Editor's Blog - Ceramic Industry

	Survey Says! In the last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers about their work schedules. How long do you typically work each week? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In the last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they are familiar with mobile tags or have used them in the past. To see an example of a mobile tag, simply look on the bottom right corner of the cover of any recent issue of Ceramic Industry. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! According to a report in the Financial Times, Volkswagen AG recently announced that employees (excluding senior management) will be blocked from receiving work emails on company BlackBerrys after work hours, reportedly to prevent employee burnout. Would you support this initiative at your company? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In the last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers how optimistic they are about the global economy in 2012. Do you agree with them? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In the last CI CyberNews CyberPoll of 2011, we asked readers if they planned to work during the last week of December. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The check's in the mail! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if the U.S. Postal Service’s announced changes to first class mail service will affect their business. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! ’Tis the season—for shopping! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers about their holiday shopping budget. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked if the U.S. government should be allowed to require individuals to buy health insurance. The question clearly struck a cord with many of our readers. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Are the Republican presidential debates a waste of time or must-see TV? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Italy, Europe’s third-largest economy, is dealing with massive government debt. In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they think the U.S. should join in bailout efforts of Italy. Do you agree with the majority of respondents? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if their companies plan to hire new employees in 2012. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The U.S. GDP grew at an annual rate of 2.5% in the third quarter, nearly doubling the second quarter’s 1.3% growth rate. Does this indicate that the economy is gaining momentum? by Susan Sutton

	Survey Says! It’s that coughing, sniffling, sore throat time of year. In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they take sick time when they’re ill. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Rolodexes used to be a fixture on any office desk. But are they still relevant in the digital age? In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers how they store contact information. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Apple's co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs will be remembered as a visionary. In last week's CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers which product represented Jobs' greatest innovation. Do you agree with them? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says!

According to a recent poll, full-time workers in the UK who are overweight or obese and suffer from other chronic health conditions miss more than 100 million more work days annually than healthy workers, costing ~ $32 billion in lost productivity each year. In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if companies should offer help to improve employees’ health situation to reduce lost productivity costs.

by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if their company has implemented a four-day work week. The majority (75%) of respondents answered no, while 25% of respondents’ companies have implemented a short work week. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In President Obama’s recent address, he indicated that he supports opening access to foreign markets, as well as the adoption of the pending free trade agreements. In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they think these efforts will help stimulate American manufacturing. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Did you know September is National Preparedness Month? What is your company doing to prepare or review its preparedness plan? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on consumer confidence. We asked readers if they think increasingly pessimistic consumers are going to undermine the recovery. Do you agree with them? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if their companies have a social media presence. Is your company among the majority? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Our readers had a lot to say about Warren Buffett's recent New York Times opinion piece, in which he wrote, “My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice.” What are your thoughts on this topic? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! We asked readers in last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll if they think the recent downgrading of the U.S. credit rating will have a negative effect on manufacturing. Do you agree with them? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Is your company involved in manufacturing "green" products? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Many baby boomers say they will continue to work past the age of retirement becuase they are concerned about their future financial security. What are your thoughts on this issue? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Our question in last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll regarding President Obama and Congress coming to an agreement on the debt ceiling by today’s deadline generated many impassioned comments. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! As the national debt ceiling deadline looms, we asked readers in last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll if they think the national debt is hurting the economy. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! With summer in full swing, we asked readers of last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll if they use all of their allotted vacation time each year. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they think the end of the Fed’s quantitative easing on June 30 will have an effect on the financial markets or the pace of the U.S. economy’s recovery. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Some politicians have suggested overhauling or possibly eliminating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they would agree with a revamp of the EPA. What are your thoughts on this topic? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Japan has instituted a new summer dress code, dubbed “Super Cool Biz,” to help save electricity during the hot summer months. In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they agree with a summer dress code to encourage reduced energy consumption. Do you agree with their responses? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The Retailers Association of Massachusetts is fighting for a bill that will require online merchants to collect sales taxes. Do you think this is a good idea? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! As hurricane season begins, last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked readers if their workplace is prepared for a natural disaster. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Are you familiar with mobile tags? When scanned with a mobile phone, mobile tags connect the user to websites, videos, articles, product information and much more. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The majority of our readers prefer to receive news and industry information online. Do you agree? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Will potential security threats following the death of Osama bin Laden affect your travel plans? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Is the recycling program at your workplace satisfactory? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked readers if their company publishes a customer newsletter. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Should overqualified, highly educated workers be passed over for entry-level jobs if there are no other jobs available? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Many of our readers have shared their thoughts regarding the proposed high-speed rail network that has been under consideration by President Obama and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Where do you stand on the issue? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on the Wal-Mart sex-bias lawsuit and its potential impact on the way other corporations handle their human resources practices. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Our readers are cautiously optimistic about the next quarter's revenues. Do you agree? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Has your company been affected by supply chain disruptions due to the earthquake in Japan? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Have you heard of a virtual trade show? Your chance to attend one is coming up on May 4, when the free Tech ManufactureXPO will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (ET). by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! According to a recent report, the U.S. needs to encourage vocational education as a viable alternative to a college education. Do you consider college to be a prerequisite to success, or should kids be pointed toward vocational schools to learn job skills? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if rising gasoline costs are affecting their businesses. Do you agree with their responses? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The head of the International Monetary Fund recently suggested that a global reserve currency “would limit the extent to which the international monetary system as a whole depends on the policies and conditions of a single, albeit dominant, country.” Would you support an alternative to the U.S. dollar? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! According to a recent report from The Industrial Research Institute, 53% of medium to large U.S. companies are forecasting an increase in their R&D budgets. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers about the affect that the civil unrest in Egypt might have on oil prices. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on productivity. Where are you most productive? by Susan Sutton

Focus on R&D We focus on research and development in this month’s issue of Ceramic Industry. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked if readers agree with Ben Bernanke’s statement that “things have stopped getting worse and are getting a little better” for U.S. small businesses. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked about wintery weather conditions. Does your company have plans in place for weather-related disasters? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on business travel. Do you expect to travel more for business this year? by Susan Sutton

	Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they make work-related New Year’s resolutions. by Susan Sutton

New Year’s Resolutions It’s that time of year again. Time to take stock, to look back on the past year and think about our successes and challenges. by Susan Sutton

	Happy Holidays! Happy holidays and best wishes from all of us at Ceramic Industry to you and yours. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Did your company declare special dividends to be paid out before the end of the year? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Our CI CyberNews CyberPoll question regarding WikiLeaks.org founder Julian Assange generated many strong opinions from our readers. Do you agree with them? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! According to a recent Manufacturing ISM Report on Business, economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in October for the 15th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 18th consecutive month. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Will the full-body scanners being installed in various U.S. airports change the way you travel? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked readers how they primarily use social media. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives would be good for business. Do you agree with them? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on R&D spending in the first three quarters of 2010. According to half of the respondents (50%), R&D spending at their companies increased during this time period. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! As a consumer, are you willing to pay more for "green" products? by Susan Sutton

Amy Vallance Named Publisher of CI It’s with great pleasure that I announce that Amy Vallance has been named publisher of Ceramic Industry. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on readers’ activities in the renewable energy sector. by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes It’s time to venture further into the life cycle of tile and look at problems that may arise. How does the consumer know when their tile isn’t right? by Dan Marvin

	Survey Says! Have you traveled more, less or the same amount this year as you did last year? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Was a recent Harrisburg University of Science and Technology experiement that required students and staff to live without Facebook, Twitter and other social networks for a week a good idea? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week focused on a potential new plan by the Federal Aviation Administration to allow airline pilots nine hours of rest between work days, rather than the original eight. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked our readers how long they’ve worked for their current organization. How does your experience compare with the responses? by Susan Sutton

Sue Love Steps Down as Publisher It is with a heavy heart that I must share the news that Sue Love has had to step down from her role as publisher of CI due to medical reasons. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked our readers if they use all of their allocated vacation time each year. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! How many hours per week do you typically work? Are you working more now than you were a year ago? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked if the strengthening Japanese yen would contribute to a “double-dip” U.S. recession. Do you agree with the results? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Do you plan to spend more during the upcoming holiday season? If so, you might be the exception and not the rule. by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Update from Ghana Our institute was challenged to produce a type of brick with a specific quality and color for a project near the coast of our country. It came to me to produce the quality and color that the project needed. by Dennis Frimpong

Survey Says! Are technologies such as e-mail, social networking and online hobby groups negatively impacting our meaningful personal relationships with families and neighbors? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked if it is reasonable that Michael Duke, Walmart’s CEO, earns nearly 2000 times that of the average Walmart employee. What are your thoughts on this topic? by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes OK class, get out your American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile books and turn to page 13. Now, who would like to tell us about the Diagonal Warpage specifications for Rectified Porcelain? Anyone? Hello? by Dan Marvin

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on BP CEO Tony Hayward being removed from his position following the company’s response the Gulf Coast oil spill. Is it fair for him to take all of the blame? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked readers about their spending/saving plans in light of the economic downturn. Do your plans match the respondents'? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked readers if their companies plan to reduce production shifts during the summer months. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Do you think China’s recent move to allow more flexibility for its currency will have a positive impact on the U.S. economy? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked if the housing market will be able to maintain its pace from the first half of the year, now that the tax credits are over. Do you agree with the results? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week asked if the public discussion and congressional debate on BP’s handling of the oil spill opens up other companies to closer inspection. Do you agree with the results? by Susan Sutton

	Ceramics Around the World I recently received an e-mail from a reader based in Ghana that got me thinking about the state of ceramic and related manufacturing operations around the world. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Has the Gulf Coast oil spill impacted your business? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked “What should be Job One for the government?” How did readers respond? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In the wake of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week focused on liability costs for oil companies drilling off the U.S. coast. Do you think the current cap should be raised or eliminated? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked participants if the European debt crisis has put the U.S. economic recovery in jeopardy. Do you agree with the results? by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes Poor other flooring choices. They try so hard to be as environmentally friendly as ceramic tile, they really do, but in the end they always come up short. by Dan Marvin

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Do you think she would be good or bad for business, if confirmed? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked if the government’s recent jobs report was a good indicator of an improving economy. Do you agree with the results? by Susan Sutton

More Regulations on the Way? The Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorated Products (SGCDpro) recently reported that two new bills focusing on chemicals are in the works. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on the latest quarterly GDP increase. Do you think it signals a true end to the recession? by Susan Sutton

A New Face I’m happy to announce that, beginning today, Teresa McPherson will serve as our new managing editor. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Of the total respondents in last week's CI CyberNews CyberPoll, 88.89% believe that an increase in the price of crude could ruin worldwide economic recovery. Do you agree? by Susan Sutton

Celebrating Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary Vice President Biden kicked off five days of administration events around the 40th anniversary of Earth Day yesterday with the announcement of the selection of 25 communities for up to $452 million in Recovery Act funding to “ramp-up” energy-efficiency building retrofits.

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week asked our readers if they are concerned about possible repercussions if the U.S. imposes sanctions against China over its currency controls. Do you agree with the responses? by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes Specifications continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing world of tile. As tile gets larger, graphics get more complex and installations get more demanding, it is important for the industry to keep up to date. by Dan Marvin

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on competition with Third World manufacturers. Can U.S. companies compete? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on the best and the worst of the new health care bill. Our readers certainly have strong opinions about this legislation. What are your thoughts? by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on staffing levels in the second quarter of 2010. Of the total respondents, 76.9% plan to keep current staffing levels. What are your company's plans? by Susan Sutton

Guest Blog: The Trouble with the TSCA If the EPA is successful in changing its long-standing position on this issue, literally thousands of ceramic formulations will have to be submitted to the EPA for examination and approval. by Myra Warne

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked if readers think that Congress is gridlocked by partisanship. The majority (88.9%) of respondents do, though they don’t all necessarily think it’s a bad thing for the economy.

	Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Whether you’re of Irish descent or Irish at heart, everyone can enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked if readers thought that Lowes’ better-than-expected fourth quarter profits indicated that the worst has passed for the housing market. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on globalization. Would American businesses have proceeded with the transfer of production to lower-cost labor centers outside of the U.S. even if they’d known of the domestic factory shutdowns and unemployment that would result? by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes Every box of tile has a secret. If you read this entire blog entry and promise not to post bad comments, I’ll tell you what it is. First though, I’ll tell you where it is. by Dan Marvin

	Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked about the effects of the unusually heavy snowfall in February. Was your business affected by the snow?

	Guest Blog: Ceramics in Bloom This week, Bloom Energy made ceramics sexy again. The hip, new photo opportunity is to be standing next to a Bloom Box holding a square of tape-cast zirconia. by Chris Pilko

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll dealt with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s proposed jobs bill. The majority of readers (64.8%) are not in favor of the bill, while the same number of readers either support the bill or are unsure (17.6% each). by Susan Sutton

700 Members and Counting The more the merrier! The Ceramic Industry magazine group on LinkedIn now has over 700 members. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked readers if they thought that a $5000 tax credit would spur job creation. by Susan Sutton

Additive Manufacturing The term “additive manufacturing” always makes me think of the manufacture of additives (e.g., deflocculants or dispersants). Not so, of course. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they think that the growth illustrated by the recent jump in GDP can be sustained. Do you agree with the results? by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes 95% of all tile is designed to look like stone, so the name of the game is random. The less one piece looks like another, the better. by Dan Marvin

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they agree that, as it’s been suggested, flat is the new up in terms of financial results. by Susan Sutton

Brick Under Fire? As if the housing collapse, lending crisis and general worldwide financial malaise weren’t enough challenges for the brick industry, two news items recently came across my desk that gave me pause. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on opportunities for the growth of the ceramic market. Which segment did respondents consider to be the most promising? by Susan Sutton

CI Mourns the Loss of Columnist Thomas Maskell Ceramic Industry columnist Thomas Joseph Maskell, 64, of Poland, Ohio, passed away January 4 at Hospice of the Valley, Hospice House. by Susan Sutton

	Don’t Miss Deco 2010 The Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorated Products (SGCDpro) will hold Deco 2010 in Nashville, Tenn., April 18-19.

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers if they felt that the collapse of the housing market was caused chiefly by lax regulation or the failure of the Fed’s monetary policy. What did they say, and which would you choose? by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes Tile is formed in much the same way that a diamond is formed—through incredible pressure. What takes nature millions of years to achieve underground takes a few seconds in the factory. by Dan Marvin

Happy Holidays! Happy holidays and best wishes from all of us at Ceramic Industry to you and yours. (Our offices will be closed December 24 through January 3.) by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on portable electronic devices. Of the total respondents, 57.89% regularly use a traditional/standard cell phone, while 42.11% use a smart phone (iPhone, Blackberry, etc.). by Susan Sutton

I’ve Had Nightmares about Ben Bernanke I heard the news about Ben Bernanke being named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2009 with a fair amount of trepidation. I’ve had nightmares about him, you see. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked respondents about their opinion of the current state of the U.S. economy. The majority of respondents (65.8%) rated current economic conditions as “poor.” Do you agree? by Susan Sutton

Help Us Choose the Best Cover of 2009 Take a stroll down memory lane and help us choose the best CI cover of 2009. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on companies’ plans to hire or bring back workers in the first quarter of 2010. by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes We may not admit it, but most of us in the business of turning dirt into tile have just a little bit of pyromaniac in us. Putting on those thick, silver gloves to rescue test samples from the kiln reminds us that we’re playing with fire… literally. by Dan Marvin

	The December Issue is Now Online! Our December issue cover story focuses on advanced ceramics, detailing the demand, challenges and opportunities for these materials. by Susan Sutton

	Giving Thanks Though 2009 has been a very tough year on a number of levels, we still have much to be thankful for. I’d like to offer a very special thanks from all of us at Ceramic Industry to all of you. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers who should be named the business leader(s) of the decade. Do you agree with the results? by Susan Sutton

Celebrating Sanitaryware The World Toilet Organization has named November 19 World Toilet Day. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In the CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week, we asked respondents what factor would be the key indicator that the recession is turning around. Do you agree with their assessment? by Susan Sutton

	CI’s November Issue is Now Online! Our November issue includes articles on nondestructive testing, advances in microwave technologies, and product design software, plus lots more! Be sure to check it out. by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Tile Tech Notes I remember when I was six years old and my grandfather asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I looked him in the eyes and with a seriousness that belied my young age, I told him, “I want to be a tile engineer, Grandpa!” OK, so that never happened. by Dan Marvin

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on the Obama administration’s plan to require the seven companies that received the most bailout assistance to cut the compensation of their highest-paid executives. Do you agree with our poll respondents? by Susan Sutton

Virtual Trade Shows I attended my first virtual trade show today, and it was definitely an interesting experience. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I was hopeful and looking forward to having access to useful and interesting information without having to leave the office. by Susan Sutton

Big Cuts for Big Spenders On one hand, I’m not at all crazy about the government dictating compensation packages—for anyone. On the other hand, the situation reminds me of the state of my room when I was a teenager. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on financial expectations for next year. Overall, respondents expect to be better off in 2010 (31.5% by a little and 21.1% by a lot). Do you agree? by Susan Sutton

New Report Details Chinese Glass Subsidies' Effect on U.S. Glass Industry According to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute, the U.S. glass industry lost almost 30% of its workforce from 2001-2008, while glass production in China increased by 67% beginning in 2003. by Susan Sutton

Nobel Peace Prize Shocker In a huge surprise, the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Barack Obama. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Of the total respondents, the majority (73.7%) believe that interest rates are artificially low. A smaller majority (57.9%) think that the zero interest rate will lead to inflation, and the same number (57.9%) believe that it’s time for the Fed to boost the rate. by Susan Sutton

Our October Issue is Online—and Digital! The October issue features a number of articles regarding material advances, as well as industry regulations, glass glazing, refractories and more. Be sure to check out the digital edition as well! by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on President Obama’s decision to add tariffs for some Chinese tire imports over the next three years. Participants’ opinions were split evenly at 50% for and 50% against the idea. by Susan Sutton

Small Business Financing Options I recently came across "Looking Beyond Loans: Where to Find Financing Now” and wanted to share it with you. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked readers about the Obama administration’s new manufacturing “czar,” Ron Bloom. The majority of respondents (88.2%) do not believe that Bloom has the experience necessary to solve the problems faced by U.S. manufacturing. by Susan Sutton

There’s Good News and Bad News Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, said earlier this week that the recession is over and that the economy has entered a recovery period. That’s good news, right? Well, unfortunately, he also said that we’re not going to feel like we’re in a recovery for quite a while yet. by Susan Sutton

Reaching a Milestone Membership in the Ceramic Industry LinkedIn group currently stands at 298. We’d love for you to join us and help us reach the 300-member mark! by Susan Sutton

“I Hear America Singing” This morning, I couldn’t stop imagining a neighborhood made up of 9/11 victims’ families, each home missing at least one someone. The scope of the loss is truly appalling. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on the Cash for Clunkers program and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Of the two programs, Cash for Clunkers was more popular among respondents and the people they know. by Susan Sutton

Celebrating Labor "It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership—the American worker.” by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week, we asked CI CyberNews readers to share the challenges their businesses are facing in terms of personnel, raw materials and regulations. Here's what they had to say. by Susan Sutton

Advice for Small Business Owners Discover insights on topics ranging from “On Financial Management” and “On Business Planning” to “On Marketing” and “On Brand Management.” by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! In last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll, we asked respondents to share the challenges their businesses are facing in terms of energy costs, health care costs and fair trade impediments. Here's what they had to say. by Susan Sutton

Check out the Digital Edition! The CI website will continue to feature each issue’s print content, including feature articles, case studies, columns and more. In addition, each issue is now also available as a complete digital edition! by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Most of the poll respondents (75%) are familiar with IFRS, while only half (50%) think that the U.S. should adopt the standards. by Susan Sutton

Embracing Lean If they hadn’t before, the worldwide recession has prompted many companies to explore the potential benefits of lean manufacturing. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The majority of CI CyberNews CyberPoll respondents (62.2%) are encouraged by the June increase in new home sales, though some appear to be at least somewhat skeptical. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week focused on the proposed government health insurance plan. Most respondents (79.2%) do not think that the government plan can coexist with private insurance. Do you agree?

Reminder: August/September Issue Will Mark Our Digital Debut Downloadable, printable and fully searchable, digital editions offer yet another vehicle for CI to deliver outstanding content to help our readers succeed. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll focused on Wal-Mart’s announcement that it will require manufacturer-provided eco-ratings on all of the products it sells. by Susan Sutton

LinkedIn Group Reaches Milestone Our group on LinkedIn has topped the 200-member mark! Thank so much to everyone who has joined and is participating in the group. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked our readers if they think we’ve seen the bottom of the recession. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Our CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week focused on the government’s role in private industry. by Susan Sutton

“Global 500” Fortune has released its annual Global 500 “annual ranking of the world’s largest corporations.” by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Of the total respondents, 82.5% agree that H.R. 2998 is “the biggest job-killing bill that has ever been on the floor of the House of Representatives.” by Susan Sutton

	PPP HotSpot Now on Twitter! We’re always looking for new ways to bring all of our readers the latest information they need to be successful in their businesses. Toward that end, we’ve started a new Twitter feed for Pottery Production Practices. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Of the total respondents, 54.7% agree that it was necessary for GM and Chrysler to close dealerships in an effort to right-size their companies. by Susan Sutton

Are Layoffs Cost Effective? Though the pace of layoffs seems to be slackening somewhat of late, the need for potential additional headcount reductions remains on nearly everyone’s mind. But do layoffs always make financial sense? by Susan Sutton

We’re Going Digital! The technology that powers these digital issues is really amazing. Each issue is not only printable and downloadable, but searchable. by Susan Sutton

Exhibiting at Ceramitec? We’ll be including sneak peeks of display advertisers’ booths in an upcoming Ceramitec preview article, and we’d love to include your information. by Susan Sutton

Brainstorming for 2010 Though many (most?) ideas that come from a good brainstorming session really just won’t work, these creative-thinking tsunamis often result in leaps of imagination that provide amazing benefits. by Susan Sutton

	Ceramic Industry LinkedIn Group Continues to Grow It’s been a little over two months since we created the Ceramic Industry magazine group on LinkedIn, and it keeps on growing! by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll from last week asked our readers if they thought the recession was abating. What did they say? by Susan Sutton

“Daydream Believer” I’ve always liked this song, so I feel somewhat disloyal when I say that The Monkees got it all wrong. by Susan Sutton

Promoting Yourself As you evaluate your skills and experience to determine additional ways to improve your performance, be sure to bring your manager into the loop. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll from last week asked our readers what factor would be key in getting the economy on track. Of the total respondents, 27.0% chose bank stabilization. What was #1? by Susan Sutton

Planning for 2010 I’m so excited about the ideas we’ve been discussing for CI’s various platforms in 2010. It’s going to be a great year, and I’m wondering what suggestions you might have for us? by Susan Sutton

Take on More Work? Between headcount reductions and shortened work-weeks, a lot of us are already taking on more work while having less time to get it done. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll from last week asked our readers if they thought that the stock market is an accurate predictor of economic recovery. Of the total respondents, 60% answered no. by Susan Sutton

Observing Memorial Day While we’re enjoying this extra break, while we’re having great food and good times with our families and friends, let’s pause and remember why we have these opportunities. by Susan Sutton

Keeping Your Job For the next several Wednesdays, we’ll be featuring a multi-part series of articles titled "Are You Doing All You Can to Keep Your Job?" Each installment offers quick tips to help you succeed at work. by Susan Sutton

How Do You Measure Success? If you’re a salesperson or sales manager, the measurement of success can be pretty straightforward. The sales goal is either met or it’s not. For others, measuring success can be a little bit more tricky. by Susan Sutton

One Week In It's hard to believe that the Ceramic Industry magazine group on LinkedIn is one week old already. How time flies! by Susan Sutton

Don’t Miss this Online Extra PNNL researchers recently discovered that the smallest nano-sized silica particles used in biomedicine and engineering likely won’t cause unexpected biological responses due to their size. by Susan Sutton

Let’s Share Some Good News! First things first: it’s Friday, and that’s always good news. On the economic front, CNN reports that “the unemployment rate hit a 25-year high in April, but there were signs of hope..." by Susan Sutton

I’m Not a Stalker I promise I’m not a stalker, but I do want to “follow” you. by Susan Sutton

	Guest Blog: Surviving Tough Times If your company is experiencing hard times, remember this simple axiom: profits grow the business while negative cash flows bankrupt it. When you are in survival mode, cash is king and profits are secondary. by Thomas Maskell

	CI’s May/June Issue is Now Online! As always, this issue includes many informative feature articles—as well as case studies, columns, industry news and more—to help you succeed in your business. by Susan Sutton

Feast Your Eyes Our IT department has outdone themselves in revamping the home of the online Data Book & Buyers’ Guide. Not only does it look fantastic, but it offers improved functionality as well. by Susan Sutton

Obama Administration Reaches 100-Day Mark Back in January, everyone wondered how he would address the myriad major problems faced by the U.S. and the world, and now we have a much better idea. by Susan Sutton

Be Our Guest Your views and experiences can be a valuable resource for the industry. We want to help you share them! by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The majority of our readers use social media for keeping up with friends and family (62.5%), while 37.5% use it for networking with colleagues (37.5%). What sites are their favorites? by Susan Sutton

Ready, Set, Tweet! We’re so excited about the new social media methods we’re using to bring you the latest industry news and information. You can now follow CI on Twitter, connect on LinkedIn and find us on Facebook®. by Susan Sutton

	CPSIA Comes Under Fire, Again The CPSC has issued another stay of enforcement for the CPSIA, this time for lead standards regarding youth-model ATVs and motorcycles. As previously reported, this isn’t the first time the CPSC has acknowledged, at least tacitly, that the legislation is flawed. by Susan Sutton

	Making Sustainability Work It’s becoming more clear every day that the sustainability movement is here to stay. Though “greening” our manufacturing operations can cause serious challenges, opportunities abound. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked about renewable energy use in the workplace. What technology came in first place? by Susan Sutton

Focus on the Positive I don’t know about you, but when I see all of that bad news I actually start to feel a little defeated and pessimistic. I have to remind myself that good things are happening everywhere, all the time. by Susan Sutton

Is the Economic Free-Fall Close to an End? The Fed released a report yesterday indicating some stabilization in the economy. This morning, the Labor Department announced that last week’s new jobless claims were much lower than expected. Is the end finally in sight? by Susan Sutton

How Cool is That? GE recently developed a digital hologram to help promote its Smart Grid wind turbine technology. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll last week asked about job furloughs. Of the total respondents, just 20% have not been affected, while the majority (56%) know someone whose job had been furloughed. by Susan Sutton

Happy Easter (or, Please Enjoy the Chocolate) Whatever your religious convictions, the upcoming weekend must be cause for celebration. by Susan Sutton

Communicate Your Green Message to Consumers I recently received a press release from Mohawk Industries (parent of Dal-Tile) that included Mohawk's 10 Tips to Green Your Home. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! An increase in growth initiative spending is expected by 26.7% of survey participants, while 6.7% expect their company’s spending for growth initiatives to decrease this year. by Susan Sutton

CI’s April Issue is Now Online! Feature article topics range from thermocouples and best drying practices to tile packaging, sintered silicon carbide and sustainable design. by Susan Sutton

Please “Fool” Responsibly I wake up each and every year on April Fools Day with a feeling of deep trepidation. I don’t like surprises. Well, let me rephrase: It’s not very often that I like surprises. by Susan Sutton

Shut Down Your PC and Save $$$ That constant energy conservation message during my formative years ensures that, to this day, I leave the lights off in rooms we’re not using. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Based on some of the respondents’ comments, the CI CyberNews CyberPoll from last week touched a few nerves. by Susan Sutton

	Friday Fun: What’s an Angry Person to Do? I came across an article today that says we shouldn’t yell anymore, about anything. Imagine my dismay. by Susan Sutton

Green Building to Benefit from ARRA Good news is on the horizon for manufacturers of green building materials. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked if companies used outsourcing for various business functions. by Susan Sutton

	Friday Fun: Spring has Sprung! I’ve always loved springtime, but this year in particular I find the sure progress of the seasons to be extremely reassuring. by Susan Sutton

Small Businesses to Benefit from ARRA Earlier this week, President Obama announced a number of measures targeted to helping small businesses weather the economic crisis. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll for last week asked respondents if they believed that their business’ sales and ROI/profitability levels would ever return to pre-recession levels. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Why Fear Friday the 13th? When Friday falls on the 13th of the month, things can get a little nerve-wracking. by Susan Sutton

Pork-Barrel Politics as Usual? President Obama is scheduled to sign a $410 million omnibus bill today that will enable the government to operate through the end of the fiscal year. That’s the good news. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week's CyberPoll asked CI CyberNews subscribers to look into their crystal ball and predict the length of the recession, both in the U.S. and worldwide. What did they see? by Susan Sutton

Participate in our Brick Industry “Virtual” Roundtable Ceramic Industry’s May 2009 Brick & Clay Record will feature a Brick Industry Roundtable focusing on the challenges faced by the brick industry as a result of the ongoing economic recession. We'd love to hear from you! by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! The CI CyberNews CyberPoll from last week targeted automotive interests. by Susan Sutton

CI’s March Issue is Now Online! I’m thrilled to let you know that our March issue, which is packed with informative and relevant editorial to help you succeed, is now available online. by Susan Sutton

Going Low-Tech I’ve mentioned before that I’m basically functionally illiterate when it comes to just about any mechanical or technological device. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! Last week’s CI CyberNews e-newsletter survey asked “What is your company’s main goal right now?” Avoid layoffs and survival model each received 25% of the responses. The remaining 50% of survey participants chose invest in growth. by Susan Sutton

Cost-Cutting Opportunities Despite the Administration’s various stimulus and bailout packages, no one expects the economy to rebound any time soon. Job losses continue to mount and industrial output just keeps going down. by Susan Sutton

Survey Says! It’s unanimous: 100% of respondents to last week’s CI CyberNews e-newsletter survey believe that the government has a right to cap executive salaries/bonuses and be involved in other spending decisions for companies receiving Federal stimulus money. by Susan Sutton

Buy, Buy, Buy… With What? The increasing rate of our collective savings is not doing the economy any favors. by Susan Sutton

Fool Me Once… To be fair, the government didn’t really stipulate how the banking industry had to use the money it received through TARP. On the other hand, the package wasn’t called the Gazillion-Dollar Bonus Program or the Woo-Hoo, Let’s Party Fund. by Susan Sutton

What’s Your Grand Slam? The Denny’s restaurant chain lured in an estimated two million potential long-term customers on Tuesday by offering free Grand Slam breakfasts. by Susan Sutton

CI February Issue is Online! We’ve got another great lineup of editorial features, columns and online extras for you this month.

How Did We Get Here? Durable goods orders and interest rates are way down. Unemployment and home foreclosures are way up. To quote Nancy Kerrigan, “Why? Why? Why?” by Susan Sutton

Put on a Happy Face? Over 71,000 people lost their jobs yesterday. I have the same feeling now that I get when I hear about a horrible natural disaster: I can’t stop wondering what all of those poor people are going to do. by Susan Sutton

Potential Opportunities Products like smart phones, netbooks and video games still appear to be in demand. by Susan Sutton

National Block Party Even those who might not have voted for President Obama or agreed with the policies he espouses were caught up in the historic context of the day. by Susan Sutton

Inauguration Fever Barack Obama will soon be inaugurated as our nation’s 44th president, and preparations are reaching a fever pitch. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Don’t Try This at Home, Kids By now, we’ve probably all seen the recent report about the little boy in Hammond, Ind., who got his tongue stuck to a light pole in the cold. by Susan Sutton

Hardened Resolve It’s now two full weeks since the start of the New Year, and I must admit that I’ve already broken several of my resolutions. by Susan Sutton

Green Building Initiatives The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently issued a “Message to the Transition: Green Building Creates Jobs, Saves Energy and Saves Money.”

Baby Steps I never thought I’d find inspiration in America’s Funniest Home Videos, but I suppose stranger things have happened. by Susan Sutton

Happy New Year! Everyone at CI is excited about the possibilities that 2009 could offer. We’re looking forward to continuing to bring you the latest news and information to help you succeed.

	CI Wishes Everyone a Joyous Holiday Season Our offices will be closed December 24 through January 4. Happy Holidays!

Car Makers Extend Holiday Shut-Downs As the White House continues to consider a bailout package for the struggling auto makers, dealers are complaining that the continuing credit crunch has reduced the number of sales they’re able to close by 20-25%. by Susan Sutton

Shopping Torture I went out to a large discount-type store for groceries and miscellaneous Christmas items last night after work. What I was thinking to venture out there—on a Monday, on the 15th of the Month, during Christmas season—is truly beyond me. by Susan Sutton

ISM Releases Economic Forecast The manufacturing sector overall is pessimistic about prospects in 2009, with revenues expected to decline in 12 of 18 industries.

Job Losses Mount November was truly a dismal month in terms of unemployment, with over half a million jobs lost. Unfortunately, the cuts are proceeding apace in December. by Susan Sutton

Energy-Efficient Government One aspect of Barack Obama’s plan to revitalize the economy will reportedly address the lack of energy efficiency in government and other public buildings. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Happy Repeal Day After the November unemployment figures released today, we could probably all use a drink. by Susan Sutton

Auto Bailout: Take Two Should Congress punish the entire industry (and the millions who depend on it) because of recent PR debacles? by Susan Sutton

CI December is Online! ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and we’re happy to bring you great articles on topics ranging from the solar energy market to advanced glass coatings and sputtering innovations. by Susan Sutton

	Giving Thanks All of us at Ceramic Industry would like to wish all of you a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. by Susan Sutton

Pardon Me? Forgiving those who really goof up seems to be the trend these days, from jailbirds to folks who took on bad mortgages and those who provided them. by Susan Sutton

Lower Prices Are a Good Thing, Right? Right? We all want lower prices, but the economy might not be able to afford them in the long run. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Poor Thanksgiving I noticed early this week that our little town already has all of its Christmas decorations up. I love these decorations, don’t get me wrong, but it’s only the middle of November! by Susan Sutton

Bargain Shopping If you’re in the market for a house, now’s the time to start shopping in earnest. Prices are ridiculously low, and—if you could find a bank actually willing and able to offer a loan—you could possibly get the house of your dreams for a song. by Susan Sutton

Recycled Glass Pricing Coming Down One upside of the slumping commodities markets is that the cost of recyclables like glass, aluminum and plastic are coming down. by Susan Sutton

Consumers Want To Go Green According to “Consumers, Brands and Climate Change 2008,” consumers are motivated to address climate change issues, and they believe that doing so will help the economy.

Pondering an Auto Industry Bailout The Detroit Three (Ford, Chrysler and GM) can’t seem to get a break—so they’re asking the government for one. by Susan Sutton

Honoring Veterans The observance of Veteran’s Day can be traced back to 1919, when Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 Armistice Day to celebrate the end of World War I. by Susan Sutton

Moving Forward by Looking Back Shipping via the Erie Canal can help manufacturers save big bucks. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Excuses, Excuses Check out some of these astonishing excuses for missing work. by Susan Sutton

History is Made Wherever you fall on the Democrat or Republican scale, whether you consider yourself liberal, moderate or conservative, it must be acknowledged that this is an exciting milestone for our country. by Susan Sutton

It’s Voting Day! The day has finally arrived. After months and even years of preparation, the country gets to vote for a new president. by Susan Sutton

November Issue is Online! We’re really excited about the great content in our November issue. by Susan Sutton

	Friday Fun: Happy Halloween! Celebrate the only day of the year when it’s appropriate to beg candy from perfect strangers. by Susan Sutton

Bright Spots In the midst of all the doom and gloom of the current economic environment, it’s great to find some bright spots. by Susan Sutton

Calculating Consumer Confidence Where does the Consumer Confidence Index come from, and what does that number actually mean? by Susan Sutton

Spread the News As the voice of ceramic and glass business and manufacturing, CI can help you share your news with the industry. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Fall Traditions We’ll be carving and coloring on pumpkins this weekend, and I’m going to make some warm apple cider. What are your favorite fall traditions? by Susan Sutton

Can We Afford More Stimulation? It’s possible that Congress could put together a second economic stimulus package aimed at pulling the U.S. out of what is certainly at this point a recession. Considering the state of the budget deficit, is that really a good idea? by Susan Sutton

Poll-Tastic ‘Tis the season for polls, and we’re joining the fun! by Susan Sutton

Time to Start Nit-Picking In today’s economic climate, it can be tough to increase sales of even the most high-quality, innovative products. Keeping costs under control is vital to maintaining a healthy bottom line. by Susan Sutton

A Resource-Saving Weekend Two events will be held this weekend that aim to help educate consumers about energy and recycling.

Spreading the Word on Low-E Glass I was listening to the radio this morning and was pleasantly surprised to hear a nice feature about the history and energy-saving benefits of low-emissivity (low-e) glass. by Susan Sutton

Rally Ho! We finally have some good news out of the financial sector, as the Dow enjoyed its highest single-day point increase ever yesterday with a 936-point gain. by Susan Sutton

Always Wanted to be an Author? Now’s your chance! CI publishes articles by experts in the field. by Susan Sutton

DOE Celebrates Energy Awareness Month with New Website Stay Warm, Save Money is a new program from the U.S. Department of Energy that offers energy-saving tips and solutions through a new website. by Susan Sutton

GUEST BLOG: All Eyes on the Economy In essence, American taxpayers are bailing out the reckless and the greedy, demonstrating once again that being irresponsible in this country has limited consequences. by Ralph Ruark

Relief at the Pump One major piece of good news is that gas prices will likely continue to decline, a welcome respite. by Susan Sutton

House Doesn’t Bail on Bailout's Second Try The House has passed the revised bailout package with a vote of 263 to 171. by Susan Sutton

What The -- It’s October Already?!? When I was younger, I distinctly remember shaking my head and rolling my eyes at parents, grandparents and all of the other adults who would always marvel at how fast time went by. I thought they were crazy. by Susan Sutton

Target Big Spenders by Offering High-End Products The Average Joe might not be interested in building a new home or remodeling their kitchen or bathroom in this market, but those with plenty of cash to spare are not holding back as much. by Susan Sutton

GUEST BLOG: Impact of the Financial Crisis A rescue package will be passed and passed quickly, as the consequences of not doing so are too dire. by George Spilka

You Say it’s Your Birthday? Every year, I try to take stock and ponder if I’m better off now than at this time last year. Truth be told, I’ve actually been kind of terrified lately. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Forget Apples, I’m Eating Chocolate Every Day A recent study has found that 6.7 grams of dark chocolate a day is good for your heart. by Susan Sutton

	CI Goes Green with Online Updates Now you can update your Ceramic Industry directory information online!

Let the News Come to You Our free electronic newsletter delivers the latest and greatest industry news directly to thousands of inboxes every week.

Bring Your Green to Work The EPA recently launched a new online tool to provide Americans with tips and information on how to save energy and protect the environment in the workplace.

Friday Fun: “Quotable Quotes” After this week’s Wall Street insanity, I fell back on my old habit and found some goodies. by Susan Sutton

Make Me a Match The US-EU Match network "encourages transfers of innovative ideas and technology by helping American companies and research institutes establish links with EU counterparts.” by Susan Sutton

Go for the Green The National Association of Home Builders will honor excellence in green residential design and construction practices and outstanding green advocacy efforts with the 2009 NAHB National Green Building Awards.

How Can Your Company Survive a Recession? One way to make sure your company survives the economic downturn is to keep focusing on your customers.

Friday Fun: The Island of Unclaimed Baggage Has an airline ever lost a piece of your luggage? Did you ever wonder what happened to it? It must have ended up somewhere, right? Right! by Susan Sutton

Remembering 9/11/2001 My memory is notoriously abysmal, but I recall exactly what I was doing right about this time seven years ago. by Susan Sutton

Do You Poka-Yoke? Poka-yoke is the Japanese term for mistake-proofing or setting up measures to prevent mistakes.

Sometimes I Think My Head is Going to Pop Right Off I must admit that my stress level has been running consistently high lately.

Friday Fun: Twigs of Glass The Pittsburgh Glass Center will soon be home to an 8-ft nest made of glass twigs. by Susan Sutton

At Least We Don’t Work for Ford Times might be tough in the ceramic industry, but please join me, gentle readers, in being thankful that we’re not trying to sell cars. by Susan Sutton

U.S. Labor Force Not Optimistic Just in time for Labor Day, the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers released “The Anxious American Worker.” by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: Six-Word Story Contest on Air Travel Liquid Restrictions The contest invited air travelers to sum up, in exactly six words, their thoughts or experiences with the liquid restrictions for air travel.

Clearing the Air in Pakistan The Pakistan EPA is looking to reduce air pollution by encouraging Islamabad’s brick manufacturers to switch to natural gas. by Susan Sutton

Focus on Sustainability We’ve all been hearing a lot about sustainability lately, but what can we actually do about it? by Susan Sutton

Back-to-School Blues Today is my daughter’s first day of school, and she is none too pleased. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun: No More Ice Cream Man?!? Ohio’s Copley Township passed a ban this week on transient venders that will inadvertently bar all ice cream truck operations. by Susan Sutton

Housing Market is no “Field of Dreams” Kevin Costner got by quite nicely with the “If you build it, they will come” concept in the 1989 movie Field of Dreams. Not so with the current housing market. by Susan Sutton

You Snooze, You Lose Our subscription department will soon be removing readers who haven't yet responded to renewal requests in order to make room for new industry professionals.

	Symphony in Glass and Light Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, recently unveiled a new permanent light installation illuminating its historic glass John F. Wolfe Palm House.

OFF TOPIC: Superhero Stimulus? Does anyone else find it just a little curious that the latest Batman movie has made $440 million dollars in less than a month in the midst of what some financial experts are calling a recession? by Brian Hayes

Pursuing a Sustainable Alternative Recycled glass is used in glass, brick and tile manufacturing, but a major roadblock is that the type of glass needed is not often readily (or cheaply) available. by Susan Sutton

U.S. Dollar Down, Exports Up? The value disparity can make the cost of goods from U.S. manufacturers look very attractive to foreign companies. by Susan Sutton

Friday Fun Facts: Summer Olympic Games Over 10,000 athletes from 202 countries will participate in 302 events.

Keeping Up with the Joneses I guess I’m just not that competitive-minded in general, but it seems like all of that jockeying for position would be exhausting. by Susan Sutton

SME is Looking for Innovative Manufacturing Techniques The Society of Manufacturing Engineers has issued a call for nominations for its 2009 Innovations That Could Change the Way You Manufacture listing. by Susan Sutton

Be Our Guest Your views and experiences can be valuable resources for the industry. by Susan Sutton

Look on the Bright Side I’m sure we’ve all seen the same news reports about lessened rates of traffic accidents and fatalities. If that’s not good news, I’m not sure what qualifies. by Susan Sutton

PSA: Host a Foreign Exchange Student To be perfectly honest, my reasons for sharing this with you are not altogether altruistic. by Susan Sutton

President Signs Housing Bill: Is Relief in Sight? New housing legislation signed today by President Bush is certainly cause for hope. by Susan Sutton

Extreme Home Debacle Let’s face it, these folks weren’t the only ones taken unawares by the extreme housing downturn that has befallen the U.S. this year. by Susan Sutton

Is Outsourcing the Answer? The question, of course, is “How can my company save money and remain competitive in this increasingly difficult economy?” by Susan Sutton

Updated Data Book & Buyers' Guide Now Available I know, I know – this looks like a ridiculously obvious commercial ploy. I admit I am somewhat biased, but this issue is truly a great resource. by Susan Sutton

Trend Tracking How do we know what our industry customers -- and, perhaps just as importantly, end consumers -- really want? by Susan Sutton

Used Equipment Pros and Cons While buying new might be the best solution for some, others could be much better served by considering used equipment options. by Susan Sutton

Welcome to the New Editor’s Blog! I’m beyond excited to launch the new Editor’s Blog on CI’s website! by Susan Sutton

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