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Year: 2010

Measuring social media may test your mettle

Stand by for the real results Industrial business owners ask me, what can I expect in return for my investment of time and company resources in social media? Are the results measurable? Will it add to my bottom line? I realize that for some of you, having an answer to those basic questions has to be the place to start. You gotta know if this stuff makes sense for a small industrial business. Besi...
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When to apply sugar coating

We all make mistakes. Sometimes they’re not our fault but we still have to take the wrap. They can cost the company lots of money, involve loss of time, productivity, incur injury or cause embarrassment. But perhaps the most potentially expensive missteps are those that negatively impact your customer, or at least their perception. Clearly, the most difficult are those cool-gray-toned ones where t...
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Etch your social media strategy policy in steel

Devise objectives that fit culture to ensure success Social media is good news for the industry; we just don’t know it yet. Consider this trifecta of change 1) traditional marketing costs are out the window—social marketing media is virtually free 2) social media allows complete control of our messages—publishing our own content, when and where we want, and 3) social media helps us to cultivate re...
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Change your view of the market to achieve success

You’ve probably developed a low tolerance for reading much more on the topic of Branding. You’ve been there; done that. I know, it seems like enough’s enough. Besides, you’ve got a business to run and there’s little time to mess around. On the other hand, I happen to believe branding is extremely important to your business. In fact, more important to business and industry than it is to consumer ma...
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Six tips: how to spend less money at trade shows

Say less and stand out more from the crowd Planning to attend a trade show or two in the coming seasons? Shows and conferences can be good for business and employee morale. Keep in mind attendance is expensive only when you don’t accomplish your mission. And if part of your agenda includes meeting new prospects and looking for new business, here are six tips to help you bring it home safely. It do...
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What’s missing in news of recent change in formaldehyde emissions standards?

Here’s a message for all coatings businesses: Get out of your box and rise above any type of legislation that forces you to do things differently. Instead, feel the gravity—see only opportunity. Ask yourselves, what can we do with this one? We’re all so busy with the minutia of keeping our businesses going. Then, when industry news breaks, it always focuses on “what you gotta do now.” So we...
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Wanted: small niche players. Space available

Consider your options well As a small business, are you alone, doing your thing, providing a great product in the metalworking or surface treatment industries? Do you think anyone else in the whole world shares some of the same challenges? Are they also trying to keep “clean” (let alone “green”) while using advanced chemical lubricants, cleaners and strippers? Small industrial niche businesses ...
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Signs outside directors can help you grow.

Call me overly optimistic but I predict the next challenge on the horizon will be figuring out how to manage growth opportunities. The markets will eventually ramp up with fierce activity from pent up demand created during this long recession. There will be opportunity for every small coatings operation—a select few will make the most of it. If you’re not sure how to take the next step, it’s tim...
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