Homestead Post

In this final article of our series featuring wisdom from Daniel Coyle’s book The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups we revisit establishing purpose and explore some valuable and practical takeaways to help you foster a healthy company culture.

1. Harness the Power of Catchphrases

Although they may seem cliche or cheesy, catchphrases can clearly communicate industry best practices and help set expectations. Choose phrases that are straightforward, simple, and action oriented. For instance, “Measure twice, cut once” conveys that accuracy and waste reduction are important and reminds workers to take the time to re-check their work before using materials.

2. Measure What Matters

Concentrate on metrics that reinforce your culture and commitment to work quality and beware of those that can encourage bad habits. For example, although time spent on a jobsite is a contributing factor to profitability, an emphasis on measuring it could backfire if workers feel pressured to reduce time on their projects and make mistakes as they rush through jobs. Conversely, a focus on monitoring customer satisfaction may yield better long-term results because it directly correlates to maintaining a strong work ethic and doing the best job possible.

3. Display Mementos of Your Team’s Successes

Have you received thank-you cards from customers to express gratitude for your team’s work? Or perhaps there’s a softball from your last company outing that has a funny story behind it ?

By prominently displaying physical objects with special meaning, you can strengthen your team members’ sense of unity and common purpose.

4. Set the Bar for Best Practice Behavior

Some employees may find it challenging to translate a company’s values and mission into concrete actions. So, consider what everyday tasks epitomize the culture you’re building.

For example, if you’ve embraced the catchphrase “Sweat the details,” spotlight your punch-list process. Review the steps with your team and explain the connection between your punch list and your company’s goals and objectives. By zeroing in on a specific task, you can hammer home the concept that attention to the little things really does matter.

Missed our past posts in this series? Check them out now!

• Building Safety: Part 1, Part 2
• Sharing Vulnerability: Part 1, Part 2
• Establishing Purpose: Part 1

In an increasingly competitive business environment, word of mouth remains as important as ever.

It is without a doubt the most economical—and a highly effective—form of advertising. When you provide a great product or service, you earn your customers’ trust and they will recommend you to others.

How can you encourage more word-of-mouth opportunities and make the most of them?

1. Ask for referrals.

Not every customer takes the initiative, so nicely invite them to share their positive experience with the people they know. Your satisfied customers’ friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and even casual acquaintances are warm leads (a.k.a., low- hanging fruit) that can go from “prospect” to “new customer” with only a little energy on your part.

2. Don’t make them wait.

Prospective customers who have reached out to you after someone referred them expect a response sooner rather than later. Silence is a sure way to lose opportunities! Reply promptly, at the very least acknowledging you received the person’s inquiry and will get back to them to discuss their project.

3. Live up to your stellar reputation.

Naturally, referrals will have expectations of high quality and service based on what your existing customers have told them about you. By treating every project with the same care and professionalism, your legacy of excellence will continue . . . leading to more opportunities.

While word of mouth is carried out by customers, it’s up to you to follow through and plant the seed to expand its potential for growing your business.

Fall Promo: Free Box of Ninja Clips With Decking Purchase

Get one free 900-count box of Ninja clips when you order 300 sq. ft. or more of Wolf® or Fiberon® grooved decking.

Offer runs through October 31, 2025. Call or stop by for details!

Every business has a purpose . . . but if its team members aren’t aware of it or why it’s important, building a strong company culture becomes extremely difficult. Daniel Coyle’s book The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups shares insights about how to clarify purpose and leverage it for consistency and teamwork. Here are some take-aways to help contractors define their purpose and get everyone on the same page.

1. Build a short list of your top priorities.

What is most important for building your business? What do you care about most? Create a written list of your main priorities and share them with your team. If your employees don’t know what they’re aiming for, they’ll never hit the mark!

2. Be ultra-clear and reinforce your message.

Don’t just build your priorities list—talk about it in meetings and display it on posters to keep it top of mind. Re-evaluate your company’s purpose and values regularly. Ideally, ask your employees for their thoughts on how the company is (or is not) accomplishing the things it says it cares about.

3. Encourage proficiency and creativity.

The building trade requires proficiency skills, so it’s critical that workers follow rules of thumb consistently to do the job right. For example, they need to know how to read deck blueprints, measure precisely, and cut boards accurately. Creative skills are also essential because when the unpredictable happens workers need to adjust to the unique situation at hand.

Give your team not only the training and tools to equip them for typical on-the-job scenarios but also the autonomy to make their own decisions when they encounter the unexpected.

Next in our series: Establishing Purpose: Part 2. Did you miss our Building Safety and Share Vulnerability articles? Read them now:
Building Safety: Part 1
Building Safety: Part 2
Share Vulnerability: Part 1
Share Vunlerability: Part 2

An open invitation to share your thoughts and ideas with us.

Thank you for reading our newsletter and blog, attending our Business-Building Breakfasts, and being a loyal Homestead Outdoor Products customer!

As we consider future article topics and what to discuss in our 2026 breakfast sessions, we welcome your feedback and ideas.

Click here to make your voice heard!

In this article, we will expand on our insights about why sharing vulnerability is crucial for creating a company culture that nurtures collaboration and connectivity. Consider these practical takeaways from Daniel Coyle’s book The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups that we’ve adapted for professionals like you in the building industry.

1. Overcommunicate expectations.

Leaders should not only be clear about expectations for team members but also persistent in reinforcing those expectations. Even workers with the best intentions can forget things if not reminded. Repeat expectations—at meetings, on the job site, etc.—even when you think you sound like a broken record.

For example, “Remember, our goal is to strive for an excellent build every time, whether the customer seems to appreciate it or not.”

2. Reinforce that you’re a team—it’s not “every man for himself.”

Two things are bound to happen after bringing on new crew members or assembling a new crew:

• The first vulnerability (typically, the first mistake made on the job)
• The first disagreement

A healthy company culture does not glorify individual “winning” or destructive competition that knocks someone down when an honest mistake is made. Workers should understand the importance of growing together, so be sure to foster a learning environment that promotes constructive guidance and encouragement.

For example,. “Billy, stair posts need to be longer. It’s easy to forget that fact and miscut them. What might be a good way to remember that for next time?” and “Guys, do you have any helpful input about Billy’s suggestion?”

3. Resist reflexively adding your two cents.

Some leaders instinctively chime in before they know all of the details. Resist the urge to jump in with a canned solution that doesn’t address the nuances of an issue. Team members will be more receptive to suggestions after they feel heard and understood.

4. Make yourself scarce more often.

If a leader constantly hovers over their employees, those workers won’t gain the confidence to make decisions and solve problems on their own. Give your capable team members space to take responsibility and grow. Just make sure the individuals you give autonomy have the capacity to make crucial decisions. And ease them into that independence so you’re not suddenly leaving them high and dry after they’ve gotten used to relying on you for every decision.

Next in our series: Establishing Purpose for Your Team. Did you miss our Building Safety and Share Vulnerability articles? Read them now:
Building Safety: Part 1
Building Safety: Part 2
Cracking the Culture Code: Part 1

At Homestead Outdoor Products, you can count on us for much more than top-of-the-line quality materials for decks, railing, and fencing. We have every thing you and your customers need for virtually every deck-related project of any size and scope, no matter how simple or complex.

• From pressure-treated lumber to ledger flashing . . .
• From vinyl pergolas to Placid Point lighting . . .
• From PCA screen doors to Evolve® Stone veneers . . .
• From ready-mix concrete bags to Otter-Tech™ underdecking . . .

Find whatever your job requires for creating an exceptional outdoor living space, enclosed patio, or addition (think sunroom!) that maximizes natural light and enhances the view. We’re here to help you fulfill each and every customer’s vision!

Our Outdoor Products Include:

• Decking
• Railing
• Fencing
• Siding
• PT Lumber
• SPF Lumber
• OSB & Plywood
• Screening
• Lighting
• Fasteners
• Flashing
• Decking Clips & Screws
• Cabinets
• Stone
• Concrete
• Lattice
• Pergolas
• And MORE

We’re continually expanding our inventory and keeping up with the latest building trends and innovations, so you can get all that you need from one trustworthy source with the dependable Lancaster County service you’ve come to rely on.

Along with our experienced team’s expert advice, design assistance, and support, we also DELIVER products to your business location or job site! Stop by our showroom to explore what we offer and ask about how we can help you with every thing for your next project!

An open invitation to share your thoughts and ideas with us.

Thank you for reading our newsletter and blog, attending our Business-Building Breakfasts, and being a loyal Homestead Outdoor Products customer!

As we consider future article topics and what to discuss in our 2026 breakfast sessions, we welcome your feedback and ideas.

• What real-world challenges would you like us to delve into?
• What questions do you hear from customers that we might help you answer?
• What product features and installation tips would you like to learn more about?
• What information can Homestead Outdoor Products and our product suppliers provide that will help your business thrive and grow?

It only takes a few minutes to make your voice heard. Share your thoughts here.

Same location. Brand-new building. More space.

We’re thrilled to unveil our new office and showroom! Our beautiful new building features some of your customers’ favorite exterior products.

• Wolf® Portrait Siding Color: Pearl White
• UFP-Edge Siding Color: Lost Trail
• Evolve® Stone Color: Phantom Shadow

Visit us and check out our new space!

Our hours remain the same as before:

Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 7–11:30 a.m.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

A beautifully understated and sophisticated addition to Keylink’s sleek vertical and horizontal cable railing offerings, black cable railing is a perfect choice to satisfy customers’ functional needs and aesthetic vision.

Available for the Chesapeake and American railing series in textured and matte finishes, black cable railing is offered in 36” height with 6’ and 8’ length options. It provides the same high quality, durability, and versatility you expect from all Keylink cable railing products.

• A timeless look with less reflectivity preserves views and sightlines.
• Weather-tested, it’s proven to last.
• Ease of installation saves your team time and effort.
• It’s an ideal product for residential and commercial* projects.

Call us or drop by for more information to find out what we have in stock.

*Note that 36” vertical cable does not meet all commercial standards.