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It's all about communication: advances are improving the way contractors run their businesses, but there's a downside.

Article Excerpt
I recently asked a builder friend of mine this question: "If I took away one tool that would have the biggest impact on your business, what would it be?"

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His answer surprised me. "My cell phone," he said without hesitating. I figured he'd go with something more easily associated with his line of work, like a nail gun. Or a tower crane.

"Nah," he said. "We can't survive without our cells. I'm on it all day, every day." Maybe he was exaggerating, but he raises an interesting point: When it comes to staying competitive in construction, it's all about communication.

Think about it. Fifteen years ago--perhaps even 10--cell phones were just starting to enter the scene. They seemed like interesting gadgets, but they didn't impact our ability to prevent redos or to finish a job on time. Today, it's hard to imagine running a construction business without one. The more I thought about it, the more my friend's answer made sense. Most construction companies couldn't survive for a week without their cell phones. They bridge the gap between business owners and customers, project managers and suppliers, suppliers and office managers.

ADVANCES IN COMMUNICATION

Communication will play an even bigger role in...

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