Women hold up half the sky

February 1, 2022  |  Business, Markets

A successful ingredient brand is only as good as the hard work and supportive foundation it is built on and continues to nurture. brrr˚ Inc. is one such ingredient brand, whose talented female founder has built a strong foundation of trust, perseverance and steady growth by surrounding herself wit…
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The ethical dilemma of ransomware attacks

December 1, 2021  |  Business

The recent proliferation of well-publicized cyberattacks has revealed ransomware to be a serious national security threat. Still largely hidden from public view, however, are the attacks on small businesses, including many within the industrial, specialty and advanced textile industry, that don’t …
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Supporting employees’ mental health

October 1, 2021  |  Business

As companies continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been reflecting on the year that was—or perhaps wasn’t. For a vast number of folks, priorities have shifted from simply surviving to remaining strong in the face of what has passed and what is to come.
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Scaling your business

August 1, 2021  |  Business

Consider this scenario: You are experiencing exponential growth, revenues are up, work is pouring in the door and you decide to hire more people. You and your team work longer hours, but it is still not enough. Deadlines are missed, quality decreases, customers are upset, your employees are stressed…
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Books that improved me and my business

June 1, 2021  |  Business

Education is a valuable asset when it comes to success in life and business. Going to college is the standard road map many people use to get an education that helps them succeed, but I never really enjoyed the classroom. I wanted to get out and get busy. I did better with hands-on learning, either…
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Buying and selling in a world with less face time

April 1, 2021  |  Business, Sales

COVID vaccine options are improving prospects for the economic climate in 2021; however, 2020 had a lasting impact on business practices in the specialty fabrics industry and beyond—particularly in buying and selling—prompting many companies to rethink processes.
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Managing remote workers

February 1, 2021  |  Business

Ways for both managers and employees to reap the benefits of remote work. by Lin Grensing-Pophal In 2020 the world suddenly changed for all of us. Impacted by COVID-19, companies around the country and around the world found themselves forced to consider an option that many had formally eschewed—r…
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Smart tax moves in the age of COVID-19

December 1, 2020  |  Business

By Mark E. Battersby Given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy, keeping a specialty fabrics operation’s tax bill low shouldn’t be a problem this year. However, to keep the business’s tax bill low year after year requires planning, and what better place to start than in a tro…
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How to sell and market during a pandemic

October 1, 2020  |  Business

By Madeleine MacRae Determining the best way to sell and, even more so, how to effectively and appropriately market your products and services at a time of such widespread uncertainty and deep market disruption can be a daunting task. As a leader during this unprecedented time, you have a lot on you…
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Cash flow strategies and profits

May 1, 2020  |  Business

By Mark E. Battersby Cash flow is the lifeblood of every business. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Bank study, poor cash flow management causes 82 percent of U.S. business failures. Although seemingly counterintuitive, many experts advise putting cash flow management before profits. While profit…
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