 1 chal- lenge — by far — facing companies listed on the Top 500. So we probed deeper and asked many to share what seems to be working. Ed Roskowinski, CR, of Vujovich Design Build in Minneapolis, says his firm shares fairly detailed financials with its staff. en at the end of each year, 30 percent of the net profit is divided among the team. e company works with a In Search of the Perfect Hire O 8 August 2016 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR'S NOTE Published by SOLA Group, Inc. 1880 Oak Ave., Suite 350 Evanston, IL 60201 847.920.9513 Publisher and Patrick L. O'Toole Editorial Director Patrick@SOLAbrands.com Managing Editor Laurie Banyay Laurie@SOLAbrands.com Associate Editor Kacey Larsen Kacey@SOLAbrands.com Proofreader Nancy Mueller-Truax Audience Development Mike Serino MSerino@magservgroup.com Creative Director & Tracy Hegg Production Manager Tracy@SOLAbrands.com Editorial Advisory Board Stephen Gidley, GMB, CAPS, CGP, CGB, CGR, CPRC, CR Jeffrey Holloway, CKD, CBD, CGR Michael Nagel, CGR, CAPS Scott R. Sevon, CGR, CAPS, GMB, CGP, GMR Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP Kenneth P. Skowronski, CR Midwest and West Paul DeGrandis Sales Manager Paul@SOLAbrands.com East Sales Manager Beth Emerich EmerichB@SOLAbrands.com National Automotive Tom Lutzke Sales TLutzke@ACBusinessMedia.com Literature Galleries/ Mike Serino Classifieds Mike@SOLAbrands.com Digital Programs Tim Steingraber Manager Tim@SOLAbrands.com Projects Manager Heidi Riedl Heidi@SOLAbrands.com A preferred publication of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the NAHB Remodelers Patrick L. O'Toole

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