As I write this, the images of devastation from hurricanes Katrina and Rita are still vivid in my mind. These twin sisters of destruction have altered the economic landscape in ways that will be felt for months, if not years.

As leaders, are we clear about the reason why we are in business for ourselves? What is really driving us to push the envelope and grow to the next level?

With a walk-in showroom, we may not always have the advantage of qualifying prospects before meeting them.

Showers aren't just for washing anymore; they've become in-home spas, replacing the whirlpool tub in the heart of homeowners.

The winning projects in the 2005 Best of the Best Design Awards feature more than just original use of space, innovative choice of materials and construction savvy.

The winning projects in the 2005 Best of the Best Design Awards feature more than just original use of space, innovative choice of materials and construction savvy.

It's the classic problem for remodelers: what is your company worth beyond the trucks, equipment and tools? Brand recognition and a good reputation, you hope. That doesn't always translate into money in the bank, though.

Clay Nelson, a remodeling industry consultant and president of Clay Nelson Life Balance, suggests four short-term practices and four long-range tasks that will help you get the most out of your 24 hours and your business.

What if you could rely on a single lead source for 40 percent of your business next year? Sure would make it a little easier to formulate your marketing plan, wouldn't it? Sounds like a fantasy, doesn't it? Well, not for New Spaces in Burnsville, Minn., which generates some $2 million in annual sales from leads generated by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities' Annual Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase.

From the first time someone copied a file to a diskette, people have recognized the importance and value of sharing computer files among users and their computers. It wasn't long before a handful of enterprising companies began developing hardware and software that enabled personal computers to be linked together, or networked.