Articles in the March 2008 issue:
Better Business
Communicating Through Conflict By Ronnie Moore (page 46) Know the difference between false and real conflicts — and know how to act quickly to resolve the real ones.
Cover Story
Acting the Part By Rosalie E. Leposky
(page 28) Southern California Jetting and Plumbing Co. wins and keeps commercial accounts with quality equipment and reliable performance.
From the Editor
Low-ballers in Town By Ted J. Rulseh (page 10) There will always be competitors who cut prices and cut corners. Smart contractors fight them by focusing on customers who demand value.
Industry News
News From Around the Industry (page 114) Putzmeister Names Service Engineer, Telebelt Specialist; WinCan Moves to New Location; RapidView Expands Headquarters, Appoints Manager; StoneAge Catalog Available Online; and Doheny Places Largest Vactor Order.
Money Manager
Running Off the Rails By Ted J. Rulseh (page 22) A variety of common mistakes can keep you from meeting your financial goals and supporting the lifestyle you want for your retirement years.
Money Machines
Big Impression By Ken Wysocky (page 74) Cab-over service trucks owned by Pipe Wrench Plumbing are as productive on the inside as they are attention-getting on the outside.
Product Spotlight
Drain/Sewer Cleaning Machine Moves on Four Wheels
By Ted J. Rulseh (page 106) It can be a chore getting access to drains and pipes in remote locations.
Profile
Still Going Strong By Ken Wysocky (page 54) At age 87, Arnie Schweiss still keeps long hours in his own drain-cleaning company — while staying competitive with investments in better technology.
Profile
Marketing Makeover By Erik Gunn (page 66) Drain-cleaning contractor American Minutemen gets aggressive with branding and with Internet, direct mail and media advertising.
Reader Pipelines
War Stories By Mary Shafer (page 88) Tales of extremely challenging cleaning jobs can help contractors learn valuable lessons, avoid mistakes, and improve customer service.
Safety First
Yet Another Reminder By Scottie Dayton (page 16) The death of a 52-year-old worker in a trench collapse underscores the importance of protective measures.
Special Feature
The Big Bang By Scottie Dayton (page 38) Louisville residents still remember the Friday the 13th sewer explosion in 1981 that destroyed some 13 miles of lines and left 38-foot deep craters.
Tech Perspective
The New Telephone By Joel Smith (page 82) Global positioning systems (GPS) are becoming standard and indispensable management tools for businesses that operate service and delivery fleets.
Tough Job
Maiden Voyage By Scottie Dayton (page 98) An untried pipe-bursting machine enables a New York contractor to renew a sewer while a community continues to function normally during the process.
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