Warm
Southern hospitality. Finger-licking ribs. Sweet tea. Hand shakes and hugs (in
spite of swine flu concerns). Intermittent rain storms suddenly interrupting sunny
high 60s temperatures. This was the 2009 version of the Kitchen/Bath Industry
Show held in Atlanta
May 1-3.
I had heard that Las
Vegas construction was in huge trouble. According to
the reports, the financial meltdown had broken the city’s back. The cranes were
idle, the jackhammers silent and the workers sent packing. Put a fork in all
those huge building projects--they're dead.
I’ve cleared my driveway for the 200th time this winter (OK,
it just seems like 200 times) only to have it recovered with a fresh blanket of
snow before I drive away.
For the last few years, anything green has received
incredible attention. The high price of oil, the threat of global warming, and
a strong economy have caused us to view the world through green-tinted glasses.
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes feel like I am drowning in a sea of
green.
The recent spate of mergers caused me to wonder why we--the
valued customers of these companies--were not consulted about their unions. I know
we could pick better partners.
The construction market stinks. The stock market brings
constant pain. The financial bailouts grow more insane by the day.
Manufacturers are struggling. Nonprofits are laying off staff. Retailers are
filing for bankruptcy.
Now that Thanksgiving is over, we have a few weeks before
the Christmas spirit peaks and we have to be nice to people. Now is the perfect
time to take advantage of people and make some easy money for your company.
Earlier this week the U.S. Commerce Department released
October stats indicating that new home and apartment construction have dropped
to an annual rate of 791,000 units, a 4.5% decrease from September.
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