Marketing 101

September 25, 2009  |  Marketing

By Pat Hayes, CPP Reviewing our company’s development and how we originally created a marketing plan started me thinking of the company’s humble beginnings. We started it from scratch; two employees and one customer. The plan seemed to develop as we progressed. As a one man show, you wea…
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Operating leverage: Adapt your technology to new markets

September 1, 2009  |  Business, Features, Management

You’ve got the skills, the equipment, the employees, the opportunity. Go for it. By Carol Brzozowski In good economies, a rising tide lifts all boats, points out business speaker George Hedley. “Even people who weren’t following good business fundamentals were making money,” …
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Moral fibre: Business ethics and the specialty fabrics industry

September 1, 2009  |  Management

By Christopher J. Nolan Most business owners would probably agree that three words—profitable revenue growth—could summarise their corporate objectives, even if expressed more subtly. Understandably, as the storm-ravaged economy, supported by a government lifebelt, traverses further shoa…
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Bradford brings virtual vision to life

September 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Marine, Perspective

Katie Bradford uses computer imaging to master hard-to-design projects. By Sigrid Tornquist “We can take a photograph of a boat, create a computer model of it and add to it the virtual structure that we intend to build,” says Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, owner of Custom Marine Canvas in Noank, Conn…
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Interactive tools to enhance your website

September 1, 2009  |  Features, Marketing

Reach out to your website visitors with interactivity. By Joe Dysart Increasing numbers of users view the web as a second home where they spend hours each day interacting with friends, colleagues, clients and customers. It just makes sense to tap into the many tools available to make your business&r…
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Establishing a sound business plan

August 31, 2009  |  Management

By John Baker Dwight Eisenhower, when contemplating the plan for the invasion of Normandy and northwest Europe during World War II, said, “Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.” His view was that while both are necessary, plans are nothing but static documents, yet planning is a res…
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A last resort financing fix and more

August 28, 2009  |  Management, Marine

By Mark E. Battersby A recently announced $15 billion, multi-pronged plan is designed to help ease the credit crunch affecting so many marine fabrication businesses. One part of the plan earmarks extra funding for loans and technical assistance by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA)…
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Shop layouts that produce big payouts

August 19, 2009  |  Marine, Marketing

Efficient and proficient shop layout and workflow optimize production, inventory, safety and the customer experience. By Maura Keller Marine fabricators have a desire to maximize their shop layouts to optimize production, inventory, safety and customer experiences. But that is easier said than done,…
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Health Savings Accounts

August 14, 2009  |  Management

By William J. Lynott As a business owner, you’re fighting what seems like a losing battle against rising health care costs. While this problem isn’t likely to disappear, the Health Savings Account (HSA) legislation, signed into law in 2003, offers you the possibility of making a dramatic…
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Fabric benefits tight exhibits market

August 1, 2009  |  Business, Fabric Structures, Features, Graphics, Projects

Fabric exhibits transcend economic and environmental concerns for a natural fit in a tight market. By Barb Ernster No one disputes the fact that the exhibits market is hurting, but exhibit builders are not dismayed. They’re adapting to new demands for efficient, economical and longer-lasting d…
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