April 2018
I
the REPORT
THE NEWEST INSPIRATION FOR MY BUSINESS A Tour of Akzo Nobel ’s State-of-the-Art Faci l ity
Technology, innovation, and severe scrutiny on testing is what makes their products so unique. When you get a metal trim or roofing piece from our shop, you know it’s of the highest quality because of the effort Akzo Nobel put into their products. Every single batch of their coatings goes through testing before it hits the market. New technology comes under even greater scrutiny as it goes through multiple rounds of thorough testing before it ever sees the market. Their service, warranty, and quality make it a no-brainer for us to use their product. The biggest takeaway I got from the weekend wasn’t just the affirmation of the products we use, but the inspiration I received for my business. Our shop already has great standards for performance, but if their business can be run as cleanly and effortlessly as it looked, then so can ours. We can mimic their processes and run Central Michigan Roofing in a clean and professional manner. Their management really got through to me, and I can’t wait to implement some of the new strategies I learned to continue bringing you the greatest quality and service in all of Michigan.
After busing us over from the hotel and giving us a safety presentation, our tour was off and running with their head of quality control. It was the first time I had ever done a tour at their facility, and I couldn’t have been more impressed! Everything was so incredibly clean . It was clear they really took special pains to keep the place spotless at all times. I really was fascinated by their processes. Every detail is given ample time to make sure each step is done right. Their equipment was almost like the presentation of a monument. This included their expansion and some brand-new multimillion-dollar pieces of equipment. Their marketing director, Victoria, was able to sit down with me and discuss just what makes the specific coating we use so unique. Using Ceram-A-Star 1050 for all of our smooth metal roofing panels, it provides you, the client, with an incredible number of advantages. It’s the most durable and high- performing coil coating on the market. Not only is it the highest quality, but it distinguishes itself from the pack by being the longest performing product available. Where many other coatings will eventually be replaced with new technology, the system we use has stood the test of time.
The constant pursuit of making my business better recently took me to a weekend expo in the Columbus area. I went because I wanted to better understand the industry and how I could provide greater service to my clients. A big aspect of this was learning more about the coatings we use on our metal roofing panels. Akzo Nobel’s 1050 paint system is a premier paint coating, and I wanted to find out what makes this top-of- the-line. Akzo Nobel is one of the premier paint suppliers in the entire world. They serve more than 80 countries and have been around for over 130 years. During my trip to Ohio, I was able to stop by their production facility to see just how they maintain this standing in the paint community.
– Emanuel Herschberger
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Did you know you cannot snore and dream at the same time?
SCALE YOUR BUSINESS PAST ITS PLATEAU
DELIBERATE PRACTICE This concept was brought to light by Anders Ericsson. Deliberate practice defines how human excellence is developed. It applies to athletes and performers, but it also applies to business. Deliberate practice is a focused methodology of applying directed attention to your issue. Rather than just going through the motions or mindless repetitions, commit to applying yourself to your task. Focus on the quality of what you’re doing, not the quantity — this is key for stagnating companies. By committing to quality work and deliberate practice, your business can create a better product and have a more substantial impact. REVAMP YOUR BUSINESS MODEL In some instances, businesses need to adapt to what is in front of them. This is often referred to as a pivot. You can find new revenue streams by shifting your business strategies. The changes you make may not be in line with the original mission of your company, but they can push your company through its plateau. Many business owners look at a plateau and don’t see the stagnation as a threat. But there is nothing more defining for your business than this moment. While these three strategies can help, if you find your business plateauing, you should immediately define a personalized plan of attack that works for you and your team. Metal roofs are done in panels, which makes installation much quicker and more efficient. With some simple metal-roofing screws and basic prep work, you can have a metal roof up on an average-sized home in less than a couple days of work. We take it one step further at our shop. With our lightning-quick turnaround times, you can go from planning, to inception, to completion in 72 hours total. That means you can have a custom fabricated metal roof go from idea to completion in less time than it could take just to install a shingle roof. When you combine this with the fact that smaller teams are required to work on installing a metal roofing, contractors are able to save an exponential amount on labor. It’s a higher-quality product that lasts longer, is quicker to install, and provides incredible benefits across the board. It’s a win for contractors, and it’s definitely a win for homeowners, too. If you’re ready to ditch the shingles, contact us today. Let us provide you with the best roofing material Michigan has to offer.
While business owners love constant growth and the excitement of success, the defining moment for every business is how it gets through its plateau, when growth stagnates. A company only has two places to go from this point. It can rise to find new success, or it can crash and burn. Here are three strategies to keep growing after you’ve reached your plateau. INNOVATION Sheer will and work ethic can only take you so far. When you need to push through a plateau, one of the most
pivotal qualities is innovation. Finding creative solutions to your company’s issues will help keep your employees energized and open new opportunities. By developing new and exciting ideas, your company will find a
whole new frontier of possibilities. The key is understanding which ideas to pursue and which ideas to let go. Not every innovation is going to be great, but by committing yourself to the pursuit of creativity, you can find solutions to transform your business.
A CONTRACTOR’S DREAM Quick and Painless Instal lation
Metal is a contractor’s dream roofing material. It’s not uncommon to hear about the intense labor required to install shingles, and the large teams it takes to finish a home efficiently. It’s more work for laborers and more time for homeowners. Metal is the polar opposite — the slew of advantages you, the consumer, get from using metal is incredible. But there is one major unifying perk that both contractors and homeowners have when using this material: Metal roofs come with quick and painless installation. With shingles, it may take days to finish a project. Even if you have an extremely experienced team and a small roof, there are still multiple factors that can slow down the whole process. This is because there are a lot of moving parts involved. It also requires a lot of detail work, and this creates the potential for many problem areas. Contractors are constantly hauling hundreds of pounds of material up and down ladders and across rooftops. Additionally, materials can be damaged in transportation, or the weather may postpone the installation. These risks can leave both parties in a tough spot.
Central Michigan Roofing | (269) 758-3330 2
What do you call a funny mountain? Hill-arious.
THE INNER WORKINGS OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN ROOFING How Our Ordering Process Works
Then there are “express orders.” These orders usually consist of a few pieces of trim to finish up a job or an add- on for an existing project that’s waiting to be wrapped up. Express orders get handled a little faster. We start out by producing the work order on a neon-colored piece of paper, which signifies its importance. Generally, express orders placed before 11:30 a.m. will make it on the 1 p.m. work order list, which will be produced that afternoon and be ready for pickup by the next morning. Meanwhile, an order placed before 4:30 p.m. will make the 8 a.m. work order list, and it’ll be ready to be picked up by sometime after noon. These express orders are a challenge, but many of our contractors need their materials right away. We think it’s important for you to know that we won’t jeopardize an order that’s been with us for a few days to process an express order. Our system allows us to make sure everyone gets the turnaround times they need within the means of our production facility. This creates a win-win situation, and it allows us to provide the kind of service we are proud to hang our hats on. Whether you need your products tomorrow or in a few days from now, contact us first. We’ll make sure you get everything you need, when you need it. That’s not just our objective; it’s our standard.
The secret behind our quick turnaround times really isn’t that big of a mystery. We simply work hard and put ourselves in your shoes. This is why we’re proud of the ordering process we’ve established here.
When we get an order from a client, we aim to create a quick and seamless process to ship our orders out the door. It usually starts with a simple phone call to the office. That’s when we take down orders and begin the process. Generally, we start with just a simple order form, which we call “The Order.” From there, we flesh out all the details and begin categorizing materials based on the type of product. Once we have everything situated and ready to roll, we turn it into a full-blown work order. Once the work order is complete, we send it to the different production areas and start the project immediately. Generally speaking, all orders received have a 24–48-hour turnaround time, meaning an order placed at 10 a.m. can usually be picked up by the next morning after 10 (with the exception of special orders), or at the very latest, the following day.
Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli
Have a Laugh
(Recipe inspired by realsimple.com.)
Ingredients • 3/4 pounds pasta (shells or orecchiette) • 2 cups broccoli florets • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt • Parmesan cheese
Directions 1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium- high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.
What kind of lion never roars? A dande-lion.
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
I
Inside This Issue
A Paint Facility: My Newest Inspiration for Central Michigan Roofing
Ways to Ignite Your Business Back to Growth
Metal Roofing’s Quick and Painless Installation
The Secret Behind Our Quick Turnarounds
Spring Clean Your Utility Room
THE IMPORTANCE OF SPRING CLEANING YOUR UTILIT Y ROOM
• Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: 3–6 months.
The start of spring brings everyone’s favorite seasonal chore — spring cleaning! As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected. This year, give special attention to the utility closet. The utility closet houses your furnace, boiler, water heater, A/C junction, and other similar large appliances. Homeowners often forget about these appliances because they are out of sight and out of mind, and this can cost a lot in the long run. Like all the other rooms in your home, this space needs to be kept clean. Dust, for instance, can be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, it accumulates in the HVAC intake and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a short lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home.
• Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: 2–3 months.
•
Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: 1–2 months.
In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!
How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?
• Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: 6–12 months.
Central Michigan Roofing | (269) 758-3330 4
Did you know catfish are the only animals to naturally have an odd number of whiskers?
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