Booklist

by Dianna Brodine, managing editor, Plastics Business In some ways, we misunderstand the word “culture” when talking about businesses. Because we are so focused on creating positive momentum in manufacturing, discussions about culture are laser focused on improvements. Culture can be about the employee – driving profitability, throughput and a motivational atmosphere by … [Read more...] about Booklist: Stick to the Vision

by Dianna Brodine, managing editor, Plastics Business “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey I am definitely guilty of listening to respond. I do it in my personal life, when my teenaged daughters are talking constantly to catch me up on who is dating who, what happened at tennis practice or why I … [Read more...] about Are You Listening?

by Dianna Brodine, managing editor, Plastics Business I have a love/hate relationship with podcasts. I love the ease of them, and it’s great to be able to pop in my earbuds and listen while I’m out for a walk or replying to emails in the office. The Armchair Expert Podcast is (as far as I’m concerned) the best thing ever, and I can go down the rabbit’s hole with all sorts of … [Read more...] about Not Your Typical Business Podcasts

by Dianna Brodine, managing editor Plastics Business In my job as a magazine editor, I get a lot of press releases every day. A lot. And, if I had a dime for every time I read the words “state-of-the-art” or “customer-focused,” I’d be able to retire from writing Booklists! Marketing buzzwords don’t attract or keep attention. Instead, those words (and other empty phrases like … [Read more...] about Grab Customer Attention and Keep It

by Dianna Brodine, managing editor, Plastics Business Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said, “Winning isn't everything – but wanting to win is.” As humans, we’re programmed to want to win. We compete against ourselves and against others, measuring our gains and losses against any stick we can find. But, do we understand where the finish line is? This issue’s Booklist … [Read more...] about Let’s Win the Game