Contractor Advantage May / Jun 2019

CANADA’S SOURCE FOR BUILDING MATERIALS, RENOVATION & DESIGN

GARAGE ENVY

DESIGNING THE “5TH WALL”

COOL TOOLS 2019

Castle celebrates our 125th print publication!

Publications Mail Agreement #40006677

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Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. is a Canadian member-owned, Lumber, Building Materials and Hardware buying group representing over 300 member locations across Canada.

2010

Contractor Advantage Magazine is the exclusive publication of Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. featuring quality Castle vendor brands available at Castle Building Centres locations.

Visit castle.ca to find a Castle location in your area.

2002

Editorial Director Castle Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Jennifer Mercieca

Publisher - Espress Labs Inc. Dan Alexander

Managing Editor Teresa Christine

2005

Art Director Aїcha Niazy

Contributors Melissa Campeau Lawrence Cummer Danila Di Croce Teresa Christine

by

®

Your home is your Castle insulation • decking • fences • siding • roofing • windows • doors • plumbing • paint • moulding • flooring Ideas S11 Final.indd 1

02/05/11 3:36 PM

2011 Advertising Inquiries Jennifer Mercieca Director of Communications Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 jmercieca@castle.ca

Material Contact Maryam Bashir Marketing Coordinator Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 mbashir@castle.ca

2012

MAY / JUNE 2019 Volume 24 Issue 3

Published and designed exclusively for Castle Building Centres Group Ltd.

by Espress Labs Inc.

About Contractor Advantage

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Meet the

Contributors

MELISSA CAMPEAU

LAWRENCE CUMMER

DANILA DI CROCE

Melissa Campeau’s writing has appeared in Contractor Advantage, Our Homes publications, Canadian Living, Profit, Canadian Family, The Financial Post, Mortgage Journal, HR Professional and Professionally Speaking (by the Ontario College of Teachers). She lives in Toronto with her husband, son, dog and various foster dogs. She also loves a good home reno-- as long as it’s at someone else’s house.

Lawrence (“Law”) Cummer is a freelance writer and editor and has been a frequent contributor to Contractor Advantage, Ideas and Rough Construction for nearly a decade. Over his more than 20-year career, Law has written about contracting and construction, general business, information technology, health and safety, personal finance and almost every topic in between. He has a passion for storytelling and sharing how people can work better, easier — and “smarter” — from contractors to technologists to business executives.

Danila Di Croce is a Toronto-based writer with over 10 years of experience in the fields of media and education, including a Masters in Media Production from Ryerson University. Throughout her experience, Danila has worked in the areas of public relations, marketing, radio and television broadcast, and has contributed to various national publications on a wide range of topics including entrepreneurship, building construction, workplace health and safety and hospitality.

DAVID CHINSKY

MAGI GRAZIANO

JOHN CARROZZA

Dr. David Chinsky is the Founder of the Institute for Leadership Fitness, a celebrated speaker, and author of The Fit Leader’s Companion: A Down-toEarth Guide for Sustainable Leadership Success. After spending nearly 20 years in executive leadership positions at the Ford Motor Company, Nestle and Thomson Reuters, he now focuses on preparing leaders to achieve their highest level of professional effectiveness and leadership fitness. For more information on Dr. David Chinsky, please visit: www.

FitLeadersAcademy.com.

Magi Graziano, as seen on NBC, is the CEO of KeenAlignment, a speaker, employee recruitment and engagement expert and author of The Wealth of Talent.

Through her expansive knowledge and captivating presentations, Magi provides her customers with actionable, practical ideas to maximize their effectiveness and ability to create high-performing teams.

With more than 20 years’ experience as a top producer in the Recruitment and Search industry, she empowers and enables leaders to bring transformational thinking to the day-to-day operation.

For more information on Magi please visit www.KeenAlignment.com.

John Carrozza is a Principal Consultant with Riviera Advisors, Inc., a boutique Recruitment/Talent Acquisition Management and Optimization Consulting Firm based in southern California. His career has been dedicated to helping Talent Acquisition teams perform at their best, and has previously done this at The Walt Disney Company, and consulting for Universal Studios Hollywood and DirecTV. In his spare time, John has dabbled in producing film, video and web content.

For more information on John Carrozza, please visit: www.RivieraAdvisors.com.

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contents

07 News & Notes

The Gift of Feedback: 7 Steps to

Move from Confrontation to Conversation

12

12 Garage Envy

Simple changes can turn a dusty, crowded garage into an inviting and livable space

19 Building Better Business

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5 Reasons to Hire for Skill Over Experience: Having a Variety of Diversity at Your Company Can Have a Big Impact on Your Success

24 Designing the “5th Wall”

33 What’s Trending

Company Culture: 5 Double-Edged Sword Philosophies

38 Cool Tools 2019

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49 Design Talk

Curb Appeal At Every Cost – At All Costs

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Meet the Editor TERESA CHRISTINE

Teresa is an accomplished communicator, copywriter and award-winning Editor with the publication and design team at Espress Labs Inc. For fifteen years, she is also known, recognized and respected for her brand direction and creative instincts and has advised clients in various industries including construction, building materials, consumer and lifestyle. Leaders, companies and organizations have trusted Teresa to uncover, shape and tell their stories, helping to build their brands and her attention to detail, creativity and passion has allowed her to cultivate solid relationships throughout her career in marketing and public relations.

Her ghostwriting is proudly displayed through published content and across various digital platforms and print forms across the country and beyond.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Preparing for this issue, the 125th cover for Castle Publications, I couldn’t help but think about how the magazine has evolved from where it started. Looking back, its progress, is reflective of Castle and the Lumber and Building Material industry itself. At the very root of LBM business is a heavy connection to the growth of collective communities around the country.

This too is true for our editorial team. Coast to coast, every issue, so many have contributed to the success of this award-winning publication. From Castle member locations, to valued vendor partners and the countless comprehensive contributors, the commitment to staying connected and enhancing the framework of the industry is strong.

As we mark this milestone, we celebrate your support and we are dedicated to delivering the latest and greatest product trends and innovative ideas while finding new ways to add value and engage with our readers, contributors and supporters.

Managing Editor

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NEWS & NOTES

THE GIFT OF FEEDBACK

7 Steps to Move from Confrontation to Conversation Written by Dr. David Chinsky Feedback is a gift that anchors your relationships in honesty.

Everyone depends upon the feedback they receive to appreciate and reinforce their areas of strength, and to identify areas for personal and professional growth and development.

While there is no question that many people miss numerous opportunities to provide more frequent positive feedback that is specific, timely, and genuine, the bigger challenge for most people is providing constructive feedback that reduces the wall of defensiveness that often accompanies their feedback.

The seven-step constructive feedback process outlined below offers a framework that converts the typical constructive feedback confrontation into a more productive feedback conversation.

THE SEVEN-STEP PROCESS STEP 1: DESCRIBE THE PERFORMANCE PROBLEM

Employees (or colleagues or bosses) must first understand the problem that you’re experiencing with them before they can be expected to improve. In this step, you should describe the actual performance and/or behavior and contrast it with the expected performance. To begin, simply describe the problem in a sentence or two. Remain as objective as possible and stick to one point—do not talk about multiple performance issues in the same feedback discussion.

Here’s an example: “Tom, I’d like to talk with you because I’ve noticed that you’ve been late to four of our last five meetings.”

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News & Notes

That’s it. If you can’t describe the performance problem in 30 seconds or less, you don’t know what the problem is yourself.

In Step 1, state the performance problem in a concise, simple-to-understand fashion. There should be no ambiguity as to why you’re having this conversation.

STEP 2: EXPLAIN THE IMPACT

During the typical feedback discussion, leaders often jump from the description of the problem directly to the development of an action plan. They want to know immediately what the employee is going to do to resolve the problem. To assure meaningful feedback conversations, employees must know how their behavior is impacting others. In this step, convey the unacceptable impact of the behavior, or the unacceptable performance, on colleagues, the organization and perhaps even

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the individual himself or herself.

Let’s go back to the previous example of Tom being late to meetings, as described in Step 1 above.

Step 2 would continue the conversation with: “When you are late, it causes us to have to stop what we’re doing while everyone acknowledges your late arrival, and this interrupts the momentum of our meeting and lowers our productivity.”

This second step is very important because many times the employee doesn’t even realize his behavior is causing a negative impact. If you don’t describe how his behavior affects others, he might quickly dismiss the problem, saying something like, “Yeah, so what’s your point? A lot of other people are late, too.”

So, rather than just talking about the problem of being late, help him understand the impact he’s having by being late. It’s not just the lateness you’re talking about, it’s the diminished

News & Notes

productivity, the lack of momentum, the interruption—and some might even say it’s the dishonoring of the punctuality of the other people who arrived on time.

Here’s another example, incorporating both Steps 1 and 2: “Jen, I wanted to talk with you today because I’ve noticed that you are the first to dismiss the ideas of other members of our team. Before you ask questions and try to understand someone else’s position, you immediately go on the attack.”

That’s the problem, or Step 1, in 30 seconds or less.

The impact might be stated as follows, in 30 seconds or less: “When you are so quick to judge, it causes other members of the team to withdraw and withhold their input because they are afraid that when they speak you’re going to cut them off or give all the reasons why their idea is stupid. This works against the environment I’m trying to create where everyone feels comfortable sharing their unique perspectives.”

STEP 3: IDENTIFY THE CAUSE

Once you have described the problem and explained the impact, then you can work with the employee to identify the cause of the performance problem you described in Step 1.

Don’t jump in and immediately propose what you believe is causing the problem. Let the employee take the lead here. Your job is to ask one good open-ended question that invites him to think about what might be causing his lateness—or what might be preventing her from listening before she shoots down a teammate’s idea.

The goal with this step is to develop a shared understanding about the situation and to identify causes of performance problems. Encourage the employee to discuss the performance from his or her point of view. Once you’ve asked your one open-ended Step 3 question, such as “What’s preventing you from getting to our meetings on time?” or “What is pre-

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News & Notes

venting you from asking questions first before becoming critical of others’ ideas?”, your job is to let “silence do the heavy lifting”.

Do not give in to the temptation of answering this question for the other person. What you think may be causing the problem is not always the case.

STEP 4: DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN

You will develop a more meaningful action plan once you’ve clearly described the problem, explained the impact and identified the cause. If you simply leap from performance problem to action plan, you’ll miss out on a lot of conversation that might help to customize the specific elements of an action plan.

In Step 4, you’re looking for the employee to tell you what he

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will commit to doing differently to ensure he’s able to get to meetings on time or what she will do to take time to listen first to her colleagues’ ideas before jumping in and being negative.

Step 4 leads to the identification of a solution, a time table for any follow-up actions and an action plan that is specific and measurable.

STEP 5: CONFIRM UNDERSTANDING

Before the conversation ends, ensure that both you and your employee are on the same page. This is an opportunity for you or the employee to summarize what was discussed, who has agreed to what, and when you expect these changes to occur.

If there is any disconnect, you can identify it and resolve

News & Notes

it during Step 5—not two weeks or a month down the road when you expect something to be done and then realize you misunderstood each other.

STEP 6: DOCUMENT THE CONVERSATION

Take a few minutes to document the conversation, even if this is the first time you’ve had to talk with an employee about an issue—and certainly if it’s the second time you’re having the same conversation. When you document the conversation you’ve had, you’ll have the information available should this develop into a more serious performance management issue.

STEP 7: FOLLOW UP TO ENSURE SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE

More than likely, you or your employee will make some kind of commitment during the feedback conversation. It’s incredibly

important to follow up on these commitments. This helps you determine if the employee has actually improved or changed behavior. Your efforts are wasted if you don’t take the time to follow up as needed.

When these seven steps are performed in the order in which they are presented above, you will engage more confidently and effectively when the need arises to provide constructive feedback. In about a minute or less, you will have set up the conversation by describing the problem, explaining the impact and asking one good question to turn the conversation over to the person receiving your feedback.

This will ensure that you maintain control of the beginning of these conversations when others may attempt to derail your efforts or move you off point.—

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GARAGE ENVY Simple changes can turn a dusty, crowded garage into an inviting and livable space.

Written by Melissa Campeau

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Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft

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ENGINEERED FOR EVERY NEED Our Contemporary series offers the look, feel and texture of real wood without the maintenance issues. The door’s clean finish fills a growing demand for designer inspired products and offers uncompromising durability and function.

For a complete list of products visit Steel-Craft.ca

100% CANADIAN

Feature Story: Garage Envy

Unless they’re NASCAR mechanics, outfitting a state-of-the art garage probably hasn’t been at the top of most homeowners’ to-do lists. Until recently, that is. With the proliferation of high-tech gadgetry and a widening market of easy-to-use products, tricking out a garage is becoming increasingly appealing to a growing number of people.

Tenderenda says customers are choosing modern designs much of the time and have shown a particular interest in the company’s product lines with anodized aluminum or powdered-coat colours—a trend she predicts will continue throughout the year.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

A show-stopping garage door, of course, deserves an equally well-made opener. Chamberlain, for example, offers top-of-the-line openers with a few advantages. First, with motors moved to the wall rather than the ceiling, there’s now room overhead for more storage. Next, the whole house doesn’t have to shake (or wake) when a garage door opens, since noise and vibrations are reduced when the unit is on a wall.

There’s also a “power lock” feature that mounts to the track and provides improved security since the door can’t be forced

A high-impact garage door hints at more great things inside.

No longer an afterthought, homeowners are opting for doors that are both durable and stylish. “We’ve noticed the residential industry continues to move towards deep colour tones with woodgrain finishes,” says Cara Tenderenda, Director of Communications, Steel-Craft Door Products. She says natural tones—including walnut and cedar woodgrains—as well as a deep charcoal shade with a reflective coating have been particularly in demand.

NEXT LEVEL TECH

Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE MAY / JUNE 2019

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Feature Story: Garage Envy

Photo courtesy of Stinson

open like with overhead-mounted units. Bonus: it can be connected to the Internet and controlled by any smartphone with the company’s app.

The company’s products also feature a backup battery so the unit will work even in a blackout, ultra-quiet belt drives, and an optional LED lighting system.

ORGANIZATION TO THE RESCUE

Even the newest garage door and coolest tech can’t make a space that’s messy and cluttered feel inviting. That’s where an organizational product can be a room-saver. “We bring value to homeowners by helping them consolidate their things,” says Asher Perez, President of Toolway and makers of Stinson organizational products. “We offer track systems with traditional hooks and brackets, slot boards and pegboards—a range of different sets that can help them organize and store all their gear in an efficient manner.”

One Stinson kit, for example, offers storage solutions for a wide range of families’ typical sports equipment, including

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biking, baseball, football, golf, tennis and skiing. The company anticipates new products out this spring that will enable overhead storage, as well, to safely and easily make the most of smaller spaces.

TOP (NOTCH) COATS

One final touch—that plenty might miss—is a properly painted and coated floor. It might seem excessive—it’s just a gray, oil-stained slab of concrete under a car, after all—but giving your garage floor a good-quality finish can pay off in ways you might not imagine.

“First of all, it helps keep your garage and cars clean,” says Kristen Nicol, Senior Brand Manager at Rust-Oleum Canada.

“As concrete is in a continual state of breaking down, dust particles are constantly landing on your car and everything else in the garage. Coating the floor will stop dust in its tracks.” That also means there’s less dust and dirt tracked inside, too.

“A coated floor is super-easy to keep clean,” adds Nicol.

Even though concrete seems like a hard surface it’s actually

Feature Story: Garage Envy

very porous. “When oil or some other fluid drips, it soaks into you need to complete the project,” Nicol says. “If you can paint the surface creating a permanent stain. If the floor is coated, a wall, you can paint a floor.” drips and spills wipe right off,” says Nicol.

And of course, a gleaming, glossy, colorful floor will make BONUS LIVING SPACE your garage look bigger and more polished.

Ultimately, whether homeowners decide to paint a floor, organRustoleum offers a wide range of products that make it easy ize sports gear or install a new door and opener, they’re creatfor DIYers to get a professional finish—for ing a space that’s more livable and inviting. less—in just a weekend. RockSolid, for “This product is simple to “For so many homeowners, the garage has example, is an industrial strength coating an extension of their living space,” use and the kit contains become that’s easy to apply and leaves a showroom says Nicol. “It’s become the workshop, home everything you need to gym or extra space for family parties.” With quality floor that can be driven on in just 24 hours. It’s flexible so it prevents cracking, is complete the project” a little care, attention and thoughtful de20 times stronger than epoxy and comes in sign, that once-neglected room can become a variety of colors including a gleaming metallic. an appealing and comfortable spot for the family, partygoers “This product is simple to use and the kit contains everything and yes, even a NASCAR mechanic.—

Photo courtesy of Rustoleum CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE MAY / JUNE 2019

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BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

5 REASONS TO HIRE FOR SKILL OVER EXPERIENCE Having a Variety of Diversity at Your Company Can Have a Big Impact on Your Success Written by John Carrozza When hiring a new person into your organization, it’s very likely that you will review their resume, CV or professional profile and assess how their experience might apply to what your team needs.

This is a very logical approach to assessing talent, however, when you look at how quickly the skills to perform each role are changing, only looking at past experience could leave you with a big skill gap. Hiring someone for their skills is a much safer, and longer-term bet, but it’s hard to change how you may have been looking at talent.

There are many news headlines that share the warnings; we have enough bodies to fill the roles, but skills development is not keeping up with the demands

of today’s businesses and tomorrow’s innovation. Even if unemployment rates are high, it does not mean you will have more available talent that your business needs. Hiring for skills means that your workforce is better prepared for changes your business may need to take in the future and are likely more adaptable to the future organization you are starting to envision.

To make sure you are not only attracting the best candidates, but know who they are when they’re right in front of you, here are five ways to approach hiring for skill: 1. DON’T GET TOO CAUGHT UP WITH ‘FIT’.

Hiring for culture is extremely import-

ant, there is no debating that. However, hiring for what ‘fits’ today is extremely limiting. Think about where your business will be in 3-5 years and look at fit at that point. Every area of your business is likely evolving; make sure your talent acquisition activities are too.

2. AVOID THE SHINY PEDIGREE APPEAL.

Many organizations today focus too heavily on sourcing efforts that target candidates with “pedigree appeal”— impressive or prestigious credentials or educational or employment backgrounds. In fact, these days it takes precedence over the thorough investigation your team should be doing to understand if candidates have the skills

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Building Better Business

needed to do their job today and tomorrow. Make sure you are still using some good old-fashioned interviewing and assessment skills to learn what these candidates gained from their prestigious experience!

3. LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY, DON’T FULLY RELY ON IT.

There are amazing tools today to search resumes for key words that can help you create a shortlist of candidates. Where the technology cannot take you any further is uncovering why/when/how do people entertain new career opportunities, and what they need or want

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before you start selling the job and the organization. Be sure to learn a person’s aspirations for growing their career and constantly enhancing their skill set.

4. SHARPEN YOUR ASSESSMENT SKILLS.

Further to #2, knowing how to effectively assess candidates for desired skill sets based on prior accomplishments and results, and to coach hiring managers to do the same. Think about the skills the candidate has demonstrated and get an understanding of what they learned from their experience. You can do this by actively listening and interpreting for understanding, not just responding.

5. LEARN THE STORY OF THE SKILLS.

Know where the value lies in the story of their experience and with at least two skill-based questions (with follow-ups) for each attractive experiential accomplishment in their background, you can get to the story of the skills. Coaching your team who participate in the interview process can help them put the skills in the proper context. An example of a skill-based question could be, “How did you build the skills you needed after a setback?”

Previous approaches may have had you looking for top commercial or consumer brands, or top international

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Building Better Business

schools on a resume. Many have assumed that if they survived a period at that school, or at that employer, they would automatically be able to deliver what is needed in a particular role. Skillbased hiring has you looking for stories with keywords like: ability to communicate, learning new systems, managing relationships, interpreting situations, forming new ideas, strategic thinking, and respecting others’ input.

Many of these things are much harder to teach, change, or develop in candidates regardless of the industry they

come from. These are the solid skills that can make an immediate impact and fit in with your culture, today and in the future. For consistency across all your interviews, a scoring tool to identify where the greatest added value would be, where the growth opportunity for each candidate lies and what your recommendations are can be a helpful way to later review the talent available to you.

Having a strong understanding of what you need each role to bring to your team today—and how their role may quickly evolve—will help you find

strong candidates. These will turn into fantastic employees who are adaptable and will help bring your organization into the future. It may be tough at first to be able to evaluate experience and then go beyond that to focus on skills.

Know that getting a start on this will give you a competitive edge as the battle to attract, develop, and retain your talent heats up.—

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DESIGNING THE “5TH WALL” Written by Danila Di Croce

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Photo courtesy of CGC Ceilings

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Feature Story: Designing the “5th Wall”

Things are “looking up,” literally, when it comes to the latest interior design trends for 2019. Whether in home or commercial design, ceilings are garnering a lot of attention, as they become one of the newest areas to infuse personality and character into a space.

Similar to the buzz in the 1920s over ornate molded tin ceilings, individuals are excited to make a statement with their “5th wall,” using a variety of materials, colours and designs. As Mike Bielak, Director, Business Development — Ceilings Canada, at CertainTeed Ceilings, Saint-Gobain, explains, “There has been a shift away from commodity, and more of a movement towards aesthetic elements. For example, architecturally, there has been the shift to include an artistic ceiling, or ‘specialty type of ceiling.’ Some choose a design

element that gives an acoustic quality, while others pick a style simply for the design element.”

Jay McBurney, Product Manager at CGC Ceilings, finds similar trends in the market, “For residential applications there is a clear trend towards a ceiling panel that makes a design statement for the space.” The trend is found in commercial spaces as well. He explains, “in [these] spaces there is a trend toward making the space both functional and visually appealing so that the occupants are both comfortable and productive.” As such, products are being developed to meet these demands. For example, McBurney describes that, “CGC Ceiling’s, USG Mars High NRC High CAC provide building owners with an acoustical ceiling that not only looks great, but also provides excellent sound absorption and attenuation,

Photo courtesy of CGC Ceilings CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE MAY / JUNE 2019

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Feature Story: Designing the “5th Wall”

Photo courtesy of CertainTeed

as well as a very high light reflectance that minimizes the amount of light required for the space.”

Bielak especially notes that in commercial spaces, it is all about sprucing up the common areas. “They are putting specialty design into the lobbies of buildings, as well as the board rooms,” he states. In order to create such innovative designs, a variety of materials are being sourced; McBurney explains, “in commercial applications we have seen an increase in demand for our metal, wood and translucent ceiling products. For example, customers can combine the natural wood look, with acoustics, fire safety and accessibility found in CGC Celebration or Panz metal panels in our attractive wood tone finishes.”

When it comes to high-rise residential, the trend is similar, “People want to live in specialty buildings,” explains Bielak.

“As a result, specialty designs are being placed in lobbies,

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whether for acoustical or aesthetic purposes, to help attract the customers.” Another trend on the rise are buildings that offer work, live, play features; as such, unique ceilings are a major focus in the common areas of such structures.

Although consumers’ focus has shifted to the aesthetic quality of a design, it doesn’t mean they don’t care about the sound quality of the products used in their space. For example, with the rise of open concept style workplaces, it has become imperative to choose acoustic panels with a high Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC); in other words, panels that have a high ability to absorb sound energy. Meanwhile, in the traditional closed office space, one must consider the Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) of a product, which measures the ceiling panel’s ability to reduce sound transfer from areas that are adjacent to each other.

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Look for Johns Manville insulation in your local Castle, or specify with a contractor.

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All Rights CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE MAY / JUNE 2019 Reserved.

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Feature Story: Designing the “5th Wall”

With open concept now a common trend in residential homes Bielak confirms the impact of height, as he states, “when indias well, consumers need to consider the implications of such viduals are considering a wood beam design for example, they a design. Bielak warns that, “individuals need to be mindful of need to consider the fact that they will need a taller ceiling for the fact that once you knock down walls, and that type of aesthetic quality.” “the open concept sound is hitting tile floors, hard wood floors Meanwhile, in basement design where and general trends and hard walls, it will travel.” As a result, the ceilings are typically lower and one “the open concept and general trends [in resi- [in residential design] usually prefers access to utilities, it is best dential design] are toward higher performing to opt for a panel design. “Our panels come are toward higher acoustical ceilings,” McBurney explains. in all designs, even smooth texture, that are Another factor to consider in residen- performing acoustical bright and white - which is right on trend,” tial design is the height of the ceiling. For explain Bielak. What’s more, with a variety ceilings” instance, as McBurney explains, “ceiling of products available, consumers have the height affects the visual aesthetics of the ceiling and could ability to fit their design needs to their budget. McBurney broaden the ceiling tile selections that are being considered.” describes, “all acoustical panels, whether they are on the low

Photo courtesy of CGC Ceilings

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Feature Story: Designing the “5th Wall”

Photo courtesy of CertainTeed

or high end of the portfolio, are a great choice for home renovations because they are inexpensive to the entire project. All CGC ceiling panels install with ease regardless of their cost or performance, and provide ease of access to the area above the ceiling if it is ever needed.”

Today, with outdoor living design becoming an extension of the home, it is important to also consider what products are best suited for such an environment. “CertainTeed Ceilings has wonderful systems that can be applied to the exterior of a home,” explains Bielak. “For example, certain selections from our Hunter Douglas product line would be the best choice for an outdoor space.”

Outdoor concepts are equally important in commercial developments, where trends are showcasing a marriage between interior and exterior designs. As Bielak explains, “commercial applications are opting for a continuous flow through the lobby into the outdoor area, for instance, if a lobby has an overhang area.”

With the “5th wall” creating quite a stir, it is definitely another element to consider when designing both commercial and residential spaces. With enough variety in both aesthetic and acoustic designs the possibilities in creating a statement design that performs well, are endless.—

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WHAT’S TRENDING

COMPANY CULTURE

5 Double-Edged Sword Philosophies Written by Magi Graziano

Most of us spend the majority of our time at the office or actively working for a company/organization. Whether we are conscious to it or not, the culture of an organization can make or break how we feel about that organization and our place in it.

While most awake and aware leaders say they want a constructive culture, many are uncertain of what it really takes to shape it. Consequently, these executives and managers unintentionally lead their people toward the fatal, destructive side of the culture coin. They do this by buying into five double-edged sword philosophies: Winning above all else, commanding and controlling, opposing others, pursuing perfection, and keeping the peace. These philosophies will undermine your mission to craft a constructive corporate culture.

1. WINNING ABOVE ALL ELSE

Winning is an incredibly powerful motivator. The desire to

win can move mountains and bring in profits, however, when the need to win overwrites better judgement, fragments and erodes core values, runs over people, and leads people to the brink of exhaustion, it must be called out and new behaviors that promote and inspire must be integrated into the culture.

In pursuit of results above all else can cost of relationships, health and wellness, trust, quality and safety.

Inside competitive work cultures, members are often expected to operate in a “win-lose” framework, outperform peers, and work against (rather than with) their coworkers. What begins with a healthy race often devolves into unproductive dog-eat-dog internal workplace behavior.

A once healthy desire to “beat the competition” gone unchecked, very often, creates opportunities for unproductive behavior and perpetuating neural pathways and automatic ways of thinking and being that result in an organization eating itself alive. This shows up on the floor by people arguing for win/lose scenarios, in-fighting for power, control, rewards,

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What’s Trending

promotions and resources. A focal shift from we to me, where silo’ and personalized thinking prevail.

Even though the intentions of leaders who want to “win” is most often well-meaning, a workplace culture that values winning above all else can be fertile ground for destructive behavior and employment brand erosion.

2. COMMANDING AND CONTROLLING

In power-driven organizations, hierarchy reigns and members of the management team are expected to take charge, control subordinates, and yield to the demands of superiors.

Historically, this has been the ‘right’ way to lead and for many decades it actually worked. This model is flawed, however, and those managed by people who admire and enjoy this model atrophy and stagnate. In workplace cultures where this type of behavior is rewarded, the powerful take over and the powerless surrender.

When leaders and team members are expected and even encouraged to power up over others, people in the organiz-

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ation often view themselves as pawns in the micromanagement chess game, or simply as cogs in the organizational profit wheel. They lose motivation and initiative and give less of their discretionary time to make the organization better.

Commanding and controlling is a vicious cycle, and the only way out is to call it out, and inspire a new way to lead and a new way to follow.

3. OPPOSING OTHERS

In oppositional workplace cultures there is often a root of overcoming obstacles that afforded the organization sustainability and success over years. But what often got us here will not get us there; and opposition is one of those elements of culture, much like winning at all costs, that turns the organization against itself. In work cultures where members are expected to be critical, oppose ideas of others, and make ‘safe’ decisions, people drop into fear, and suppress their ideas and creativity. Opposition shows up in communication such as, “Yes, but,” “We already tried that and it failed,” “I have been

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here for years and I know it won’t work,” and “No, because.”

While everyone ought to be singing from the same overall hymnal and work together in tolerance and engagement, members of this type of organization spend far too much time navigating personalities and conflict, than collaborating, innovating and solving problems.

4. PURSUING PERFECTION

In other cases, there are leaders’ of quality-driven organizations who pride themselves with a commitment to excellence. While that intention may have been initially pure and congruent with the leader’s values, all too often the unconscious underlying behavior that is fostered with this value, is perfection. In a culture of perfection, people do not take risks, they do not try new things, and they almost certainly do not put themselves or their reputation on the line to color outside the lines.

Leaders of many modern organizations often stake their reputations on delivering excellence or superior service.

There are not many CEOs who would stand behind sending out sloppy work, or delivering code to customers littered with errors; but there is a subtle difference between standing for quality and being in pursuit of perfection.

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Perfection, by nature of its definition, leaves very little room for risk taking and creativity in your organization. When curiosity is stifled and looking good is the primary focus, mistakes are hidden, learning is mitigated, and growth is constrained.

In an environment where perfection is celebrated and rewarded, conventionality emerges as a safe bet for staying out of the boss’ cross hairs. In a work place that prioritizes perfectionism, members are expected to conform follow the rules and make a good impression, and the byproduct of making a good impression and following the rules is that creativity and risk-taking are thwarted and innovation becomes impossible. Resistance to change becomes a blocker to progress and complacency sets in. While certain roles demand perfection or someone could die, perfection as a culture, limits and constrains what is possible for the organization and the people in it.

5. KEEPING THE PEACE AND GETTING ALONG

Everyone who is anyone in business understands the need to cooperate with others in the workplace and the need for teamwork and collaboration. However, creating a work culture where everyone has to be liked and everyone has to get along with little to no emphasis on performance or results;

What’s Trending

most often leads to over-the-top consensus building, perceived favoritism, a loss of focus and ambition, inconsistent accountability and a very destructive fear of conflict.

In a work culture where needing approval is a core component of how the organization works, team members are expected to agree with, gain the approval of and be liked by others. In a work place such as this, disagreements are frowned upon and people are encouraged to go along with the crowd— even when the crowd is prepared to drive off a cliff. When team members fear conflict, even constructive conflict, they are incapable of engaging in debates or openly voicing opinions.

The team avoids conflicts; which involve speaking up against bad decisions thus leading to inferior organizational results.

It‘s imperative to understand that “keeping the peace” workplace cultures can be an insidious thief of organizational and talent optimization. Keeping the peace has the potential have rob the organization and its people experiencing

the highest levels of role fulfillment and role satisfaction.

When people and the human system they operate in does not actively engage in productive ways of being including; constructive conflict, speaking their truth, giving new ideas, and sharing insights of what is not working; they can never really get to real engagement in the workplace.

The five double-edged sword philosophies can sweep the rug out from under your company’s overall mission and set you drastically off track. Shaping constructive culture is about intentionally causing the kind of corporate culture that exemplifies your brand promise. This takes a solid and palatable intention for that culture as a holistic human system, a system of people operating as a living and agile organism.

Intentional culture is all about monitoring what you are creating and making necessary shifts along the way to ensure you are accomplishing what you set out to by creating the intentional culture in the first place.—

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COOL TOOLS 2019 Written by Lawrence Cummer

Many tools that grace a contractor’s kit have been in use for decades, but that doesn’t mean tool manufacturers aren’t in a constant state of upgrading and improving what goes into the truck or onto their toolbelts.

A few recent product releases from major manufacturers illustrate just how innovations around performance, durability and features are helping contractors to ‘work smarter not harder’ and safely get more done in less time.

UNTETHERED AT THE SITE

It’s a time that has manufacturers excited, said Stephen Blain, Commercialization Manager for Professional Power Tools at Stanley Black & Decker Canada.

“Right now, in the power tool industry, everything is exciting,” he says.

Because there are so many big things happening.

Big things in battery technology and tool strength, he adds.

The power tool industry, he suggests, has been given a boost from another innovative one: the automotive industry.

“Because of electronic vehicles pushing the limits on batteries, that has rolled over to help the power tool industry with better cells that are able to deliver more power to applications.”

He points to how these battery innovations have been used in his company’s DEWALT brand power tools for the FLEXVOLT system to have longer runtime, faster charge and, ultimately, less jobsite downtime. Last spring the company launched its dual-voltage 20V/60V MAX* FLEXVOLT 12.0Ah Battery, a four-port charging station that supports it and 12V and 20V DEWALT batteries and expanded its tool

Photo courtesy of DEWALT

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Feature Story: Cool Tools 2019

offerings to make use of it. New tools released include a 60V MAX cut-off-saw, 7-1/4" worm drive style saw, 4-1/2" to 6" brushless grinder and double-bevel compounding miter saw.

The new batteries are also backwards compatible with most DEWALT 20V MAX tools.

With improvements in battery power, not only are power tool manufacturers producing tools that have more powerful batteries, but also ones with larger amp-hours — that is larger capacity — basically giving them bigger “gas tanks” before needing to be refueled. Add to them today’s brushless motors and manufacturers suggest contractors can get the same or more power out of their cordless tools, in smaller, lighter form factors than their corded equivalents.

“Makita’s focus has definitely been on the cordless platform,”

says Matthew Noel, Senior Product Manager at Makita Canada.

“It’s our goal to replace as many cords as you can, and we’re finally in a place with battery and motor technology that we can do that, and in most cases, you’re getting the same or more power.”

“So, you can show up at the jobsite in the morning with a range of tools that was never before available, and you’re able to do the same amount of work, only faster, easier and with less battery changes.”

makita.c

CLEAN CUTS TO JOB TIME

Terry Hamer, Product Manager at Task Tools, says his company prides itself in listening to contractors, learning their frustrations and bringing them innovations that make their lives easier. For example, Task’s new SDS+ and MAX drill bits

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Feature Story: Cool Tools 2019

Photos courtesy of Task Tools

are such improvement. “I’m really excited about our 3-Edge SDS+ drill bits, which are patented technology, able to drill straight holes through rebar,” he said. “The reason it works is there isn’t ever one edge hitting the rebar at once.”

He says the company’s 3- and 6-edge SDS drill bits also use a premium French-developed carbine and high-volume flutes to further reduce the possibility of jamming. A special heat treatment of the drill body allows the forces to be concentrated at the tip while absorbing shock waves.

Another such example where Hamer says his company is smoothing the job out for contractors is its recently released Barracuda M42 BiMetal Heavy Duty Hole Saws. Made from steel containing 8% cobalt, he says these saws have double the durability and strength to “cut through (virtually) anything.”

That durability equates to less time changing saws and more time getting the jobs done.

Further time-cutting measures can be seen through oscillating power tools that use the patented Starlock or Starlock

Plus system, Hamer notes. Made in Switzerland, these accessories are backwards-compatible and afford contractors a 3-second quick change between various plunge blades, segment blades, sanding accessories and more. “They’ve been using it in Europe for a while now and it’s gaining interest, especially with contractors, in Canada” Hamer says.

To similarly make life easy, Noel says Makita’s new 18V LXT Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless Quick‑Shift Mode 4‑Speed Impact Driver features assist mode and two tightening modes to help eliminate “screw cam-out” and “cross threading.” Assist mode, he says, starts off slow then ramps up when torque is required for a “clean, straight drive every time.” Auto-stop on reverse stops rotation when the fastener is loosened.

LIGHTEN THE LOAD

Shaun Elliot, the Director of Marketing at Stanley Black & Decker responsible for the commercialization of hand tools,

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Feature Story: Cool Tools 2019

power tool accessories and storage, says one of his company’s several advanced durability-enhancing and ease-of-use features. core goals is to make tool belts lighter.

Digital technology has played a part in this as well. For On that front, he says, they have continued to improve on example, the company recently launched a new family of stud some tools that are hundreds if not thousands of years old: finders under its DEWALT brand that uses a novel detection “Making hammers that are light but method (dubbed Center Find Technoljust as durable, measuring tapes “Making hammers that are light ogy) to detect the center of studs rather that are more compact but have all their edges. It’s all about making but just as durable, measuring than the key features needed, knives that life simpler, he suggests, adding that tapes that are more compact these ¾" and 1-½" stud finders also are lighter but can cut deeper.” He says the company takes a leap-frog auto-calibrate to further reduce steps. but have all the key features approach, always trying to predict needed, knives that are lighter HEALTH COMES FIRST how these tools will be needed five, but can cut deeper.”

10 and 15 years out. For example, his One of the more significant trends company’s DEWALT XP hammer in new tools is helping contractors line use grip vibration dampening technology that he says work safer and stay healthy. With OSHA (the U.S. Occupareduces “sting” by 35% and improves grip durability by 25%. tional Safety and Health Administration) regulations rising, His company’s new 16' STANLEY FATMAX Tape Measure and their federal and provincial equivalents here in Canada (which joins existing 25', 26' and 35' versions) is ergonom- following suit, health and safety are top of mind. ically designed with a baseball grip for comfort and sports

Photos courtesy of DEWALT

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Feature Story: Cool Tools 2019

Photos courtesy of King

“Dust collection in every form is a huge trend,” says Ted Fuller, Vice-President at King Canada Tools. “The Health and safety aspects in the work environment are really taking the forefront.”

To that end, his company introduced recently an 8gallon (30L) tool-triggered wet/dry vacuum. Automatically turned on when a contractor uses their power tool, the vacuum automatically starts collecting dust and provides air filtration. The vacuum provides HEPA three-stage dry filtration to capture super-fine dust, but also variable speed, dual suction capabilities (dry or wet) and water-level monitoring with convenient self-stop.

It’s about making staying healthy as foolproof as possible, he says. “The health and safety people want you to be safe, but we all know that if it’s complicated people don’t do it. If it’s natural, easy and convenient, then people will do it.”

In part, this focus on occupational health is a sign of increased awareness of the dangers of dust particulates and cancer-causing carcinogens. “When I was a youngster,

isocyanates were barely a thing. No one talked about them.

Today, autobody shops — as well as cabinet shops and jobsites — need layer upon layer upon layer of dust and debris collection to remove isocyanates and other harmful chemicals and dust that need to be kept out of lungs.”

In the same way, he notes King offers several layers of dust collection tools for carpenters or drywall sanders, given the dust and particular-related health risks they face. For instance, King’s variable speed drywall sander that gives a 45" to 65" reach, illuminates the work area, and can, of course, be used alone or hooked up to a vacuum for dust prevention.

In keeping with its cordless trend, DEWALT recently released its own FLEXVOLT MAX 60V dust extractor with wireless control for remote activation. As well, Makita recently announced a 18Vx2 LXT Backpack Vacuum Cleaner with AWS (auto-start wireless system) that uses Bluetooth to communicate between tool and vacuum.

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Feature Story: Cool Tools 2019

Photos courtesy of Makita

When it comes to workplace health, silence can also be golden. A new line of portable air compressors is rising to that challenge. Fuller says his company’s recently launched line of light-weight, portable ultra-quiet oil-free air compressors (in one-, two-, four- and 10-gallon versions). “You can have your coffee break and not shut off the compressor. You have a compressor that will purr away like a kitten. It’s protecting people’s hearing.”

Increasingly, North Americans are recognizing the importance of ergonomics and that bigger is not always better, notes Noel. “Power tools that are smaller and more compact, more ergonomically comfortable and generating less noise — those are good things.”

IT NEVER ENDS

Not only does tool innovation never stop, Makita recognizes

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that a contractor’s job as builder rarely ends at the jobsite. That why they’ve also focused in developing powerful power tools for the home and outdoor living.

“They use our tools through the week to their advantage, and they spend good money on them. There should be no reason they can’t do so on the weekend.” He says while there’s a distinction between area of use and application, it’s important to note that the same quality and craftsmanship goes into tools in their “lifestyle category.”

His company’s new 18V x2 LXT Power-Assisted Brushless Wheelbarrow with Flatbed Tray walks that line between outdoor work and jobsite convenience. A single 18V battery (it holds two) gives this dust- and water-resistant wheelbarrow an hour of transporting up to 130 kg. “It’s a unique use of cordless technology that blurs the lines between so many areas,” he says.

“It’s completely out of our (traditional) wheelhouse.”—

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DESIGN TALK

CURB APPEAL AT EVERY COST Written by Teresa Christine First impressions matter, this is especially true when it comes to your home. For many, the thought of increasing curb appeal seems too costly to even consider so we take a look at some simple upgrades you can make before the warm weather settles no matter the budget.

MORE THAN JUST A GARAGE

It’s no secret that garages have been gaining traction and making a significant comeback in terms of curb appeal. Gone are the days when a garage was simply meant for storage and has now become a source of envy for some neighbouring homeowners! Today, even simple changes can turn a dull and jam-packed garage into an appealing and functional space.

Homeowners are opting for doors that are both durable and

Photos courtesy of Organized Living

stylish. For more on garage trends for 2019, please turn to page 12.

THE DOOR TO DÉCOR

The Holidays may be long gone, but wreaths and door décor are making a case to stay all year long. With different greenery, blooms or florals available for every season, homeowners could easily opt for a beautiful eucalyptus wreath for spring before switching to a bright and vibrant sunflower arrangement for the summer. For those who are looking for something different, there are many other door decor options incorporate and mix different materials like burlap, brass and copper. With all these possibilities, homeowners can choose what compliments their door style, colour and surround

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Design Talk

brick or stone. For more on emerging trends in exterior doors check out the feature Another Door Opens in the March/April issue of Contractor Advantage.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE DOORMAT

In the past, doormats were traditionally a place to wipe your feet or rest your shoes. Today, these unexpected stylish mats are used as an entry way into your home and sometimes a great indicator of a homeowner’s style and personality. Traditionally square, today, round, oval and oblong shaped doormats are becoming increasing popular. For some the doormat is a way to set the tone, add a splash of colour or create a vibe or feeling before entering the home. For this, some choose personalized doormats with their family name or fashionable sayings or phrases. The design choices are endless for doormats which can even be changed for special holidays or seasons.

PLANTERS A PLENTY

As weather gets warmer, it’s time to make your front porch

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greener. With an Aude to nature and the tropics trending this year, potted plants are an easy way to quickly and inexpensively add life and color wherever you need it without permanently planting in the ground. Whether you opt for a colourful planter itself or choose to fill it with vibrant blooms, the options are endless. For those who prefer the nod to nature, twigs and branches are also trending popular and provide a more simple and minimalistic style.

LIGHTS AND LANTERNS

Lights and lanterns are quite the bright spot this season when it comes to curb appeal. These can add an element of magic and romanticism to any outdoor space and have been seen more and more on front porches. From string lights to lit walkways, to hanging tree lights, homeowners are now using the different and sometimes unconventional lighting options to create the mood they want. Designer type fixtures and lighting sources are not just meant or made for the indoors anymore.

As for lanterns, the desired look this season is to display

Design Talk

a few lanterns of different shapes and sizes and group them at varying heights.

TABLE FOR TWO

The front porch has become quite the go-to space this year.

Whether it’s a place to sip morning coffee, read your favourite book or sit with a loved one, bistro tables, small dinette sets, or sleek or comfy seating is setting the standard on entryway curb appeal. Outdoor furniture options are endless and there are so many design choices based on space and style. Have a small space, worry not, the market now even has mounted bistro tables as the perfect solution for tight spaces.

PILLOW TALK

If hanging out on your porch is your thing, can you ever really have too many pillows? Homeowners can opt to add some fluffy, brightly colored outdoor pillows or mix and match different coloured or shaped pillows to soften up an outdoor swing, chair or sofa.

Today, homeowners have a multitude of choice when it comes to curb appeal. From pillows, to planters to a pop colour, making your home look more appealing is achievable at every cost. No matter whether you’re thinking of selling your home or settling in to stay long term, making a great first impression is stronger than ever.—

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