Flashings

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Small-business owners show optimism

According to the first UPS Business Monitor United States, conducted by United Parcel Service of America Inc., Atlanta, between September and October 2008, 91 percent of small-business owners or managers say they expect their companies to be in the same or better financial shape in one year. A follow-up survey conducted in mid-December 2008 shows 86 percent of small-business owners expect their companies to be in the same or better financial shape in one year—a small decline though economic conditions worsened in the time between the two surveys.

In the first survey, 47 percent of small-business owners say they believe the U.S. economy will begin to improve in 2010 or later. That number increased to 67 percent in the December 2008 survey.

Sixty-six percent of the first survey's respondents say they plan to keep the same size work force for the upcoming year, and 24 percent say they will increase their work force. Ten percent say they plan to reduce their work force. In the second survey, 74 percent of small-business owners say they expect their work force to remain the same this year, 13 percent expect to increase their work force, and 12 percent say they plan to reduce staff.

"Despite incredible changes in the economy, small businesses still see vibrant opportunities," says Jim Beach, professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee. "That eternal optimism and entrepreneurial spirit in the face of adversity is an asset that bodes well for the future of our economy."

Conducting salary conversations

Conversations about salary can be tricky. Although employees have legal rights to discuss what they're paid and ask other employees to reveal their salaries, these conversations can cause arguments and lower morale. Following are some tips that can help ease tension surrounding salary conversations:

• Discuss salaries privately. Only discuss an employee's specific salary privately with that employee. Be able to explain why he or she receives the applicable salary, and let him or her know of any opportunities to increase pay.
• Maintain confidentiality. Make it clear that you, as a supervisor, will not discuss other employees' salaries. If an employee begins asking questions about how much another employee is paid, point out that salaries are based on many variables, such as job responsibilities, experience and tenure.
• Speak to the group. There are some salary-related topics that can and should be discussed with your employees as a group. For example, discussing your company's compensation system may help clarify pay issues for employees. Also, discussing competitive salaries within your industry may help employees better understand how their skills and labor are valued.

Source: Adapted from The Manager's Intelligence Report, December 2008 issue

USCIS changes Form I-9

On Dec. 17, 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published an interim final rule changing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers now are required to use the new Form I-9 to verify all new hires and reverify any employee with expiring employment authorizations. The interim final rule will become effective April 3.

An important change to Form I-9 is it no longer allows the use of expired documents for purposes of proving identity and employment eligibility. Under the previous Form I-9, U.S. passports, driver's licenses and other documents were acceptable even if they had expired; under the new form, employers no longer can accept expired documents to verify employment authorization.

The new Form I-9 is available at www.uscis.gov. Additionally, USCIS' Handbook for Employers: Instructions for Completing the Form I-9 is being updated to reflect the changes and will be available on USCIS' Web site.

Kickoff to Rebuild was successful

On Jan. 30, Washington, D.C.-based Rebuilding Together,® NRCA's national charity partner, held its 14th annual Kickoff to Rebuild two days before the National Football League's (NFL's) Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, Fla.

During Kickoff to Rebuild, NFL players and officials, as well as community members, volunteered to help rebuild the community of West Tampa by providing free energy-efficient home repairs that embrace safe and healthy housing principles. More than 1,000 volunteers worked to repair 20 homes—including 13 that needed new roof systems—in the old West Tampa area, which includes many historical buildings.

The event's title sponsor was the American Petroleum Institute. Participating companies included NRCA member Tampa Roofing Co. Inc., Tampa; NRCA member Sutter Roofing Co. of Florida, Sarasota; NRCA member Manson Roofing Inc., Bradenton, Fla.; NRCA member RAMCON LLC, Tampa; Millennium Metals, Jacksonville, Fla.; NRCA member GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J.; and NRCA member Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J.

For more information about Rebuilding Together's 14th annual Kickoff to Rebuild, visit www.rebuildingtogether.org.

Details

Tony Spigarelli

What is your position within your companies?
I'm president of Central Roofing Co., Minneapolis; Central Roofing Co. of Arizona, Glendale; and Standard Roofing Co. of Arizona, Glendale. (All are divisions of Tecta America Corp., Skokie, Ill.)

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
Reroofing an enormous and complicated grain elevator complex in the New Orleans metro area devastated by Hurricane Katrina

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
I left a secure job with Volvo of America Corp. in Denver in 1979 to join the family business in Minneapolis. I wanted to eventually be my own boss.

What was your first roofing experience?
Investigating an accident

If you weren't a roofing contractor, what do you think you would be?
I'd be sweating bullets as an executive for an automobile manufacturer.

What is the most high-tech item in your home?
Our Nintendo® Wii™ system

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Italy and New Zealand

What three items are always in your fridge?
Milk, meat and juice

Name one indulgence you allow yourself.
Time every morning to work out at my health club

What's your favorite television show?
Anything on the History, National Geographic and Classic Western channels

If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive), whom would you invite and why?
My parents (both passed away) and my wife, Tippy, so they could become acquainted. It would be a gas!

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Managing change and instilling the drive within our teams for the constant innovation required for success

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I'm currently a member of NRCA's Union Relations Committee and am past president of the following industry organizations: Midwest Roofing Contractors Association; Sheet Metal, Air Conditioning and Roofing Contractors Association of Minnesota; Twin Cities Roofing Contractors Association; and Minneapolis Builders Exchange.

People would be surprised to know…
I have four Harley-Davidsons, and besides being regulars at Sturgis, S.D., my wife and I love road-tripping to Phoenix and back twice per year.

NRCA president testifies before House committee

On Jan. 14, NRCA President Rob Therrien, president of The Melanson Co. Inc., Keene, N.H., testified before the House Small Business Committee on NRCA's behalf about how small businesses can contribute to the recovery of U.S. economic growth.

In his written statement, Therrien discusses possible additions to the economic stimulus legislation being considered by Congress. He urges Congress to include the Green Roofing Energy Efficiency Tax Act, bonus depreciation for energy-efficient commercial roof systems and/or funding for green infrastructure improvements, saying they are investments that would help "stimulate the economy while enhancing energy conservation and protecting the environment."

The statement says implementing these actions could create more "green-collar" jobs in the manufacturing and construction industries; add $1 billion of taxable annual revenue to the economy; add 200 million to 300 million square feet of roofing material installations per year; and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 million pounds per year.

Therrien's written statement can be viewed at www.nrca.net/rp/news/0109_therrien.pdf.

Are you too nice?

Being fair to employees is important, but being too nice can be dangerous. Here are some common mistakes to avoid that may stem from being too nice:

• Ignoring problem employees. If you want to be well-liked, you may avoid disciplining problem employees and hope the employees will improve on their own. Instead of avoiding discipline, coach, counsel or terminate problem employees as necessary. This shows other employees you have the judgment and ability to make tough decisions.
• Having low expectations. If you are afraid of pushing employees too hard, be aware setting the bar too low can result in employees becoming bored and unhappy. If your employees never have any difficulty achieving the goals you set for them, you may be asking them to do too little.
• Procrastinating. If you are the type of employer who, when faced with having to make a difficult decision, procrastinates or spends too much time weighing employees' opinions, you may be doing more harm than good. It is more productive to ask the advice of only a few trusted colleagues or employees and then follow your instincts.

Source: Adapted from Communication Briefings, July 2008 issue