Book Jun 01 2020 Creating the High Performing Contractor Becoming and remaining a high-performing contractor requires constant focused effort. For leaders aspiring to this level of excellence, the journey is well worth the work. High-Performing Contractors (HPCs) deliver exceptional performance. They empower their work teams by creating rewarding work environments. They nurture strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with their suppliers, trade partners and subcontractors. They embrace focused technologies that help them deliver greater value to their customers. Above all, they never lose focus on their people as their most strategic asset. The second edition of Creating the High-Performing Contractor: Proven Practices for the Sheet Metal and HVAC Industry seeks to capture new applications while maintaining the basic, sound principles and proven tools of High-Performing Contracting. Topics covered in the 2020 manual include: High-Performing Leadership Planning Your Future Employee Focus Customer Focus Work Processes Management Keeping Score The High-Performance Assessment Model Free to members in the SMACNA store. Buy Now PDF $50.00
March 11-14, 2024 Business Management University Provides an in-depth study of the business practices necessary to run a successful sheet metal company. Read More Tempe, AZ Mar/10 - Mar/14 2024
SMACNEWS How to win the war for talent There are firms that find and retain top talent. What makes those firms different? How can your business become a talent destination? Read More
COVID-19 Sep 20 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Contractors Collectively and quickly responding to this pandemic is the most important immediate issue we face as an industry. The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and easily implemented tool now at our disposal to battle the pandemic and return to a normal life at home and on the job. The following resources will help contractors to educate employees and encourage a healthy and vaccinated workforce. Read More Download PDF Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Aug 18 2021 Human Dimensions Assessment of Top-Performing Personnel This study from the New Horizons Foundation identified the human dimensions (personality, emotional intelligence, and behavioral traits) of key job roles within SMACNA contractors. The study uncovered a lot about the top 10% of performers among Project Managers and Field Leaders. Read More Download PDF
SMACNews Jun 29 2021 The Harder Work: Leading Toward a Preferable Future Without a compelling vision, leaders often feel they are alone and on their own, the only one pedaling while everyone else is along for the ride. It can be crushing and leads to bitterness and resentment toward employees. Read More
New Horizons Foundation Jun 28 2021 Organizational Adoption of New Technologies: Best Practices for SMACNA Contractors SMACNA members are eager to adopt new technologies, operational processes, and business strategies. Yet the implementation of organizational change – defined as an intentional, company-level adoption of new practices, technologies, or management approaches – can be extremely difficult. This white paper identifies the top eight most effective technology implementation management practices. Read More Download PDF
Contractor Operations Manual Jun 22 2021 Monetary and Nonmonetary Compensation Plans The primary purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the monetary and nonmonetary practices used by industry-leading companies. The study has the following specific objectives: Illustrate the power of well-defined monetary compensation plans. Identify the types of incentives most useful for kinds of employee groups. Connect the incentive programs to performance management. Describe the various most popular nonmonetary compensation programs that can impact employee loyalty, retention, and satisfaction. This document is free to members in the SMACNA Store. Buy Now PDF $75.00
SMACNews Apr 30 2021 The Harder Work: Reputation Management and Trust Building We continue the series on the “harder work” of leadership — important but not urgent responsibilities that are easy to put off, in some cases for decades. In this installment, we’ll examine the responsibility of owners and senior leaders to incessantly enhance their organization’s reputation, refusing to believe it will stand untarnished without constant attention. Read More
SMACNews Building What’s Next: Preparing for the Next Decade of Construction For long-term success, it is important that construction workers, associations, and tech companies work together to build awareness around the opportunity that data and inclusion hold. Read More
SMACNews The Hard Work: Developing People Building a great culture is, in part, the result of making hard decisions about finding, keeping, and developing great people. But too often we let the urgency of our need lower our standards. Read More
SMACNews Opening Doors for Diversity in Construction When Fatima Ware finished her apprenticeship in sheet metal construction in 2016, she decided it was time for a change. Not for her, but for the construction business. Read More
Contractor Operations Manual Nov 19 2020 Recruit to Retire Best Practices Employees are one of a company’s biggest expenses — and also one of its most important assets. Unlike major capital costs (like buildings, machinery, technology, etc.), human capital is volatile. Employees need to understand that a company invests in them with a hiring decision, and that the company wants them to stay until they retire. In this publication, we explore the influence and impact of the pandemic; generational expectations; the advantages of remote work ; how to lead, communicate and incentivize behavior; the impact of this shift on organizational strategy and culture. This document is free to members in the SMACNA Store. Buy Now PDF $75.00
Webinar Nov 05 2020 Residential Forum: Leadership & Company Culture This informative session, led by Jeff Plant of BDR, will help you find out where you can have the most impact on your company culture. Read More
Contractor Operations Manual Oct 15 2020 Scheduling and Planning: An Essential Guide to Proven Practices Summarizes proven scheduling and planning processes and introduces practices, concepts and principles that are field-tested and proven to deliver superior results. Free to members in the SMACNA Store. Buy Now PDF $75.00
SMACNews Employee Stock Ownership Plans Come with Both Risks and Rewards Maybe you’re thinking that your business is not valuable to a third-party buyer. Maybe you don’t want to deal with the sales process, or perhaps you don’t have the next generation to pass it to. So, what are your options? Read More
SMACNews Finding Balance Between “Me” and “We” Whether you are talking about your company’s engagement on a prestigious megaproject or a lone service tech making a routine call, all of us have to manage the tension between individual recognition and collective success. Read More
SMACNews Mar 31 2020 Showing Up as Your Best Self The default response for many leaders in our industry is toward action. So when a crisis hits, whether internal or external, investing even more time, even more emotional intensity, even more brute force seems like the obvious move. Read More
Podcast Mar 05 2020 Let's Talk Shop Episode 10 Women in Construction with General Sheet Metal Read More
SMACNews Feb 28 2020 The Importance of Identifying Risks and Developing a Strategy We recently looked at the tendency for senior leaders to stay involved in the details of their organization long after they’ve grown to the point of hiring others. In this issue, we’ll share an analogy and a few takeaways. Read More
New Horizons Foundation Dec 30 2019 Engaging a Workforce in Transition - Keeping Skilled Labor This short white paper outlines the steps necessary to create a highly engaged workforce that will sustain your organization and manage the transition from one generation to the next. Read More Download PDF
SMACNews Dec 20 2019 Who’s Using the Tennis Court? How do you correct inefficient or controlling leadership behaviors? Self-awareness is the key. Read More
SMACNews Oct 25 2019 Courage in the Little Things The grind of decision making can be exhausting. If you kept track of the number of decisions you make every day, you’d probably feel even more tired. Read More
SMACNews The Roadmap for an Enduring Organization Why is it that only about 30 percent of privately held companies move beyond the founder and transition to a second generation? One primary reason is that there is no roadmap from “here” to “there.” Read More
New Horizons Foundation Jul 15 2019 An Executive Exit: A Closer Look at the Factors That Drive Successful Executive Transitions There is significant research on laying the organizational groundwork for transition and identifying and preparing a successor. However, there is no formal set of guidelines for a successor transitioning into the CEO role. Read More Download PDF
SMACNews Jun 20 2019 Culture: As Defined by Architectural Sheet Metal Contractors SMACNA’s architectural sheet metal contractors share their formulas for a thriving company culture. Read More
SMACNews Jun 20 2019 Accountability and Leadership Understanding the dynamics of accountability helps a leader create a culture where people learn to take responsibility for their own work — mistakes and all. Read More
Resource Tom Schleifer’s Construction Company Self-Analysis Program In 2019, Dr. Thomas C. Schleifer developed the Construction Company Self-Analysis Program.This do-it-yourself diagnostic tool offers the equivalent of an independent expert evaluation of every aspect of a construction business. Read More
SMACNews May 20 2019 Saving the Hardest for Last In a construction-related business of any size, decisions come early and often, particularly when you are the owner. Read More
New Horizons Foundation Feb 01 2019 Tools for the Hiring, Promotion, and Talent Development of Sheet Metal and Mechanical Contractors The New Horizons Foundation partnered with lead researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Kansas to understand how personality and aptitude assessments are being used successfully in the construction industry. Read More Download PDF
Contractor Operations Manual Jan 01 2019 Personnel, Policies, and Procedures Contractors can use this publication to create a personalized policy manual for their firm by modifying or editing the general guidelines and policies included. This publication clarifies company procedures and expectations that foster healthy management-employee relationships and eliminates confusion and inconsistency. It addresses most of the topics necessary to provide employees a solid understanding of their obligations and opportunities. This document is free to members in the SMACNA Store. Buy Now PDF $75.00
Contractor Operations Manual Dec 07 2018 Management Succession This publication guides a firm in creating a formal process for leadership development. It illustrates the ways members can turn this potential crisis into an opportunity while gaining a competitive advantage. This report highlights the benefits of internal management succession, best practices, and outlines a process for effective management succession. This document is free to members in the SMACNA Store. Buy Now PDF $75.00
Federal Contracting Guide to EEO Compliance SMACNA contractors who work on federal contracts have certain equal employment opportunities (EEO) obligations imposed upon them that may not apply to contractors who do not work on federal contracts. Read More
Employee Policies Collective Bargaining Considerations for Monitoring Technology An overview of the law under the National Labor Relations Act concerning use of technology to monitor employees and employer property. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Jan 01 2017 Using a Board of Directors, Peer Groups and Other Resources to Challenge and Enhance Performance This white paper offers advice and suggestions on the effective use of outside resources to improve performance of HVAC and sheet metal contractors. Read More Download PDF
Fair Labor Standards Act Compensation for Time Spent Changing Into or Out of Some Protective Gear Contractors working under contracts that exclude time for changing of clothes from paid time should review their practices to ensure that the vast majority of the time excluded is spent putting on or taking off “clothes” as defined by the Sandifer decision. Read More
New Horizons Foundation Dec 01 2013 Strategic Thinking Strategic Thinking is a blueprint for contractors seeking to use the Futures Study to improve their position as the industry recovers and stabilizes. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Jul 01 2013 Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement The paper using case study references addresses the implementation of continuous improvement in an easily understood format. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Feb 01 2013 So You Want to Be a CEO? Read This First This white paper focuses on CEO responsibilities for HVAC/sheet metal firms and other construction industry firms. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Nov 01 2011 Leadership Selection Practices for HVAC and Sheet Metal Contractors This New Horizons Foundation report outlines each step of the leadership selection process with recommendations based on best practices. By taking an intentional, focused look at the limitations of current selection processes, organizations using this report can identify ways to make more informed and effective decisions. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Jan 01 2011 Continuity and Transition Planning: The Changing Face of Leadership The leadership and supporters of the New Horizons Foundation have produced three comprehensive research reports concerning the importance of business continuity planning and execution. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Aug 01 2010 Mentoring and Coaching Practices: Developing the Next Generation Mentoring and coaching can be used successfully to prepare the next generation of leaders and owners, and help attract new recruits. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Jan 01 2010 Exit Strategies for HVAC/Sheet Metal Contractors: Strategies for Equity and Ownership Transfer This report presents the results of a study commissioned by the foundation to identify and evaluate approaches for exit strategies and equity transfer for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC ) and sheet metal contractors. Read More Download PDF
New Horizons Foundation Aug 01 2008 Creating a Learning Environment: A Template for Creating and Cultivating a Learning Culture This report defines how to create and foster a learning environment in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and sheet metal industry. Read More Download PDF
SMACNews Leading Responsibly During Uncertainty Seasons of extreme change always create extreme opportunities. Those who successfully act on those opportunities are usually remembered by history. Those who don’t are usually forgotten. Read More
SMACNews The Hard Work When we discuss leadership with our clients, we are most often talking about leading the enterprise — deliberately taking your company toward a preferable future. Read More
SMACNews Exit Engineering 101: Owner Readiness, The COVID Reflection Exit engineering is about finding a “winning scenario” that allows you to balance work and life in ways you likely haven’t done for years, if not decades. Read More
Resource Secrets to hiring and retaining good employees With a limited potential resource for new, productive and loyal employees, what can be done? Here are some quick tips. Read More