While I was writing my last article, it was white.  Nice white snowflakes falling from the sky, making it feel more like January than the end of March.  Today, it’s gray, windy, cold and rainy.    What is going on here?  From my youth, I remember that April showers bring May flowers.  May showers and high temperatures in the 50’s?; it must be a conspiracy against the construction industry.  Whatever the cause, it will end with sunny skies and warmer temperatures to prevail.  Even though, Mother Nature hasn’t cooperated, our crews are out being productive as the weather permits.  Which brings me to the first topic of discussion: safety.

Safety

Safety is critical everyday we’re at work. But more emphasis is needed during start up and in the late Fall.  The main reason is either we’re rusty from the winter layoff or tired from the current year’s work.  But the end result is an increase in the number of incidents during these two time periods than compared to the annual monthly average.  We’re all aware of this but an accident happens so quickly that really the defense is being proactive in our work habits.   Doesn’t matter who you are, it applies to everyone because none of us want to be placed in a situation that warrants unneeded risk and that applies to the people who work next to you. Remember they are an extension of the Manatt family like yourself and have families themselves.  We all want to return home to our families at night and wake up the next day to enjoy it to the fullest.  Next…

Direct Deposit

To assist you, Direct Deposit (EFT) was introduced for employee reimbursements “expense envelopes” early this year.  The response was good but until everyone is on it there is always room for improvement.  We’re looking at this as being required effective January 1, 2008.  As stated the main reason this was introduced was to assist you, however, there is a benefit to Manatt’s.  It reduces risk.  Consequently when the direct deposit file is sent to the Manatt’s bank to be paid, the next step is into your bank account and the transaction is complete.   It’s guaranteed and no having to deal with the U.S. mail or other means to get this money into your pocket.  Our bank to your bank is the way to go because it can’t be lost, stolen or misplaced.  If there are any questions, please inquire to Laurie Hash or myself so that they can be answered and get you on board.  Now that wasn’t so bad…..but a step in the right direction.

Ready Mix Tickets

This spring we changed our procedure regarding the invoicing of ready mix tickets.  In the past, we would include a copy of the ready mix delivery tickets with the invoice even though these tickets were delivered upon the receipt of the product.  It may not seem like a big deal but with the increase in costs every business has incurred in the past few years every little bit helps.  What does this mean for our customers?  Nothing really.  Maybe they’ll have to train their employees to get the delivery tickets to the office but that should have been happening in the first place. We were just duplicating a step in our invoicing cycle that was unnecessary.  I would like to thank Donna Smith and Sue McCoy on communicating this to our customers and fielding the few calls this action has prompted.  Ingenuity and efficiency….. Way to go and great job!!!

Banker’s Meeting

Every April we bring in our banking and insurance partners to catch them up on what has happened in the prior year and forecast the current one in what we call the banker’s book.  This year was no exception but we did have several new faces at the table.  They were David Parmley from Bankers Trust, Ron Degan from West Bank, Shawn Miner and Peter Caminiti with Liberty Mutual.  The Manatt family is excited about having them on board and looking forward to the growth of these business relationships in the years to come.  Also, I need to take this time and thank the project managers and our subsidiaries on their cooperation and efforts to get their information into me on a timely manner.  Plus, I need to thank Becky Edelen, Shelly Robertson and Sandy McAntire on their assistance in allowing Manatt’s to meet this deadline.  In short, this was a shining success of communication and coordination at it’s finest. The meeting itself went as planned.  Oh one note: this year’s book became books.  The amount of information couldn’t be contained in just one large binder.  It’s now two.  Bankers and body builders… it could happen.

Well it’s time to wrap this up and start the summer adventures.  What will they be?  Well some are written in stone but fortunately that is such a small percent of the job.  It’s the opportunities and challenges that exist due to the uncertainty that makes a job worth coming to each day. 

So Good Morning, enjoy the cup of coffee, strap on your personal protective equipment (PPE) and have a safe and productive day. That way we’ll be able to do it again tomorrow.