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Real gross domestic product was up for the fourth consecutive month in June, rising 0.2%. Growth in 17 of 20 industrial sectors more than compensated for a decline in manufacturing.

Survey Says Strategic planning and team Leadership are the skills that have the largest effect on salary, elevating it by 9% and 10%, respectively, above the national average.

If you and your employees aren’t trained on effective ways to upsell, chances are you either offend customers by being too pushy, or leave money on the table that customers would have willingly spent with you. Either option is costly.

Last week I received a question which is worthy of sharing. This was more than just a question; it was positive reinforcement. There are executives in the manufacturing world who believe distribution is key to their success. Thinking further, some of these leaders are exploring ways to help their distributor channels improve and prosper.

In the past, companies leaned towards moving their operations to developing markets where they could cut costs by finding inexpensive labour.

Internet use is trending towards bandwidth-intensive content and an increasing number of attached “things.” At the same time, mobile telecom networks and data networks are converging into a cloud computing architecture.

People who want to make a difference are a source of inspiration for me. What I admire most about these people is their self-motivation and willingness to positively impact those around them, and their drive to explore new processes and outcomes.

Looking into the Impact of Signify's Acquisition of Cooper Lighting

The electrical and lighting industries were shocked this week with the announcement that Signify purchased the recently renamed Cooper Lighting Solutions from Eaton.

The former Eaton Lighting division was scheduled to be spun off from Eaton via an IPO late this year / early next year. While rumored earlier this year to be up for sale, rather than being spun off, there were no takers for the business. Although, it was reportedly considered by some. According to Signify, discussions with Cooper Lighting, and Eaton, began a month ago. The interest could have been provoked by the Q3 slowdown in the lighting market with Signify sensing an opportunity to make an acquisition, perhaps at a discount.

The Age of Servic-ization

By Rick McCarten

For a long time now, many experts have been pointing out how companies should be expanding their service offerings beyond their product sales. Companies are wrapping services around their product and packaging — everything from special deliveries, warranties, repair and technical assistance to 24-hour service. This “servic-ization” helps differentiate companies from their competitors. How big is this going to get? Some reports have this trend becoming the core of our future economy.

Carol McGlogan — A Marketing Specialist, Inspirational Industry Leader, and More

By Line Goyette

With Industry 4.0 on our doorstep, we are facing significant technological and resource changes, some of which question our industry’s core values. Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, digitization, transport electrification, diversity and inclusion are among the inescapable changes that will affect our industry head on, both in its best practices and its business models. We have several advantages to help us deal with the changes, including an unwavering advocate for our industry: Carol McGlogan. She is the first woman to hold the position of Electro-Federation Canada’s (EFC) President and CEO.

IDEAL Nationals Underway in Run Up to Inaugural International Championships

The IDEAL Nationals are underway with an 18 member Canadian Team supported by the IDEAL Industries Canada crew. This year over 55,000 electrical contractors and electricians competed worldwide so this is the cream of the crop competing here in Orlando .

The 2019 IDEAL National Championship is a highly charged, no-holds barred competition to determine the best electrician in North America and includes teams from China, Australia and Mexico.

To make it to Orlando, contractors have to qualify first and numerous qualifying events were held throughout Canada.

GDP Rose 0.1% in August

Real gross domestic product edged up 0.1% in August, following no change in July. Goods-producing industries were up 0.2% after two months of declines, led by a rebound in manufacturing, while services-producing industries edged up 0.1%. Overall, there were gains in 14 out of 20 industrial sectors.

On a three-month rolling average basis, real gross domestic product rose 0.5% in August, compared with a 0.8% increase in July.

ABB Showcases the Future of Electrification

ABB presented its electrification solutions that will allow customers to take full advantage of the ...

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