Customer service keeps businesses afloat

June 15, 2009  |  Management, Marine, Marketing

Focusing on customer service can help navigate a tough economic climate. By Abbie Yarger Businesses are doing all they can to stay afloat in today’s economic environment, from layoffs to budget cuts. One thing they shouldn’t cut is customer service. Creating and sustaining good customer …
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Le Bel forms connections to fuel innovation

June 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Claude Le Bel’s experiences and interests have led him to success. By Sigrid Tornquist “For me, everything is possible. You just have to find the right person for the job,” says Claude Le Bel, president and founder of Sollertia Inc. in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Appropriately named Sollert…
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Cut costs, not customers

June 1, 2009  |  Management, Marketing

Think like your customers before making cost management decisions. By Marc Hequet Getting a grip on how to navigate through difficult economic times is challenging even for the most seasoned business people. It may be tempting to fiddle with prices and expend significant resources in scrounging for …
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Christiansen brings Flagsource from loss to profit

May 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Janice Christiansen rebuilds the family business one solution at a time. By Sigrid Tornquist “When you’re faced with a problem, you need to break it down and take one thing at a time—because it’s not the size of the challenge, it’s how you handle it,” says Janice Christiansen, president …
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Connecting with customers

May 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Marketing

Making design trends and economic realities work together. By Gina Wicker It is difficult to focus exclusively on design trends when the economy is the overwhelming trend these days, but the truth is that colors and patterns and economic trends have an impact on each other. With grim economic news a…
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Social media increases business

April 1, 2009  |  Marketing

Can businesses find success in social media marketing in today’s economy? Yes, they can. By Janice Kleinschmidt Take a page from the high-end playbook: President Barack Obama used social media to build a base of enthusiastic supporters who carried him to the White House. “Instead of aski…
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Winning government contracts

April 1, 2009  |  Management, Marketing

The U.S. government is big business and contracts for thousands of products. How-to advice helps businesses take advantage of these opportunities. By Teresa Bouchonnet On January 9, 2009, the U.S. government’s Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia (DSCP) awarded each of four different firms a …
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Schmieler creates customized cost accounting system

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Greg Schmieler’s system maximizes profit for his awning business. By Sigrid Tornquist “Creating a cost accounting system changed my whole career life,” says Greg Schmieler, vice president of Laurel Awning Co. in Pittsburgh, Pa. “It changed the way the company is run. We now know what our…
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Maintaining quality standards in a tough economy

February 1, 2009  |  Business, Marketing

Times are tough, so should you cut corners to compete? “No!” is the adamant response from quality advocates. By Marc Hequet So you’re known for your quality…Great! But how are you supposed to sell quality in this economy? That’s the challenge manufacturers face: persua…
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