I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth.

For any of you few that hit this blog from time to time, I apologize for not keeping current with my writing. Between school, work, long hours in the hot steel mill, my kids home for the summer, and various other distractions, I have neglected my blog and my handful of fans.

from www.thewashingtonfancy.com

Please forgive me, I am working on some new articles that should be posted by week's end.

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The Strength of Manufacturing, Today and Tomorrow

During a recent staff meeting, I grabbed a can of soda from the mini-fridge in the conference room. There was one lonely can of Vernors Ginger Ale amongst the plethora of cans of Pepsi, and Diet Pepsi. Normally, I don't drink regular soda because of the sugar, but a spicy Vernors sure did sound good. If you aren't familiar with Vernors, it's a long-time Detroit favorite. A once regional product, it has become a nationwide staple. Different from Canada Dry or Schwepps ginger ale, Vernors has a unique darker color and spiciness that makes it an acquired taste. The logo of Vernors has always been an old style wooden stave barrel with riveted wrought iron bands. Even this particular can was dressed up like an old barrel. While holding the can in my hand, my mind was flooded of thoughts and memories about my connection with Detroit, and my grandfather, great uncle, and great grandfather that were in the barrel and crate business. The busine...

I Didn't Care What They Called Me, As Long As They Paid . . . . .In Cash

When I was younger, I would ask my Grandfather Harry about the family business. My Great Grandfather Sam was a cooper before he emigrated from Belarus to Canada, and later to the United States at the turn of the 20th century. His father Avraham (my great-great grandfather) and his grandfather Shmuel Zelek (my great-great-great grandfather) were coopers as well. Coopers are tradesmen that make wooden barrels from oak staves and lids, bound wrought iron bands. It is a combination of carpentry and blacksmithing that was essential to packaging goods up into the mid 20th century. Today, cooperage is mainly for whiskey barrels utilized to age the liquor and add special characteristics. www.barrelsdirect.com Originally, when my Great Grandfather immigrated to the United States, he worked as a heat treater in a Flint, Michigan auto plant making driveshafts. His brother Ed and him formed a barrel making business that last a few years before they went their sep...

Richard Winters: Integrity In Leadership

Maj. Richard Winters While I was watching HBO's " Band of Brothers " mini-series, for the twenty-something th time, I recognized something poignant. Maj. Richard Winters , who serves as the central connecting character, continually demonstrates exceptional middle management virtues. His leadership is exemplary, not just in a military sense, but for any organizational setting. He led by example and was always willing to go first, where he sent others. He knew how to balance compassion with expectations. When it was necessary to be stern and authoritative, he was. When it was necessary to show empathy, he did. He learned to delegate, even though it was never easy. He gained the respect of his peers and his subordinates through his actions, not by intimidation or cruelty. Damien Lewis as Richard Winter s Richard Winters knew he wasn't perfect. He didn't demand perfection, he demanded ultimate accountability. In co...

Manager Sandwich: The Middle Manager's Survival Blog

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