• Getting results from marketing efforts

    Published On: March 1, 2010Categories: Features, Management

    Traditional tactics yield results, but so do the web and social media. By Marc Hequet Recession’s rough seas haven’t changed Jeri Perillo’s marketing approach: word of mouth is her best marketing tool—that and her website. Business is changing, but tried-and-true marketing tactics still work. “We’ve pretty much stuck to our plan and we’re doing pretty [...]

  • Job-creating strategies for marine industry

    Published On: March 1, 2010Categories: Industry News, Management

    A new report finds that economic prosperity increases with manufacturing. However, pro-growth policies are required to create jobs and remain globally competitive. The future of the boating industry is dependent on the acceleration and strengthening of manufacturing production in the United States. The report, “Manufacturing Resurgence—A Must for U.S. Prosperity,” was released on Jan. 21 [...]

  • Estimating for sales and profits

    Published On: January 1, 2010Categories: Features, Management

    The quality of your estimates has an impact on your bottom line. By Shelby Gonzalez Estimating job costs is one of the cornerstone skills of running a successful marine fabrication business. The more accurately you can estimate the amount of labor and materials a given job will require, the better the job will go, and [...]

  • Lower costs with HSAs

    Published On: January 1, 2010Categories: Management

    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. The law made HSAs [...]

  • Choosing sole proprietorship or corporation

    Published On: September 1, 2009Categories: Management

    The wrong choice can be a costly mistake . Compiled from industry experts Nearly three-fourths of the millions of small businesses in the United States are sole proprietorships, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. But is that the best choice for you and your business? That’s a question that you should consider carefully, whether [...]

  • Adding value to your business

    Published On: September 1, 2009Categories: Features, Management

    Collapsing financial system got you worried? Now is the time to focus on making your marine fabrication business strong. Thriving shop owners from around the country share insights and tips for selling, upselling, expanding, retaining customers and getting new ones, even in a tough economy. Give your customers “comfort food” At Signature CanvasMakers in Hampton, [...]

  • Layoffs, terminations and tactics

    Published On: September 1, 2009Categories: Features, Management

    Fiscal reality, fair firing and responsible management. Compiled from industry experts 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 [...]

  • A last resort financing fix and more

    Published On: July 1, 2009Categories: Management

    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 [...]

  • Cut costs, not customers

    Published On: July 1, 2009Categories: Features, Management

    Think like your customers before making cost management decisions. By Marc Hequet Getting a grip on how to navigate through difficult economic times is challenging even for the most seasoned business people. It may be tempting to fiddle with prices and expend significant resources in scrounging for new business, but experts advise a different path. [...]

  • Customer service keeps businesses afloat

    Published On: May 1, 2009Categories: Features, Management

    Focusing on customer service can help navigate a tough economic climate. By Abbie Yarger Businesses are doing all they can to stay afloat in today’s economic environment, from layoffs to budget cuts. One thing they shouldn’t cut is customer service. Creating and sustaining good customer service in tough economic times can give businesses an advantage [...]