http://www.theconcreteproducer.com/blogs.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm771748683http://www.theconcreteproducer.com/testing/when-bad-testing-happens-to-good-people.aspx?rssLink=When+Bad+Testing+Happens+to+Good+PeopleApparently the topic of cylinder testing gone wrong struck a chord with TCP readers, who wrote back to share stories similar to the one in last month’s blog. Following are just two humorous examples.Thu, 16 May 2013 11:47:29 EST Testinghttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/precast-concrete/holy-precast-its-a-concrete-bat-cave.aspx?rssLink=Holy+precast%e2%80%a6+it%e2%80%99s+a+concrete+bat+cave!The National Precast Concrete Association’s (NPCA) annual Creative Use of Precast Awards are known for highlighting some of the industry’s most interesting work. This year was no different.Thu, 9 May 2013 11:13:54 EST Precast ConcreteConcretehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/customer-service/what-not-to-say-to-customers.aspx?rssLink=What+NOT+to+Say+to+CustomersIt all started with the phrase, “It’s not my job,” to which customers around the globe retorted, “What do you mean it’s not your job? If you can’t help me, why are you here?” Wed, 1 May 2013 11:18:17 EST Customer Servicehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/concrete/if-concrete-test-cylinders-could-talk.aspx?rssLink=If+Concrete+Test+Cylinders+Could+TalkAs uncertainty continues in the concrete market, one thing that remains constant is the use of test cylinders.Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:20:34 EST Concretehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/economic-conditions/can-concrete-save-the-us-economy.aspx?rssLink=Can+concrete+save+the+U.S.+economy%3fCalls for improving America’s infrastructure are getting louder by the day.Wed, 3 Apr 2013 12:40:14 EST Economic ConditionsConcretehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/readymixed-concrete/knowledge-equals-profit.aspx?rssLink=Knowledge+Equals+ProfitTwo events early in my ready-mix sales career motivated me to learn all I could about the science of concrete design and placement. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:33:49 EST Ready-Mixed Concretehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/customer-satisfaction/customer-satisfaction-who-cares.aspx?rssLink=Customer+Satisfaction+%e2%80%94+Who+Cares%3fPursuing customer satisfaction as a way to become a service leader, and therefore more profitable, is the wrong pursuit. Customer satisfaction is simply the price of entry into the game. It keeps the doors open and the employees paid, but it does not grow your business.Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:06:33 EST Customer Servicehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/economic-conditions/woc-attendance-reflects-industry-optimism.aspx?rssLink=World+of+Concrete+attendance+reflects+industry+optimismAlthough we often look to housing starts or construction employment numbers to gauge growth in the concrete industry, many also watch another key indicator: attendance at World of Concrete. Thu, 7 Mar 2013 10:06:25 EST Economic ConditionsConcreteBusinesshttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/customer-service/what-stories-are-your-customers-telling.aspx?rssLink=What+Stories+are+YOUR+Customers+Telling%3fEarly last week while working in Bentonville, Ark., I rented a car from a rental company that I use occasionally, but certainly not often. I have no loyalty to any particular one as I have been unimpressed by all of them.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:27:36 EST Customer Servicehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/management/who-is-running-your-company.aspx?rssLink=Who+is+Running+your+Company%3fMost of the time, a ready-mix producer operates under the direction of the owner or general manager. These leaders guide the dispatch manager, who decides which customers will receive concrete on a particular workday. However, in some companies, the dispatch manager receives little guidance or information from management about which customers should be a higher priority, and how much variance from a promised delivery time is allowed.Tue, 12 Feb 2013 04:59:51 EST Managementhttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/concrete/world-of-concrete-whats-in-it-for-producers.aspx?rssLink=World+of+Concrete%3a+What%e2%80%99s+in+it+for+producers%3fAs many of you know, the industry’s only annual event for commercial concrete and masonry construction – World of Concrete – isn’t just for contractors.Mon, 4 Feb 2013 12:42:31 EST Conferenceshttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/concrete/woc-products-for-producers.aspx?rssLink=WOC+products+for+producersIf you’re planning to attend World of Concrete, don’t forget to set aside some time to browse through the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall — home of the show’s Producer Center.Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:39:10 EST Productshttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/business/stops-and-starts-for-better-service.aspx?rssLink=STOPS+and+STARTS+for+Better+ServiceIn December, we talked about how to set SMART goals and I promised to give you some considerations on what to stop doing and start doing to reach your goals. This article is about a few STOPS and STARTS to begin the year with a customer service focus.Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:49:23 EST Businesshttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/business/forming-up-to-be-a-better-year.aspx?rssLink=Forming+up+to+be+a+better+yearI felt a sense of optimism as I walked the aisles of The Precast Show/ICON Expo 2013 last week in Indianapolis.Wed, 16 Jan 2013 04:15:55 EST Businesshttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/readymixed-concrete/looking-out-for-us.aspx?rssLink=Looking+Out+for+UsEvery producer knows that operating and maintaining a ready-mix truck requires a special approach when compared to other severe-duty vehicles. A true American innovation, proper mixer operation and maintenance procedures have often been learned the hard way.Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:44:24 EST Ready-Mixed Concretehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/business/announcing-our-2012-influencers.aspx?rssLink=Announcing+our+2012+InfluencersThe Concrete Producer’s 2012 Industry Influencers are...Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:38:47 EST Businesshttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/concrete/starting-the-new-year-right.aspx?rssLink=Starting+the+New+Year+RightThere was a time not so long ago when I would make New Year’s resolutions. And I did a pretty good job of keeping them. Some were easy, but others required some effort. I’m glad I accomplished them all. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:33:50 EST Concretehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/business/changes-at-tcp.aspx?rssLink=Changes+at+TCPOne look will tell you that TCP is updating its digital identity. Our editorial staff is changing, too.Wed, 16 Jan 2013 01:54:06 EST Businesshttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/customer-service/distinguish-your-brand-with-customer-service.aspx?rssLink=Distinguish+your+Brand+with+Customer+ServiceHave you ever considered that you appear to be exactly like your competitors? They hire the same kind of people. They teach them the same things. They deliver the same product. Most customers would be unable to articulate how your company is different, besides the signs in front of your office and your plants.Wed, 9 Jan 2013 03:55:39 EST Customer ServiceManagementSalesCompany Culturehttp://www.theconcreteproducer.com/sales-prospecting/to-hunt-or-to-keep--that-is-the-question.aspx?rssLink=To+Hunt+or+to+Keep%3a+That+is+the+QuestionCustomer acquisition is sexy. There is something about the hunt that gets people excited. It's kind of like dating-lots of attention, communication and messages of appreciation. Then when acquisition occurs details are forgotten, communication lags, and words of fondness are articulated less often.Wed, 9 Jan 2013 03:54:55 EST Sales ProspectingCustomer ServiceCustomer SatisfactionDelivering and Servicing Sales