Ransomware attacks affect small businesses

May 1, 2022  |  Business

The recent proliferation of well-publicized cyberattacks has revealed ransomware to be a serious national security threat. Still largely hidden from public view, however, are the attacks on small businesses, including many within the industrial, specialty and advanced textile industry, that don’t …
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Find creativity in marine fabrication frustration

March 1, 2022  |  Business

Are you dogged by missteps? Do you perceive your mistakes as creative opportunities or simply as failures? Are the challenges of custom work creating stress in the rest of your life? And finally, where do you as a fabricator find purpose in your life? I can’t speak for everyone, but I discover min…
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Supporting employees’ mental health

September 1, 2021  |  Business

Employers can help shift post-pandemic priorities from surviving to thriving. By Courtney Patt As we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been reflecting on the year that was—or perhaps wasn’t. For a vast number of folks, priorities have shifted from simply surviving to remai…
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Increase your efficiency

July 1, 2021  |  Business, Shop Techniques

Seven steps every business can take, from organizing more to doing less.  by Laurie F. Junker No business owner wants to waste time and money, have frustrated employees, and risk customer relationships with mistakes and delays. But the truth is that all of these things happen when businesses operat…
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Strong business cultures require strong leaders

May 1, 2021  |  Business

By Clint Halladay Four years ago, the fabric of our organization, SewLong Custom Covers, was held together by cheap cotton thread. Our company was growing and doing well financially, but our culture was in crisis. Our leadership was fractured and distracted, employees were frustrated, some were leav…
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Scaling your business

March 1, 2021  |  Business

Here are the keys to achieving sustainable growth. By Charlene Clark, IFM The concept of scaling a business is not interchangeable with growing a business.  Consider this scenario: You are experiencing exponential growth, revenues are up, work is pouring in the door and you decide to hire more peop…
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Books that improved me and my business

January 1, 2021  |  Business, Shop Techniques

Self-education comes in many forms. By Chris Ritsema  Education is a valuable asset when it comes to success in life and business. Going to college is the standard road map many people use to get an education that helps them succeed, but I never really enjoyed the classroom. I wanted to get out…
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Cash flow management

September 1, 2020  |  Business

By Mark E. Battersby Cash flow is the lifeblood of every business. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Bank study, poor cash flow management causes 82 percent of U.S. business failures. Although seemingly counterintuitive, many experts advise putting cash flow management before profits. While profit…
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