30+ years of lessons, written down so you don’t have to learn them the hard way.
Most lumberyards think they have a sales problem. I believe that many have a systems problem. In this episode, I share the operational moves that unlock millions—from billing special orders correctly to turning drivers into sales assets and cutting truck turnaround from 52 minutes to 12. I also break down my rule, *your first loss is your best loss*, and the AR strategy that moved percent current from 65% to over 90% without becoming the collections department.
Russ has written a leadership column for LBM Journal since 2018. Over 85+ articles on operations, leadership, culture, and what it actually takes to run an independent dealer. This is where most people in the industry first heard his name.
Deeper dives into the operational and leadership topics that keep dealer owners up at night. Delivery, pricing, AR, sales comp, vendor negotiations, and the stuff nobody talks about at conferences. New posts monthly.
Lumber and building materials. That's it. I've spent 30+ years in this industry, and I believe you coach what you know. I'm not a generalist leadership speaker who read a book about supply chains. I grew up in a lumber yard.
Reach out through the contact page or email me directly at [email protected]. Tell me about the event, the audience, and what you want them to walk away with. We'll figure out if it's a good fit from there.
It starts with a conversation. No pitch, no pressure. We talk about your business, your challenges, and where you think the gaps are. If I can help, I'll tell you how. If I can't, I'll tell you that too.
No. I work with GMs, operations leaders, and next-gen owners who are stepping into bigger roles. If you're running a location or about to, we should talk.
It depends on the engagement. Speaking fees depend on the event. Coaching depends on the scope. I'm not the cheapest option, but I'm not selling motivation. I'm helping you find real money in your operation. The first conversation is always free.
That's fine. Send me an email. I answer every one. Some of my best conversations started with "Hey Russ, quick question about my delivery operation." There's no commitment required to start a conversation.
