by Sonnhalter | Jan 17, 2017 | Public Relations, Tradespeople Insights
By Chris Ilcin, Account Superintendent, Sonnhalter
“Free advertising,” who doesn’t want that? One of the best side effects of the boom in content marketing is the growth of brand-neutral trade magazine articles. Pay-for-play has been relegated to the back burner as more and more publications see the benefit of offering knowledge-based problem solving articles.
That’s also an offshoot of the lack of skilled workers, as more and more knowledge retires, there’s an increased need to transfer that knowledge. With less opportunity for direct, apprentice-based, transfer, white papers, problem solving articles and general knowledge pieces gain added importance.
So, how can your company benefit? Create thought leaders. A bragging title most people would reject, it can still help you promote your business and create a knowledge warehouse.
How to Create Thought Leaders (more…)
by tradespeopleinsights | Jan 11, 2017 | Tradespeople Insights, Uncategorized
By John Sonnhalter, Rainmaker Journeyman, Sonnhalter
Now that the election is over and Donald Trump will become our new leader, I’m curious to see if you’re as optimistic as I am on where the country is headed, or could be headed, if the world crosses don’t get in the way.
Trump’s business-friendly attitude and the mantra of “there will be no business as usual” is somewhat refreshing. The rollback of regulations alone should be a game changer for manufacturing. The cutting of corporate taxes wouldn’t hurt either.
(more…)
by Sonnhalter | Jan 10, 2017 | Events/Trade Shows, Tradespeople Insights
By Chris Ilcin, Account Superintendent, Sonnhalter
After four year in Vegas, the NAHB International Builder’s Show and the HKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show move to central Florida for Design & Construction Week .
A must-attend event for the industry, these co-located shows continue to be at the forefront of innovation, with more than 2,000 exhibitors and hundreds of education sessions. Here are a few highlights: (more…)
by Sonnhalter | Jan 4, 2017 | Marketing Trends, Tradespeople Insights, Uncategorized
By Rachel Kerstetter, PR Architect, Sonnhalter
2016 was again a big year in the B2T space. The comments and shares on what we publish here, gives us a good indication of what’s on your mind.
Here are the top posts on our Tradesmen Insights blog from 2016: (more…)
by Sonnhalter | Dec 20, 2016 | Tradespeople Insights, Uncategorized
By Chris Ilcin, Account Superintendent, Sonnhalter
“Train your people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough so that they don’t want to.”
-Richard Branson
A column I just read brought that quote to mind. Jack Schron, the President of Jergens recently wrote “Grey Matters Matter” for Production Machining magazine. It’s a great piece, and I highly recommend reading the full text.
Mr. Schron focuses on the fact that without a skilled workforce, all the advanced machining, Internet of Things (iOT) and new advances in precision machining are worthless. And the best way to achieve that skilled workforce is through good old experiential rather than textbook learning. And with the advances and costs, that type of training can’t be achieved by just manufacturers, or just trade schools, or any one affected segment. It requires all of them, working together to create state of the art Technical Centers. And that additionally, it required companies, vendors and partners willing to think outside the box and re-examine processes.
Find out one way Jergens has accomplished this by checking out their Fastforward™ Machining Center.
