Tag: Real Issues Real Answers
REAL ISSUES. REAL ANSWERS: Salary Vs. Commission
Salary vs. Commission
The Issue
This month’s question was suggested by an Illinois dealer who wrote, “With the ongoing changes in business practices, an increase in...
REAL ISSUES. REAL ANSWERS: Managing Growth
As the worst housing downturn in history fades to black, many LBM dealers who have gotten extremely skilled at running bare-bones operations are facing...
REAL ISSUES. REAL ANSWERS: Social Media
Now that most LBM distribution companies have embraced the necessity of having a website…social media represents the next digital debate. Once a company decides...
REAL ISSUES. REAL ANSWERS: Firing Customers
When do you know that it is time, and how do you handle ‘firing’ a customer?
They go by many names (Customer from Hell, Harley...
REAL ISSUES. REAL ANSWERS: ‘Cherry Pickers’ and Detailed Price Quotes
The challenge of whether or not to provide detailed price quotes, complete with individual product quantities and prices, is a sticky one indeed. On...
REAL ISSUES. REAL ANSWERS: Margins VS. Market Share
The ideal situation is to do both — gain market share while building margins—but that can be easier said than done.
While the rebound in...
REAL ISSUES REAL ANSWERS: Pro Discounts and Margin Pressures
Readers weigh in on maintaining acceptable margins while offering discounts to loyal pro clients.
BY: RICK SCHUMACHERCrafting ways to accomplish contradictory goals is part of...
REAL ISSUES. REAL ANSWERS: The Winter Slowdown
Readers share strategies for managing the winter slowdown.
BY: RICK SCHUMACHERFirst, the bad news: Winter is on the way, and for the majority of LBM...
Real Issues Real Answers: The Vendor Advantage
As the consolidation of wholesalers has picked up, where does that leave the independent dealer?
BY:Â RICK SCHUMACHER
Consolidation has been a factor in our industry for...
REAL ISSUES REAL ANSWERS: Customer Promotions
What’s the most effective venue for a lumber/ building material dealer to invest a limited marketing and promotional budget?
BY: RICK SCHUMACHERIn a business where...