Reprinted from the Construction Marketing Ideas newsletter, Dec. 22.
 For some, it has been a year of genuine turmoil and struggle, as formerly thriving businesses faced painful retrenchments and struggled to survive. Some readers lost their jobs, some their businesses. We had our own share of challenges, as rosy economic projections last October gave way to an acute business crisis that tore into our business until we were able to bring things under control in the summer. Within the gloom and pain, however, we discovered some bright beacons for the future. The original idea to relaunch a printed Washington (D.C.) Construction News evolved, at the suggestion of Tim Klabunde, into the multi-media Design and Construction Report. Tim introduced me to the online social networking Linkedin.com groups, and the highly successful Design and Construction Network. We also discovered how timeless business principals distilled by our consultant Bill Caswell of Caswell Corporate Coaching Company could help our (and your) business both weather the storm and restore its capacity to thrive. Bill is leading a special seminar on Feb. 12: "Taking your Construction Business to the Next Level" which will tell you how to move forward and overcome your business challenges. Most importantly, we realized how important traditional values and relationships are in the electronic age. Architectural, engineering and construction businesses thrive by delivering top quality services -- built on relationships founded in respect and integrity. Best wishes for the Holiday Season and Happy New Year! Mark Buckshon  President Construction News and Report Group of Companies |
