Taking a page from principles developed in Japan and used successfully by U.S. manufacturers, some cost-conscious leaders in the construction industry are advocating the use of lean production techniques.

Construction work, by its very nature, is a high-risk type of business. It usually isn't a matter of if a loss occurs, but when and how much. When a loss does occur, such as an electrical wiring fire, all the parties involved with the project generally point the finger at the other parties.

As an employer, you want effective job managers who think on their feet. By the same token, your foremen want to please you because you're the one who pays them each week.

Creating a formal debt management plan, rather than borrowing haphazardly, can save your firm thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in interest.