The failsafe questions

February 1, 2014  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Industry News, Management, Perspective

John Conroy ensures project success by asking the right questions. “We design projects by thinking about how they could fail,” says John Conroy, owner of House of Canvas, Ottawa, Ont., Canada. “By considering all the things that could possibly go wrong, before even starting the project, we min…
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The important role of credit

January 1, 2014  |  Management

Why you need to establish and protect your business credit. By William J. Lynott In the specialty fabrics industry, credit used wisely can be a profitable friend; credit used carelessly can be a destructive enemy. When your business has an excellent credit score, you are likely to be offered the mos…
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Trends you should watch, from the Marks Group P.C.

December 2, 2013  |  Management

By Galynn Nordstrom “Successful people think ahead,” says Gene Marks, president of sales and marketing consultant company The Marks Group P. C. Speaking on political, economic and tech trends at IFAI Specialty Fabrics Expo 2013 in Orlando, Fla., he emphasized three basic things that shou…
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Health care: ACA, on the way

December 1, 2013  |  Management

Is this the way to do health insurance? Stay tuned. By Marc Hequet Kevin Yonce has gone to a lot of work trying to figure it out. He may still be uncertain—and you may know the feeling. The chief executive at TCT&A Industries, an awning maker and tent renter in Urbana, Ill. (and the immedi…
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Advancing small business growth

December 1, 2013  |  Industry News, Management, Markets

SBA lending activity in FY 2013 tops $29 billion. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced its third highest year of SBA lending to date, surpassed only by two record years of supporting more than $30 billion in FY 2011 and 2012. In FY 2013, SBA supported more than $29 billion in l…
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Dave Clarke’s good business

December 1, 2013  |  Features, Industry News, Management, Perspective

Dave Clarke’s vision for The Industrial Fabrics Association International starts with strengthening its market-specific groups–known as Divisions. By Sigrid Tornquist “Generating new revenue streams without losing focus on your mission is a challenge for any organization but it can be done,”…
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Business holidays and tax deductions

November 1, 2013  |  Management

Parties, gifts, happy workers and tax deductions. By Mark E. Battersby The season for gift-giving and holiday parties is fast approaching. And although many specialty fabrics products business owners and managers clearly know how to celebrate and show their appreciation to both customers and employe…
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Sales support driving the way

October 1, 2013  |  Features, Management, Perspective, Tents

Alex Kouzmanoff translates customer service into customer satisfaction—by listening. By Sigrid Tornquist “When someone is totally incentivized by sales, there is no backup after the sale is made,” says Alex Kouzmanoff, vice president, Aztec Tents, Torrance, Calif. “We wanted to focus our sal…
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Estate planning primer

September 1, 2013  |  Management

Planning and solid decision-making will help protect assets for the future. By Larry Oxenham Everyone can benefit from good estate planning. Single, married, a parent with children, a business owner—the scenarios are as varied as the lives we lead, but the principles are the same. Effective es…
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New tools, old school

September 1, 2013  |  Awnings & Canopies, Management

A long-term family business embraces new methods to set the stage for future growth. By Jarrett Schechner Awning Works Inc. serves customers throughout our home state of Florida and nationwide. We recently expanded into general contracting with a new start-up firm called ABuilt Inc. Using today&rsqu…
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