The Hiring Zone: Another Customer Survey? How do you measure customer satisfaction? Do you rely on your P&L, sales perception of your performance, the lost deal, the next order, the no-bid deal, your Google or Yelp score, or all of the above? Maybe the number of followers on your Facebook page? Do you wait for someone to complain or... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 66
Looking Back at 2018 and 2019 Outlook Robert Glowinski As 2018 draws to a close, the American Wood Council (AWC) looks back on what has been a very successful year for wood industry markets. Both federally and in the states, the opportunity for wood products has been greatly expanded, building codes have been very successfully updated to account for... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 78
Lumber Briefs: 20% More Downside: Stocks and Lumber Matt Layman In both the lumber and stock markets, there are more disruptions coming in 2019. The immediate influences of government shutdown, mass exodus from stocks, on-going trade war, volatile oil market, fight to suppress interest rates, President Trump’s legal issues, and global economic and... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 82
Good Ideas Come from Many Places — “Necessity Is the Mother of Invention” Steve Rotzin You never know where the next great product idea or innovation is going to come from — some of our best new ideas originate with the customers who use our current products. At Simpson Strong-Tie, we welcome any inspiration that can help us serve our customers’ needs even better. With... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 94
The Last Word: The Last Word on What’s Ahead Joe Kannapell Why are equipment sales booming when near-term housing starts are projected to be flat? Possible reasons are: CMs know better and expect good growth and need more capacity. Some markets will grow well and others will contract. CMs buying equipment expect to do better on the same... Read More January 2019 Issue #11234 Page 105