Denise Norberg-Johnson

Since 2002, I have written columns and features for this magazine, sharing lessons I learned as a subcontractor, volunteer leader and business educator. During the last few years, I also taught high school and middle school...

The baby boomer generation makes up approximately one quarter of the current U.S. workforce, and each day about 10,000 reach the traditional retirement age of 65. The potential mass exodus of these retirees is creating a...

As the economy improves and unemployment rates decline, it becomes more difficult for electrical contractors to recruit and retain qualified employees. The number of skilled employees available to manage and install projects...

The most successful electrical contractors choose to invest in assets that enable them to perform efficiently and recruit employees who have the skills necessary to complete their projects to the satisfaction of their...

As a contractor with a degree in biological science, I looked for ways to improve productivity without increased physical or mental stress for my employees. Employers have benefitted from new products developed after years of...

One of the biggest challenges for electrical contractors is creating a reputation for ethical operations in an industry perceived as fraught with unethical practices. Is it possible to operate ethically and still earn a...

The holiday giving season is here, and the news stories about pay-to-play corruption and uncertainty surrounding how tax law changes will affect business deductions have made the process an ethical slippery slope.
 Gift or...

Last month, this column provided ideas about how economic forces affect a company’s pricing decisions. I believe a business has the right to a profit that accounts for the risks of a particular project, but its reputation can...

As I write this column, the citizens and businesses in Texas are assessing the damage from Hurricane Harvey, and Florida is cleaning up after Irma. In the wake of every natural disaster, complaints arise about price gouging...

Last month, I offered some ideas for making your company more ecofriendly by using the three R’s—reducing, reusing and recycling—in your daily operations. To help your company become greener, this column continues that theme...

A recent World Wildlife Fund survey found that almost half of Fortune 500 companies have at least one climate or clean-energy goal. It’s good business to be eco-friendly, and the construction industry has made great strides...

When I ran the family contracting business, we still employed some of the old guard from my father’s term as owner. It was clear that they considered their training complete when they received their journeyman credentials...