Before I die I want to...

 

Photo courtesy of candychang.com

A Worldwide Art Project Displayed in Downtown Las Vegas



I have a new found obsession with TED: Ideas Worth Spreading lectures (it is an amazing app!). Lately, some of these lectures have ended up being shared with coworkers and management either for new ideas, inspiration, or simply an awe factor.

Recently, I sent Candy Chang’s lecture, “Before I die I want to,” to my boss (the owner and rain man of design at the company) and told him I thought it would be really cool to put this concept on one of the many projects we have going on in Downtown Las Vegas.

Low and behold, there is one outside of Park on Fremont, located at 506 Fremont St., next to Insert Coins. What my boss thought was a local artists concept, we have now found out is a global movement!

Candy Chang created this concept after losing someone close to her. Picture a large chalkboard; with the stenciled sentence “Before I die I want to_______________.” At the bottom of the chalkboard is an area of chalk. Now imagine buildings and structures all over the world set up with these chalkboards, welcoming every passerby to anonymously leave their life ambitions for all to see.

Something that started on the side of an abandon building in New Orleans has spread to over 80 cities worldwide. And now Downtown Las Vegas, a place where people from all over the world and all walks of life come on a daily basis, has its own.

As Candy Chang states, “it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget what really matters to you” (www.candychang.com). Unfortunately, it is often traumatic experiences that cause us to pause. But if you take a moment to reflect on your life; your dreams, your goals, your aspirations, and the people you care about, you may realize just what might be missing. If nothing else, you will be reminded that time is of the essence.

 

We asked employees to finish the sentence. This is what they said:

·       Travel. Write. Invent.

·       Go 200+ miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

·       Skydive from a mountain top (as in running off the side of a mountain, preferably with the body suits that they now have with the wings attached).

·       Run through a jungle naked

·       See the world

·       Get married and have kids

·       Meet my great grandchildren

Right now, the boards on the side of our construction fence are in need of washing, but we wanted to share some of the responses we have received.

We hope this inspires you to take a moment and decide what is really important, what really matters in your life. And make that your focal point for this year!

 

 

Inspiration Where You Least Expect It

A Super Bowl Commercial Hits Home for Us at Nu Tone Construction

Religious or not, the 2013 Dodge Ram Super Bowl commercial moved us. It gave us goose bumps and warmed our hearts with a sense of pride, ending with the quote “to the farmer in all of us.”

To the farmer in all of us. To the individual who invests long hours, ensuring all of their responsibilities are handled plus more. To the individual who is invested in their community, even after their long day, because they see the potential of what it could be. To the individual who is able to create something from very little, if nothing at all. To the individual who, when needed, finishes their 40 hour work week by Tuesday, and puts in another 72 hours. To the individual who sacrifices. To the individual who does not cut corners. To the individual who is strong enough to handle the heavy lifting in life yet gentle enough for the delicate details. This is the farmer in all of us.

“Farmers” are not exclusive to the agricultural industry. Farmers are found in our teachers, single mothers, and many small business owners.

Nu Tone Construction is lucky enough to have an owner that is nothing short of a farmer in our industry. He is the brain behind our designs and the driving force behind our success. His day usually begins around 4 a.m. and ends well after 11 p.m. (if he is lucky). He works 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He is consistently looking for new ways to improve the community that has supported him throughout the years and is always trying to help the person next to him. And just like a farmer, he started in construction by following in his father’s footsteps. He finds his success when both the company’s clients and employees are happy. And he strives to always keep the “family-owned” culture intact. He does not look for exposure or credit for his work (as it is, this will probably get us in trouble). He is simply looking to provide quality products for fair market prices.

The ability to be a farmer, whether in agriculture or not, takes a certain type of person. A farmer is someone who is not looking for the quick profit. Someone who is willing to commit a major portion of their daily lives to the job. Someone who knows what their passion and purpose is and makes this their driving force every morning when they wake up.   

Farmers motivate and inspire the rest of us to be better, to do better. They are the role models that are improving today’s society for tomorrow’s generations.

This is for Nu Tone’s farmer, from the crops you have invested in. That when our paths part, as they will at some point in time, you know you have made a difference in our lives and the lives of others.

The Office

The Game of Conflict Resolution

 

Let’s just say our company culture is… well… unique. As most of you know, we are a General Contractor with design-build capabilities. So we have this melting pot of construction and design, business and creativity.

 

And just like 99% of all companies, it’s not always unicorns and skittles. However, unlike most companies, we have a more… untraditional approach to solving conflicts. Yes… there are still meetings and conferences when needed. But we have found these methods to be a bit more beneficial…

 

The Office Punching Bag: No… we do not allow employees to use each other as punching bags. This is more for individual use. Because let’s face it… sometimes we just need to blow off some steam before confronting an issue. They say you should walk away from your desk (or the situation) when things begin to heat up before responding or trying to solve things. We encourage employees to take a few minutes to hang out with the punching bag!

 

 

 

The Dunk Tank: Yes… we have a dunk tank. And yes… we use it. We have a tally board for employees to keep track of who owes whom. Each tally allows an employee 3 throws on whoever is sitting. A tally can be for a mistake, forgetting to do something, a bet, or to solve a conflict between two employees. It is usually quick fix to a problem. We try to set up the dunk tank at least once a month, on a Friday afternoon, to settle dunk debts.

 

 

 

 

The Foosball Table: This is the newest addition to our conflict management strategy. Our theory is that there is nothing like a little competition to cut tension (or at least to get it out of their system). Employees are encouraged to spend 5-10 minutes at the table before sitting down to discuss the issue at hand. It has proved successful.

 

 

 

The Pool Table: The pool table is used more to conduct meetings over, discuss ideas, talk through problems, and create solutions. It is not necessarily something we use for instant diffusion of tension. But it does make meetings more interesting and sometimes provides the most creative solutions to problems/ issues.

 

 

 

Basketball One-on-One: Nothing like a little one-on-one to solve a conflict. Occasionally, we will get some teams together to blow off steam as well. We just move some of our inventory out of the way and before we know it, we have a half-court out back.

 

 

 

 

We should probably add the disclaimer that if these options are utilized towards the end of the day, they are usually accompanied with a beer or two, which could also attribute to the success rate!

 

There is a hodgepodge of personalities in our office, as in most company environments. It creates some of the best productivity but can also sometimes create the most tension. And although our success as a company speaks for itself, our approach to conflict management is unorthodox to say the least! These solutions might not work for your office. But it is something to consider!

Holiday Shopping 101

Picture courtesy of deviantart.com

 

Shopping for tools was never so easy!

 

After a certain age (TBD by your discretion), writing letters to Santa turns into giving your loved ones hints and wish lists around the holiday season. Or if you are like some of us in the office, specific model numbers, pictures, and places the item can be purchased at! This is primarily to avoid the “I am at the mall exchanging all of my gifts the day after Christmas because no one listened to me” scenario.

 

One of the hardest/scariest people to shop for (hence why gift certificates might become more popular around this time), is that handyman/DIY person in your life.

 

No fear… Santa’s elves are here!

 

This can be a daunting task. But take a few of these suggestions (and maybe inventory of what they already have), and your holiday gifting this year will be nothing short of successful!

 

First, let’s talk about tools. Most handymen/DIY’ers will have some sort of tools. But take note of what they do have. And then fill in the blank with these tool ideas:

• A screwdriver set – Because you never know when different sizes could be useful
• A hammer – this is extremely basic, we know… but you never know!
• A saw – not all handymen will use a saw so be sure to think about the projects they may be looking to complete
• A measuring tape – everyone needs one of these whether you are a DIY’er or not.
• A wrench (preferably with a socket set) – you would be surprised how often you might find uses for a wrench
• A step ladder – not the ones that are a foot off the ground but one that is at least 3-4 ft. tall. This is much more useful!
 

Now if that gave you some ideas, think about also getting a tool box or tool organizer in order to make it all a bit more official. Knowing where your tools are is probably just as important as having them.

 

If your handyman is more on the "intermediate" level of DIY projects, then you may want to look into some electric tool options and some more advanced options to accommodate the level of projects!

• A drill – okay so everyone should also own a drill no matter what! Do you know how hard it is to do even some of the simplest household tasks without one?
• A sander – It’s 2012… not many people use sandpaper these days
• A level – this might seem like more of a basic tool. But we feel most people don’t utilize it until they are in the more advance stages of DIY projects.
• Protective gloves and goggles – Again, might seem basic. But these aren’t the top priority until the projects begin to increase in difficulty.

 

Regardless of the level of projects, it might be smart to always have some extra Band-Aids and hydrogen peroxide around the house. You just never know what might happen when someone has a tool in their hand!

 

And if none of these seem like a good option or you just aren’t sure, you can always get gift cards to Lowe’s or Home Depot as your “they will love this no matter what” back up plan!

Man vs. City Parking

Parking Wars have been declared in Downtown Las Vegas

 

As A&E’s hit reality series, Parking Wars, shows us, city parking enforcement officers take their jobs extremely seriously! And Las Vegas is no exception! Unfortunately, we have learned this the hard way on our latest downtown projects! And by hard way… we mean 11 parking tickets brought to our accounting department within one week, all from the same officer and all from the same job site!

Now, 11 may not seem as bad as you were expecting. But we probably should explain that this is just the one week we counted! Giving you the total number of parking tickets from this particular job would be… well… slightly embarrassing!

 

This is one week's parking tickets! (We usually only work Monday-Friday)

Our employee, who should remain nameless, swears the officer has it out for him. A feeling many people probably have after getting multiple parking tickets. But through investigation, we learned just how serious parking enforcement is. We just wanted to share, in hopes that you might avoid some of these mistakes!

• Parking in any zone that is NOT for designated parking, can get you a ticket. Even if it’s only for one minute.
• If the Parking Enforcement officer sees you parking illegally, even if it is only for one minute, he can write you a ticket.
• If you park illegally and leave your vehicle, even if it is only for one minute, the Parking Enforcement officer is writing someone else a ticket at that moment, he can leave the car he is at, walk over to give you a ticket, and then go back to writing the other person a ticket.
• If your meter expires, even if it is only one minute past due and you are walking out to your car; the Parking Enforcement officer can write you a ticket.
• If you are walking out to your vehicle while they are writing you a ticket, they will finish writing the ticket and you are responsible to pay for it.
• You can reserve meters through the Parking Enforcement office for $15/day. But these must be reserved in advance.
• Calling the Parking Enforcement office directly will most likely get you the same answers stated above!

As you can see, the trend is that it doesn’t matter whether it is only for ONE minute. If the Parking Enforcement officer sees it, he can (and most likely will) write you a ticket. Needless to say, we are currently assisting the nameless employee in attempting to avoid getting additional parking tickets. However, that… is definitely easier said then done!

 

 

DIY - Hanging Holiday Lights Outdoors

 

Conquering holiday lights can be easy... with a few tips!

With Thanksgiving tomorrow… we figured some assistance with the holiday decorating might be in order. Once the food coma subsides, a lot of people take the long holiday weekend to tackle the task of decorating for the holidays.

As part of our DIY Project Assistance Series, one Facebook friend asked the easiest way to hang holiday lights outdoors.

Obvious answer may be to hire someone. But what is the fun in that!! Today, it is much easier to find items to assist your exact needs for hanging holiday lights. Your local hardware store should have most options.

Preparation is probably the key to accomplish hanging holiday lights with the least amount of headache. First, decide where you will be attaching the lights (i.e. along the gutters, along the roof, to the trim, etc.) as this will determine the best item to use to secure the strand (see next paragraph for choice of fastener). Next, it is important to measure approximately the length in lights you will want to use as well as the length in extension cords. You will want a fastener every 2-3 ft. so be sure to calculate how many you will need to purchase. Now here is some of the best advice – purchase about 25% more than what you calculate! You can always return unused items. But being on top of the roof and running out of supplies will do nothing but damper the holiday spirit!

We should also remind you that if using lights from the previous year, check to ensure they are still good prior to hanging up. This too can cause a Scrooge attitude upon completion and realizing the strand in the middle of the roof doesn’t work!

Now for the fastener of choice! When attaching lights along gutters or roofs, use the plastic clips made for the job. These grip to shingles or gutters and have a hook for the strand to go through. When attaching lights to the trim, there are tube light clips or nail-on plastic clips, both of which do the job. Another option is cup hooks, which can stay up year round and come in a variety of sizes and colors (these can also sometimes be less expensive). Most find it easiest to drill a small hole prior to screwing the cup cooks in, if that is what you are using. If none of these fasteners seem like your cup of tea, do as Chevy Chase does and use a staple gun! Start by attaching the fasteners 2-3 ft. apart and add additional fasteners where needed.

The last item you will want to ensure you have is a ladder tall enough to reach the highest points of your decorating plan! Also, if you do not have an assistant to hold the ladder and hand you necessary items – find one of those too! It is estimated that more than 6,000 injuries occur every year due to holiday decorating. For your safety – save the hot totties and spiced cider for after the job is done!

Once your materials are purchased, it is time to conquer this DIY project! Prior to beginning – ensure you do not have an empty stomach. As we have learned – low blood sugar does nothing but contribute to the frustration that can become a DIY project!

Next decision to completing this project is a personal preference. And when polling our office staff – the answers varied! You can either hang all of the hooks (again 2 -3 ft. apart) and then attach the lights and adjust from there. Or hang each hook and attach the light strand as you go along. Again, this is completely dependent on the individual’s preference as we had compelling arguments in favor of both methods.

Begin hanging your holiday lights from the electrical outlet you will be plugging them into. Utilize extension cords where lights won’t be seen in order to save on cost of holiday lights.

Our debate in the office did agree that the strand of lights stays most taught when the strand is attached with a light bulb directly after the fastener in the direction you are moving. This may mean some adjustment to where your hook sits exactly but usually provides a better end result.

Once your holiday lights are up, plug those suckers in!!! Once you have confirmed your project is complete and your energy bill will be increased for the next 4-6 weeks, grab the adult beverage of your choice and enjoy the satisfaction of completing this DIY project!

Courtesy of Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation

DIY Project Assistance Series

Photo from thefrugaltoad.com

Those darn DIY Projects that seem so simple!

We know that not everyone is especially skilled in completing DIY home improvement projects. For some, even the simplest things can seem daunting! And yet we are taunted by the ease with which the stars of HGTV and Martha Stewart complete those projects in their short TV segments!

After listening to the recent woes of a fellow employee (apparently hanging curtain rods is a difficult task when you are 5’3” and only have a step ladder!), we asked our Facebook and Twitter friends if there were any DIY home improvement items they could use assistance/tips in completing.

Ask and you shall receive!

We were bombarded within minutes with a variety of topics! Stay tuned for the answers! And feel free to ask your own! We will include it in upcoming DIY help posts!

Rebuilding After Disaster Strikes

What victims of Hurricane Sandy and Others Should Keep in Mind When Repairing Homes and Businesses

It is estimated that Hurricane Sandy caused up to $50 billion in estimated losses from property damage, lost business and additional living costs. As victims return to their homes and businesses, they are confronted with the process of rebuilding. 

Aerial views of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to the New Jersey coast taken during a search and rescue mission by 1-150 Assault Helicopter Battalion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/Released)

With this surge in construction needs, there are a few things people should take into account in order to avoid costly mistakes. However, these tips can be used in any natural disaster, emergency situation, or even when just preparing for a remodeling project!

1. Understand your insurance policy. In states where natural disasters are more prominent, deductibles tend to be higher. However, some states you might not expect to have higher insurance deductibles in reference to natural disasters will as well. It is important to note that if you do have Hurricane coverage, this does not necessarily mean your house is covered for flooding. If it falls from the sky, you are covered. If it rises from the ground (even if it is caused by what is coming from the sky) you may not be covered unless you have flood insurance. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand your insurance policy and what your coverage entails. This can also save you time filing your claim and save you money in the long run.
2.  Protect your home or business from further damage. It is your responsibility to ensure further damage does not occur while waiting for your insurance company to process your claim. Therefore, you may need to complete some initial “damage control” repairs in order to avoid further issues. It is most important to get any standing water removed from your property as soon as possible to avoid water damage and mold. It is also important to board up any windows or doors, and seal off any roof damages in order to protect the inside of the property from further damage. Many of these repairs you can complete yourself with an extra set or two of hands. Home Improvement stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, could usually point you in the right direction for needed materials and equipment. 
3. Find community assistance when dealing with a shortage of liquid funds. Many banks and businesses understand that a natural disaster is not always something you can prepare for. Therefore, many businesses and banks work with customers to cover their purchases for necessary items. Look in your area for businesses offering help and call your bank to discuss your options.
4. Research General Contractors in Your Area. Natural disasters affect everyone in that area. Therefore, the good general contractors tend to be snatched up quickly. This also tends to be when those “not so experienced” and “not so honest” contractors come out of the woodwork. Do your research!!! Ensure you are following the guidelines from your insurance company, if they have specifications. Begin your research while your claim is being reviewed and processed in order to expedite repairs once approved. 
5. Choose a General Contractor. When making your decision, ensure they are licensed and insured. Ask for a copy of their business license, contractor’s license, and insurance as well as a copy of their contract terms and conditions. Also, ask if they offer any sort of warranty on repairs. If not, ask if they will. Most contractors will provide some sort of limited warranty. They should be more than willing to provide you with all of this information. If not, on to the next one! In most “normal” remodeling cases, you may have the option of requesting multiple bids from multiple contractors. When possible, do so to compare pricing. However, with the possibility of having a shortage of options after a natural disaster, conducting your own research is important! There are a variety of reference sites that contain information and reviews of contractors, such as Angie’s List or Home Advisor. Regardless, in any remodeling situation, always go with someone who is licensed and insured!
6. Always get copies of signed contracts and deposits. Once you choose a general contractor and the work contracts are signed, always request a copy. Prior to releasing the deposit check, make a copy of it. NEVER pay for the entire contract amount up front. If the contractor requests this, do NOT allow them to complete work. As a general contractor ourselves, it is a very, VERY rare case that we will ever request full payment upfront. Sort of common sense I guess! Once that contract is signed, if additional repairs are needed, ask the contractor to create a separate estimate and contract. NEVER allow the contractor to complete repairs without prior authorization from you. This protects both you and the contractor.
7. Never release final payment until you have completed the final walk through with the contractor. This is standard practice for most contractors. However, as owner of the property, it is important to know you are entitled to a walk through to ensure the contracted repairs are completed and of quality. Once satisfied, you can release final payment. However, make a copy of this and ask for a receipt.
8. When releasing final payment, ask for a copy of the warranty information if applicable. This may be a short statement from the contractor or be included in the contract terms. Either way, ensure you have some sort of documentation of warranty of repairs if applicable.
9. Document, document, document! Whether dealing with the insurance company or the general contractor, ensure you are documenting all conversations. It is easiest to do so by communicating through email (got to love modern day technology!). But if not, be sure to write down the date, time, and person you spoke with and what the conversation was entailing. In times of natural disasters, life can be chaotic. But having all of your information documented will protect you in the long run. 



An American flag stands in a yard of a flood damaged area of Queens, NY.

10.  Stay calm, friendly, and understanding. Any remodeling or repair situation can be stressful. But when a natural disaster is causing everyone around you to be in the same position, tensions tend to get high and customers tend to become demanding. Contractors will become extremely busy as people begin to rebuild in the aftermath. But being that customer that is calm, friendly, and understanding of the pressure they are under, will stand out and most contractors are willing to go above and beyond for these types of clients.

Analysts say the rebuilding process will most likely begin in early 2013, as insurance claims begin to be approved. Although many industry experts are saying this will be beneficial to the construction industry, adding jobs opportunities, it doesn’t diminish all that was lost in Hurricane Sandy. Although we can’t stop the occurrence of natural disasters, we can prepare for them to the best of our ability! 

The Shore Store, as seen in MTV's Jersey Shore, damaged by Hurricane Sandy.