About 10 years ago, a book titled, “Blue Ocean Strategy” was published by the Harvard Business Review Press. When I first read this book I recognized the things that we’d been doing at NCI for the previous 10 years were actually part of a blue ocean strategy. Our blue ocean was, and is, helping our …
Read more
When it comes to HVAC sales, things can be quite confusing. The rapid pace of technological development means that no manufacturer can maintain a competitive edge for very long. Manufacturers develop a hot new box and, before they can cash their first check, a competitor has produced a bigger, better, faster or cheaper version. As …
Read more
You know, you just can’t win. For decades the U.S. government, through the auspices of the Energy Efficiency Act, the Department of Energy, and even the Environmental Protection agency have worked tirelessly with electric and gas utilities and the consuming public to become more energy conscious and consume electricity more efficiently and economically. In the …
Read more
It’s in the books: the first Republican debate on the road to the 2016 presidential elections. As a native of Cleveland, I want to say how proud I am of this city and its people. Commentators said that the Cleveland audience was one of the most demonstrative in the last three election cycles. How cool …
Read more
In the world of business, marketing and selling to existing customers is more important than ever. Today it’s even more affordable than before because the Internet acts like the rising tide – it floats all boats, no matter the size. In other words, it equalizes a business’ marketing reach, no matter how large or small …
Read more
Energy efficiency is like the never-ending story with the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) and the current administration’s non-stop push to squeeze ever more out of the HVAC industry. Yes, ladies and gents, the efficiency dance continues still, with members of Congress FINALLY getting into the act. Here’s the rundown: on June 8th, 121 members …
Read more
OK, so for those who know me, they know that since before college I fell in love with all things “techie” – and that was so long ago that the word “techie” didn’t even exist. Back in the late 1960s and 1970s, the tech was all things stereophonic – receivers, amplifiers, turntables, eight track and …
Read more
This is one of life’s toughest assignments: saying farewell to someone who had a major impact on your life and career. It is with a very sad heart that I bid adieu to Joe Fristik, corporate VP of marketing and national accounts for Rheem. Joe passed away early on March 25, 2015. He was only …
Read more
“We’re from the government. We’re here to help.” So say the regulators from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) whose new energy efficiency proposal raises the minimum furnace efficiency to 92% AFUE applicable nationally. What? The HVAC industry is once again beset with a government agency that seems to look for any excuse to regulate …
Read more
The holidays are nearly over and the giant question mark of 2015 looms very close by. As this year winds down and everyone begins the surge of predictions and forecasts, it might be fun to take a look at where the HVAC Industry is in general and where those of us who believe in and …
Read more
