RoofingContractor January 2011 : Page 5

A Publication Of BNP Media 2401 W. Big Beaver, Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084 Phone: 248.362.3700 Fax: 248.362.5103 Web site: www.roofingcontractor.com For subscription Information/Questions, Call: 847.291.5224 E DITOR ’ S N OTE The Uncertainty Principle appy New Year! These three words always bring on thoughts of new beginnings and new challenges. I like that the beginning of the calendar year is the time when we look forward instead of back. It is the time when we resolve to do new things or to do old things better. It is the time when we like to make predictions for the com-ing year, knowing the odds of getting it right are really not that great. In this column last year I made a resolution so this year I will change things up and make a prediction or two (knowing the odds, no less). For the economy in our nation and in the world, I think the end of this year will look dramatically different than the beginning. The lack of growth experienced over the past few years will not simply drag along as it has. It is either going to take a turn for the better or return to recession. And I think we will all have a sense of it. My reason to predict such a thing is the term “uncertainty,” which I hear or read at least three times a day. People and institutions are bound to figure out that “certainty” is a myth. Uncertainty is arguably a lot more normal than certainty. People who run small businesses, a category the vast majority of roofing contrac-tors fall under, have always understood uncertainty. They just choose to ignore it and continue to move forward. The restlessness that comes naturally to entrepreneurs will either infect the mar-kets and get them going again or not. If they do, then I think there will be a real and significant turnaround for the roofing and construction industry. If they do not, then they will begin to retract and begin the trend backwards all over again. Either way the markets go we still have some great things to look forward to in the roofing industry. I predict more roofing contractors will begin to define them-selves in new ways as they adapt to changed markets. Many residential roofing contractors will consider themselves residential exterior contractors as they sell more siding, windows, doors, decks and other services for homeowners resigned to live where they are for the foreseeable future. I believe there will be a continuation of roofing contractors putting their “green” proposition forward as they redefine their core business. And I predict the market, in spite of tough times, will embrace sustainability as a way of doing business related to their residential as well as commercial and institutional space needs. The roofing industry will continue to be blessed with the fact that people and businesses and institutions all need shelter. Building owners might not like think-ing about their roofs, but they have to love what roofing contractors do for them. Without a good roof the rest of the structure is not worth much. Yes, I am preaching to the choir, but even the choir needs to be reminded every now and then. So it is best that I close with that reminder. We may not “have it made” in 2011, but we are in an industry that provides a vital service that will continue to be in demand. Of that you can be certain. Publisher Jill Bloom 248.244.6253 bloomj@bnpmedia.com Editorial Editorial Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Damato 770.246.3448 rickdamato@yahoo.com Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris King 248.244.6497 kingc@bnpmedia.com Associate Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Watts 248.244.1738 wattst@bnpmedia.com Senior Art Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Hilling 248.244.1276 hillings@bnpmedia.com H Sales Sales Manager/Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill Bloom 248.244.6253 bloomj@bnpmedia.com West and Southeast Sales Manager . . Marcia L. Wright 925.600.8571 wrightm@bnpmedia.com Northeast Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Obloy 248.244.6423 obloye@bnpmedia.com Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristina Lorio 248.786.1579 loriok@bnpmedia.com Production Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynette Barwin 248.244.1282. . . . . . . . . . . . . . barwinl@bnpmedia.com Circulation For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: Tel. (847) 763-9534 or Fax (847) 763-9538 or e-mail RC@halldata.com Audience Development Coordinator . . . . Christina Roth Single Copy Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Kalb 248.244.6499 kalba@bnpmedia.com Marketing Reprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristina Lorio 248.786.1579 Loriok@bnpmedia.com Marketing Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Dykstra 248.786.1609 dykstrap@bnpmedia.com List Rental POSTAL CONTACT: Robert Liska 800-223-2194 x726 Robert.Liska@eraepd.com EMAIL CONTACT: Shawn Kingston 800.409.4443 x828 Shawn.Kingston@eraepd.com Corporate Directors Publishing: Timothy A. Fausch Publishing: John R. Schrei Corporate Strategy: Rita M. Foumia Information Technology: Scott Kesler Marketing: Ariane Claire Production: Vincent M. Miconi Finance: Lisa L. Paulus Creative: Michael T. Powell Directories: Nikki Smith Human Resources: Marlene J. Witthoft Conferences & Events: Emily Patten Clear Seas Research: Beth A. Surowiec BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information ROOFING CONTRACTOR Volume 31, Issue 1 (ISSN 1098-1519) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscrip-tions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ROOFING CONTRACTOR, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to ROOFING CONTRACTOR, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or KalbA@bnpmedia.com. Rick Damato Editorial Director rickdamato@yahoo.com www.roofingcontractor.com 5

Editor's Note

Rick Damato

The Uncertainty Principle Happy New Year! These three words always bring on thoughts of new beginnings and new challenges. I like that the beginning of the calendar year is the time when we look forward instead of back. It is the time when we resolve to do new things or to do old things better.It is the time when we like to make predictions for the coming year, knowing the odds of getting it right are really not that great. In this column last year I made a resolution so this year I will change things up and make a prediction or two (knowing the odds, no less).For the economy in our nation and in the world, I think the end of this year will look dramatically different than the beginning. The lack of growth experienced over the past few years will not simply drag along as it has. It is either going to take a turn for the better or return to recession. And I think we will all have a sense of it.My reason to predict such a thing is the term “uncertainty,” which I hear or read at least three times a day. People and institutions are bound to figure out that “certainty” is a myth. Uncertainty is arguably a lot more normal than certainty.People who run small businesses, a category the vast majority of roofing contractors fall under, have always understood uncertainty. They just choose to ignore it and continue to move forward. The restlessness that comes naturally to entrepreneurs will either infect the markets and get them going again or not. If they do, then I think there will be a real and significant turnaround for the roofing and construction industry. If they do not, then they will begin to retract and begin the trend backwards all over again. Either way the markets go we still have some great things to look forward to in the roofing industry. I predict more roofing contractors will begin to define themselves in new ways as they adapt to changed markets. Many residential roofing contractors will consider themselves residential exterior contractors as they sell more siding, windows, doors, decks and other services for homeowners resigned to live where they are for the foreseeable future. I believe there will be a continuation of roofing contractors putting their “green” proposition forward as they redefine their core business. And I predict the market, in spite of tough times, will embrace sustainability as a way of doing business related to their residential as well as commercial and institutional space needs. The roofing industry will continue to be blessed with the fact that people and businesses and institutions all need shelter. Building owners might not like thinking about their roofs, but they have to love what roofing contractors do for them. Without a good roof the rest of the structure is not worth much. Yes, I am preaching to the choir, but even the choir needs to be reminded every now and then. So it is best that I close with that reminder. We may not “have it made” in 2011, but we are in an industry that provides a vital service that will continue to be in demand. Of that you can be certain.

Previous Page Next Page

Publication List
Using a screen reader? Click Here