March 13, 2007

Communications in a Glass Company

Let’s talk about communications within a glass company…actually, this will be applicable to all companies. The current buzz word is ‘stakeholders’. This is anyone who has an interest in the success of the company you are involved with. The first stake holder is ownership; owners are entitled to a realistic return on their investment, whether financial or sweat equity. Next is management, which in most […]

March 6, 2007

Let’s Turn Tax Time into our Benefit

There is an energy tax credit for every homeowner who has installed new energy saving windows. The rule is easy–does the window meet the energy star criteria? Most new windows, especially those with low-E will meet this standard. The taxpayer will get a credit for 10% of the purchase price, to a $200 maximum for qualifying windows. There are also credits for replacing boilers, roofs, […]

February 27, 2007

The Glass Business is a Great Business

Last night, my wife and I lit a candle on the anniversary of my Father’s death. It reminded me of some of my dad’s conversations with me about the glass business. In 1976 I had the fortune of joining CR Laurence Company as their field representative in New England. I told my dad about this job. He was excited for me, but asked some questions. […]

February 19, 2007

Chinese New Year and Low-E Glass

Happy New Year if you are celebrating the Year of The Pig, also known as the Year of DingHai, or if you are number person, the year 4074. My wife, Elaine, is making shrimp fried rice to celebrate the occasion. Elaine is great with a wok and I have been chopping vegetables for an hour. Elaine went to the store around 3:00 to get a […]

February 13, 2007

Employee Manuals

Every business should have one. But if you read surveys, only 25% of businesses under 50 people have one. So, you are saying to yourself, we’re a small company, everyone knows everyone, and we don’t have any problems. I’ll get to this chore next year, or the next year, or….. Wrong choice. An employee manual doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, but it […]