Tough times call for strong leadership. Take action and influence those around you. The good news is that existing businesses prosper when coming out of a recession.

Good leadership is the result of practicing good habits, from planning and visualizing realistic goals to effective communications.

When deciding how to run your roofing business, you need to balance items like raising prices, managing costs and tracking jobs.

Youthful energy can sometimes run amok, but energy creates more energy. Stagnation creates more stagnation.

Roofing contractors are notorious for not liking paperwork.

Don't ignore the problem - address inappropriate behavior early and consistently.

Discipline and focus are more important than ever. The basic principles of time management have not changed. The tools are just different.

New recruits are your future, so protect your future by planning for their success. A little common sense and structured effort can make the training process much easier.

While no two owners are alike, the following guidelines may help you with that decision.