So often we only talk about the obvious tools and tactics we need to be a successful sales person, so much so, that we overlook some of the smaller details that could help us be successful, those that could give us an edge over our competition. They say that the devil is in the details […]
Get Out Of Those Doldrums: Dare To Make That Next Move
Okay, you’re in a meeting with your management team. You’re all trying to figure out how to make your company outstanding, so that you can get off that plateau you’ve been hanging around on for the past three years. Your numbers have been flat, your company has been flat and for the most part your […]
The Future Just Ain’t What It Used To Be …Again
Okay, it’s that time again, time to take a peek into the future and see what is happening, and about to happen in our world. This time, these peeks into the future come from an excellent new book called Microtrends Squared: The New Small Forces Driving Today’s Big Disruptions, by Mark Penn. Author Penn, has […]
The Building Blocks Of A Great Company: Business Values
There are many ways to run a business, many ways to develop the direction of that business. The strategy, and the tactics it will take to be successful vary from company to company. They say that the best way to start a business is to find a need and fill it. Obviously, this is true, […]
Great Business Lessons From Television
I have always said that I am suspicious of anybody who does not eat meat or does not own a television. I am especially suspicious of those who say they don’t watch television. I am not sure what kind of brownie points they think they are getting for not watching TV or what they […]
More Dumb Stuff You Should Never Say!
There is never a shortage of dumb things people say. In fact, no matter what is going on in our business, good or bad, up or down, scary or comforting, there is always somebody somewhere who will say something dumb about something. And I’m not even talking about the current political atmosphere where a collection […]
What Customers Crave More Than Anything Else
When it comes to what customers really want there is one big secret. They think that they want our products or services. They think that they want us to deliver good products on time. They think that they want good quality. They think that they want a great price (or “great value” as they would […]
The Good Old Days
Remember when it was fun? Yes, the good old days always seem whole lot better than they probably really were at least in the rear-view mirror. But, looking back from these too serious times we live in today, they probably were a lot better than we even remember Here are a few stories from that […]
Facing Those Staffing Challenges
Of all the challenges we face in the PCB industry today, the most challenging by far, is staffing. It is getting near impossible to find good people. This is especially true for engineers and Quality people as well as management. Most of the good ones have either retired, changed careers, or gone to work for […]
Six Things That Will Guarantee A Great 2018
Okay here we are again. The beginning of a brand-spanking shiny new year. 2018! Who would have thought we would make it this long? But we did, and the North American PCB business is still alive and kicking. But, as we turn the page on another new year we should consider what we want to […]