Latest Articles in Strategies & Practices

  • October 1, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    The Next Generation Showroom
    Windows & Doors by Brownell offers virtual companion to retail showroom
      A Showroom that Sells EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL Windows & Doors by Brownell Williston, Vt.   Windows & Doors by Brownell loves homeowners. This isn’t too unusual a concept for window and door companies, but founder and owner Les Brownell has built a retail and showroom strategy around his consumer-centric approach to business. The company has built... more »
  • September 15, 2011
    Resource | Operations

    EPA Video on RRP Certification
    Guide designed to introduce contractors to lead-safe work requirements
    The Environmental Protection Agency has created a video explaining its lead-paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program and its certification requirements for contractors:   more »
  • September 8, 2011
    COLUMN : Industry Watch | Operations, Sales & Marketing

    Batten the Hatches…and Your Wallet
    Long-range forecaster James Madden of Exacta Weather, a non-profit worldwide team of meteorologists, states that there is “a potentially record breaking U.S. winter for 2011-2012, with extremely cold temperatures and exceptional levels of snow." So, given that wallets and maxed-out credit cards have already been taking severe hits at the gas pump and grocery store, it would be wise to... more »
  • September 1, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Design & Performance, Sales & Marketing, Materials & Components, Methods & Techniques, Aesthetics & Style

    Crystal Achievement Awards 2011
    Window & Door has announced its 2011 Crystal Achievement Award winners. Selected by a panel of judges representing all segments of the industry, the awards recognize significant innovations and achievements in window and door technology, manufacturing, and marketing. “This year's Crystal Achievement Award winners reflect the strength and resilience of our industry,” says John... more »
  • August 30, 2011
    THE TALK... | Management

    Do You Have Plans in Place for Disasters?
    Visiting Cape Cod this past weekend, I got a first-hand look at a hurricane and also saw the effects of the storm. They were not catastrophic around me by any means, but trees went down and there were widespread power outages. This week's Talk comes from a friend's house as a result of power being down at my own. Anyway, the storm is on my mind, and I was curious how window and door... more »
  • August 17, 2011
    COLUMN : Opening Remarks | Sales & Marketing, Materials & Components, Aesthetics & Style

    Much to Get Excited About
    The opportunity to honor many of our industry’s innovators with the Crystal Achievement Awards makes our September issue one of the most gratifying to work on each year. It’s not just about recognizing the winners, however. Looking through all the nominations always reveals something about the direction we’re heading as an industry. This year it was evident that window and... more »
  • August 1, 2011
    COLUMN : Dealer Perspectives | Management

    Keeping Our Houses in Good Order
    The home improvement industry has come under close scrutiny for what some regulatory bodies are calling deceptive and misleading sales and employment practices. Unfortunately, many companies have already faced massive fines, penalties and legal fees. This column is designed to build awareness of some of the possible legal problems that dealers can encounter, as well as offer some cautions and... more »
  • August 1, 2011
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Operations

    RRP Record Keeping—The Dealer’s Challenge
    Companies need to follow lead-safe work practices on the job site and in the office
    Your personnel have taken the RRP training, and your company has become an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator. You give out the Renovate Right pamphlet to clients, occupants, and/or parents before every replacement or remodeling job on an old building. You train your employees, put up containment, use lead-safe work practices, and clean the job site within an inch of its life. You do... more »
  • July 20, 2011
    COLUMN : Opening Remarks | Management

    Something to Build On
    The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision not to expand its lead paint rules in July was welcome news for the industry. The added costs of compliance to the existing Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rules were already having a negative impact on remodeling activity, and additional clearance testing requirements would have inflated those costs further. The costs and their impact on... more »
  • July 20, 2011
    THE TALK... | Management

    What Will We Fight for Next?
    Window and door dealers are probably throwing parties as a result of EPA’s decision last week not to add lead clearance testing to LRRP rules. I don’t blame them—it’s been well documented that adding post-project clearance testing for lead dust would have added significant cost and burden to remodeling projects in pre-1978 homes. No doubt, the decision announced this week... more »