Production

Ep. 13: Controlling the Flow of Jobs Using a Master Schedule with Aaron Enfinger

June 25, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 0:31:02

You don’t need a crystal ball to look into the future for your Production Department. A master schedule can give you a predictable look at what’s to come, backed up by solid data. 

In Episode 13, Tim and Steve get insight from Aaron Enfinger, General Manager of The Cleary Company. Aaron joined the Columbus, Ohio, design/build remodeling company as a Project Manager four years ago. It became evident in early 2017 that the company needed additional oversight and management in the other areas of the organization, and Aaron was promoted to General Manager. 

Some of the evident success of the Production Department during that time was due to the master schedule Aaron developed with the help of Jennifer Wood, the Spreadsheet Savant and Office Manager at The Cleary Company. Having a solid grasp of big-picture scheduling and forecasting aided in creating a sense of stability and predictability in the Production Department. With buy-in from the Sales and Design Departments, the master schedule creates that same predictability across the company. 

Aaron details the benefits of creating your own master schedule, including how it: 

  • Acts as an early-warning system, red-flagging upcoming shortfalls or bottlenecks 
  • Increases communication between Sales and Production 
  • More accurately forecasts labor needs 
  • Gives you solid information to make informed decisions 
  • Allows for flexibility in scheduling across the company 

Find out more about what a master schedule can do for you, your team and your bottom line in this episode — and see more about The Cleary Company.

THE #1 PRODUCTION EVENT FOR IMPROVING THE BOTTOM LINE 

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today! 

Ep.11: Successfully Utilizing the Lead Carpenter System with Sean deLaunay

June 11, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:28:05

Tim has been an evangelist for the Lead Carpenter System for almost 30 years and speaks on the subject extensively as he tours the US and Canada.

As emerging remodelers grow quickly and transition from one truck, one job and limited crew to multiple jobs happening all at once, the Lead Carpenter System meets the demand of, and addresses the importance of, having someone onsite driving production and insuring client satisfaction.

In Episode 11, Tim and Steve explore the various aspects of the Lead Carpenter method and welcome Sean deLaunay to the show to talk about how his firm, Winn Design + Build, successfully utilizes the system.

Sean is the Production Manager at WINN Design+Build, an award winning, successful remodeler in the very competitive Northern Virginia market just outside of D.C.

According to Winn’s website, construction has been a part of Sean’s professional career for nearly 20 years. Sean works closely with Winn’s design team to provide critical input on the architecture as well as value engineering and budget preparation. As the Production Manager, he specializes in construction management and oversees Winn’s production team through the entire construction process with his main focus on client satisfaction.

Tim, Steve and Sean talk extensively about the Lead Carpenter System that Sean inherited when he joined Winn Design + Build. Their discussion includes:

  • Benefits and challenges to using the Lead Carpenter system
  • Where is it a good fit? Where is it not?
  • The importance of value, quality of work, customer relations, etc.
  • Role and responsibilities of a Lead Carpenter within Winn’s system
  • Proper client engagement and running efficient client meetings
  • Support needed from the home office
  • How to identify / hire the right person to fill the role
  • And more…

To learn more about Winn Design + Build, visit their website: https://winndesign.com/

 

Super Early Bird Registration for the 2018 Production Conference Closes June 15! Save $200 By Registering Today!

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today!

 

 

Ep.09: Keeping Craft Alive & Closing the Skills Gap with Rob Yagid

May 21, 2018 Hiring, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:30:44

If you are in the home building or remodeling industries you are more than familiar with the number one issue facing companies who are looking to grow their respective businesses… Finding Good Help.

By that, we mean filling the estimated 6.5 – 7 million jobs that currently go un-filled because there are not enough skilled workers to fill these positions. This skills gap not only hurts growing companies, it affects the nation’s economy as the building and construction industries struggle to keep pace with demand.

From a post-secondary perspective, students today are encouraged or “put on a track” where college is the preferred option; sometimes ignoring the trades as a viable option for many who have interest.

In Episode 9, Tim and Steve welcome an individual who is not only bringing awareness to the issue, but he is also helping lead the charge in celebrating the trades and honoring true craftsmen who are passionate about the work they do every day.

Rob Yagid is the Editorial Director of Fine Homebuilding Magazine and the Founding Director of Keep Craft Alive, an initiative to help celebrate craftsmanship as a valuable and honorable lifelong pursuit.

What began as a simple social media hashtag has quickly grown into a national effort to create awareness, build support and help close the skills gap experienced by so many in the industry.

Through a partnership with Skills USA, Keep Craft Alive provided more than $70,000 in scholarship funds in the 2017-18 academic year, supporting students in various disciplines (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, etc.).

Tim, Steve and Rob discuss the skills gap issue, the work Rob’s team at Keep Craft Alive is doing and some of the other aspects that this employment disparity is causing within the industry.

A great episode about a very timely and important topic. Listen today!

How Can You Help? How Can You Get Involved?

Visit Keep Craft Alive’s website and learn more about how you can support this great initiative. Donate, get involved, follow them on social media, use the #KeepCraftAlive hashtag, buy a t-shirt… whatever you can do to help.

 

Registration for the 2018 Production Conference is Now Open!

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today!

 

 

Ep.08: Tool & Equipment Reviews with Dave Frane

May 14, 2018 Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:29:56

Acquiring and maintaining an inventory of tools can be a critical measure in the early and ongoing success of a remodeling company.

Many in the production side of the business feel the need to have the “latest and greatest,” while others appreciate their original set of tools and stick with what works best for them. In either approach, keeping an eye on the bottom line and balancing cash flow as you invest in the right tool for the right job is key.

Remodeling business owners and production teams rely on industry professionals who test, compare, report on and review these tools for safety and performance.

In Episode 8, Tim and Steve welcome Dave Frane, former editor of Tools of the Trade Magazine, to the show to discuss the process he has used to provide this critical type of feedback

Dave spent 20+ years as a carpenter, carpentry foreman, and project manager before working as an editor for JLC and Tools of the Trade Magazine. He currently works as a freelance writer/editor and has provided tool and design related content to Fine Homebuilding, Pro Tradecraft, Toolguyd, and Core77.

Tim, Steve and Dave explore many different aspects of the tool industry, including:

  • Looking at how tools and technology are changing – some for safety, some for efficiency
  • Keeping an eye on cash flow and investing good, solid tools that won’t break the budget
  • Remaining Brand agnostic while providing non- biased opinion and information
  • Discussing East Coast – West Coast differences in brands, tools, how they are used, purchased, distributed, etc.
  • Looking at the manufacturing process by visiting factories and production facilities.
  • Stressing the importance of safety and adherence to guidelines
  • Seeing differences in Big Box vs. General Manufacture brands
  • Emphasizing the Importance of organization and care of tools
  • Providing tools vs. a Tool allowances for production teams

Whether you are a “tool person” or not, a great episode for any remodeler out there looking to provide the right tool, at the right price for the right job at hand… without breaking the bank. Enjoy!
 

We would love to hear from you!

What was your first tool? Which is your favorite and why? What tool has been a game-changer for your business? Use the comments section below to provide some feedback.

Ep.07: Establishing Trust Through Successful Pre-Construction Meetings with Chris Peterson

May 7, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:25:48

As remodeling projects transition from the sales and design phase into actual production, an effective pre-construction meeting can either make or break your chances of a successful client experience.

Pre-construction meetings, if run correctly, allow you to establish a relationship with the client; setting clear expectations, roles and responsibilities, setting milestone dates, communication contacts… and in doing so, building trust.

In Episode 7, Tim and Steve welcome Chris Peterson to the show to really dive further into ways to make this pre-construction meeting successful, something he and his team at Schloegel Design Remodel have been doing for decades.

Chris started in the construction field right out of high school, joined Schloegel in 1996 and has worked his way up through the ranks (carpenter, project manager, production manager) and is now VP of Production and Co-Owner of the business.

Schloegel Design Remodel is an award-winning firm based in Kansas City, MO and has been “transforming residences” since being founded by Jake Schloegel in 1980.

Tim, Steve and Chris share thoughts on not only the importance of these meetings, but how Schloegel has been using them over the years. These include:

  • Setting goals for the meeting
  • Holding a PRE Pre-construction meeting where the production team meets to set strategy of how to work best with the client, identify any red flags on the project plan, etc.
  • Giving background on how these meetings have evolved over time
  • Establishing Checklists and setting policies
  • How to handle changes in scope or project details, pricing, etc.
  • Measuring success of the meeting
  • Who participates in the meeting (client and production team) and their roles
  • Setting an agenda and preparing the client for the meeting
  • And More!

Whether your company is currently holding these pre-construction meetings or not, this episode is a great way to either get started with your own, or perhaps make changes to the way you are handling this critical hand-off between sales and production. Enjoy!

 

Are Your Meetings Successful?

After listening to this episode, we would love to hear your thoughts. Do you have other ways that you can share that have helped hand projects off between design/sales and production? How have they helped? Use the comments section below to provide feedback, we would love to hear from you!

 

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We will see you next Monday!

 

Ep.06: Working Effectively with Project Managers with Brent Stevens

April 30, 2018 Hiring, Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 0:25:55

When it comes to structuring your production team and process, there are many ways to go. Show host Tim Faller has always been a proponent and evangelist for the Lead Carpenter system, however acknowledges the need for a more refined system as a company grows and the number of projects begins to overwhelm the system.

In Episode 6, Tim and Steve take a closer look at using a Project Management system, with key team members managing multiple projects at a time. To explore further, Tim and Steve welcome Brent Stevens to the show, an industry veteran with years of successful experience in utilizing Project Managers.

Brent is the Production Manager for Jackson Design & Remodeling in San Diego, CA and very successful remodeling firm generating $19 million in revenue, while producing more than 115 projects last year alone.

As Production Manager, Brent oversees the Production, Purchasing and Painting Departments and JDR’s team of project managers and field staff. He is responsible for developing, implementing, and refining the Production policies, procedures and systems that make each JDR project a successful experience for their clients.

Tim, Steve and Brent talk more about how JDR utilizes the Project Management process. As the trio discusses the role we learn more about:

  • Finding & hiring the right candidates to fill the role
  • Walking through day-to-day responsibilities
  • Number of projects that they manage at one time
  • Working with and managing trade partners (sub-contractors)
  • Managing client communication and expectations
  • How to measure performance of the role and process
  • Process of on-boarding, training and orientation
  • … and more!

Whether you are currently utilizing a Project Manager or looking to move toward that process, this episode is very informative and can help guide your decisions. Enjoy!

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We will see you next Monday!

Ep.05: Creative Ways to Motivate Your Production Team with Brad Yetman

April 23, 2018 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:30:37

In Episode 5, Tim and Steve take a closer look at ways to motivate your team to help implement positive change within your organization. One way, that is discussed at length on this episode, is to introduce and hold mini-games or contests for your team.

We’re not talking about a three-legged race out in the parking lot… Mini-games are short term, highly focused, rapid improvement campaigns that affect specific change within a company. As Tim says, “Winning the small games ultimately help you win the big ones…” and that can be related to profitability, efficiency, customer satisfaction and more.

Tim and Steve welcome Brad Yetman to the show, a very successful production executive who has integrated this concept into his growing business in the Washington DC metro area.

Brad is the Vice President of Construction as well as part owner at Anthony Wilder Design Build. Brad is responsible for overseeing the production department which will have produced approximately $14,000,000 in this fiscal year. Brad has developed a financially focused approach to production management with an emphasis on “knowing the numbers” both in the field and in the office, an approach which fits well with the companies open book policy.

If you are a business owner or production manager in the remodeling or renovation industry and you are looking for ways to motivate your team, drive results, maximize profitability and improve employee morale; this episode is for you. Listen today!

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We will see you next Monday!

Ep.04: Running Effective Production Meetings with Teri McDermott

April 16, 2018 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:25:03

Production meetings can either be an effective way to build communication between departments and drive profit OR they can become a complete waste of time. You may have experienced the latter; once a week the team comes into the office, arriving late, sitting in the same spots, not interacting or contributing and the meeting leader drones on.. attendees looking at their watches, etc.

Sound familiar?

In Episode 4, Tim and Steve look at various ways to improve the way your company handles team meetings. To explore further and get real feedback from the R/A membership, Tim and Steve welcome Teri McDermott to the show. Teri is currently General Manager of CRD Design Build in Seattle Washington and has been in the industry for 25 years, 8 of those with CRD.

Teri attended the Production Conference ’17 Meeting in Minneapolis last year, held in conjunction with the annual Remodelers Summit, and came away with various strategies to improve CRD’s meetings. What she found was that by making these changes CRD’s culture changed as well; more communication, fewer issues in production, more efficient process, less slippage, etc.

In this episode Tim, Steve and Teri talk more about how effective production meetings:

  • Promote communication between departments
  • Involve all departments, not just production
  • Keep personnel in the field, bringing the meeting to them
  • Are interactive and fresh; getting the team engaged (gift cards, candy, food, etc.)
  • Get meeting topic ideas from the team
  • Enable other leaders to run effective meetings and follow format
  • and more!

Whether your production meetings are meeting your needs or not, this is still a great episode to enjoy. Perhaps you will find the next great idea for your team’s meetings.

As always, we would love to hear from you… If you have effective ways to drive communication, improve efficiencies and impact profit with great production meetings, leave a comment or suggestion below.

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We will see you next Monday… enjoy your week!

Ep.03: Zero Punch List Production with Michael Barkhouse

April 9, 2018 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:23:55

Imagine buying a car from an auto dealer and as you pick up the car, the salesman hands you a role of blue tape, and asks you to look over the car and identify anything you want fixed before you drive it home… Sound familiar? We might be the only industry that sets this expectation with our clients.

Episode 3 of The Tim Faller Show addresses a topic near and dear to Tim’s heart, Zero Punch List Production… A system that Tim has been preaching for the past 5-6 years as he tours the US & Canada, working with some of the best remodelers in the industry.

To dive further into the discussion Zero Punch List, Tim and Steve welcome Michael Barkhouse from Amsted Design Build, a very successful firm in Ottawa, Ontario. Michael has been with Amsted for 17 years and has held the position of Construction Manager for the past 10.

Amsted utilizes the Zero Punch List Production system and has successfully implemented it throughout their organization, from Sales and Design, all the way through project delivery.

Tim, Steve and Michael talk through the different advantages and challenges of Zero Punch List and discuss:

  • Setting expectations from the beginning of the process (Sales & Design)
  • Lists are expected, but using them internally, not with client.
  • Steps in site protection to avoid generating errors and “dings”
  • Getting team members on board with this process and ultimately the client as well
  • Challenges experienced along the way.
  • Holding Full team walk-throughs as production winds down.
  • Celebrating the end of a project and setting expectation of finality.

A great episode for any company looking at progressive ways to improve client satisfaction. Please leave questions or comments for Tim and Steve below; we would love to hear from you.

As always, if you have a topic that you would like us to cover or know of an industry contact, author or thought-leader that you think others would like to hear from, let us know.

Are you a Tim Faller Show “SuperFan” yet?

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… and If you would like to hear more about Tim’s take on Zero Punch List Production, he was a recent guest on PowerTips Unscripted, Episode 8

Ep.02: Using The Lead Carpenter System in Kitchen & Bath Companies with Steve St Onge

April 2, 2018 Hiring, Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:26:31

We are off to a great start and we love hearing such positive feedback from our associates in the industry as well as new friends we’ve made by putting The Tim Faller Show out there.

In episode 2, Tim and Steve cover the Lead Carpenter System, specifically being used in the Kitchen & Bath segment of our industry. As Tim points out, the Lead Carpenter System works great for companies focused on smaller, fast turn-around projects… and often Kitchen & Bath renovations and remodeling projects fit that description.

In order to dive further into the topic, Tim and Steve welcome a guest who has extensive experience using the Lead Carpenter System within his company; Steven L. St. Onge, Founder/CEO of Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath in Warwick, RI.

In 1989, Steve St. Onge founded RI Kitchen & Bath, an award-winning design/build residential and light commercial remodeling company specializing in kitchens, baths, and multi-trade interior renovation projects. Steve and his team have built a strong, loyal customer base within the Rhode Island, Southeastern MA, East Bay, and nearby Connecticut market.

Steve’s company utilizes the Lead Carpenter System extensively throughout his company and in this episode we learn more about:

  • Where the Lead Carpenter System came from, how it started, etc.
  • What works with the system and what doesn’t; lessons learned
  • Why it works for making quick decisions & managing multiple projects
  • How the system affects Customer Satisfaction
  • Establishing, building and using a Specification Book
  • The process of implementing the system & getting team buy-in
  • Hiring and finding the right people to fit with the system
  • How Quality Control is achieved within the system

Thanks to Steve for joining us and sharing some great information with us… If you have some experiences in using the Lead Carpenter System, we would love to hear from you in the comments below.

We will see you next week with another great topic and guest.

 

Are you a raving fan yet?

We hope so! If you have a topic that you would like us to cover or know of an industry contact, author or thought-leader that you think others would like to hear from, let us know.

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