How are you surviving 2003?

If you listen to many economic experts and informed sources, 2003 could be labeled as "The Year of the Bubble." If you are working in a residential hot spot, activity could be booming. But if you are not, 2003 might be the year you wish you'd spent fishing.

After several years of measurable

gains, new construction just seemed to come to a standstill in many parts of the country this year. The good news is that many architectural firms are now reporting increases in activity and planned project starts. Even so, it may take a while for business to ramp up to pre gulfwar levels.

Unfortunately, contractors are trying to balance success in a climate with more cost pressures than just market timing issues. Cost increases are forcing contractors to be more proactive just to stay on the bubble of success. Increases in operational fixed costs such as insurance and bonding are causing most balance sheets to dip toward the side of failure. And there's the challenge of retaining your qualified workforce when jobs start to dry up.

With owners and managers facing all these challenges, this might be the year that separates well-managed contractors who operate on the level from those firms just operating on the bubble.

What one decision or action-item did you make that resulted in a marked improvement in your company's bottom line? You never know who might be helped by your innovative approach to success.

The first 25 general managers and owners willing to share this information will receive a World of Concrete 2003 denim shirt. Please include your size and street address along with the profit-enhancing submittal.

Rick Yelton

ryelton@hanley-wood.com

Fax: 630.543.3112

MASONRY CONSTRUCTION

426 S. Westgate St.

Addison, IL 60101