Diversification

[B. Newman]

"What else do you sell?" we often ask each other. This month's issue of INC magazine has an article on Innovation and Optimization.

When we "optimize", we do what we are already doing, better, faster, and more efficently. When we "innovate", we add other things to the mix. The article is very good. It gave me some new ideas for both optimizing and innovating.

(I know, I know, this is a dull and boring subject. It's not near as exciting as cutting glass, or fingers. And it probably should have been on the Trade Magazine forum. So sue me. You can't get blood from a turnip! I just thought you might want to know about it. tongue.gif )

Betty

[Dermot]

Betty

I was getting sore at you guys again you keep talking about journals I cannot get in Ireland, well luck would have it I was doing a search last week for some business information and lo and behold what did I find www.inc.com (http://www.inc.com)

I have printed the article on “The Innovator’s Rule Book” to read later the link is as follows. http://www.inc.com/incmagazine/articles/24045.html

Dull, boring, I’m not so sure this is the way I have learned most of my business skills by reading and in particular when it has come to picture framing, if I had to rely on what is available in Ireland on that subject I would still be in the dark ages.

BTW next to our own Michael O’Leary of RyanAir, last month’s INC had my next most admired business person Michael Dell featured.

I will let you know if the article is boring if you do not hear from me on this subject take it as read that I found it good, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[DB]

Dermot- you mentioned that we talk about a lot of journals that you cannot get in Ireland. What in particular are you interested in? If I have back issues of anything, I would be happy to send them off to you! Thanks for the heads up, Betty. I read Decor and Picture Framing Mags first, and if I have time I read Inc, but lately they pile up for a month or two before I get to them. I find that Inc can be motivating. I'll read this one tonight!

[Dermot]

Diane

Thanks for your kind thoughts I’m stretching things a bit, I get Décor no problem, I will not subscribe to PFM they want about $120 extra on the US subscription price to send it to Ireland and by any stretch of the imagination that’s a bit much I can live without it, possible I will get it now that I’m a member of the PPFA, I wont hold my breath on that one.

I also get the journal from the FATG (Fine Arts Trade Guild UK) I’m a member of the Guild.

I do not subscribe to the other UK picture framing journal, like PFM they want about UK£40 extra to send it across the Irish sea again way over the top.

I’m probably just a bit envious of you guy’s you have so much at your finger tips, the best people in the industry, great publications, books galore on picture framing, PPFA chapters all over the place and unlimited trade shows to name but a few things, never mind the access you have to a full and complete range of framing products which are distributed in the most amazing way………..I find it astonishing that you guy’s can buy one sheet of mat board I have to buy at minimum the full pack and that if I’m lucky enough to find that my distributor stocks it, otherwise is use some thing else, or do a direct import from the UK or continental Europe.

I’m getting by but at times it is very time consuming and frustrating getting information or taking education, for example when I take my CPF exam I will need to budget about $3000 to 4000 when I factor in travel to the US and accommodation, on top of that I would need to allow about 4 to 5 days for travel which equates to more money.

Now enough of me letting off steam, and once again thanks for your very kind offer.

[Framerguy]

Dermot, rejoice!!

You have at your full disposal 24 hours a day,..............THE GRUMBLE!!!

What more could a person desire??

(Other than a local CPF exam station and more matboard selection and maybe a better moulding assortment and.................Oh well, anyway, you DO have the Grumble and a load of friends here to give you all the help you could ever want.) ;)

You can always count on us, my friend.

Framerguy