Bob Feller passed away on Dec. 15, 2010. He was a Baseball Hall Of Fame member remembered as one of the all-time best pitchers of the 40's and 50's. So, why was he my hero, and what does that have to do with a blog in the glass industry?
First things first. He was my hero because I grew up in Cleveland in the 1950's. He was the star pitcher of my Cleveland Indians. All I heard was Bob Feller on the news or in the papers. A quick history...signed when he was 17 years old, for one dollar and an autographed ball...first player to ever strike out his age (struck out 17 batters when he was 17 years old)...3 no hitters...8 times an all star...first player under 21 to get 20 wins...and much more.
Wait a minute...did Bieber make a mistake when he wrote that Feller signed for ONE DOLLAR? Nope, now don't you wish for those good old days? But, that is not the reason why Bob Feller was my hero. My Dad worshipped Bob Feller because of how he felt about America, and for the fact that he consistently threw over 100 mph.
You see, the most successful pitcher in baseball joined the Army on December 8, 1941. The day after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Bob served until 1945 without questioning if his career would be stalled or even stopped.He felt that this was his responsibility, along with millions of men across America, and many other baseball players. My Dad had also served in WWII, and when he began to teach me baseball, he told me stories about Bob Feller.
I have a couple of Bob Feller autographs and while they are very important to me, they are not worth much in the baseball marketplace, because Bob would sign for everyone, everywhere he went. He didn't ask for money like some of the big boys do today. By daughter Jess and her friend, Bobby, were at a Washington National game in May of 09, ran into Bob Feller where he was signing autographs for free. Jessie had him autograph her ticket stub, which has been on my desk ever since.
OK, enough already. Bob was my baseball hero until he retired, and then Rocky Colavito came along. More on him another time. But what does this have to do with a glass blog?
You run a glass shop or glass related business. You, too, should have heroes who will motivate you to run your business the best you can. Whether it is Rudy Giuliani on leadership, or Steve Jobs on innovation, or Bill Gates on being the first in line with software, you should have a hero. Study the newspapers and see which business names keep popping up. Do a search on various business leaders and see whom you would like to have running your company. Look at management books and see if your hero has a book sharing their thoughts. Having a hero, especially a business hero will help you and your company.
PS. As a young business man, I admired Lee Iaccoca, for his outspokenness and leadership. Later on I admired David Packard, as he developed Hewlett Packard, and now I admire Bill Gates, both for his business acumen and his philanthropy.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Romeo and Juliet and the Glass Industry
William Shakespeare wrote this famous play around 1600. So 411 years later it still has legs. What will happen to names in our industry?
Let's look at some glass names:
There are 34, 982 people in the US with the last name 'Glass', according to whitepages.com; most of whom live in California, Florida or Texas. Could one of them own a business called Glass's Glass Shop? There are five towns in US called 'Glass'. They are in Florida, North Caroline, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
Could we have Glass's Glass Shop in Glass, Texas?
There are some famous Americans, who probably don't own glass shops, but do have glass in their name:
If your name has roots in another language, and has more than four syllables, or silent letters, people will be hesitant to call. This has been proven. It is a great honor to have your name in the title of a business, and you shouldn't change your own name for business reasons, but you can create a business name that will deliver more customers to you.
A decade ago the glass manufacturers in the US were AFG, LOF, PPG, Guardian, Cardinal and Ford. Three of the these don't have the same name now. It is OK to change or improve on a name! When you think about geographically expanding your business, think about your name. If you expand with a new type of business, say adding windows and doors, think about your name. Some basic thoughts on naming are:
Let's look at some glass names:
There are 34, 982 people in the US with the last name 'Glass', according to whitepages.com; most of whom live in California, Florida or Texas. Could one of them own a business called Glass's Glass Shop? There are five towns in US called 'Glass'. They are in Florida, North Caroline, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
Could we have Glass's Glass Shop in Glass, Texas?
There are some famous Americans, who probably don't own glass shops, but do have glass in their name:
- Ira Glass, who has created a wonderful Radio Show called This American Life.
- Ned Glass, a character actor who appeared in West Side Story, Charade and 50 other films.
- Phillip Glass, a creator of many operas in the modern day.
- Ron Glass, who played a detective on the TV show Barney Miller.
- Stephanie Glasson, who was the July, 2004, Playmate of the Month. Does that make it OK to put her picture up in your glass shop, in Glass, Ohio?
If your name has roots in another language, and has more than four syllables, or silent letters, people will be hesitant to call. This has been proven. It is a great honor to have your name in the title of a business, and you shouldn't change your own name for business reasons, but you can create a business name that will deliver more customers to you.
A decade ago the glass manufacturers in the US were AFG, LOF, PPG, Guardian, Cardinal and Ford. Three of the these don't have the same name now. It is OK to change or improve on a name! When you think about geographically expanding your business, think about your name. If you expand with a new type of business, say adding windows and doors, think about your name. Some basic thoughts on naming are:
- The shorter the better. Does the name roll off your tongue easily? Is it pronounceable by people who may not be strong English speakers?
- Don't be cute. No puns, no hidden meanings. Those names should only be on the corner bar and restaurant.
- Plan for unintended consequences. Does your proposed name mean something in another language? Use Google translate to check this. Does your name use parts of another name, (like Cadillac Glass), and you will have legal problems at some point.
- Do a web search on your intended name, and all the variations of your name that you can imagine.
- Think about the future. Will your name still sound great in five years as your business grows or changes?
- The most important point---your name should tell your story. You shouldn't need a tag line after your name to tell potential customers what your business is.
- When your register your name with your state, take with your attorney about getting a trademark from the Federal Government. This will cost about $2500, but can protect you as your grow across state lines.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
One One One One
No, the repeat key did not get stuck on my computer. This blog is about the number one. This Saturday is 1/1/11, or one one one one. This has made me think about a few one things, some are good, some are bad.
Being number one on the FBI most wanted list is bad.
Number one in home runs in 2011 would be good.
First person on the moon was great.
The first person to step in the quicksand is in deep trouble.
Now, let's try this for the glass industry.
If your company is the first name on the speed dial list of the biggest contractor in town, this is good. OK, you get the idea.
You should try to be the best in one or two of the product categories that you sell in. You can't be first in everything. There is just not enough time to learn and implement all there is in our industry.When Oldcastle Glass bought Floral Glass they wanted to be the first in fabrication and phased out our distribution business. They knew you can't serve too many masters.
In your glass business decide what you want to be first in. These one or two product areas should be ones you enjoy; ones that are above average in their profitability for your company, and ones that are in demand in your market area.
In your relationships with vendors, pick the ones that are the tops in these two fields. In your advertising, focus on these areas, while still saying that you are a full-service business. Train your employees to be their best in these areas. Be know as the company that can do anything in these two product lines and that your company will tackle the hardest and strangest jobs in your number one product. When you do get one that strains you to the fullest, call your local paper's business editor and explain what was so special about this job and send in a picture. It is amazing how easy it is to get good, free PR when you have done something unique!
Put your number one product on the sides of your trucks and on your uniform shirts. Place it prominently on your business card. The displays in your showroom/waiting area should feature this aspect of your business!
Being number one in a product category is a sure route to business success in your market area. So, on one one one one decide which one will be your one. If you understood this last sentence, you won!
Being number one on the FBI most wanted list is bad.
Number one in home runs in 2011 would be good.
First person on the moon was great.
The first person to step in the quicksand is in deep trouble.
Now, let's try this for the glass industry.
If your company is the first name on the speed dial list of the biggest contractor in town, this is good. OK, you get the idea.
You should try to be the best in one or two of the product categories that you sell in. You can't be first in everything. There is just not enough time to learn and implement all there is in our industry.When Oldcastle Glass bought Floral Glass they wanted to be the first in fabrication and phased out our distribution business. They knew you can't serve too many masters.
In your glass business decide what you want to be first in. These one or two product areas should be ones you enjoy; ones that are above average in their profitability for your company, and ones that are in demand in your market area.
In your relationships with vendors, pick the ones that are the tops in these two fields. In your advertising, focus on these areas, while still saying that you are a full-service business. Train your employees to be their best in these areas. Be know as the company that can do anything in these two product lines and that your company will tackle the hardest and strangest jobs in your number one product. When you do get one that strains you to the fullest, call your local paper's business editor and explain what was so special about this job and send in a picture. It is amazing how easy it is to get good, free PR when you have done something unique!
Put your number one product on the sides of your trucks and on your uniform shirts. Place it prominently on your business card. The displays in your showroom/waiting area should feature this aspect of your business!
Being number one in a product category is a sure route to business success in your market area. So, on one one one one decide which one will be your one. If you understood this last sentence, you won!
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Glass Chimney Kit For The Santa In Your Family
Finally, the Christmas Gift that can be sold through glass shops. Every handy-man will want one. Kids love them because you can see Santa come down the chimney. And, glass shops love them because you can make a small fortune selling them.
These kits, from the Bieber Blog Big Business Bureau, are only being sold to the glass industry. This is our chance to become the Christmas store of choice for America. Forget the big chains, forget the fancy on-line stores; sign up now to be the local distributor of the Glass Chimney Kit and be ready to start counting the dollars.
The kit comes in three sizes--12 feet, 16 feet and 20 feet tall. Here is what you get in the standard 16 foot package:
This kit only costs you, as a glass industry special, $19.00. You can easily sell this for $39.00. The bright red and green packaging, with a picture of Santa smiling will sell the chimney for you.
Because this is such a super offer, we are limiting participation to the first 300 glass shops that place their orders. The minimum order is only 100 kits, in assorted sizes. All you have to do is send $1900, in unmarked hundred dollar bills. The kits will be sent to you, freight prepaid, the next day. The only job you have left is to set up your display and count your profits.
The Bieber Blog Big Business Bureau wishes you a very happy holiday. Be sure to send your $1900 via overnight mail so you can get your kits quickly.
These kits, from the Bieber Blog Big Business Bureau, are only being sold to the glass industry. This is our chance to become the Christmas store of choice for America. Forget the big chains, forget the fancy on-line stores; sign up now to be the local distributor of the Glass Chimney Kit and be ready to start counting the dollars.
The kit comes in three sizes--12 feet, 16 feet and 20 feet tall. Here is what you get in the standard 16 foot package:
- 8 pieces of 1/2 temp, polished edges, 36 x 96
- 4 special glass clamps, 2 red, 2 green
- 3 tubes of clear silicone
- detailed instructions on how to build your chimney, written in 4 different languages of your choice
This kit only costs you, as a glass industry special, $19.00. You can easily sell this for $39.00. The bright red and green packaging, with a picture of Santa smiling will sell the chimney for you.
Because this is such a super offer, we are limiting participation to the first 300 glass shops that place their orders. The minimum order is only 100 kits, in assorted sizes. All you have to do is send $1900, in unmarked hundred dollar bills. The kits will be sent to you, freight prepaid, the next day. The only job you have left is to set up your display and count your profits.
The Bieber Blog Big Business Bureau wishes you a very happy holiday. Be sure to send your $1900 via overnight mail so you can get your kits quickly.
Monday, December 6, 2010
WIKI Leaks Hits The Glass Industry
We got hacked. Wiki leaks has emails from glass shops to their vendors.
They were sent to me for advance review, (like they sent the government leaks to the New York Times) and told me I can release them on Tuesday, which by sheer coincidence is the day I usually publish my blog.
Being the fine gentleman I am, the names have been changed to protect the industry. I have kept the names in a secure mayonnaise jar on top of my computer.
Email exchange #1: Bill's Glass Shop and Paul's Tempered Glass
Bill's: Hi Paul, on our order A5678 for a shower door enclosure, the customer has complained about a faint scratch in the bottom corner. I went back and looked at it, and indeed, with the halogen lights at full brightness and the dog barking, I could see the scratch. I kicked the dog and then couldn't see the scratch. Why would this affect seeing the scratch?
Paul's: What kind of dog was it? Was it just a bark or a howl?
Bill's: It was mutt, that looked like a cross between a golden retriever and a yellow lab. A big dog.
Paul's: That's it. A big loud bark will make the glass vibrate and then the scratch will show up in the halogen lights. Our warranty only covers dogs up to 35 pounds. Sorry, Bill.
Email exchange #2: A conversation between Bill's Glass Service and Molly at Acme Tempered Glass.
Bill: Hi Molly, what is your tempered shower glass warranty on the size of the dog as far as seeing scratches.
Molly: You are barking up the wrong tree. We don't have a dog warranty on our tempered shower doors.
Bill: Well, Paul's Tempered has a 35 pound limit in their warranty. And I've got a scratch that shows up in halogen lights with the roar from a 70 pounder.
Molly: Bill, you really do have to start drinking decaf.
Bill: Honest, that is what Paul told me. He won't make me a new door and the customer won't pay me. What do I do?
Email exchange #3: A conversation between Molly and Paul.
Molly: Hi Paul. Just went over a crazy set of emails from Bill's Glass about a dog warranty. Am I missing something here that is new in the industry?
Paul: Hi Molly, yes you are. We found out that we can get out of half of our warranty claims by limiting the size of the dog in the house. People with big dogs have the money to redo things on their own. They don't need our free replacements.
Molly: What do you do if they have cats?
Paul: Cats go by quantity, not size. Anyone with 3 or more cats doesn't get warranty service, because we say the cats scratched the glass, not us. With all those sharp paws, the cats are easy to blame.
Molly: This is amazing. What does the government say about this warranty style?
Paul: They wanted us to raise the limits, and set up a chart to check on when they cats were last clipped at the vet, and to weight each dog in the house on a quarterly basis and send in a report of the weights of all of our customer's dogs to the census department who would cross-check that against dog licenses in every town and village in America. We figured that if we did the report, it would still be cheaper than honoring our warranty claims.
Molly: We don't do that here at Acme. We just replace the glass when it is delivered with a scratch.
Paul: You'll never make it kid. It is a rough and tumble world and you need every advantage you can. Here is one for you...limit your warranty to customers who have dogs over 35 pounds. That way we can split up the market and make sure we don't have to ever give a replacement. I'll show you how to handle the dog census report.
Molly: That sounds like a great plan. We have to make sure that no one reads these emails!
They were sent to me for advance review, (like they sent the government leaks to the New York Times) and told me I can release them on Tuesday, which by sheer coincidence is the day I usually publish my blog.
Being the fine gentleman I am, the names have been changed to protect the industry. I have kept the names in a secure mayonnaise jar on top of my computer.
Email exchange #1: Bill's Glass Shop and Paul's Tempered Glass
Bill's: Hi Paul, on our order A5678 for a shower door enclosure, the customer has complained about a faint scratch in the bottom corner. I went back and looked at it, and indeed, with the halogen lights at full brightness and the dog barking, I could see the scratch. I kicked the dog and then couldn't see the scratch. Why would this affect seeing the scratch?
Paul's: What kind of dog was it? Was it just a bark or a howl?
Bill's: It was mutt, that looked like a cross between a golden retriever and a yellow lab. A big dog.
Paul's: That's it. A big loud bark will make the glass vibrate and then the scratch will show up in the halogen lights. Our warranty only covers dogs up to 35 pounds. Sorry, Bill.
Email exchange #2: A conversation between Bill's Glass Service and Molly at Acme Tempered Glass.
Bill: Hi Molly, what is your tempered shower glass warranty on the size of the dog as far as seeing scratches.
Molly: You are barking up the wrong tree. We don't have a dog warranty on our tempered shower doors.
Bill: Well, Paul's Tempered has a 35 pound limit in their warranty. And I've got a scratch that shows up in halogen lights with the roar from a 70 pounder.
Molly: Bill, you really do have to start drinking decaf.
Bill: Honest, that is what Paul told me. He won't make me a new door and the customer won't pay me. What do I do?
Email exchange #3: A conversation between Molly and Paul.
Molly: Hi Paul. Just went over a crazy set of emails from Bill's Glass about a dog warranty. Am I missing something here that is new in the industry?
Paul: Hi Molly, yes you are. We found out that we can get out of half of our warranty claims by limiting the size of the dog in the house. People with big dogs have the money to redo things on their own. They don't need our free replacements.
Molly: What do you do if they have cats?
Paul: Cats go by quantity, not size. Anyone with 3 or more cats doesn't get warranty service, because we say the cats scratched the glass, not us. With all those sharp paws, the cats are easy to blame.
Molly: This is amazing. What does the government say about this warranty style?
Paul: They wanted us to raise the limits, and set up a chart to check on when they cats were last clipped at the vet, and to weight each dog in the house on a quarterly basis and send in a report of the weights of all of our customer's dogs to the census department who would cross-check that against dog licenses in every town and village in America. We figured that if we did the report, it would still be cheaper than honoring our warranty claims.
Molly: We don't do that here at Acme. We just replace the glass when it is delivered with a scratch.
Paul: You'll never make it kid. It is a rough and tumble world and you need every advantage you can. Here is one for you...limit your warranty to customers who have dogs over 35 pounds. That way we can split up the market and make sure we don't have to ever give a replacement. I'll show you how to handle the dog census report.
Molly: That sounds like a great plan. We have to make sure that no one reads these emails!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Finally, Something The Glass Industry Can Do Together
News item: (From the AP) "Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is putting his franchise up for sale. The 74-year-old McLane said he's retained the New York investment firm Allen and Company to help him unload the team he purchased in November, 1992, for about $117 million."
The article went on to say that the winning bid for the Astros will be about $500 million.
Here is my plan:
About 1,000 people a week read my blog. If only half of my readers send in one million dollars, we will have bought ourselves a team. Reach into that mattress, sell your boats and airplanes, give up buying lunch for a a couple of weeks and raising the money will be easy.
The glass industry will own the team. If you haven't made up your mind yet, here is the clincher. My daughter, Jessica, suggested our new name for the team.
The Houston Glasstros.
It is perfect. What better use of your money could you find. There is no work in the industry, so you don't have to buy inventory. USGlass Magazine is free, so cut back on your subscriptions to every thing else. Shop at WalMart instead of Nieman Marcus this holiday season, and you'll have your million.
Each investor gets an autographed ball, two seats to a game of your choice, and in five years, when we sell the team to the Chinese government, you will double your money.
Drop me an email with your bank name and checking account number. I will then create a withdrawal for your million. If things are tight, you can request four payments, a week apart.
Yes, you have always wanted to own a big-league sports franchise, and now you can own one with all of your friends in the glass industry.
Play Ball!!!
The article went on to say that the winning bid for the Astros will be about $500 million.
Here is my plan:
About 1,000 people a week read my blog. If only half of my readers send in one million dollars, we will have bought ourselves a team. Reach into that mattress, sell your boats and airplanes, give up buying lunch for a a couple of weeks and raising the money will be easy.
The glass industry will own the team. If you haven't made up your mind yet, here is the clincher. My daughter, Jessica, suggested our new name for the team.
The Houston Glasstros.
It is perfect. What better use of your money could you find. There is no work in the industry, so you don't have to buy inventory. USGlass Magazine is free, so cut back on your subscriptions to every thing else. Shop at WalMart instead of Nieman Marcus this holiday season, and you'll have your million.
Each investor gets an autographed ball, two seats to a game of your choice, and in five years, when we sell the team to the Chinese government, you will double your money.
Drop me an email with your bank name and checking account number. I will then create a withdrawal for your million. If things are tight, you can request four payments, a week apart.
Yes, you have always wanted to own a big-league sports franchise, and now you can own one with all of your friends in the glass industry.
Play Ball!!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Conversation With A Wild Turkey
My blog readers know that Elaine and I live on the side of a mountain in rural New Hampshire. On Friday, I was leaving my driveway and ran into a major traffic jam. There was a whole herd of wild turkeys crossing the road in front of our house.
At least twenty turkeys were in line. Slowly walking across the street, one at a time. There were small ones, big ones, and ugly ones. Well, they were all ugly, but since they can't read this blog, I can say what I want. They were also cute, in an ugly sort of way.
So, this big one, at least twenty-five pounds, walks to the side of my car and says to me, "What's your rush...the family will be out of your way in a couple of minutes."
Surprised was I.
I told him I had never talked with a winged-turkey before. (There are definitely some human ones that have been in my life) He replied, "Usually, there is no reason for us to talk to humans, so we don't, but you look like you need someone to talk to." Elaine had been away for a week visiting a friend, and he was right...I needed someone to talk to.
I asked him which of the twenty turkeys were from his family. He replied, "They all were either his wives or his children." I guess that makes up for being called ugly.
Then it hit me, Thanksgiving was only a couple of days away. Now, we had seen packs of turkeys before, but they usually disappeared around this time of year. I asked him if he had seen a calendar lately. He responded, " Sure, you guys are having Thanksgiving soon, and I am taking the family to a secluded pond for the week. We don't like to be around humans this week. They always try to catch us, and I don't know what happens after that...no one from my family has ever come back to tell us." I asked him why humans thought turkeys were so dumb, since obviously, he was very smart and could talk.
He replied, "We don't want humans to bother us, so we just pretend to be disinterested." We talked about the Red Sox' chances for next year, and what the upcoming winter would be like.
As the last of his family crossed the road, he asked my what I did for a living. I replied that I am a consultant in the glass industry, and that I write for US Glass Magazine and write a weekly blog. He simply looked over his shoulder at me as he walked away and said.........
Ok readers, here is your chance...what did the turkey say to me...send your comments to me at paulbaseball@gmail.com and I will publish them next week. Go ahead...take your best shot. And have a great Thanksgiving.
At least twenty turkeys were in line. Slowly walking across the street, one at a time. There were small ones, big ones, and ugly ones. Well, they were all ugly, but since they can't read this blog, I can say what I want. They were also cute, in an ugly sort of way.
So, this big one, at least twenty-five pounds, walks to the side of my car and says to me, "What's your rush...the family will be out of your way in a couple of minutes."
Surprised was I.
I told him I had never talked with a winged-turkey before. (There are definitely some human ones that have been in my life) He replied, "Usually, there is no reason for us to talk to humans, so we don't, but you look like you need someone to talk to." Elaine had been away for a week visiting a friend, and he was right...I needed someone to talk to.
I asked him which of the twenty turkeys were from his family. He replied, "They all were either his wives or his children." I guess that makes up for being called ugly.
Then it hit me, Thanksgiving was only a couple of days away. Now, we had seen packs of turkeys before, but they usually disappeared around this time of year. I asked him if he had seen a calendar lately. He responded, " Sure, you guys are having Thanksgiving soon, and I am taking the family to a secluded pond for the week. We don't like to be around humans this week. They always try to catch us, and I don't know what happens after that...no one from my family has ever come back to tell us." I asked him why humans thought turkeys were so dumb, since obviously, he was very smart and could talk.
He replied, "We don't want humans to bother us, so we just pretend to be disinterested." We talked about the Red Sox' chances for next year, and what the upcoming winter would be like.
As the last of his family crossed the road, he asked my what I did for a living. I replied that I am a consultant in the glass industry, and that I write for US Glass Magazine and write a weekly blog. He simply looked over his shoulder at me as he walked away and said.........
Ok readers, here is your chance...what did the turkey say to me...send your comments to me at paulbaseball@gmail.com and I will publish them next week. Go ahead...take your best shot. And have a great Thanksgiving.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
