- Email: [email protected]
Upon reflection
E)OUGLAS S. STIVISOE
RAINMAKING The recent meeting of the NAMF in Puerto Rico offered a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and enjoy a delightful tropical location. But the convention had a serious theme: Rainmaking - - Growing Business In A Challenging Economy. The focus could not have been timelier. There was guarded optimism that the worst of the economic downturn was behind us barring the big uncertainties of the situation in the Middle East and whatever will be the outcome of what promises to be a deeply divisive presidential campaign. There was a profound sense that those gathered in Puerto Rico represented a group of"survivors" who had weathered the simultaneous storms of government regulation, globalization, and economic slump.All of our businesses were slimmer than then were a few years ago, but we took pride in noting that they were also tougher, leaner, nimbler, and smarter than they once were. We were all caught up short when Bill Rosenberg read some excerpts from the new Surface Finishing Market Research Board report. In the period from 2000 to 2003, 180 finishing shops closed, representing $140,000,000 of sales in equipment and supplies. This translates to a loss of somewhere between 20 and 35% of the jobs in our industry, in the order of 45,000 to 75,000 individuals. Ouch. One couldn't help asking,"Who's next?,Who won't be at the table next year?" Fortunately, pop business guru Jeff Fox was thoroughly upbeat as he talked directly to many of these uncomfortable thoughts. He stressed that it is in tough times that the best-run firms build the foundation for long-term success.Tough times force us to work harder and to be our best.They force us to streamline operations and make sure we take the best possible care of our most important customers.These disciplines inevitably lead to increased market share and positioning for the fastest and largest growth when good times return. As he pointed out, we develop our rainmaking skills not during the spring rains but during the draughts...and it is precisely skill at rainmaking that is essential for our business prospering in good times and bad.
Circulation Manager H e l e n a Bartosins-ka [email protected]
Metal Finishing 360 Park A v e n u e S o u t h N e w York, N Y 10010-1710 212/633-3100 FAX:212/633-3140 http://www.metalfinishing.com
Metal Finishing (ISSN 0026-0576) is published monthly, with the exception of July and August that combines into 1 issue by Elsevier Inc., 360 Park Ave. South, New York, N.Y. 10010. Metal Finishing is free to qualified metal finishers in North America For others related to the field the subscription rate per year, including a copy of the "Metal Finishing Guidebook and Directory Issue" and the "Organic Finishing Guidebook and Directory Issue" is: 1 year subs 2 year subs USA $83.00 $147.00 Canada/Mexico $117.00 $202.00 Europe & Japan $169.00 $295.00 Rest of World $190.00 $330.00 Metal Finishing Customer Service, P.O. Box141, Congers, N.Y. 10920-0141. Toll free (U.S. only): 1-800-765-7514. Outside the U.S. call 845-267-3490. Fax 845-267-3478. E-mail: [email protected]. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. and at additional mailing offices. Change of Address: Postmaster--send address changes to Metal Finishing, P.O. Box 141, Congers, N.Y. 10920-0141. Toll-free (for U.S. customers) 1-800-765-7514. Outside of the U.S. call 845-267-3490 Fax: 845-2673478. E-mail: [email protected]., 45 days advance notice required. Please include both new and old address. Copyright by Elsevier Inc. Permission for reprinting selected portions will usually be granted on written application to the publisher. Articles on pertinent subjects are invited. For further information, please contact the Editor at 360 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10010, [email protected]. Publication does not necessarily imply indorsement. Microfilm Editiom Available from University Microfilms,300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor,Mich. 48103. Our publication number is 342180
RAINMAKING The recent meeting of the NAMF in Puerto Rico offered a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and enjoy a delightful tropical location. But the convention had a serious theme: Rainmaking - - Growing Business In A Challenging Economy. The focus could not have been timelier. There was guarded optimism that the worst of the economic downturn was behind us barring the big uncertainties of the situation in the Middle East and whatever will be the outcome of what promises to be a deeply divisive presidential campaign. There was a profound sense that those gathered in Puerto Rico represented a group of"survivors" who had weathered the simultaneous storms of government regulation, globalization, and economic slump.All of our businesses were slimmer than then were a few years ago, but we took pride in noting that they were also tougher, leaner, nimbler, and smarter than they once were. We were all caught up short when Bill Rosenberg read some excerpts from the new Surface Finishing Market Research Board report. In the period from 2000 to 2003, 180 finishing shops closed, representing $140,000,000 of sales in equipment and supplies. This translates to a loss of somewhere between 20 and 35% of the jobs in our industry, in the order of 45,000 to 75,000 individuals. Ouch. One couldn't help asking,"Who's next?,Who won't be at the table next year?" Fortunately, pop business guru Jeff Fox was thoroughly upbeat as he talked directly to many of these uncomfortable thoughts. He stressed that it is in tough times that the best-run firms build the foundation for long-term success.Tough times force us to work harder and to be our best.They force us to streamline operations and make sure we take the best possible care of our most important customers.These disciplines inevitably lead to increased market share and positioning for the fastest and largest growth when good times return. As he pointed out, we develop our rainmaking skills not during the spring rains but during the draughts...and it is precisely skill at rainmaking that is essential for our business prospering in good times and bad.
Circulation Manager H e l e n a Bartosins-ka [email protected]
Metal Finishing 360 Park A v e n u e S o u t h N e w York, N Y 10010-1710 212/633-3100 FAX:212/633-3140 http://www.metalfinishing.com
Metal Finishing (ISSN 0026-0576) is published monthly, with the exception of July and August that combines into 1 issue by Elsevier Inc., 360 Park Ave. South, New York, N.Y. 10010. Metal Finishing is free to qualified metal finishers in North America For others related to the field the subscription rate per year, including a copy of the "Metal Finishing Guidebook and Directory Issue" and the "Organic Finishing Guidebook and Directory Issue" is: 1 year subs 2 year subs USA $83.00 $147.00 Canada/Mexico $117.00 $202.00 Europe & Japan $169.00 $295.00 Rest of World $190.00 $330.00 Metal Finishing Customer Service, P.O. Box141, Congers, N.Y. 10920-0141. Toll free (U.S. only): 1-800-765-7514. Outside the U.S. call 845-267-3490. Fax 845-267-3478. E-mail: [email protected]. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. and at additional mailing offices. Change of Address: Postmaster--send address changes to Metal Finishing, P.O. Box 141, Congers, N.Y. 10920-0141. Toll-free (for U.S. customers) 1-800-765-7514. Outside of the U.S. call 845-267-3490 Fax: 845-2673478. E-mail: [email protected]., 45 days advance notice required. Please include both new and old address. Copyright by Elsevier Inc. Permission for reprinting selected portions will usually be granted on written application to the publisher. Articles on pertinent subjects are invited. For further information, please contact the Editor at 360 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10010, [email protected]. Publication does not necessarily imply indorsement. Microfilm Editiom Available from University Microfilms,300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor,Mich. 48103. Our publication number is 342180