From the fabricator: The jobs are out there

Lots of people movement announced in the industry last week (Scott Hoover, John Rovi, Chris Grillot, to name three), and that is always exciting. But what's really interesting is the amount of sales management-related jobs that seem to be popping up. A quick look on LinkedIn or the National Glass Association's website reveals quite a few ads for companies looking for high-end sales professionals. The issue though is relocation: There are jobs but NOT where people are living right now, and that has become a real issue. Here are companies looking to upgrade or expand, but people just can’t--or won’t--go through the hassle/expense of the whole re-location gambit. And even if they wanted to, they can't because they're upside down on their current homes. So, while it is great to see the job movement that hit the news last week, there’s still a lot more that could happen if a few things would give. And if you are looking for employment and not using LinkedIn or the NGA’s website, you need to.

Elsewhere…

• And speaking of new jobs, great news last week that Marc LaFrance of the DOE has a new one… far far far away in Paris at the International Energy Agency. Now those of you who know me, know I am not exactly a fan of how Marc conducted business at DOE (personally, I like him; professionally, not so much). So, the reason I am thrilled is maybe a new face and voice in the DOE will be a boost. (I’m lighting a candle for it as I type this.) It's a simple as that: Fresh blood, hopefully, will do us all good. And for Marc, a new post and new challenges hopefully will be good too.
• GlassBuild America is now really close. I have been THRILLED in recent days to hear from so many who are coming to the show. The excitement is there, and that just makes my day. Why? Because the exhibitors this year are off the hook (good every year, I know), and they have so much to show and we all have so much to gain from them. The innovation and diverse products that will be on display are going to rule the day!
• I’m also very pumped about the Glazing Executives Forum, where amazing industry people like Oliver Stepe of YKK AP, Garret Henson of Viracon, David Balik of GGI, Scott Clymire of United Architectural, Jon Kimberlain of Dow Corning and Helen Sanders of SAGE will be among many other wonderful folks involved.
• Saw the movie “Step Up Revolution” last week (my daughter is a dancer, so this is a must), and the best part was glass had a big role in the opening scene of the movie. We got a glass truck and several lites of heavy glass being painted during a performance scene. It was very cool. While everyone was watching the dancing, I was mesmerized by the glass. Man, I am an odd bird.
• Last this week, the initial rankings for college football came out with USC as the preseason #1. I am not a fan of the Trojans, but that team is stacked. Alabama is #2 and LSU #3. Meanwhile, Michigan checked in at #8 but with a lone first place vote, which means Earnest Thompson of Guardian now must have a ballot in that poll! For my money, I like Wisconsin to win it all. And yes, now all of my Badgers friends have groaned that I put the kiss of death on them!

Read on for links and video of the week... 

The author is founder of Sole Source Consultants, a consulting firm for the building products industry that specializes in marketing, branding, communication strategy and overall reputation management, as well as website and social media, and codes and specifications. E-mail him at MaxP@SoleSourceConsultants.com.

The opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Glass Association, Glass Magazine editors, or other glassblog contributors.