tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-117830442011-09-16T10:12:44.447-05:00The 2 AM Talk Radio Show is a combination of business commentary, industry and world updates, along with a splattering of federal, state and local politics slightly stirred together with a dash of personal perspective and the occasional rant, all provided by the Founder and Managing Partner of Independence2, LLC, a Commercial Door Hardware Manufacturer.R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.comBlogger761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-30553938713291713322010-12-30T11:00:00.000-05:002010-12-30T11:00:06.922-05:00

Within days, the pathetic year of 2010 will come to an end only to be put 'on the bookshelf' with its twin catastrophic sister of 2009; That's not 'pessimism' nor 'negativism' speaking it's simply stating the truth caused by a lack of understanding of our American History by people who legislate laws for this Great Country. As we know the Global economy went 'into the toilet' in 2008 due to

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-91630507436912576072010-11-15T10:41:00.004-05:002010-11-15T11:39:24.113-05:00

It's the middle of the 4th Quarter (2010) and a good time to ask the 'big' question: Where are We Heading as a Nation?Economically speaking, as the Managing Partner & Founder of a small business the outlook is not very good. There are no 'indicators' on my radar screen showing any type of improvement in the foreseeable future. The Price of Gold has reached new

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-16496405948893164332010-09-21T01:00:00.000-05:002010-09-21T01:00:02.802-05:00

While preparing for my recent business trip to Memphis, I put together notes from a decade ago concerning changes at a major Hollow Metal Manufacturer as well as a 'distribution center' concept, since one of my meetings this coming week is 'distribution center' oriented. In reviewing my notes, letters, and outlines for the restructuring of a large Los Angeles Distribution Center it became very

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-23975677128563323332010-09-13T12:58:00.000-05:002010-09-13T12:58:00.281-05:00

As I stated in Volume 72, I've run out of the patience to dig through this piece of Bureaucratic Bullshit legislation, even if it's simply delivering the translation by way of our International Law Firm.But it just 'pisses me off' that we Americans told our lawmakers in Washington that we wanted 'reforms' that would LOWER costs; that we wanted to insure those social programs that made sense, such

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-7137889540068264412010-09-12T14:31:00.002-05:002010-09-12T20:29:42.641-05:00

Health Care Reform: Grandfathering Rules and Plan Design Changes as prepared by i.2 Independence2, LLC's International Law Firm Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLP.This third in a series "highlights potential pitfalls under health care reform for employers considering changes to their group health plans. Any employer considering plan changes, including design changes as a way to decrease the cost of

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-90742759594005985532010-08-01T11:05:00.000-05:002010-08-01T11:05:00.487-05:00

Health Care Reform: Intermediate Range Impact on Employers and Group Health Plans (as presented by the i.2 International Law Firm of Calfee."Each day we learn more about how the health care reform law impacs businesses and their employees. This First Alert focuses on those porvisions of the law that become effective in 2012 and 2013 and provides highlights of newly released guidance about the

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-88893177448481980222010-07-05T09:02:00.000-05:002010-07-05T09:02:00.335-05:00

I find it hard to believe that may last entry was four months ago. Time is going by in 'warp speed' as the economy goes in the opposite direction. In today's business world one has to not only understand 'Cashflow' but manage it as a pro; 'receivables and payables' have taken on priority of the business. An upcoming blog will certainly have to examine the 'new priorities' that exist today in

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-45425036858121097032010-02-22T14:14:00.000-05:002010-02-22T14:14:00.227-05:00

I'm not sure anymore where 'sanity' starts and stops, but I'm pretty damn sure that what occurred this past Thursday rides the very edge of the logic abyss. It's either pronouncely insane or I discovered 'another' economics class that I must have (again) slept through!The Heading for this latest 'manipulation' went something like this: "The Federal Reserve, taking its first step to normalize

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-81250435987261900552010-01-27T17:15:00.000-05:002010-01-27T17:33:07.884-05:00

2010 has finally arrived with the passing of the first decade of the New Millennium - finally its over! But, what did we really learn during that last debacle of a decade?Well, for starters, we learned that Gold and Oil are still the masters of the Universe. Gold increase over 300% with Oil at 200% during that time, with 'Terrorism' becoming a common word in our vocabulary.We learned that until

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-78800149826708005062009-11-30T15:23:00.004-05:002009-11-30T17:54:46.819-05:00

Finally I'm getting back to the newly created 'Street Smart Strategy' series (I've been preoccupied with the idiots in Washington, ESPN and the NFL), so lets simply continue with Volume 2 (of that series) and pick up where we ended the last installment talking about 'Cost-Cutting' as it relates to the Customer/Sales and overall effect on a company.Three simple statements regarding Cost-Cutting

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-69635694697789282892009-10-27T11:00:00.006-05:002009-10-30T19:32:25.975-05:00

Over the years I've criticized Formula One Racing, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and other Sports Organizations for their idiotic rulings and/or statements but nothing even comes close to the 'insensitivity' and utter 'disrespect' for Italian-Americans than the broadcast by ESPN of the NFL's Monday Night Football this past October 12, 2009, Columbus Day.Columbus Day is

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-71876114635322057422009-10-19T10:00:00.000-05:002009-10-19T10:00:02.407-05:00

God was missing for six days.Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him, resting on the seventh day.He inquired, "Where have you been?" God smiled deeply and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?" "It's a planet," replied God, and I've put life on it... I'm going to call it Earth and it's

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-37276896185621417062009-09-14T06:23:00.001-05:002009-09-14T06:23:00.373-05:00

"Political Correctness" - "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."So now YOU want National/Federal Health Insurance (of course, we are NOT talking about the Health Care Plan that covers our

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-24630084535408053422009-08-18T14:06:00.000-05:002009-08-18T14:06:00.104-05:00

I probably should have started my 'Street Smart Strategy' segments with the last edition with "What Lessons I've Learned At i.2;" but, considering the fact that I seem to learn something, good or bad, everyday it won't be difficult to update Volume 62 to fit into this new 'Street Smart Strategy' series. So I'll open up this new series with knowledge about 'average data' and more insight into that

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-65881632361465397652009-07-08T21:00:00.003-05:002009-07-09T09:32:51.566-05:00

Over the past few years of building a company from a 'clean sheet of paper' (concept) to bringing a high value, high quality product to the market place I've learned a few lessons that are worth sharing.The importance of how Customers perceive one's product line cannot be overstated, regardless of the quality and value designed into the line. The defining of one's company in a unique way is as

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-50743018730383681222009-07-03T07:50:00.003-05:002009-07-03T08:13:05.348-05:00

On this 4th of July eve, I send this 'Little Known History' about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. This was sent to me from one of our customers, a friend, who understands the importance of Freedom and its cost. To anyone who might read this gem of history, I wish you the understanding of our history so that the celebration of such an event is most meaningful."Have you ever

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-14053821951248044682009-06-09T10:23:00.000-05:002009-06-09T10:23:01.144-05:00

We are now past the first 140 days of our new Presidency, President Barack Hussein Obama, and the Congressional 'Leadership' (loosely used 'term' since it is made up of individuals holding less than a 12% approval rate and a misconduct record that resembles the NFL and NBA) of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and the rest of the Far-Left Liberal Congress. Nevertheless, our President is the most '

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-52295413729450050202009-05-08T13:26:00.000-05:002009-05-08T13:26:01.131-05:00

"The Boys of Summer" have returned, at least that was the term used in the past when the 'National Past Time' (Baseball) involved going to the Ball Park, witnessing one's heroes making that special play or getting that clutch hit, having a few 'dogs,' some 'brews' and enjoying the time.So much for past pleasures, real or imagined.A large number of The 'Boys of Summer' have turned into drug users,

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-2898100720544261572009-04-15T13:31:00.002-05:002009-04-15T15:21:13.826-05:00

In my previous blog, Volume 57, I described our (Door and Hardware) industry as the ultimate arena for 'Business Double Speak,' and I went on to give real examples of such 'speak.'I now have to recant the words "greatest examples of double speak in the universe." Our Federal Government (again) takes the podium with four examples of why you can never underestimate how 'screwed up' a government can

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-59325896092804951462009-03-27T15:37:00.001-05:002009-03-27T15:37:00.277-05:00

On October 31, 2007, I wrote a blog, Volume 40, entitled "Business Double-Speak!"It seems never ending that Business 'Double Speak' grows exponentially whether in business or politics; for example, take the blame game going on with the AIG bonus. Congress can't complain loud enough of such a travesty, Republicans and Democrats alike pound their fists and scream for justice. The President

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-80494499466898460432009-02-27T13:58:00.005-05:002009-02-27T15:44:38.330-05:00

It is related that on an evening, some 47 years ago almost to the date, February 6, 1962, then President John F. Kennedy gave his press secretary Pierre Salinger a simple but urgent shopping list - 1,000 H. Upmann brand petit corona Cuban cigars. As we all know, soon after that fateful evening, the President issued his most famous of executive orders, a comprehensive Cuban trade embargo. From

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-88821289733363803962009-01-22T15:30:00.008-05:002009-01-23T11:44:40.584-05:00

The 'pomp and circumstance' is now over, and we, in the United States, have a new President. History has been marked accordingly, for Barack Obama is our first Black (African-American) President; well, 'half black' which obviously qualifies for Black. I'm not sure I've read all the rules about 'that qualification' but its simply not worth the argument - 30% chance of rain which means there is a

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-13363975059759835262008-11-11T17:57:00.000-05:002008-11-11T17:57:00.800-05:00

As you are well aware (from my Blogs), Independence2, LLC is a private labeled full-line architectural door hardware company supplying Contract Hardware Distribution, and therefore the commercial construction market with Door Hardware products.Recently, we have encountered another example of an attempt on 'Restriction of Trade,' if not outright disregard for the Sherman Act and other legislature

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-90212826592874489612008-11-05T10:32:00.001-05:002008-11-05T10:32:01.756-05:00

It's finally over, and America has spoken; given an obscure unproven State Senator, of four years ago, the Top Job. In the Land of the Free - Home of the Brave, we have elected the most Liberal Senator and mixed this choice with Control of Both Houses to the likes of Pelosi and Reid. We will find out over the next four years, if not sooner, how 'free' and 'brave' we really are.While walking down

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-58777042362566125662008-10-01T15:14:00.000-05:002008-10-01T15:14:00.272-05:00

In volume 37 - I wrote "Watch how you vote!" Over one year ago, when all this madness (political stuff) started; and now, has finally come to the final 30 some days, the story of the ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER is still valid (Volume 37 - read it).In that period of time, we arrived at our first black candidate for President and our first female candidate for Vice-President, as a Republican. The war

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-58804506017761938692008-09-05T15:00:00.000-05:002008-09-05T15:00:00.187-05:00

I would never have guessed that I would be writing this piece fully admitting that the changes of me ever voting for a female for one of the two highest offices in this country were slim to none!But up to two weeks ago that was true. The selection of Sarah Palin has now changed that scenario, for now there is actually an opportunity to vote for a true conservative that speaks and acts on what she

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-36850994258881010122008-08-10T10:08:00.001-05:002008-08-10T10:08:00.358-05:00

Starting a full-line private labeled architectural door hardware company serving the North and South American commercial construction market is difficult enough without extending the line to include a private labeled Hotel Entrance Door Lock series to compete with the 'established giants' in the Hospitality Industry. Independence2, LLC with our i.2 series of private labeled architectural door

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-27030807278548298082008-07-09T11:00:00.000-05:002008-07-09T13:05:13.560-05:00

It has been almost two years since my first trip to China, where I spent three weeks visiting manufacturing sites, talking with perspective manufacturing partners, covering a variety of subjects ranging from quality and inspection processes, pricing, lead-times, specifications, etc. for our private labeled architectural door hardware company and the i.2 series of product, along with attempting to

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-86306234107967411912008-06-03T19:02:00.001-05:002008-06-03T19:34:14.403-05:00

Memorial Day has been over for a few days, but as a tribute to all the men and women who have served with honor, in protection of our 'taken for granted freedom.'It happens every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun resembles a giant orange ball and is starting to dip into the blue ocean. Old Ed comes strolling along the beach to his favorite pier. Clutched in his bony hand is a

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-75540517645248298472008-05-07T01:02:00.000-05:002008-05-07T19:15:37.105-05:00

Early in March, a friend of mine sent me an article that appeared in USA TODAY titled: Manufacturing losses weigh heavily on Ohio, By David J. LynchHaving grown up, been educated, lived and worked in Ohio for my entire life this shouldn't have been a total surprise to see an article on such a subject, unless of course you happen to have been the President/CEO of that company during the years of

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-35452399476566277242008-04-21T19:10:00.001-05:002008-04-21T15:31:44.637-05:00

Here is a dirty little secret about Hotelier's dollars lost but never seen; it's hidden in Division 8 of the Master Construction Division of the Construction contract. Within Division 8, the realm of Architectural Doors, Frames and Door Hardware, making up 2-3% of the entire project; ask any Hotel owner from the smallest of properties, a 22 room Super 8, to the giants of Intercontinental or MGM,

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-74105591692516517082008-03-17T18:33:00.002-05:002008-03-16T11:54:00.757-05:00

In September of 2001, I wrote an article that was published by the Doors and Hardware Magazine entitled "Can Independent Entrepreneurs Survive Industry Consolidation?" In this article I spoke about the fragmentation of the Hollow Metal Door Industry and the various types of integration that was taking place and would take place over the next decade. I also illustrated the importance of the

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-42163939912179267852008-02-24T10:22:00.001-05:002008-02-23T19:48:29.917-05:00

What the hell is Congress doing investigating whether Roger Clemens is telling the truth or if a known drug dealing ex-cop, Brian McNamee, has now decided to become a truthful witness? This TV media show, also known as a Congressional hearing, reminded me of a scene in the Godfather, where a Congressional committee was hearing testimony from a known racketeer, with the same results!This circus

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-29363481139833318152008-01-31T18:00:00.000-05:002008-01-31T17:27:06.082-05:00

The following is a summary of the Antitrust Laws' relevant provisions as I see them pertain to the Commercial Door Hardware Industry, and in particular Division 8 of the Master Format Specification System. It becomes very evident that many people walk a 'slippery slope' within the commercial construction industry and the manufacturers that supply product through distribution to this industry.The

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-42410264799661276842007-12-31T21:41:00.000-05:002008-01-01T11:44:37.482-05:00

It is certainly the Holiday Season, with Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and with certainly New Year celebrations scheduled all around the world. The grandkids are on Christmas vacation, and the gift shopping has certainly hit its peak. Decorations abound, travel is on the increase, the clerks are 'grumpy', over extension of money is as common as ever, the marketing of the holidays has reached

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-27698567804915956642007-11-11T10:42:00.000-05:002007-11-11T10:48:51.715-05:00

To my Verteran Friends, who have given us so much."It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-56067603046030896562007-10-31T23:45:00.000-05:002007-11-01T14:18:43.280-05:00

TV Station 21 WFMJ News NowBroadcast at 11:00 p.m. news 10-31-07, quotation is taken from their website WFMJ.com"Amweld Workers Get Bad News by PhoneAmweld in Niles is closing its doors officially today, a full two months earlier than expected.Earlier this month Amweld officials announced plans to close plants on Niles and Garrettsville, sending those 250 jobs to Mexico.The company also said at

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-80083737465779166572007-09-30T20:10:00.000-05:002007-09-30T19:03:57.687-05:00

Previously, Volume 35 - Passion and the i.2 Brand, I've discussed the 'passion' necessary for the survival and growth of a company, and woven in those layers, the delicate but vital part the entrepreneurial owner-partners play in that overall pattern. As one 'peels the onion back' further, looking more into the depth of that discussion, one finds that the 'decision making processes' based on '

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-24515615816735848572007-08-20T14:23:00.000-05:002007-08-18T14:36:19.207-05:00

Chrysler was ‘bailed-out’ for billions, ‘laid off and cut back’, sold to Daimler for 36 billion, and proceeded to loose a similar amount of money, and was recently separated back out for 7 billion by a private investment group. Hewitt-Packard and Compaq decided that it was in the best interest of ‘stockholders’ to merge and ‘be acquired’, as well as Alamo & National, and now, in my favor sport,

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-54573444785739818022007-07-25T08:45:00.000-05:002007-07-24T20:05:11.726-05:00

It seems to me highly ridiculous that we are involved in national elections, over a year before actual voting takes place. Everyday on the 'nightly news' we are bombarded with 'who has raised the most millions' in this run for the "House". We're repeatedly filled with alleged facts and figures of how all of 'our problems' can be solved (again) from national health care (including paid health care

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-8953886970153514722007-06-25T21:30:00.000-05:002007-06-24T20:40:19.054-05:00

It seems to me that there is a great deal of collusion within the writing of specifications, the 'special pricing' of manufacturers, and the selectivity of 'who can and who cannot' bid projects with those special pricing numbers. And, if that is not 'collusion and price fixing' then someone ought to explain the concept to me.The owners and developers of projects, practically all size commercial

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-35871530639616415752007-05-25T12:10:00.000-05:002007-05-24T11:44:45.375-05:00

As Charlie Staples says "I add an extra cup of love, that makes my barbecue sauce something special." At the corner of Rayen and Belmont Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio houses a little barbecue joint, owned and operated by one Charlie Staples. His "secret sauce" is his "cup of love", just like "good too the last drop" is Maxwell House's, as well as hundreds of other sayings and slogans to make the

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-24551190596097051262007-04-22T19:00:00.000-05:002007-04-22T19:03:09.279-05:00

With the terrible tragedy that took place last week at Virginia Tech, one of our talented members, a former Virginian, Ms Bonnie Buchanan, Operations & Marketing Member-Partner, sets to pen her thoughts of that massacre. Thank you Bonnie for the permission to print your poem, and thank you for your passion and concern.With Courage and Perseverance,With Pride and Determination,I can only watch and

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-6573623187231655672007-03-30T10:30:00.000-05:002007-04-02T16:56:17.393-05:00

After two years of research and dedication, the private labeled architectural hardware company, Independence2, LLC, launches the product line of i.2 series for the commercial construction market. This launch represents further credibility for this start up company that has developed specially designed and innovative products with specifically targeted revenue streams within this fragmented market

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-14592871141352028162007-02-18T14:47:00.000-05:002007-02-19T20:49:24.397-05:00

As I watch the Daytona 500, although it’s 17 degrees with another 4” of snow from last night and from the outside of my windows the view is Antarctica, I realize that Spring is somewhere ‘around the corner’. Five crew chiefs suspended for cheating, 'comments' from a distinguished car owner, the entry of Toyota into the Nextel Cup Series, the saga of DEI, and the likes of Juan Pablo Montoya.

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1165195052179076322007-01-17T20:16:00.000-05:002007-01-17T21:03:07.280-05:00

As our website, www.independence2.com, states Independence2, LLC is very proud to announce our involvement, with two of our Distributor Partners, Mr. James Sandy, President of Total Resources, Niles, Ohio, and Mr. Lee Guterba, Owner of S.R.E., located in Columbiana, Ohio, who will be supplying most of the Division VIII products, on the Stowe Mountain Lodge project in cooperation with Hunt

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1165714583617303812007-01-07T16:35:00.000-05:002007-01-07T17:32:48.356-05:00

Of all the cities visited on my adventure to China, I would have to say that Shanghai was my favorite. The international metropolitan flavor, the architectural skyline, the business mix of people representing all parts of the world, and the mystical nature of the Shanghanese people only highlights this city of 17 million people. Having arrived on a Saturday afternoon, gave me the opportunity to

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1165194980088812542006-12-11T05:15:00.000-05:002006-12-15T22:17:28.916-05:00

In my first addition China 'blog', Volume 28, I hadn't mentioned any of my intra- China flights, nor my three and a half hour flight flight from Beijing to Guangzhou after just flying fourteen hours from Chicago to Beijing, so let me describe this experience as well as others on airlines as China Easter, Dragon Air and China South.The intra-China flight from Beijing to Guangzhou took place after

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1164420214122288122006-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:002006-12-09T08:47:09.750-05:00

After spending almost three weeks in China, Beijing-Guangzhou-Zhongshan-Dongguan-Shanghai-Suzhou-Taipei-Hong Kong, one might expect to hear about the fourteen (14) hour flight, the food, the traffic, the pollution, the population, the government, emerging markets, one child per family rule, poverty of workers, the civilization of bicycles, or other 'television produced ideas' of what 'China' is

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1164416176644048882006-11-27T07:55:00.000-05:002006-11-26T20:14:54.190-05:00

Two months have gone by since my last posting, I find the 'speed of time' to be very difficult to comprehend. I desire 'time' to 'stand still' as it seemed during my earlier years. As my granddaughter said to her mom late yesterday afternoon, "Mom, there's nothing to do; I'm bored." To which I thought, without speaking, the day will come that the hours, days, weeks, months and years, take on

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1157246542233062252006-09-24T10:00:00.000-05:002006-09-24T10:09:46.716-05:00

After sixteen months, filled with a great deal of work, a 'term sheet' has been signed with a major bank to finance Independence2, LLC. During the last couple of years of employment with my former employer I was privy to information regarding potential acquisitions. During some of those meetings, I was a proponent of 'greenfield' proposals, and heard resistance toward that type of thinking. I

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1154551501123607352006-08-12T15:05:00.000-05:002006-08-11T14:50:46.893-05:00

On January 1st, of this year, I posted Volume 16 - "The next Hitler and the 2006 Demonic Person of the Year" referring to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran. I state that "he undoubtedly will move with great speed and determination along the path of radical policies with continuing sponsorship of terrorism, and the drive to obtain and enact nuclear weapons."I went on to state "is it

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1144944435561431302006-07-02T05:00:00.000-05:002006-07-02T04:53:21.896-05:00

'Globalization' is that magic word, which next to 'outsourcing', scares the 'crap' out of 'localized' thinking individuals, and connotes volumes of prejudicial opinions. Then again, 'Globalization' actually isn't a word, it's a concept. "Worldwide, a system of communication, comprehensive, universal", if one is to quote Webster.Although I find 'globalization to be a sign of progress, free

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1141053279551908552006-06-05T09:08:00.000-05:002006-08-07T16:26:57.656-05:00

It wasn't too many years ago, heated discussions took place over the use of 'robots' within the workplace. The unions screamed, the newspapers went wild, the liberals cried, that the sky was falling over the potential loss of jobs. Sounds very similar to the same 'song and dance' being heard today over 'outsourcing'. We read and hear that because of 'cheap labor', we're destroying our middle

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1137178231893501892006-05-01T19:20:00.000-05:002006-05-02T11:23:27.606-05:00

What a simple business term: "Supply Chain".The understanding of the term and the implementation of its consequences, as well as the respect, or lack thereof, for individual segments, and individual perspectives, equates to volumes of textbook information; but, we are simply going to start with the basics, without attempting to sell any particular point of view towards 'globalization' and/or '

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1144944835449626302006-04-14T05:13:00.000-05:002006-04-14T16:52:19.983-05:00

The United States is the Land of the Free, the home of the brave, a country that, since its existence, has welcomed people regardless of race, color and creed.Well, almost true. Discrimination, racism, and bigotry certainly had its 'say' in our development and, sadly, even to some extent today.Having stated that, however, it should be noted that, we have come a long way in our development, in a

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1137011739726984662006-03-12T09:00:00.000-05:002006-03-16T15:03:38.600-05:00

Do you know how great ideas grab defeat from the jaws of victory?What happens is that you get this great idea and run it by your friends, family, associates and after some conversation you hear "Nah, you can't do that!" "It would be impossible, and how could you possibly succeed?" Well, in business, it gets worse. Did you ever hear the saying that arguing with an engineer is like fighting with

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1140902527393456102006-03-01T20:20:00.000-05:002006-03-01T20:09:25.523-05:00

The 'Fruit and Nut' Award goes to California US District Judge Jeremy Fogel for halting the execution of Michael Morales because lethal injection would be painful and as a result could be construed as "cruel and unusual punishment". U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel ruled that the state would have to modify them or halt the execution until a full hearing could be held on the process. The federal

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1134653111276473352006-02-05T13:23:00.000-05:002006-02-05T13:15:33.616-05:00

The Customer: the purpose for the creation of a product. The reason that R & D exists. Why we have 'customer service' people. The portion of the supply chain that 'pays' for the product we create. The reason that millions of dollars are spent on 'attention getting advertising'. The source of our paycheck. The reason stores get 'stocked'. The Christmas 'rush'. How budgets are inadvertently

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1132253322888600472006-01-05T13:48:00.000-05:002006-01-04T11:21:19.123-05:00

There are only three ways to increase Sales. Raise prices, Acquire more customers or Sell more units to present customers. Simple. No Magic.Prices rise according to a variety of conditions including competitor's movement and where one sees his/her company from "40,000 feet"; in other words, where do you fit in the total spectrum of an industry. A future blog subject matter.Acquisition of more

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1134690956578385422006-01-01T18:55:00.000-05:002006-01-02T13:10:57.530-05:00

I don't make it a habit of 'doing' predictions but I've always liked the idea of the 'exception to the rule' theory, so here goes: Part I. The winner of the 2006 Most Demonic Person of the Year is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran. Not a real surprise to anyone who has paid attention to his recent remarks about the country of Israel and the 'Holocaust'. But the rest of the story is

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1132081850654147562005-12-11T14:10:00.000-05:002005-12-15T08:26:59.406-05:00

Rumors are rampant on possible acquisition talks between The Home Depot and the industrial distributor Hughes Supply. "The speculation was fueled by the announcement a couple of weeks ago that Hughes Board of Directors has authorized the company to consider strategic alternatives for the company to maximize shareholder value." (from an article written by Lindsay Young)Two things simply jump out

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1131487796267710982005-11-25T17:09:00.000-05:002006-02-07T12:44:29.596-05:00

During my last three years with the Amweld/WWH companies, I had the pleasure of taking on two very special challenges: The first, was the creation of an Architectural Door Hardware Company within the framework of Amweld Building Products Inc. As you can see by reading my blog posts, I am now in the throws of repeating this very task as I, in conjunction with a few other Founding Members, who

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1127089953640788222005-11-07T20:02:00.000-05:002005-11-07T19:57:32.600-05:00

There was a time, not long ago, within the early 60's that we as Americans noticed products, of various sorts, being made in Japan, Korea and other Asian countries reaching our shores and stores. 'Not impressed' would be an understatement as the 'bottom of the food chain' seemed to be their customer base with emphasis on the word 'cheap' both in price and quality. For example, the 1963 Honda was

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1127171059869674062005-10-10T18:02:00.000-05:002005-10-10T11:24:33.866-05:00

There aren't any!Ok, maybe there are great politicians or, more appropriately, were great politicians, the majority certainly six feet under; but the 'news' people, other than being so far 'left' they're able to reverse screw themselves in the ground, have exceeded ridiculousness with their hatred of the President and utter starvation for the ratings chart in the reporting of Katrina and Rita.

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1127766145941857292005-09-26T15:22:00.000-05:002005-09-26T16:43:26.526-05:00

Please refer to the below listed Volumes for additional insight into this start up venture with the emphasis on the customer, the basis of our core values: Volume 2- Customer Satisfaction & Accountability Volume 3 – International Transportation Volume 4 – Building block business update on the new start-up venture Volume 6 – Independence2 update with the Operations & Marketing Member’s

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1125621618511254782005-09-04T18:56:00.000-05:002005-09-13T19:41:39.570-05:00

What ever happened to State accountability? City accountability? County (or Parish) accountability? What ever happened to State and City preparedness? What preparation was made for this disaster situation over the past two decades or two weeks prior? Were disaster scenarios, that have proven models available, used and applicable? Is your State prepared for a natural disaster?The City of New

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1124959813502177722005-08-27T16:00:00.000-05:002005-09-13T19:53:29.723-05:00

I would like to explore the idea of value and experience within the business transaction relationship of a purchaser and vendor.From our neighbor's conversations to the boardroom meetings, from our customers to our wives, we hear about the high price of products, the high cost of materials, labor, and a menu of topics within this on-going price circle increase that we all dwell, in both our

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1121700718626248432005-07-20T05:27:00.000-05:002005-08-22T17:39:38.866-05:00

Success isn't about having the right people, the right tools, or the right structure. They all help, but they don't put a company over the top. Instead, success is all about having the right partners in your supply chain with the understanding of what causes what, and why.As I have preached from day one, your business isn't built on the differentiation that manufacturers have attempted, in vain,

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1119384885049921792005-06-30T15:04:00.000-05:002005-06-27T14:05:40.663-05:00

I’ve been a racecar fan from my earliest memories of my father tearing engines apart, rebuilding them, and repeating the process innumerable times. Pictures of him, hang in my office, winning the midget championships in 1937 driving a Chrysler special number 7, and running stock, modifieds, and even, in 1956, owning a Chrysler 300, which ran in the then category of ‘new cars’. He was one of the

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1119287637192653432005-06-25T12:00:00.000-05:002005-06-24T12:51:42.993-05:00

As you know, if you've been reading my blog or getting our newsletter, we've been working on the building blocks of putting together a new start-up international architectural door hardware company. Along with the effort of finding great people, (who presently are working with other companies, but have dedicated precious time and energy for this plan to be part of their future lives as they will

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1119278918068045212005-06-20T09:22:00.000-05:002005-06-20T14:33:38.890-05:00

As in the words of the distinguished former Democratic Governor and Senator, from the great State of Georgia, Zell Miller, in his book, "A Deficit of Decency", "I can remember when the Democrat believed that it was the duty of America to fight for freedom over tyranny. It was Democratic President Harry Truman who pushed the Red Army out of Iran, who came to the aid of Greece when Communists

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1118030416257734172005-06-05T22:56:00.000-05:002005-06-08T16:51:41.186-05:00

What a liberal phony world we have developed into with calls of prisoner abuse, wrongly fabricated and disseminated media stories concerning destruction of the Koran, causing riots and deaths, and now the liberal Woodward and Fatso Bernstein writing a new book, profiting again monetarily with the White House of Nixon and Deep Throat Felt, who should be charged for leaking information in a

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1115785251584578772005-05-10T23:14:00.000-05:002005-06-08T11:56:46.206-05:00

The thunder roared, the lightening cracked, the wind howled and the earth moved as I walked under the porticos and into the side entrance of St. Patrick’s Church for my granddaughter’s first communion.Well, ok, the cement didn’t crack, the beams didn’t break, the sky didn’t part (although my golfing buddies tell me that on the golf course at precisely 1:30 p.m. the temperature dropped, the wind

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1114616404896024592005-04-27T10:39:00.000-05:002005-04-27T10:40:04.900-05:00

Let’s strip the pedal from the rose on this subject for I’ve had about all the ‘red, white and blue’ flag waving in the business community I can tolerate. Yes, folks we are talking about hiding behind the skirt of the American flag raving about “customer loyalty, fierce independence, made in America” and all the other PR words that money can buy.I have nothing against programs that espouse ‘

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11783044.post-1114616258166294112005-04-27T10:35:00.000-05:002005-04-27T10:37:38.166-05:00

I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in talk radio. In fact, I’m amazed that such a thing exists during the daylight hours. Who the hell is the audience? On the other hand, if there was a late night (early morning) talk radio show one could visualize the audience with some credibility. The hard working people who work an afternoon shift with constant overtime or those that work a graveyard

R.P.Baldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10872079182212839165noreply@blogger.com0