The art of public relations is just that, art.  There’s a real skill set to PR work, and sometimes the messaging is so subtle that you’re not aware that the spin machine is in full force.  Over the holidays I read a number of articles about our homes being overvalued, too much debt, and the ever popular too much mortgage debt.  The cynic in me wonders if there’s genuine concern by the authors of these reports or is this a Machiavellian tactic. (more…)

So a new year is upon us.  It’s been my experience that our year begins in earnest around January 15th.  Many in our industry, which includes suppliers and referral sources, are still away on vacation and it usually takes until the 15th of January to get everyone back into work mode.  So the reality is that January is always sluggish as it relates to volumes.  Every year I say the same thing to myself at the end of January, “we got some ground to make up”. This year will be no different.

But  it’s interesting what a difference a year makes.  In November of 2010, it was clear to me that 2011 was going to be a challenging year for Merix.  I knew  then that there would be periods during 2011 when we would have to sit on the sidelines and watch volumes go to our competition. (more…)