We always love working with challenges.  It tests us and our ability to be creative and still achieve complete customer satisfaction.  We took on the project for this client, and helped them get more product than what they thought they could get.

Here’s what we did:

• New Panels, Off Brand.  By working with a panel system that was manufactured to Brand Name Standards but didn’t include the Brand Name Price, we were able to save about 50% off of the original budget.
• Used Receptionist Desk.  Luck can bring amazing results some times, and in this case, it was definitely on our side.  We found a used receptionist desk that matched perfectly with the client’s color scheme.  We saved the client over 80% off of their original estimates.
• New Valued-Priced Chairs.  Inexpensive doesn’t necessarily mean cheap quality.  Many times you do better buying new on the chairs to keep the look updated, and not risk a chair that will fall apart quickly.  In this case, the client was able to add more chairs to the project and keep the cost at the same amount as planned .
• Used Desks.  We found three matching desks in almost new condition.  The key to used desks is to make sure that the drawers all work properly, and, if you need locks, test the locks to make sure they function.  Desks were not originally part of the budget, but after we saved the client money from the original budget, we were able to add in the desks to keep the look updated.

The final result?  A beautiful new office, at a price that met budget requirements and exceeded client expectations.  To learn more, contact us today at Info@OfficeOutOfTheBox.net.

As reported by the BBC, a farmer in Japan needed to sell watermelons.  The market environment in Japan no longer wanted watermelons because of their shape.  Unlike extruded plastics, it’s not like farmers can put in a request to Mother Nature for a different shape of watermelon.  Watermelons have always been round until one farmer’s need to sell out-weighed nature’s habit.

Taking watermelons as they formed and placing them in boxes resulted in a square watermelon that could now be stacked in grocery stores with ease.  It’s simple. It goes against nature, yet nature conforms to the design.  In a single act of ingenuity, a farmer teaches us to challenge the norm.  We are to look at all things as possible, including changing that which has been a part of nature since the beginning of time.

So business person – what can you do differently today?  How can you challenge the norm, and therefore standout?  Let your need to sell outweigh convention, and go make business happen!

So here’s a great example of something larger than even a multinational corporation (MNC).  This spill will go down in history as one of the larger disasters we have seen.  If it is bigger than this mega company and all of its billions, then what can we do?  Glad you want to know.

In just nano-seconds of Google Searching (one could also Yahoo Search or use another search engine), lists of links to environmental efforts for clean up pop up.  Here are a couple we have found:

• The Gulf Coast Oil Spill: How to Help
• Gulf Coast oil spill crisis: How you can help clean up
• The Gulf Oil Spill: 6 Ways to Help

Are these options viable for you?  Only you can answer that question.  As with any effort, be smart about your choices for which agencies or iniatives in which you should be involved.  You need to do research on what best meets your abilities to help.  Our point is that we all can make a difference, and through our collective efforts, the ability to determine the outcome is in our hands.

The Looney Executive Series features noted business moguls from all over the country.  Think of it as your own personal opportunity to stand toe-to-toe with some of the best minds in business and have access to some of their best advice and strategies.  Click here to listen now!  The Looney Executive Pod Cast Series

Congratulations Kentucky!  The Washington, D.C.-based International Downtown Association is a group of economic development and association management professionals dedicated to the development of downtowns in cities across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Read more: Downtown Louisville featured on international Web site – Business First of Louisville:

Good Morning.  The cover story for the April 2010 edition of Northeast Ohio’s COSE Update Magazine is entitled “Green Up and Stay in the Black”.  The article explores the business side of sustainability and examines why businesses say that sustainable practices are worth the effort.  We were grateful for the opportunity to share our Company’s experiences and to identify the value generated for our community, customers, employees and our company that stems from the development of such practices.  Please take a moment to click on the link that I have provided below and you will be directed to the magazine.  Then click on the title of the cover story that overlaps the very happy businessman pictured (I know him well) and you will be directed to the story.   

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/wise/coseupdate_201004/index.php?startid=Cover1&WidgetId=null&BookId=7756a8652afbfe14b002f316becd9e73#/0

 Jeff Baldassari | President | The Taylor Companies | Bedford, OH | P 440.232.0700 | F 440.439.6720 | E jjb@thetaylorcompanies.com