Surviving the Game
By Doug Carlton

Some time ago I had a chance to hear football coach Dennis Erickson speak at a local school’s athletic fundraiser. I apologize if you have heard this story before, because it is worth repeating. At this time, Dennis had won several national championships in college football and was in transition to coach in the NFL. He was discussing how the game of football had advanced to the point that every play, both offensively and defensively, was filmed and broken down for improvement. Even practices were filmed and examined to cross efficiency and talent. Playbooks looked like phone books, and the sport had reached a level of complexity never seen before. He opened up Q and A at the end of his talk, and I asked what it takes to win at this level. His answer was nothing short of amazing. He said the team that tackles and blocks the best will usually win. Think about that for a second. As complex as the game is, the team that does what Knute Rockne coached years ago will still win with the same basics.

I apologize in advance to my editor, because the rest of this article is not about advances in stains or colors. No new techniques in countertops or polished floors here. We are going to talk about the Xs and Os of your business and what it will take for you to succeed, or should I say survive.

As I write this article, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has had its worst week since opening nearly 100 years ago. Rescue plans are being formulated in nearly every major country across the world in an attempt to shore up economies. Most of us in the construction industries are asking how this will affect us. I must be honest in saying that I’m not sure, but my gut tells me that as a response, the Dennis Erickson approach is best. This time and this economy will pass, and the home improvement and construction industry will continue to be a major part of this great country’s economy.