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Globalized business

Fostering global business relationships was key to Moto Nohmura’s leadership and Taiyo Kogyo’s success. By Kikuko Tagawa During the ATA Japan meeting in April 2009, Moto Nohmura, ATA Japan honorary chair, shared insights about his business experiences in the U.S. ATA Japan director, Kikuko Tagawa, ATA Japan directors Hideyuki Nishikawa and Toshio Katayama, who was [...]

By |2009-10-07T00:00:00-05:00October 7, 2009|

Moral fibre: Business ethics and the specialty fabrics industry

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 shoals, this business paradigm is being questioned. Has it got us into this economic mess, and does the continuing [...]

By |2009-09-01T00:00:00-05:00September 1, 2009|

Operating leverage: Adapt your technology to new markets

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,” says Hedley, CSP, who heads up Hardhat Presentations and recently authored Get Your [...]

By |2009-09-01T00:00:00-05:00September 1, 2009|

Bradford brings virtual vision to life

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. “That way the customer [...]

By |2009-09-01T00:00:00-05:00September 1, 2009|

Establishing a sound business plan

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 responsive and dynamic action that brings focus to uncertainty. [...]

By |2009-08-31T00:00:00-05:00August 31, 2009|

A last resort financing fix and more

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) “microloan” lenders. In addition to extra funding for microloans, new [...]

By |2009-08-28T00:00:00-05:00August 28, 2009|

Health Savings Accounts

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 reduction in your costs. In their first year [...]

By |2009-08-14T00:00:00-05:00August 14, 2009|

Layoffs, terminations and tactics

Fiscal reality, fair firing and responsible management. By William J. Lynott It’s an unwelcoming and unrewarding responsibility, but given today’s troubled economy, almost every manager will eventually come face-to-face with the disagreeable task of terminating one or more employees. “Firing people is one of the toughest, most unpleasant things you do as an employer,” says [...]

By |2009-08-01T00:00:00-05:00August 1, 2009|

Listening to your employees

Learning what matters to your employees is a key step in making your business more productive and profitable. By Amy Orchard As economists and politicians carry on the debate about whether we have seen the worst of the global economic meltdown or if there is more to come, business people across all industries focus on [...]

By |2009-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2009|

Attracting employees

Strategic hiring practices and tax breaks combine to help attract and retain employees. By Mark E. Battersby The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded a tax credit (a direct reduction of a company’s tax bill) for hiring new workers from groups such as the disabled, welfare recipients and veterans. Keeping labor costs low [...]

By |2009-07-01T00:00:00-05:00July 1, 2009|
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