Partnerships and subcontracting benefit businesses

January 1, 2009  |  Features, Graphics, Marketing, Tents

Partnerships and subcontracting offer opportunities and solutions. By Janet Preus It’s not so complicated: there are certain things your company does very well, and there are other things that could be done more expediently by someone else. It could be a matter of expertise, time available, or…
Sales representatives take on a tough economy

January 1, 2009  |  Management, Marketing

Does an economy on the skids change anything for sales reps? Maybe—but remember the basics. It’s still about relationships. By Marc Hequet Sales is the lifeblood of any business. So—how’s your blood pressure? These are interesting times. With the economy on the skids, the job…
Burak cuts labor costs to improve business

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

Ed Burak improves the bottom line by shaving time off labor costs. By Sigrid Tornquist “The greatest expense for our business is the labor—shaving time off labor is key to our success,” says Ed Burak, president of Hudson Awning and Sign Co. Inc. in Bayonne, N.J. Burak, who runs the company wit…
Specialty fabrics industry remains optimistic in tough times

December 1, 2008  |  Management, Marketing

Working to stay healthy in an ailing economy. By Susan Niemi With news of the economy a daily presence, whether one opens investment statements or not, leaders in the U.S. specialty fabrics industry remain optimistic about the health of the industry. The Review magazine talked to several industry le…
The benefits of entering the global marketplace

December 1, 2008  |  Features, Marketing, Markets

As the world shrinks, businesses can capitalize on widening their pool of customers. By Janice Kleinschmidt If we needed proof that we’re in an economic environment where lines on a map lose significance, September and October delivered. Though perhaps first to the trough, the United States he…
Takai works to provide innovative products

December 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Features, Marketing, Perspective

Junko Takai’s dedication to providing products that make a difference rests on a conservative fiscal foundation. By Sigrid Tornquist “Sometimes when companies make a lot of money, they invest that money into stocks—they invest profits into something other than their own businesses— we reinve…
Armijos connects with clients

November 1, 2008  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Sam Armijos creates connections with clients—in person, in cyberspace and in the pages of a book. By Sigrid Tornquist “There is no alternative to meeting face-to-face. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether I showed potential clients something I designed or not. It is whether they fe…
Egnew combines business and community

October 1, 2008  |  Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective, Tents

J.C. Egnew builds a business where the community and company support each other. By Sigrid Tornquist Success? “It’s about assessing risk. One of the things I spend a lot of time doing is looking for opportunities and assessing risk,” says J.C. Egnew, founder and owner of Outdoor Venture Corp.,…
Trade shows benefit businesses in numerous ways

September 1, 2008  |  Marketing

Make your next trade show the business opportunity it truly is. By Richard G. Ensman Jr. It’s that time of year: Your mailbox is filling up with those colorful mailings about your upcoming trade show, and you’re not sure whether to go or not. After all, it is expensive. First, there&rsqu…
Donating excess inventory benefits businesses

July 1, 2008  |  Marketing

Your business may be sitting on an important tax deduction—and you may not even realize it. The deduction lies in your excess, overstock inventory. By donating that nonmoving merchandise to charity, your company can earn a federal income tax deduction under Section 170 (e)(3) of the U.S. Internal …