2009 - what a year. Good news is that hopefully, we've all come through this leaner, wiser and more realistic. Although some sectors of the industry are still practicing some slash and burn bidding techniques that hardly can sustain never mind promote growth in the industry - I think that as a whole, we may be making that long awaited wide turn back towards land; and towards reason in bidding.
Pricing seems to have stabilized with some actual growth sectors visible on the horizon. The question becomes, with the limited number of projects that actually let this past year, are we - are you, truly ready for the "rush"? Have you been able to hold on to your key business components? Although at times it's been a struggle, DD implemented quite a comprehensive retention and growth plan even in the face of the dismal economic realities of the past year.
Embracing BIM, creating opportunities in new markets and getting back to basics - I truly believe that will serve us during this next recovery. I hear rumblings of inflation. And honestly, I'm not quite sure what to think about that. Ask me in 2010....
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Can the CYA Management Technique. Great Project Outcomes Happen With Superior Project Management
Construction is a team sport. If you are a good project manager, then we want to be on your team.
Why? Because great project outcomes happen when there is good project management.
The project manager is the guy who calls the plays and has the playbook at his fingertips. He is the one guy that has all the pieces of the puzzle right in front of him. He guides your team but lets each member do his particular job.
If he's a yahoo, you're screwed. And it won't be pleasant.
Teamwork and professionalism will carry you a long way in this industry.
So how do I define a good project manager? Well the ones that we continue to have excellent results with are the ones who have their head in the game, walk the walk, and don't just push around stacks of color coded paper. We all make mistakes. The secret is to minimize any impact, provide tangible value engineering and get the job up right and up tight.
What you don't want is the CYA yutz who makes it a point to push every piece of project related tree particles your way, hoover your man hours with redundant housekeeping and refuse to take ultimate responsibility for his work.
If you know a good PM, pass our name along, we've got extensive references and samples for your perusal. We'll bend over backwards to work with the good guys. As for the micro-managers, CYA'ers, and all around dolts.....please don't call us and we won't call you.
Why? Because great project outcomes happen when there is good project management.
The project manager is the guy who calls the plays and has the playbook at his fingertips. He is the one guy that has all the pieces of the puzzle right in front of him. He guides your team but lets each member do his particular job.
If he's a yahoo, you're screwed. And it won't be pleasant.
Teamwork and professionalism will carry you a long way in this industry.
So how do I define a good project manager? Well the ones that we continue to have excellent results with are the ones who have their head in the game, walk the walk, and don't just push around stacks of color coded paper. We all make mistakes. The secret is to minimize any impact, provide tangible value engineering and get the job up right and up tight.
What you don't want is the CYA yutz who makes it a point to push every piece of project related tree particles your way, hoover your man hours with redundant housekeeping and refuse to take ultimate responsibility for his work.
If you know a good PM, pass our name along, we've got extensive references and samples for your perusal. We'll bend over backwards to work with the good guys. As for the micro-managers, CYA'ers, and all around dolts.....please don't call us and we won't call you.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend
1.5 million people poured into our fine city last weekend. What a welcome respite from the negatives the area has had to weather the past several months. Speaking of the weather it was picture perfect! Hot cars and happening events made the motor city crank it up. Vintage autos went head to head with the latest and the greatest in automotive muscle. My fave? the '65 - '69 'stangs of course. Can't help it...
Friday, August 14, 2009
Mini boom or bust?
The price of steel has been steadily ticking ever so slightly up the last several weeks and that, I hope gives the industry an impetus to "get it done".
For domestic detailing, we've seen a steady release of minor projects of late - not the larger ones of previous years, but smaller 100 - 200 ton filler projects. Not our ideal but in this new economy, we're happy to have the business. Existing clients are still struggling to secure projects to let, but they are starting to move.
I strongly believe that the pent-up demand that must be gathering is going to flood the market sooner than later - unless something catastrophic occurs again. As it is, with clients waiting until the absolute last minute to execute PO's and releases on projects, the time to actually do the work is vastly abbreviated. This affects quality all the way around. Something to consider if you are a fabricator or owner. In this atmosphere, no one can afford any mistakes.
Just some thoughts.....
For domestic detailing, we've seen a steady release of minor projects of late - not the larger ones of previous years, but smaller 100 - 200 ton filler projects. Not our ideal but in this new economy, we're happy to have the business. Existing clients are still struggling to secure projects to let, but they are starting to move.
I strongly believe that the pent-up demand that must be gathering is going to flood the market sooner than later - unless something catastrophic occurs again. As it is, with clients waiting until the absolute last minute to execute PO's and releases on projects, the time to actually do the work is vastly abbreviated. This affects quality all the way around. Something to consider if you are a fabricator or owner. In this atmosphere, no one can afford any mistakes.
Just some thoughts.....
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The sky isn't falling in the steel industry......
Rita Brown
It's that daily dose of negativity that seems to have the steel industry by the ball bearings...pardon the play. Each day I hear, see and smell the stench of economic fear from peers. But guess what - the sky isn't falling. And even if it's cracking a bit - where did you put your hard hat? We're not in banking we're in steel.
There are people and companies out there that are thriving, and we at DD intend to be part of that group. What makes me think that a small hybrid domestic detailing group can make that happen in today's market? Because experience and perseverance count. Maybe not in the short run, but eventually it will come back into style again. And guess what? we'll be there, holding the door open for business (a little wider for our core fabricators who have stuck with us).
Challenges are huge opportunities for growth - cliche you say? Maybe. But it's still true. I've learned more from the 7 challenging projects we've encountered than from the over 127 superior projects we've detailed. The knowledge didn't come without pain, we've changed some staff, reworked internal processes and discontinued work with less than appropriate clients. But what we have ended up with is a distilled corporate structure that values quality, integrity and fairness.
Change is inevitable. The trick is being lithe enough to make that accommodation. Make it quick, clean and concise. Steel detailing is a rough business. Basically, you're the first one on the scene often cleaning up after others' mistakes, and if you allow retain funds, you become one of the last ones being compensated. So, re-work, re-think and remove ineffective business models with more desirable ones. Make this economic challenge the growth experience it should be.
The sky isn't falling in the steel industry - it's just the weather is a bit more interesting. I don't know about you, but a hard rain seems to cleanse the soul.
It's that daily dose of negativity that seems to have the steel industry by the ball bearings...pardon the play. Each day I hear, see and smell the stench of economic fear from peers. But guess what - the sky isn't falling. And even if it's cracking a bit - where did you put your hard hat? We're not in banking we're in steel.
There are people and companies out there that are thriving, and we at DD intend to be part of that group. What makes me think that a small hybrid domestic detailing group can make that happen in today's market? Because experience and perseverance count. Maybe not in the short run, but eventually it will come back into style again. And guess what? we'll be there, holding the door open for business (a little wider for our core fabricators who have stuck with us).
Challenges are huge opportunities for growth - cliche you say? Maybe. But it's still true. I've learned more from the 7 challenging projects we've encountered than from the over 127 superior projects we've detailed. The knowledge didn't come without pain, we've changed some staff, reworked internal processes and discontinued work with less than appropriate clients. But what we have ended up with is a distilled corporate structure that values quality, integrity and fairness.
Change is inevitable. The trick is being lithe enough to make that accommodation. Make it quick, clean and concise. Steel detailing is a rough business. Basically, you're the first one on the scene often cleaning up after others' mistakes, and if you allow retain funds, you become one of the last ones being compensated. So, re-work, re-think and remove ineffective business models with more desirable ones. Make this economic challenge the growth experience it should be.
The sky isn't falling in the steel industry - it's just the weather is a bit more interesting. I don't know about you, but a hard rain seems to cleanse the soul.
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