Industry Updates

 

Biden Aims to Unkink Supply Chain, but Industry Leaders Say It’s Not Enough

Some industry experts say the administration's efforts miss the mark and don’t address the biggest contributor to rising prices: tariffs.

Answer These 10 Questions to Maximize Data—And Grow Sales

If you choose the correct data management solution, you can arrange your data to understand every critical detail of the people you sold as well as those that you did not.

Time is Precious—Here Are 5 Ways to Protect It

Contractors pay scrupulous attention to every penny that passes through their accounts, but they squander their other universal constraint: time. Here are five ways to have a prosperous business and a happy life.

Strategies for Moving Toward a Maskless Workforce This Summer

Amid increasing nationwide vaccination rates and changing CDC and OSHA guidance, experts say employers should proceed with caution to incentivize vaccination.

Manage for What's Being Done Right, Not Wrong

Rather than kicking butt when something goes wrong, it's better for your organization to monitor for goodness, for opportunities to recognize people, appreciate them and give them some praise. Here's how.

How Roofers Are Weathering 'Ongoing and Relentless' Supply Chain Issues

Despite supply chain issues that have caused shortages of everything from shingles to nails along with spiraling costs, roofers seem to be weathering the economic storms. Here's how.

10 Ways to Address Challenging Market Forces

After a tumultuous year, most of our clients and customers are seeing growth throughout their business. Despite this, our surveys indicate that it will require additional efforts to keep your profitability on track. Here are 10 suggestions.

4 Ways Technology Helps Manage Material Shortages

We all know that we are experiencing a shortage and it can be frustrating to feel like you have no control over the situation. That’s why it’s more important than ever to focus on what you can control and understand how you can use technology to help you do that.

Why Resistance to Change is Killing Your Business — And How to Fix It

If you're being out-innovated in the marketplace, and you're not driving change internally, then your time as a successful business may be drawing to a close. Here's a model to fix that.

Expert Strategies for Overcoming “Unprecedented” Materials Shortages

In the midst of this disruption, roofers must communicate with clients and customers like never before and turn to some unlikely “allies” including building officials.

5 'Crystal Ball' Leading Indicators You Need to Know

Developing a forward-looking management dashboard can give a contractor real insight into not just the history of how the company has done, but how the company is likely to perform in the future.

5 Ways to Beat the Growing Demand and Surging Material Prices Bind

As the nation emerges from COVID, demand is increasing. At the same time, manufacturers haven’t yet been able to ramp up production from pre-COVID times, and pandemic-related roadblocks continue to hamper transport of materials. Here's how to beat the supply/demand bind. 

6 Business Fundamentals for Long-Term Success

There are a small handful of fundamentals that all the truly great companies share. Here are are six that determine success.

5 Tips for Digitizing Your Business

While many businesses have been forced to allow employees to work remotely, many are still following old habits and pushing papers around their desks. So, how do you make the leap to digital? Here are a few tips to make the process easier

6 Ways Roofers Need to Change Lead Gen Tactics Post-Pandemic

In this Q&A, Brad Yoho, Director of Marketing from Dave Yoho Associates, discusses the state of lead generation for roofers in 2021, while also analyzing some of the most common mistakes that are made.

Why Disruption May Be Just What Your Business Needs

To achieve lasting change, it takes different perspectives and new ways of looking at things. It takes someone or some catalyst that's going to get you out of your comfort zones. Sometimes it even takes disruption to your organization to get the permanent improvements that you want.

How to Give 'Dead' Leads New Life

Lead costs continue to escalate. As such, it is important to utilize “lower cost” lead sources while simultaneously using your leads more efficiently. Whether you are aware of it or not, you and/or your personnel may be mishandling leads.

The Cobra Effect and Incentives: How to Create the Best Plans

Incentive plans are really, really hard to get right! For example, a common incentive plan is to reward a project manager for bringing in his/her projects on time and on budget. That sounds like a simple, effective program. But what's wrong with it? What might the unintended consequences be? 

Roofing Survey Paints Optimistic Outlook

The AGC recently predicted that pandemic-related issues mean the construction market won’t spark back fully to life until 2022. But a recent roofing market survey suggests that roofers are already well on their way to full recovery.

Report Shows What Tech Contractors Use Most Post Pandemic

Thanks to the pandemic, what normally would have been implemented over a three-year cycle was condensed into just a nine-month span according to JLL’s State of Construction Technology Report. Here are some of the fastest-growing technologies in construction.

6 Questions to Make Your Company Like Tom Brady, Not AOL

Many of the companies that were on top when Brady won his first Superbowl are now on life support. What does it take to keep your construction company on top? Here are six questions for keeping your company relevant and competitive over long periods of time.

Avoid These 4 Winter Weather Roofing Mistakes

As unusually vicious winter weather grips much of the nation, including areas not used to snow and ice, roofers are on the front lines of helping homes and businesses recover from the onslaught.

What Got You Here Won't Get You There

Clinging to old ways is definitely a habit that prevents contractors from achieving the successes they desire. Specifically, the industry-wide focus on crushingly hard work and long hours is — believe it or not — a barrier to long term success.

5 Challenges — And Opportunities — for 2021

With a vastly different political landscape, an ongoing pandemic and an uncertain economy, roofers will be facing a host of new challenges in 2021 — but those who are prepared will also have a lot of opportunities. 

Why You Need to Ask Yourself Lou Holtz’s Three Rules and Four Questions

Legendary football coach Lou Holtz's unique philosophy on life includes three rules and four questions that are surprisingly pertinent to business leaders. Here's why.

How Tech is Key to Success in 2021

Experts predict that technology is going to play a key role in keeping the industry stable and moving forward in 2021. Here's how contractors can best leverage that tech

Top 10 Most-Read Articles Puts 2020 Challenges in Sharp Relief

Roofers can be forgiven for wanting to see 2020 fade away in the rearview mirror. Here’s a look at the top 10 articles roofers read this past year and a brief reminder of what they were about as the industry looks forward to a new year.

4 Things Business Leaders Should Avoid at Year's End

Knowing what not to do narrows the menu of choices, focuses the mind, and makes the most of a leader’s valuable time. So what are the four things CEOs should not be doing as 2020 comes to its end?

IRE Offers FAQ on Virtual Event and Expo Reschedule

The International Roofing Expo announced in December that it will launch a virtual conference and expo in 2021 in addition to the physical event. Here are answers to frequently asked questions.

Four Actions Business Leaders Should Take as 2020 Ends

Given that 2020 has been unprecedentedly tumultuous, what should you as CEOs and construction leaders be focusing on right now? Here are the answers.

5 Marketing Technologies that Should be Part of Your 2021 Growth Plan

To close more sales, you need to generate more leads using the latest methods. These five marketing technologies will help you achieve your growth goals in 2021.

Immigration? Infrastructure? Regulation? Lobbyists' 2021 Predictions

With the 2020 elections largely in the rearview mirror, here’s a look at what roofing lobbyists will be focused on in 2021 and how likely each outcome will be.

Why Business Leaders Need to 'Put Their Own Oxygen Mask on First'

When, in a business sense, you put your own oxygen mask on first, you demonstrate that you’re ready, willing, and able to take your own medicine, to take your own advice.

Why Industry Leaders Say the 2020 Elections Could Be Good for Roofers

With the 2020 presidential election apparently decided, and divided government again the result, industry leaders expressed cautious optimism for what a President Joe Biden might mean for the industry.

5 Wearable Technologies to Implement in 2021

As technologies become more affordable and mainstream, experts predict the construction industry will become increasingly digitzied. One of the easiest technologies to implement is wearables. Here's why — and what you need to know.

What Is Your Unique Ability?

Without understanding unique ability, contractors get pulled in too many different directions each day. That lack of focus causes them to fail to get the most out of themselves, their employees, and their organizations.

Nearly Half of Roofers Report Increased Business in Q3

Roofers reported a mixed bag between the second and third quarters of 2020, with just under half reporting increased reroofing business and about 40% reporting increased reroofing contracts.

Four Futuristic Technologies that Contractors Can Use Now to Up Productivity

If you’re ready to step up your productivity, efficiency and stay ahead of the competition, consider implementing these technologies into your business.

7 Ways to Know You Have a Great Team — And How to Up Your Game

Assembling a great team is the fundamental way to minimize the most vexing problems your business faces. Here's how to know (not feel or suspect or hope) that they have a great team.

Roofing Industry Unites for First-Ever Market Forecast

NRCA, along with a coalition of 13 other industry associations, this month is launching the first regional and national forecasting model for the U.S. and Canada to help manufacturers and contractors better assess market demand and material supply needs.

4 Reasons You Need to Communicate Now More Than Ever

In these volatile times, construction leaders need to communicate a clear picture of what the future looks like and what actions you're going to take to make a worsening business climate more livable

5 Smart Strategies to Make Remote Work REALLY Work

Virtual meetings and WFH will be a part of our business equations going forward. Here are five quick pointers for balancing your “return to the office” initiatives.

NRCA Training Program Improves Employee Quality, Productivity, Longevity

Not only will new hires become productive, engaged team members faster, but they also will know you are investing in their futures with your company and in the roofing industry.

Storms, Material Shortages, Volatility Converge with Market Slow Down

In the wake of two major weather events — the derecho that tore through the Midwest and Hurricane Laura that ripped over Texas and Louisiana — material shortages are converging with a decelerating market and an increasingly volatile election season.

7 Indicators Your Firm Can Maintain Its Value Without the Original Owner

Your goal should be to develop your construction firm to the point where it goes on whether you, the senior leader, shows up for work or not. It has the potential to become perpetual because it isn’t dependent on only one person.

Why Technology is Key to Recovery

Construction firms are quickly finding that technology can play an important role in their ability to be more efficient, work remotely and enhance the safety of their jobsites.

A Worker Tested Positive — Now What? And Other Key COVID Safety Questions.

The more pressing question roofers should be asking themselves is whether they have the combination of HR protocols and safety measures necessary to protect workers, subcontractors, customers — and ultimately the business itself.

Can You Answer These 4 Company Culture Questions Crucial to Hiring?

Today’s candidates want more than just a job and a paycheck. They’re looking for companies that share their individual values and will allow them to flower as human beings as they go about building their careers.

5 Ways to Successfully Implement Technology on the Road to Recovery

Adjusting business procedures in response to COVID-19 may have revealed how technology can help you operate more efficiently. Successfully implementing that technology is another matter. 

What New Stimulus Packages Offer — And What They Don't

Here’s what relief packages from both Republicans and Democrats propose, how they could impact roofers and what industry watchers are lobbying for.

Celebrate National Roofing Week

NRCA has announced National Roofing Week 2020 will take place Aug. 23-29 to raise awareness of the significance of roofs to every home and building. Usually celebrated in June, this year’s event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four Compelling Reasons to Take Planning Seriously

No one in their 2020 business planning foresaw a major pandemic. And yet here we are; our carefully laid plans are in disarray to say the least. If plans are useless, why plan at all? Here are four reasons it's more important than ever. 

Workers Are More Stressed Than Ever. Here’s How to Help.

Under normal circumstances, roofing is physically and mentally exhausting. But in the midst of a pandemic, spiking outbreaks and continued social unrest, roofers are more stressed than ever — and need more support than ever from employers.

3 Powerful Ways Data Drives Success

Many roofing contractors make their business decisions based on their gut feeling or intuition, but that only gets you so far. It’s your data that will tell you what’s really going on in your business.

Why Closely Held Companies Need to Argue With Success

There are a few pretty solid reasons why the worst business advice ever uttered is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." While it may seem sensible on the surface, here's why it's awful counsel when it comes to closely held companies.

8 Ways to Keep Workers Safe — and Business Humming

With COVID-19 cases soaring nationwide as localities continue to re-open their economies, it’s more important than ever for roofers to ensure workers are following safety protocols and wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE)

Roofers Need to Guard Against 'Waves' of COVID Liability Lawsuits

With many states reopening and employees coming back to work, it may seem as though the worst of the pandemic is finally over. But roofing companies need to start taking extra precautions now to prevent “waves” of liability lawsuits that are likely coming from workers and customers.

Technology Held Us Together — And It Will Move Us Forward

Now is the time to take a hard look inside of your business. Meet safely or virtually with your leadership team to identify areas for improvement. If you do not think you can objectively make an accurate assessment, consider bringing in a third party as a fresh set of eyes.

Don't Become Irrelevant! 5 Rules to Live By

The biggest fear for successful people: the fear of becoming irrelevant. If people believe they have become irrelevant, their happiness declines dramatically. Here are five tips to avoid the trap of irrelevance and maintain happiness.

Congress Gives Roofers Critical Extra Time for PPP

As roofers move forward with recovery, the federal government gave a much-welcomed helping hand with new guidance on PPP loan forgiveness and new legislation that extends the amount of time and flexibility to use the funds. 

Do You Need a 'Sanity Check?'

Business is more and more about teams and teamwork, and a leader needs a team of equals. The old model of having a monarch with a gaggle of subservients who rely on the king to make every decision, in his infinite wisdom, is long gone. 

NRCA Training Helps Roofers Fight Labor Shortages

NRCA offers its Training for Roof Application Careers, designed to equip new and inexperienced field workers with information and skills to help them become quality roof system installers. 

Roofing Report Paints Grim Picture for Q2; More Optimism for Q3

As economies reopen nationwide and roofers begin to look toward the future, new survey results paint a fairly grim picture for the next quarter, even as some optimism remains for the third. But those same roofers largely fear that 2020 business will be down compared to 2019, a new survey shows.

4 Reasons Long-Term Planning is More Important Than Ever

The pandemic has thrown a kink into how all of us do business. Even if you had elaborate and well thought out plans, conditions are suddenly different. If plans are useless, but planning is indispensable, how do we move forward?

Purposeful Leadership and Giving Back in a Time of Crisis

Leading a team or a company can be a challenge during normal times, let alone during the coronavirus pandemic. When the craziness of the virus started, this roofer was scared — then he remembered to lead. 

NRCA's Ribble Q&A: 'Major Declines' in Sales, Shipments; Some Signs of Hope

Recently, NRCA CEO Reid Ribble sat down with IRE Business Update for a far-reaching Q&A covering everything from the new round of PPP to pandemic-recovery lobbying efforts to what the new normal may look like for the industry. 

14 Things That May Change — and 3 That Decidedly Should Not

Media pundits — and even friends and neighbors — are speculating about what changes are likely to be permanent. Here's a list of 14 things that are likely to change on a more or less permanent basis. And three things that should absolutely not.

80% Report Sales Decline: Key Takeaways From NRCA Coronavirus Townhall

While some of the top roofers report minimal impact from coronavirus and remain optimistic about the rest of 2020, most roofers have seen a decline in sales. At the same time, roofers are struggling to understand how best to protect employees amid equipment supply shortages while maintaining their business. 

 

3 Ways a Tech-Focused Roofing Company Pivoted to Digital Amid the Pandemic

A technology-focused company took these three steps to make its business 100% virtual amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here's how the company did it — and what you can learn from that approach.

The Current Moment Needs Leaders. Which Type of Crisis Leader Are You?

We're in a period the likes of which most of us haven't seen before. There have been many, many disruptive, shocking, scary, and momentous events in my lifetime, but this one seems to have taken on a life of its own. In short, we need leadership like never before. Which type of leader are you? 

A $2 Trillion Relief Package: But What's in it for Roofers?

As the economic and health severity of the coronavirus pandemic sets in, roofers nationwide are left with questions surrounding the $2.2 trillion “phase 3” relief package. Other industry leaders are calling for additional measures to help contractors directly. 

 

 

A Leadership Formula for Unsettling Times

In any period of disruption, leaders must make incredibly quick adjustments on the fly. They must change how they think, change how they lead, and find ways to do business differently in challenging times.

Combating Coronavirus: How Roofers are Pivoting — and Finding Opportunities

Earlier this spring, roofers were raring to get started on what looked like the beginnings of a banner year. The economy was roaring, and jobs were plentiful, even the weather seemed to be cooperating. Then the first reports of coronavirus started coming in — and everything changed.

5 Key Ways to Manage Through the Coronavirus Crisis

In times of crisis, your employees, partners, and vendors are looking to you for leadership, guidance, direction, and optimism. The following are five tips for how to manage through this unpredicted and unpredictable circumstance. 

4 Reasons Roofers Don't Make Good Hires — And How to Fix that Problem

Contractors are not particularly good at recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining outstanding talent. What are some of the root causes that make contractors have weak, atrophied muscles when it comes to recruiting and hiring, and, more importantly, what might they do about it? 

4 Ways More Workplace Diversity Can Help You Better Recruit — and Compete

Studies show companies with more diverse teams outperform those with a more uniform workforce. And the roofing industry workforce shortage is driving contractors to create new recruitment and retention strategies. Diversity and inclusion are critical elements to this initiative.

Roofing and Mountain Climbing Share These 4 Unexpected Dangers

Now more than ever – for reasons like a potentially softening economy, accelerating technological changes, increasing regulation, and ever-intensifying competition – contractors need to plan, renew, and reinvent.

IRE Roundtable Reveals 5 Creative Ways to Find New Workers

For many roofers, the labor shortage isn’t just frustrating, it’s choking growth. But even in the midst of these difficult circumstances, some creative roofers are finding ways to recruit the workers they need to meet the demand.

Indecision Is Killing Your Business. Here are 7 Ways to Avoid It.

Decision making in many family and closely-held companies is broken. Many family and closely-held businesses refuse to make decisions! In 30 years of working with contractors, I could probably count on one hand the times that NOT making a decision was in the best interest of the company. Why?

2020 IRE Breaks Records, Makes History

Everything is bigger in Texas, and this year’s International Roofing Expo in Dallas was no exception. As of press time, final numbers were still being tabulated. But show organizers said there was no question that the 2020 show broke records in attendance and size.

The Best Employee Incentive Program May Surprise You

Contractors continually ask, “What’s the very best employee incentive program?”  How do roofers get their employees to do the right things at the right time? How do they improve employees’ abilities and willingness to think like owners? We think we've stumbled onto the best employee incentive plan, and so we want to share this intelligence. 

NRCA Offers Roofers New Pathway to Success

The roofing industry is constantly evolving, and as roofing contractors, manufacturers and distributors look for ways to grow their businesses, they also need to find ways for their workers to grow. Labor shortages and worker retention continue to be a struggle in the roofing industry, and NRCA is helping to address this issue through its national worker certification program,  NRCA ProCertification.

Cowboys' Jones Makes History as First Female Keynote Speaker

Charlotte Jones

Charlotte Jones Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of the Dallas Cowboys — a world-renowned franchise worth a jaw-dropping $5.5 billion — is arguably the most powerful woman in sports. And she'll be making history on Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m at the IRE as the first-ever female keynote speaker.

A New Resource for Roofers is Here!

Welcome to the all-new International Roofing Expo Business Update enewsletter! Twice a month, we’ll be bringing you the latest trends, news and pro tips to help grow your team, business and leadership skills — all essential to business success.