Hi Everyone,
This is not good news!
Bernanke brings bad news to Congress - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The thing that happened in the US is that at least they used the money to build new houses where here in Australia, the money was used to buy existing houses. What does this mean to us Aussies?
It means we have a housing shortage in our most populated cities where renters are paying extremely high rents all because houses are scarce. W didn't use the money wisely! It was a case of those who could afford investment properties bought them and now the credit squeeze is on, they expect their tenants to pay these extra high interest rates so they can keep their investment properties.
On my last visit to Sydney I took a Taxi from Lidcombe to Westmead and had a good talk to the driver. He was a new Australian with 4 kids and his English was very good. He told me how his wife worked 2 jobs, he worked 12-14 hour days and most of their money went on just paying rent on a 3-bedroom home. Without the help of his mother-in-law, basically they would have been out on the street.
I'm sure he's not "Robinson Crusoe" and there are many in a similiar predicament. The real question that should be asked here is "Where is this going to end?"
I sure hope I'm wrong~
Regards,
Jan
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Building Contractors video compilations - By Building Contractors Videos
Hi Everyone!
Well, here it is the weekend again. So the question has to be ~ How did you do this past week? Were you run off your feet or did you have time to scratch your backside? If it was the later, perhaps there are some videos in here that will give you some ideas for the coming week/months. Building Contractors video compilations - By Building Contractors Videos
This sub-prime mortgage mess hasn't yet hit much here in Australia. Yes, some of the over leveraged, over-priced, under-resourced shopping centre projects like Centro have hit the wall AND put a lot of other smaller contractors in hard times but if there was any contractor who had just them as a client, then you can bet they are probably out looking for a job this week. So, how precarious is your business? If you deal with just 1 major client, how 'safe' are they? I have always suggested you have more than 1 client. It doesn't make sense to put all your eggs in 1 basket.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Warmly,
Jan
Well, here it is the weekend again. So the question has to be ~ How did you do this past week? Were you run off your feet or did you have time to scratch your backside? If it was the later, perhaps there are some videos in here that will give you some ideas for the coming week/months. Building Contractors video compilations - By Building Contractors Videos
This sub-prime mortgage mess hasn't yet hit much here in Australia. Yes, some of the over leveraged, over-priced, under-resourced shopping centre projects like Centro have hit the wall AND put a lot of other smaller contractors in hard times but if there was any contractor who had just them as a client, then you can bet they are probably out looking for a job this week. So, how precarious is your business? If you deal with just 1 major client, how 'safe' are they? I have always suggested you have more than 1 client. It doesn't make sense to put all your eggs in 1 basket.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Warmly,
Jan
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Why is it often Mums who have to call a Plumber?
Hello Everyone,
So many phone calls to Plumbers come from Mums! Why is this so? Is it because they are supposed to have more time to do these jobs or is it because the 'man of the house' hates to admit he has a problem he can't fix? I often suspect it's the later. Somehow, mums seem much more capable of getting the attention of a Plumber quicker than men do. Does this indicate that our Plumbers are more 'woman' focused. Quite likely ~ they are often very gentlemanly and feel more comfortable dealing with a woman who has a problem and needs it fixed ASAP. Either way, a good idea for Plumbers advertising could be to make their YP ad stand out more to women if maintenance is the basis of their business.
This also could apply to all tradespeople who's business is maintenance focused as it is more often the women who make the initial inquiry.
If you are looking for some interesting video clips on other Plumbers, go to http://www.plumbersmarketing.org/ or if you want to see some Building Contractor videos, go to www.constructingprofits.com/videos. They provide some good insight both for the home handyman and professional tradespeople.
Warmly,
Jan
So many phone calls to Plumbers come from Mums! Why is this so? Is it because they are supposed to have more time to do these jobs or is it because the 'man of the house' hates to admit he has a problem he can't fix? I often suspect it's the later. Somehow, mums seem much more capable of getting the attention of a Plumber quicker than men do. Does this indicate that our Plumbers are more 'woman' focused. Quite likely ~ they are often very gentlemanly and feel more comfortable dealing with a woman who has a problem and needs it fixed ASAP. Either way, a good idea for Plumbers advertising could be to make their YP ad stand out more to women if maintenance is the basis of their business.
This also could apply to all tradespeople who's business is maintenance focused as it is more often the women who make the initial inquiry.
If you are looking for some interesting video clips on other Plumbers, go to http://www.plumbersmarketing.org/ or if you want to see some Building Contractor videos, go to www.constructingprofits.com/videos. They provide some good insight both for the home handyman and professional tradespeople.
Warmly,
Jan
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Laugh a little each day
Hi Everyone,Yes, life has to be taken a bit seriously but a laugh every now and then helps us cope with most days! And if you think you have a bad day every now and then, just remember how the chickens must feel!
Enjoy your weekend,
Warmly,
Jan
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Has this happened to you lately?
Hi Everyone,
Every now and then we all seem to come across those who love to taunt us. And what hurts most, is that it's often at a time when we already feel stupid enough, right? Have a look at this photo that a friend sent to us and please have a heart for these poor blokes!
They are just cleaning up so how long do you reckon it will take them to realise where they have parked their vehicle? Poor blighters! Have a heart fellas ~ there but for the grace of God goes us.
Enjoy! (It's always good, isn't it, to know we are not the only ones :-)
Warmly,
Jan
Monday, February 11, 2008
Plumbers video compilations | Plumbers Videos
Plumbers video compilations | Plumbers Videos
Hey everyone,
Look what I've found! Plumbers hard at work ~ again. Are any of our Plumbing contractors in these? If you are featured, can you please comment on this blog and let us know?
I have said for some time now that I reckoned video was going to be big so if you have any tips for those DIY guys, now would be a good time to make a video showing them how it's done. Then you can get the call on Monday to come and fix the job up for them!
Just drumming up a bit of work for you all :-)
Cheers,
Jan
Hey everyone,
Look what I've found! Plumbers hard at work ~ again. Are any of our Plumbing contractors in these? If you are featured, can you please comment on this blog and let us know?
I have said for some time now that I reckoned video was going to be big so if you have any tips for those DIY guys, now would be a good time to make a video showing them how it's done. Then you can get the call on Monday to come and fix the job up for them!
Just drumming up a bit of work for you all :-)
Cheers,
Jan
Building Contractors Ideas for Home Renovations
Hi Everyone,
When space is a problem in a house, these pre-built wardrobes can be a really great space saver. Next time you have a customer who is looking for ways to save space and money, why not offer these to them?
They'll love you forever and best of all ~ they'll remember you! With this recession we are now into, customer retention is what will save you and your contracting business a lot of money and sleepless nights of worry.
Warmly,
Jan
http://www.constructingprofits.com/
When space is a problem in a house, these pre-built wardrobes can be a really great space saver. Next time you have a customer who is looking for ways to save space and money, why not offer these to them?
They'll love you forever and best of all ~ they'll remember you! With this recession we are now into, customer retention is what will save you and your contracting business a lot of money and sleepless nights of worry.
Warmly,
Jan
http://www.constructingprofits.com/
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Constructing Profits - Australian Building News - Tag: Building and Construction - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Hi Everyone,
Our new website is now up and running. As you can see, there have been a lot of changes. I have done this to keep you all up to date on what's happening around the world with housing. If we are to survive this recession, we HAVE TO stay up-to-date. What happens globally will now impact our countries because we are a global ecconomy. Now all we have to do is get our politicians to take this more into account. But somehow, I feel that the next 2 years will bring that lesson home to all of us. As I've suggested before, prepare your businesses for lean times.
I don't believe too much will happen in 2008 apart from a 'slow slide' into the doldrums but 2009 after the US elections, and when the new President is sworn into office, it's then I think the bite will come hard and fast.
It is sooo frustrating watching these US primaries and knowing who I would prefer to win but not being able to do anything about it. I can only implore our US readers to make sure they ~ and everyone else they know ~ gets out and votes! Vote for whomever you prefer but please get out there and vote or else you stick the rest of the world with another egotistical and incompetent President. Please realise that YOUR President affects all of us. WE beg you to be a responsibe citizen please and get out there and vote.
Housing figures have slumped around the world so remember that every other building contractor in your area is going to be fighting for the same jobs you are. Look after your existing customer base because they are your survival raft for the coming hard times.
That's it for today folks so go take a look and remember to add your comments to this blog. We would all like to know what you think. Am I wrong? I would really like to be!
Warmly,
Jan
Our new website is now up and running. As you can see, there have been a lot of changes. I have done this to keep you all up to date on what's happening around the world with housing. If we are to survive this recession, we HAVE TO stay up-to-date. What happens globally will now impact our countries because we are a global ecconomy. Now all we have to do is get our politicians to take this more into account. But somehow, I feel that the next 2 years will bring that lesson home to all of us. As I've suggested before, prepare your businesses for lean times.
I don't believe too much will happen in 2008 apart from a 'slow slide' into the doldrums but 2009 after the US elections, and when the new President is sworn into office, it's then I think the bite will come hard and fast.
It is sooo frustrating watching these US primaries and knowing who I would prefer to win but not being able to do anything about it. I can only implore our US readers to make sure they ~ and everyone else they know ~ gets out and votes! Vote for whomever you prefer but please get out there and vote or else you stick the rest of the world with another egotistical and incompetent President. Please realise that YOUR President affects all of us. WE beg you to be a responsibe citizen please and get out there and vote.
Housing figures have slumped around the world so remember that every other building contractor in your area is going to be fighting for the same jobs you are. Look after your existing customer base because they are your survival raft for the coming hard times.
That's it for today folks so go take a look and remember to add your comments to this blog. We would all like to know what you think. Am I wrong? I would really like to be!
Warmly,
Jan
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Global economy facing slower growth: G7 ministers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Global economy facing slower growth: G7 ministers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Hello Everyone,
I know its been awhile but I'm back now! I have two new knees to my credit, am painfree for the first time in years and I'm really ready with a 'game plan' for 2008. Are You? I hope so because I believe it's going to be a time to batten down the hatches and haul spending in.
But I believe it's going to be a particulary bad time for the Building Industry because there won't be much work around and everyone will be fighting for what there is.
Now is the time like never before to look after your exisiting customer base like you never have before. Good customer retention skills will now be proven like never before. With a good customer base you will be able to weather (pun intended) this storm that is about to break over our heads.
As you can see from our new website, I have changed quite a bit about it. I've done this because I'm too busy to keep up with all the emails to everyone so I'm hoping you understand that there will now only be the occassional one from me. But I will be 'blogging' urgent updates or news items to you several times a week and/or as and when I find them and if there is anything URGENT I will send out a broadcast to you all.
If there is anything that you would like me to find for you that is a good service or product, please let me know. I have tried to think of as much as possible that could be useful to you all, like VistaPrint for example. I have used them now since 1997 and am always a very satisfied customer.
As for the eBay misspelling tool, I used it a couple of years ago to buy my daughter's birthday present. She got a natural emerald and austrian crystal bracelet and I only had to pay $9:99 plus postage. She thought I was terrific!! I do recommend using it because everyone who has diamonds or gold to spell forget to check for typos. And their listing goes into a big black hole never to be found UNLESS you use the tool. And it's free to use.
Warm Regards everyone,
Jan
www.constructingprofits.com
Hello Everyone,
I know its been awhile but I'm back now! I have two new knees to my credit, am painfree for the first time in years and I'm really ready with a 'game plan' for 2008. Are You? I hope so because I believe it's going to be a time to batten down the hatches and haul spending in.
But I believe it's going to be a particulary bad time for the Building Industry because there won't be much work around and everyone will be fighting for what there is.
Now is the time like never before to look after your exisiting customer base like you never have before. Good customer retention skills will now be proven like never before. With a good customer base you will be able to weather (pun intended) this storm that is about to break over our heads.
As you can see from our new website, I have changed quite a bit about it. I've done this because I'm too busy to keep up with all the emails to everyone so I'm hoping you understand that there will now only be the occassional one from me. But I will be 'blogging' urgent updates or news items to you several times a week and/or as and when I find them and if there is anything URGENT I will send out a broadcast to you all.
If there is anything that you would like me to find for you that is a good service or product, please let me know. I have tried to think of as much as possible that could be useful to you all, like VistaPrint for example. I have used them now since 1997 and am always a very satisfied customer.
As for the eBay misspelling tool, I used it a couple of years ago to buy my daughter's birthday present. She got a natural emerald and austrian crystal bracelet and I only had to pay $9:99 plus postage. She thought I was terrific!! I do recommend using it because everyone who has diamonds or gold to spell forget to check for typos. And their listing goes into a big black hole never to be found UNLESS you use the tool. And it's free to use.
Warm Regards everyone,
Jan
www.constructingprofits.com
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