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Book Reviews of "Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day"
Richard Korman, Senior Business Editor, Engineering News Record and ENR.com writes:
If you want to clear your head about something in construction contracting, just pick up advisor Matt Stevens' new book, Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day. It is like talking to your older brother who has clamped a hand on your shoulder and is telling you the blunt honest truth about the costs associated with schedule compression or right-sizing your overhead. Yes, this book is full of takeaways and sample equipment forecasts. But where it really shines is in discussions of resource allocations and the uses and significance of CPM schedules. Stevens makes them simple. It is in essence the ultimate, easy-to-digest book about the financial management of contracting for an industry where the younger people have college degrees and the older set don't exactly want to focus on finance. I've never seen anything more accessible on getting and managing work profitably.
There's also a fascinating and tightly narrated chapter called "The Business of Contracting" on the changing nature of the construction industry. In it, Stevens discusses, among other subjects, how most young construction professionals "do not [and did not] go through the 'field' because they don't want to work" in the dirty and dangerous environment of the jobsite. They have "turned construction into a business" in which "craftsmanship is now assumed to be the same from contractor to contractor."
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Matt,
My management team and I wanted to thank you for writing such a great book!
On a personal note, I wanted to thank you as your book has helped me
identify and focus on those absolutely vital processes and procedures that
those before me overlooked, dismissed or feared. Never before have we been
so on point with what direction our company should take.
We have made great progress implementing the processes detailed in your
book. The bulk of our energy has been invested in increasing our "Speed of
Process". It's a hell of a challenge but the results we are yielding are
well worth it. After much discussion we came to the conclusion that we
would be irresponsible if we did not ask you if you have converted your book
into an overall Policy and Procedures Manual, or another similar format. If
so, can we purchase that manual?
I look forward to hearing from you. Additionally, please let me know if
there is anything we can do for you on our side of the Country.
Thanks again
Michael A. Smith "Jr"
Vice-President
Argonaut Constructors
Santa Rosa, California
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In writing this book (Managing a Construction Firm On Just 24 Hours a Day), Matt has done an exceptional job focusing on the fundamentals of operating a PROFITABLE construction firm. Matt's book is a reminder that construction companies deserve to be rewarded for taking on risk and such risk requires intense control at every stage. Any firm, no matter its size, will prove successful and profitable by following these principals and logical approach.
Les Snyder
Senior Vice President
Barton Malow Company
Southfield, MI
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This book by far the best available in the market. Trust me because I have read them all! It is in your face truth and facts. So many other books try to puff up the author versus addressing the issues that are a must to know. Experience contractor's and inexperienced contractors regardless of tenure should be required to read this book to their company president. There is a lot of documentation, bookkeeping, codes and regulations, HR issues, financial management, and people skills that are part of day to day construction activity. This book covers them truthfully, informatively, and in great detail. Thanks for producing such a quality book!!!!!
Mike Martin
Construction 2000, Inc.
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Matt Stevens,
You completely caught me off guard by answering my email personally. Here goes. I work in the mud, the blood, and the beer. The people I work with must take their meds so they can work without killing each other. We laid 36 inch storm sewer in -2 degrees last week in Monee, Illinois. The boss is called "Little Hitler" he works hard not smart. He did not want me to run electrical power to the tank hole to pump water. Three 20,000 gallon Fiber Glass tanks floated. 10 days from now I will be removing three 12,000 gallon ust's and wrecking an old building in Indianapolis, Indiana, on my own. I borrowed the book from the Indianapolis library now I am going to purchase the book and Keep it in my old F350 and use it everyday to work smarter. I am 65 and have not been able to keep money; now that will change. Thank you for clearly communicating your ideas, research and experience to guys like me. Also, I am the qualifier for Highway and Utilities All for a construction license in North Carolina. I insisted that the owner read your book and emailed the title to her.
Robbie Dalton
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Mr. Stevens provides information that will be useful to the new construction contractor as well as to the seasoned veteran. He discusses a wide variety of construction management problems from an academic viewpoint and then introduces hard practical advice that could only come from long personal experience. He provides solid examples of efficiencies and cost-effective alternatives always providing a path to save time and money and to improve company performance. He encourages understanding and use of tools one may already have rather than suggesting new expenditures - such as practical use of spreadsheets with many examples given.
The author has learned from his own experience, he has consulted for many firms of varying size and position in the industry, he has talked and studied with his students, his clients, his partners and competitors over years and he has developed an organized collection of useful advice about best practices for construction firm management in today's competitive markets.
I liked the book, I learned from it and I recommend it.
Ted Baker
CFO
ProFab Tech
Winter Haven, Florida
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Good news, I hope you sell tons of books, I've enjoyed reading it.
Werner Molzahn
Mar-Will Construction Ltd
Delta, British Columbia
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Matt Stevens' book, Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours Day, is well worth the read-time for anyone involved with construction contracting. Successful contractors both validate how they currently manage and gain exposure to industry-wide methodologies of best in class. Beginning or expanding your construction firm? Then this book needs to be your first research; you will experience a reliable reference as well. If you're a contractor, or employed by one, this book won't gather dust on your bookshelf. I personally enjoyed Matt's ability to weave the details of sophisticated bidding and financial strategies, risk management, and financial planning with understandable language that I can actually use.
Michael F. Swanhorst, CPA, MBA
CFO S. J. Louis Construction, Inc.
St. Cloud, Minnesota
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I have read Mr.Stevens book, managing a construction firm and it has been extremely helpful to my company.
Christian Brown
Wayne Brown Design/Build
Morne Fortune, Castries, St.Lucia
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I and my partners have recently started out our firm, we are refuges of the great production builder purge. The knowledge that you have in your book and on your web site has been tremendously helpful and I believe to be quite accurate. Thanks for putting you knowledge in writing.
Eric Dille President
B & D Professional Builders
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Hi Matt,
The review made on ENR. com are all true. Am already starting and felt the advantage of the "book".
Best wishes,
Eduardo G. Ente
President of Knowledge Plus Academy
Knowledge Plus Academy
411 Federation Center Bldg., Muelle de Binondo,
Manila 1006, Philippines
Phones: +632 2426304 to 05; Fax: +632 2422498
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I am enjoying your "24 Hours" book immensely, well done!
Thanks,
Kim Robinson
Optimum Wall & Ceiling Systems Ltd.
www.BestDrywall.com
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Matt,
The book is excellent. It really rings true for me as I am a third generation carpenter who learned from the ground up working with my dad since I was nine.
Now that I am in business I can see why I am so frustrated by the résumé's that come across my desk from guys that learn the trade out of the book.
I just got into it and already it is very helpful.
Thank you for the follow-up,
Karl Orth
Middlesex, New Jersey
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Dear Matt,
I've just finished reading your book "...on just 24 hours..." and found it both informative and sprightly, an excellent combination.
Congrats on the good work.
Sam Florman
Kreisler Borg Florman
Scarsdale, NY
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Matt, I am halfway through your book and even though I am President of a large national mechanical contractor, your book is both a great refresher and a wonderful primer for people entering construction.
Easy to comprehend, well organized and addresses the key issues of construction.
Mike Kotubey
President
Midwest Mechanical Contractors
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Matt
Thank you. I am, as you say in your book, "a mud on the boots guy". In the beginning stages of a start up commercial contracting business. I have been working my way through your book. It has been a great help in the knowledge gap I have between running a site and running a construction company. It has demystified many of the procedures and added to my confidence in my decision to go out on my own, and I'm only half way through it.
Thanks again
Chris Lowes
CLIC Construction
Canada
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I have and it is great! You and George Hedley are my online mentors. Each of you puts out invaluable information that in my opinion it is a mandatory read. Thanks so much to you and your staff.
Mike Martin
Travis & Michael's Construction Services
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Matt:
I get your newslettter every month. Thanks.
Rob
PS: I also ordered your book.
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Hi Matt,
Want to let you know I thoroughly enjoy your newsletter. Several years ago, I took a contractor's continuing education class from you and automatically began receiving your newsletter. Much of the information you present is beneficial to us in Facilities since we rely on the construction industry and associative processes for executing our major projects, as well as self perform smaller projects and maintenance of our existing facilities. Keep up the good work! I look forward to attending another one of your classes in the future.
Steve
Steven M. Quickel, Director
Brevard County Facilities Department
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, FL 32940
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Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day by Matt Stevens is one of the finest that I have read in my 78 years. TAMPA is my acrosstic for performance...Each person must, in varying degrees, perform well in the areas of Technical, Administrative, Marketing, Personnel, and Attitude.
Oliver Semmes
Semmes Inc
search terms: Pre-construction, post-mortem, lessons learned, profit strategy, Making money. meeting budget, meeting schedule, building wealth. Construction Seminars
Posted by Matt Stevens at January 3, 2006 12:28 PM