We are wired to seek comfort; as a result, much of our life is focused around familiar patterns and habits. Yet while we go to great lengths to avoid being uncomfortable, that avoidance strategy is a killer when it comes to making the changes needed for business growth and success.

Over the last year, the National Comfort Institute (NCI) has made significant investments in talent, products, and services, which it intends to unveil as the New NCI at the ninth annual NCI Summit, Feb. 5-10 at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.

Now I realize that people are reading this article in late January and those resolutions that you proclaimed so loudly three weeks ago are barely a faint memory. But this is also a good time to come up with some New Year’s resolutions for your business.

Last week The NEWS was in Chicago in full force for the AHR Expo. At the expo or any event, the handshakes and passing out of business cards can start to feel very routine. But there are rewards for the effort we put into it. It made me think back to a seminar I attended last year on the power of networking.

Iconics names industry business development manager.

Any employer who has faced potential class-action wage-and-hour lawsuits knows what a headache they can be. Due to a recent court ruling, employers have a lot more to worry about. That case, Pippins v. KPMG, has caused tremendous turmoil and confusion among those who follow employment litigation and electronic discovery.

Tool policies should be reviewed at least annually to confirm that contractors and technicians are both satisfied with the arrangement, as well as to ensure that everyone is clear on who provides which tools and what the rules are for broken, lost, or stolen tools.

Do you arrive at the office each morning prepared to accomplish a list of goals you have set for yourself? Or are you the type who arrives full of energy for the day ahead and gets caught up immediately in a minor problem that sidetracks you until the day is half gone and you have not really accomplished much of anything? 

Recognizing the depth of consumer concern and its potential impact on their business, many service contractors have initiated employee screening processes to avoid hiring staff who may be convicted felons or registered sex offenders. These are generally described within the HVAC industry as safe hiring programs.

According to the latest outlook from the National Association for Business Economics (NABE), economists are predicting moderate growth, a brightening employment picture, and an increase in housing starts in 2012.