Communicate Simply

By Ron Lloyd, President

I have a friend who coaches for the New Orleans Saints football team, and one of his favorite sayings is "why must we complicate that which is simple?" I think about that saying quite often, and how it relates to business.

We install roofing material in exchange for money. . . period. Our customers pay us to install roofing materials. . . pretty simple, isn't it? Oh, if life were just that simple! Too often egos and struggles for power, or to have the "upper hand" ensue and "complicate" that which should be so simple. Is it really that important to be the smartest one at the table?

In Forrest Gump, Winston Groom created the ideal citizen for the modern world--a perfect idiot.

But there is a world of difference between being dumb and being wrong. Think of the most moronic things you have ever said. No doubt they fell mostly into the categories of "I hate you," "I love you," "I need another drink," and "I quit." These may have been unintelligent statements, but were they incorrect? Forrest isn't wrong much, either.

Now think about the most imbecilic things that have ever been done on earth- the Cultural Revolution in China, World War I, building our deep water port 30 miles north of town. Every one of them was done by smart people. There's a world of difference between smart and worth-a-damn, too.

We should never hesitate to listen to a fool about life because life is pretty foolish as far as I can tell. And the greatest thing about hearing from a birdbrain is that we can all understand what he's saying. Here's a quote from a well-known genius:

"The mass of the sun curves space-time in such a way that although the earth follows a straight path in four-dimensional space-time, it appears to move along a circular orbit in three- dimensional space." -- Stephen W. Hawking, A Brief History of Time

Can you understand that? Me neither. Here is a quote from Forrest Gump:

"Do not try to cut your own hair."

People outsmart themselves all the time, but you can't practice self-deception if you're so dull-witted that you always see right through everything you're doing. Or, as Forrest says:

"Some people like me, are born idiots, but many more become stupider as they go along."

Let us all try to simplify our lives so as to get along on a "base level," communicate simply, and be free from complications.

Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Max Ker

RR Roofing was very fortunate to have Max Ker join the company in 1997. Over the past 11 years, he has contributed significantly to the development of the business. Working closely with owner, Ron Lloyd, their combined knowledge and experience have brought about steady growth and expansion.

Max successfully wears many different hats. He is Chief Estimator and a member of the Society of Professional Estimators. Other responsibilities include Project Management of the numerous jobs that we have done in more than 20 different states. He also holds the title of Master Shingle Applicator Wizard for CertainTeed products and is responsible for training and safety programs.

The thing he enjoys most about his job is the challenges he faces on an everyday basis which keeps his job interesting.

Max grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and graduated from Idaho Falls High School. He has been in the construction business since he was a little boy, when he first worked in his family-owned lumber yard.

He and his wife, Cristin, have 3 children: Emma who is 10 and twin boys, Sam and Jacob, who are very active 5-year-olds. Max enjoys coaching soccer for his kids. He is an excellent gourmet cook and enjoys fishing and duck hunting if he ever gets a little spare time.

We appreciate the many long hours that Max works to make RR Roofing so successful.

Getting to Know Tassie Eldredge

The Dale Barton Agency is one of the Intermountain West’s largest surety bond agencies and insurance providers. They are also one of the oldest agencies and are celebrating 60 years of business this year.

One of our favorite people to work with there is Tassie Eldredge. As an Account Manager, she helps to provide us with the insurance coverage and sound advice that we need regarding specific construction issues. Tassie has worked in the insurance business for over 30 years and has worked in her present position with the Dale Barton Agency for almost 8 years.

Tassie grew up in Kearns, Utah, and graduated from high school there. Her pride and joy is Roxie Road, an Australian Shepherd puppy. She also loves to spend time with her sister and two nieces who are ages 12 and 13. They love to travel and plan to go on a cruise to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas this spring. Tassie also enjoys gardening, reading and walking and chocolate.

Thanks to Tassie and the Dale Barton Agency for all you do for us here at RR Roofing!

Getting Things Done Faster . . . and Better

By Joan Simpson, Project Coordinator

"I wish I could stand on a busy street corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours." Bernard Berenson.

I recently read a little book called 175 Ways to Get More Done in Less Time, by David Cottrell and Mark C. Layton. These authors have so many good quotes and time-management ideas that it would be worth buying your own copy. Who doesn’t want to get things done faster so we can accomplish more of the long-term goals we never seem to have time for?

I have selected 10 of my favorites to share with you. Just pick one or two of these ideas and work on them each week. You might be surprised that you really can get things done faster . . . and maybe even better.

1. Frequently ask yourself the #1 time management question of all time: “What’s the best use of my time…RIGHT NOW?”
2. “Sometimes I get the feeling that the two biggest problems in America today are making ends meet and making meetings end,” says Robert Orben. Only call a meeting when it is absolutely the best way to accomplish an objective. Make the meeting short! Most managers say that at least one-half of their meeting time is wasted. That averages out to 5 hours per week, 250 hours per year for each person involved.
3. Do not recap what has been covered for people who are late to meetings. Ignore them when they arrive and keep going. If you recap what’s been covered, you reward the tardy person and punish the “on time” folks.
4. Make every meeting unique. Do something different for each meeting like changing the location, time or room layout. Sometimes the small changes will add energy to the group.
5. Henry Ford was always dropping into the offices of his company’s executives. When asked why he didn’t have them come to him, he replied, “Well, I’ll tell you. I’ve found that I can leave the other fellow’s office a lot quicker than I can get him to leave mine.”
6. Stand up when you are on the phone. A USC study discovered that the brain’s information processing speed increases 5-20% while standing. Think you may look a little goofy standing and working? You would be in the company of Thomas Jefferson, Ernest Hemingway, and Winston Churchill, all of whom stood while working.
7. When leaving your number on voice mail for someone to return your call, state your number slowly and SAY IT TWICE. It is irritating to listen to a message and then have to repeat parts of it to retrieve the number to return the call. Knock out some of your minor tasks from your “to do” list while you are holding on the phone. Don’t just sit there and listen to music or “commercials on hold.”
8. “Learn how to separate the majors from the minors. A lot of people don’t do well simply because they major in minor things.” Jim Rohn Work smarter, not harder. Doing inefficient things “harder” does not do anything but wear you out faster. Figure out ways to shorten tasks by eliminating steps, combining parts and getting more done by working easier.
9. Listen to audiotapes on the way to work. Pick one day every week and learn something. The average person spends 500 hours per year in their car. Why not use some of that time to grow personally or professionally—or to just be entertained. You deserve it!
10. Wait! Do these three things before you leave the office: (1) Clear your desk, (2) Plan tomorrow’s activities and (3) Enter your next day’s to-do list in your organizer. Then go home. Planning the next day before you leave reduces stress and allows you to enjoy your time away from the office.