The BE Blog | Building Enclosure

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“Do all the little things that no one else wants to do and then your success will follow,” said Tim Hershey, President of Thoroughbred Contractors of Shelbyville, Ky. When he spoke at the recent Roofing Contractor Best of Success Conference, he cited customer satisfaction as the focus of everything his company does.

With 2009 ticking down, it would be so easy to reflect on the hardships our country has endured this year.

One of the benefits of my job is the ability to view construction projects in progress throughout the country. During a recent trip to Indianapolis, I took a few minutes to take in Marriott Place, a stunning downtown development slated for completion in February 2011.

In a tight economy in which building owners are hoping to stretch every dollar, roof maintenance might be more important than ever.

The annual Remodeling Show took place in Indianapolis last week. I used the opportunity to poll contractors at the show, who were mostly from the Midwest.

Rod Menzel is the founder and co-owner of GreatWay Roofing Inc. in Moorpark, Calif. After attending the Roofing Contractor Best of Success conference in 2007, he implemented several ideas that revolutionized his business, and he shared his experience with this year’s attendees in a session titled “Rebranding: Expect a Great Experience.”

“Green is real to building owners today,” said Dr. James Hoff, Director of Research for the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (CEIR). At the Roofing Contractor Best of Success event, he detailed ways contractors could use green programs and incentives to build their businesses in his session titled “Roofing Green.”

I fear we’ve lost our way. As businesspeople, we often react with such shocking shortsightedness that we fail to see into next year, maybe even into next week.

Back in March, I blogged about a fascinating YouTube video called “Did You Know?” and received a lot of feedback from visitors. They said that the video helped them think about change and put it into perspective.

Today, I am encouraged and inspired. I am turning a deaf ear to the naysayers and a blind eye to the imagery of negativity. I see unlimited business opportunities. I am planning to succeed.