Archive for July, 2010
Panchia :: Wife as a Handyman
4
Our latest client was particularly interested in the husband-wife dynamics of the carpentry project. He surreptitiously observed us from the windows of the house while we replaced his screens on the porch. [ . . . ]
Adventures in Leadership :: Learning about Yourself As a Leader
12July 29, 2010
by Holly Bertsch
in business
I am going to school right now and I have a class I like to call Adventures in Leadership (its actual name is Motivation and Leadership and it is a Psyc. class). We talk about different things in the workforce that motivate people and cause them to become leaders. Mostly, this reminds me of my own job that of a remodeler. Sure, I get to answer mostly to myself, and my customers. If I want a day off, I can take it. I only have deadlines I have imposed on myself really. I let the customer know a date by which I will have their project complete, and I do my best to stick to it, but I always give myself a little wiggle room and that is how I like it. [ . . . ]
Matt Constantine :: Home on Maslow’s Terms (HUD Dollars at Work in FLA)
6July 28, 2010
And I thought my career path as a Social Worker would pretty much ensure that I would avoid Planning and Zoning Boards, permit applications, construction budgets, etc....Life throws us all curve balls at times and my job at a south Florida nonprofit has required me to become a bit of an affordable housing rehab/new construction guy. Along the way I have learned a great deal and have acquired some philosophies surrounding the issue of housing.
I now firmly believe that safe and affordable housing is one of the most powerful services that can be provided to families in need. It's all part of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - how can one expect a single mom to work on critical life issues if she is in fear of eviction every month? How can a family be expected to pull themselves up by their bootstraps (my least favorite saying of all time) if they live in substandard housing and consistently battle with exorbitant light bills and unsanitary conditions? [ . . . ]
Tammy J Dalton :: HGTV Has Got Nothin On Me
10July 27, 2010
by Tammy Dalton
in homeownership
That was my husband's motto when we purchased our 40-year old house. We had become adept at ripping up old carpets, painting walls and doors, and had even replaced our wood deck all by ourselves, so we were feeling pretty confident about our abilities to care for and maintain our home.
We did respect our limits however. Truth be told, we're not really do-it-yourselfers, and since I'm an interior designer, I have a healthy understanding of what DIY-gone-wrong looks like, so I know when to stop and say let me call so-and-so. [ . . . ]
Mike Hines :: We Want Faster Horses (On Innovation)
7July 26, 2010
While drafting this post I happened across an anonymous quote and it struck me as relevant. If Henry Ford had asked his customers what they needed they would have said faster horses.
History confirms that Mr. Ford was not ignoring his customers, simply listening better than most with vision firmly fixed on the horizon. A paradigm shift in the making. [ . . . ]
