Blog

Illuminating Need for Better Textile Management

Andy Feldman Posted May 4th 2012 at 9:19AM

The Wall Street Journal can drive you crazy. One week you seem to be in the money and the next you think you need to scrape for pennies. The Asian fiber market is unstable, to say the least. Pricing jumped so much in 2011 that we felt abused, and although the situation has improved in 2012 dramatically, this may not be sustainable as early as the third quarter and beyond.

Certification Takes PMI to Industry Education Pinnacle

Bob Corfield Posted Feb 17th 2012 at 11:48AM

Tying the new Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM) designation to attending the Production Management Institute (PMI) has made 2012 the best time ever to enroll in PMI. Participants will now have a professional designation to show for their commitment to graduating from the program. They will then take Web classes and undertake other career development activities to maintain their certification.

Sales Velocity: You Can't Replace It

Troy Harrison Posted Jan 26th 2012 at 2:25PM

The dictionary defines “velocity” as the measure of speed in objects that are in motion. To me, sales velocity is the measurement of a customer’s need to act on, buy and implement your proposal. Sales velocity is the difference between a proposal that lands in the customer’s inbox and gathers dust versus one that stays at or near the top of your customer’s action list until you are awarded the business. That’s something we all want. But how do we get it?

Medical PPE Ripe for Unfair Regulation

Bill Mann Posted Jul 21st 2011 at 11:48AM

In reviewing some publications in my inbox I came across an alert from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) about preventing needle stick injuries in healthcare settings. Most such injuries involve nursing staff, but laboratory staff, physicians, housekeepers, and others are also injured. NIOSH quoted an EPINet report suggesting that, on average, hospital workers incur approximately 30 needlestick injuries per 100 beds per year. What does that stat really mean?

EMI: Like It or Not, You're into Numbers

Barbara Herman Posted Jul 20th 2011 at 8:10AM

In our finance class at the TRSA Executive Management Institute it’s not about the numbers, it’s ALL about the numbers. While the expression, “Everyone is Always Selling,” applies to EMI, “Everyone is Always Counting” is what I’d like to see it changed to. Maybe not as fun?

Avoiding Ultimate Management Decline

Jim Kroncke Posted Jul 6th 2011 at 9:27AM

How long should a manager wait before giving honest, straightforward feedback to his/her associates? I am reminded of the story about the head professor devil at the College of Devils. He asked his three young student devils a final oral exam question: “What is the very best way to tempt your targeted humans toward their downfall?”

EMI Year III Teaches Authentic Leadership

Jim Underwood Posted Jun 27th 2011 at 5:27PM

When TRSA Executive Management Institute attendees return for their third week-long EMI session (Year III) they navigate the personal and interpersonal dynamics of becoming a more impactful and effective leader at work and in their communities and families. Year III covers leadership qualities that are more “art” than “science.” We explore what’s known as the EQ or emotional intelligence aspects of leadership.

EMI Dean: No Problems, Only Decisions

H. Kent Baker Posted Jun 16th 2011 at 4:37PM

Everyone faces problems and makes multiple decisions every day. These vary in importance from the ordinary to the critical. As psychiatrist/writer Theodore Rubin commented, “The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is the problem.” Given that problem solving is simply a part of life, the issue is how to do this more effectively.

CSRs Not Selling? Better Get with It

Jon Coyle Posted May 25th 2011 at 1:03PM

I was always of the belief that if you service an account well you can sell within it and re-sign it. Service goes far and beyond delivering items on an invoice, often falling under the guise of consultant, accountant and confidant. Your customer service reps (CSRs) who sell successfully are all that and more. The day of the “truck-driving laundry ninja” is long past for fast-growing companies.

Corporate Success Hinges on Market Positioning

Steve Kallenbach Posted May 11th 2011 at 2:35PM

“Throw it out there and see what sticks!”

This line is one of the first things I heard when I began working in our industry. Regardless of our task, whether it is a new product, price increase or process change, we just do it ... and fix it later. In marketing lingo, this is “shot-gunning.”