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Each Thursday morning, I send a free enewsletter to more than 5,000 opt-in subscribers. It usually contains seven links to interesting stories (some of which even have to do with heating) along with my brief musings. I do this because I am curious by nature, love to share and have no life.

Many times as owners we get in the way of our own success by continuing to do only those things that we already know how to do. Doing what you know and actually knowing what to do can result in two different outcomes. 

 We’ve all seen the headlines about great CEOs, celebrities, sports icons and various recognizable people regarding the lasting impacts they’ve had on our society. There’s no doubt that Michael Jordan will long be remembered for how much he helped shape a new style of professional basketball which incorporated some smaller and faster players.  

 You probably have heard the story about a former director of the U.S. Patent Office. In 1899, the story goes, he recommended closing the office because “everything that can be invented has been invented.” 

 While much of America’s future economic dynamism has been riveted on the overdue upgrading of the nation’s infrastructure (pipelines, bridges, dams, railroads and highways), little has been heard lately regarding commercial and industrial construction. 

The market for wood-gasification boilers is growing in North America. Most are used in rural areas where natural gas in not available, and thus the cost of firewood is often very competitive against the alternatives of No. 2 fuel oil or propane.

Is it true that systems can make any company run better and be more profitable? Yes! Is it also true that systems can make it possible to run your company successfully without you having to ride to the rescue to save the day? Can you depend on great staff to overcome a lack of known and practiced policies and procedures? Yes

Differences exist between rules of thumb and precise calculations.

 The three critical and costly items where contractors ask for help more than any others are Occupational Safety and Health Administration citations, personal injury and safety.