THE UN-COMFORT ZONE: Defeating the De-Motivator

with Robert Wilson The sweet strains of a Puccini aria cut through the Saturday night clatter of the busy Italian restaurant in New York City, but it wasn’t coming from the aging voice of the Sicilian baritone who was hired to belt out favorites like Funiculi- Funicula. It was a soprano whose crystal clear voice filled the room. Within moments all the ambient noise came […]

THE BILCO COMPANY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

The Bilco Company has launched a new website at www.bilco.com. The enhanced website features a new look and design and grants easier access to product information, including CAD details, specifications and submittal drawings. The website also efficiently addresses the needs of Bilco’s international clients in more than 90 countries. The site contains detailed information about the company’s residential and commercial products, a trade show calendar, and […]

FORMING PIONEER AND PAST CFA MEMBER PASSES

H. GORDON GATES (Feb. 20, 1923 – Dec. 20, 2009), owner of former CFA member company Gates & Sons, Inc. now known as Gates Concrete Forms, passed away on December 20th. Funeral Services were held on Sunday, Dec. 27, at the LifeSource Adventist Fellowship Church in Denver, CO followed by interment at Crown Hill Cemetery. Condolences can be sent to the family and company at their address […]

SCHWING GOES ONLINE WITH PARTS

In an effort to better service the needs of its growing customer base, Schwing America has announced the launch of their new on line parts system, SCHWINGPARTS.COM. “In today’s economy, the need for brick and mortar facilities has become less essential,” says Brian Hazelton, CEO of Schwing America. “We have adjusted our approach to aftermarket parts sales to reflect the desires of our customers.” In conjunction […]

MIT’S NEW CONCRETE SUSTAINABILITY HUB (CSH)

Concrete is the most widely used building material on the planet; however, the production of some of its component materials account for up to five percent of global carbon dioxide emissions annually. To address the sustainability and environmental implications of the use of concrete as the backbone of our housing, schools, hospitals and other built infrastructure, including highways, tunnels, airports and rail systems, MIT announced the creation […]

WHEN WILL IT END?

We are still suffering through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. While there is some good news trickling in there is also plenty of bad news to go around. A small increase in housing starts sound great until you realize that the small increase is on a figure that already off well over 50% over the past two […]

A ‘ FIXED’ FIGHT: A PEEK INSIDE ONE CONSRUCTION

Expert’s Campaign to Make Fixed-Price Contracts and Cost Containment the Industry’s New Normal Huge cost overruns and missed deadlines have long been the accepted norm for construction project operations. But as the economy struggles to fully recover, construction expert Barry LePatner stresses that these precepts can no longer define the nation’s most inefficient industry. He provides a proposal for hardwiring construction […]

WE NEED CFA

As we start the New Year I would like to make the case of how important your membership in the Concrete Foundation Association is. CFA is the only organization that represents our interest in the poured wall business and has for 34 years. Throughout CFA’s long history it has seen growth in membership and became a nationally recognized trade association. […]

THE UN-COMFORT ZONE

This month we feature another article by the talented author, Robert Wilson. Writer of The Un-comfort Zone, Mr. Wilson is always able to convey a message of focus, growth and sensibility that can be applied to each of our businesses. We are beginning to start a new year. What moves did your company make to […]

Best@Selling

In May of this year, the CFA Management Committee brought you two opportunities for plugging in to inexpensive and highly motivational management seminars online and via teleconference. These presentations were made by nationally-renowned author and conference speaker, Maura Shreier-Flemming. Her books include the recent release of Monday Morning Sales Tips and other effective tools to stimulate improvements to your sales approach […]