Walls & Ceilings 'If Walls Could Talk'

In this special episode of “If Walls Could Talk,” Jill Bloom interviews Trent Cotney about the recent developments regarding non-compete agreements. The FTC's new rule banning most non-compete agreements, part of the 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, faces legal challenges, including a temporary injunction from a Texas district court. Cotney discusses the poten...

The Association for Financial Professionals' annual survey highlights a significant rise in payment fraud, with 80 percent of businesses falling victim in 2023, particularly through checks and ACH credits. In an interview with W&C Group Publisher Jill Bloom, Thea Dudley discusses these findings and offers roofing contractors practical advice on enhancing their financial security, including cyb...

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Editor John Wyatt interviews Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting about the significance of retrofit roofing in resilient construction. Harris highlights that while repairing and upgrading commercial roofs is beneficial for addressing local issues like leaks, there is a greater opportunity to consider energy conservation and environme...

In this special episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Associate Editor Michael Levitt speaks with Elva Jimenez of Partner’s Insulation. The company, which is based in Boise, Idaho, is on the cover of W&C’s June issue and has been able to grow to 62 employees and three locations in just six years.

In this exclusive episode, Walls & Ceilings Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney, partner with Adams & Reese, highlights some recent calls he’s taken from contractors when it comes to sales representatives. He breaks down the difference between 1099 and W-2 workers when it comes to sales, recorded at Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association Expo in Kissimmee, Florida. Listen to the full c...

In this episode of “If Walls Could Talk,” Jill Bloom talks with Matt DiBara of The Contractor Consultants about the critical process of hiring new employees. DiBara, a fourth-generation contractor, shares three essential tips: considering the candidates' perspective, crafting compelling job ads, and carefully evaluating interview performance against actual work quality. Tune in to hear DiBara's de...

Contracting may not seem like the most obvious place where artificial intelligence can be useful, but if contractors are open-minded, they’ll find AI can make them more productive. In this episode, Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, explains how AI can be used to assist in marketing efforts.

In the latest episode of “If Walls Could Talk,” W&C’s Jill Bloom and John Wyatt speak with Stephen Sears, CEO and executive director of EIMA, about the association’s initiatives and the status of their goals. Sears provides an update on this year’s EIMA event in Texas, including the renaming of their competition to the EIFS Excellence Awards, membership growth, and educational courses. He also...

In this episode of "If Walls Could Talk," Editor John Wyatt speaks with Tom Harris about the benefits and challenges of metal buildings, particularly in managing interior moisture with a vapor impermeable shell. The discussion highlights how vapor drive, the movement of moisture from areas of high to low energy, affects buildings differently in the South and North due to temperature differences. T...

Protecting your company’s information is not something to be taken lightly. Bill Collins, director of national accounts at Servco, and Hasshi Sudler, professor at Villanova University, share ways your firm can safeguard its information from cybercriminals and prepare for the event that you are hacked.

Even with a dedicated employee or marketing agency at the helm, the possibility for social media growth is endless. In this episode, Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, discusses how to unlock your company’s social media potential.

In this episode of “If Walls Could Talk,” W&C Editor John Wyatt chats with Dan Sweeney of Sweeney Drywall Finishes about the company's cover feature in our magazine and its ventures in New England. As the May cover star, Sweeney shares insights on niche markets and plans for the upcoming year during a candid discussion unpacking the Northeast market landscape.

In special episode of "If Walls Could Talk," W&C Associate Editor Michael Levitt chats with James Chaney, senior project manager at Acoustical Design Inc., about the honor of being featured on the magazine's cover. Chaney reflects on the humbling experience and discusses ADI's legacy, which he and his wife are committed to preserving after recently acquiring the company.

In a special episode of If Walls Could Talk, Group Publisher Jill Bloom delves into the significance of databases with Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, who emphasizes the importance of reaching and retaining customers. Anderson underscores the need to leverage past customer lists and cultivate profiles of ideal customers to enhance marketing strategies and foster growth. She advocates for a th...

In the latest episode of "If Walls Could Talk," John Wyatt explores the upcoming developments in the spray foam industry, with PUR Consulting's Tom Harris providing insights on first-quarter trade shows and industry trends. Notably, the SPFA event in Las Vegas saw a record-breaking attendance increase, while educational initiatives like ABAA's training programs experienced unprecedented participat...

In this episode of "If Walls Could Talk," W&C Editor John Wyatt interviews Jim Spellos, president of Meeting U, who will be presenting at the NWCB Wall and Ceiling Conference & Trade Show in Indian Wells, Calif. Spellos discusses the impact of AI on productivity and effectiveness, its role in enhancing the building process, tips for implementing AI in both field and office settings, cautio...

Join Brett Sareyka and Armstrong World Industries to hear about some productivity-enhancing drywall framing solutions that can help overcome today's skilled labor shortages and installation challenges common on nearly every project. Sponsored by

Recent changes to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) have legal and marketing implications for roofing contractors, prompting adjustments to their strategies, with W&C providing comprehensive coverage of these developments. In a video featuring Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney and marketing expert Anna Anderson, new FCC rules targeting automated calls and texts are discussed, focus...

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C Publisher Jill Bloom and Trent Cotney, partner at Adams & Reese, discuss the evolving subcontractor market, emphasizing its enduring transformation and the shift towards subcontracting labor for construction projects. Cotney underscores that this shift is primarily driven by the need for scalability and growth within contracting firms rather than...

In the latest episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C Publisher Jill Bloom sits down with Trent Cotney, partner at Adams & Reese, to delve into his new initiative aiding contractors facing unexpected OSHA inspections. Cotney emphasizes the importance of knowing and asserting your rights during these encounters to avoid potential pitfalls. Adams & Reese is taking proactive steps, including...

In the latest episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C Publisher Jill Bloom interviews Adams & Reese Partner Trent Cotney about the implications of the Corporate Transparency Act. Cotney emphasizes that the Act mandates contractors to file crucial paperwork accurately, as errors can lead to severe consequences. The Act requires small businesses, including those with foreign ties, to disclose be...

Jill Bloom, group publisher of Roofing Contractor, Walls & Ceilings, and Building Enclosure, chats with the CEO of IIBEC, Brian Pallasch. Brian joins us to discuss the upcoming convention happening March 8-11 in Phoenix, Ariz., which is expected to be even bigger than last year’s. Listen in as Brian chats about the keynote speaker, educational sessions and what’s new at the trade show this yea...

Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney emphasizes the often overlooked significance of proper drainage in building replacements, cautioning contractors against potential profit loss if not addressed in contracts. Cotney, a partner with Adams & Reese, underscores the liability risk when existing drainage systems fail to accommodate new constructions, stressing the importance of contractual disclaim...

Thea Dudley, CEO of Pocket Protectors, discusses amusing responses to overdue bill inquiries with Group Publisher Jill Bloom in a video/podcast. Dudley provides strategies for handling common payment excuses, such as asking about the company's situation and emphasizing the need for short-term payment plans. Throughout the exchange, the importance of ending calls with a clear payment plan is emphas...

In the latest episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C Publisher Jill Bloom interviews Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, who shares invaluable insights on identifying your customer persona. Anderson emphasizes the crucial role of data in pinpointing target customers, leveraging both internal and external data sources. With a remarkable arsenal of 300 data sets, Anderson demonstrates how layering...