WomenInBusinessGuide.com-A Look Into Guam's Woman Owned Small Businesses

GET, LLC is so very proud to be a part of the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce-who just celebrated its one year anniversary this week-the National Association of Women in Construction and now to be involved with the newest and complete source for reaching Woman Owned Businesses in Guam-www.womeninbusinessguide.com

A project in collaboration with the Bank of Guam and the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network, this new on-line guide can take you right to the heart and soul of 76, and counting, of Micronesia's leading service and supply entities driven by island matriarchs who are leading a wave in building the new economy in Guam and the region. 

We would like to give kudos to the Center's WIB Coordinator Denise Mendiola-Herslet and her talented intern Julianna Hattig for getting this off the ground and taking the e-Presence to this point.   

WomeninBusinessGuide.com is a simple site. Easy to navigate.  The on-line directory spans the gamut in business categories.  Need a doctor? Retail? Contractors and Construction? It is all here.  And all women.

There is many other woman-owned businesses that have yet to get their information in and we expect this to be a work in progress for many days, weeks and years to come.  This invaluable link speaks volumes to where the economic engine of progress on Guam is headed. 


GET, LLC is so very proud to be able to assist in the project and we encourage each of you reading this blog to check out this new site.  And don't forget that when you are considering a service or need a product for your next project at home or at your respective business that you visit www.womeninbusinessguide.com and of course www.get-guam.com for more on how we all can help. For more information, please give us a call at 671-797-0789 for more information on the related products and services we provide-though our friends at Terex/Genie, Deco Lighting, Independence LED Lighting, Savoy Furniture, Cisco Systems, Panduit, Fiber Optic Marketplace LLC and Grainger.

Guam-A Different Perspective

This weekend the Guam Election Cycle for 2014 hits its first major event with the Primary Election on Saturday. From 7:00am to 8:00pm Guam Time, the polls will be opened across the island allowing the electorate to place their Democrat or Republican candidate for public office on the ballot for the November General Election.

49,110 residents are registered to vote in the 2014 Primary and General Elections.

The voter numbers this year are the lowest since 1992.  That mid-term election drew just 34,856 voters to the polls.  At 74.7%, the 1992 Elections were far from the lowest voter turnout in Guam's modern election history.  The 2004 mid-terms saw just  66.8% of the registered voters across the 58 precincts cast a ballot.

But this is a gubernatorial election year.  Following the 1998 General Election that saw the re-election of Democratic Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez, voter turnout slid into the 70th percentile over the past three elections. Despite a record 61,052 registering to vote in 2002, over 16,000 people did not make it to vote that year.  Since 1970 and the first election for Guam Governor, island residents came out in droves to let their ballot count for the Chief Executive with those eight consecutive cycles seeing turnout in the 80th percentile-the highest being 88.2% that led to the inauguration of Guam first elected Governor Carlos G. Camacho. 

Times surely have changed.  And it appears that apathy has and continues to grow.

Why?

Some thoughts place the blame squarely on the backs of the local media. With good news abound for the incumbent, then why change a good thing? Other pundits charge that the Guam Election Commission has done a poor job in getting out the word on the vote-the tired ways of motivating the electorate seems to be dominating discussions around the table of the GEC and its members. A number of analysts are not looking at these numbers closely and are opining that there are other factors hindering growth of the electorate and getting them to exercise their rights as U.S. Citizens.  Economics, locally legislated government holidays and a lack of modern election technology are the culprits.

What does this all mean for the 2014 Elections?

There is a strong chance that history can repeat itself as the campaign dialogue shifts after the Primary Election. It will be an election placing "Record vs. Record".  Two Governors in a head to head battle to paint the other as a better alternative, whose leadership skills we all need to move Guam forward into the next decade.  Will there be a new Legislative Majority? Can a once appointed Attorney General beat an incumbent AG with crime rates at its highest in a decade? Will the Consolidated Commission on Utilities see a new Chairman as utility rates are on the rise? 


Get out and vote.  It is your right. But before you cast a ballot, talk to the candidates to understand their vision.  Talk to your families to understand how this election cycle will affect them and how they feel each has done to help advance our Island Guam.

Buying for Retail-Some Advice for Purchasing Quality Leather Furniture

A great article re-emerged from Russell Bienenstock in the home furnishings industry's top publication on the benefits and advantages to buying leather furniture products.  His first in a two part piece in the New Rochelle, New York-based Furniture World Magazine made me think-WOW!  This blogger shares some of it here and I must say it was very informative and helps with the argument on whether or not to use this material in a modern office or living space:


"...From a consumer standpoint, buying a leather sofa can seem like a “no-brainer, wrote Bienenstock. "There are no fabric patterns to choose, simplifying decorating decisions for the design-challenged. It is also true that quality leather has properties which can make it superior to many fabrics. 

Consider the following...Leather outlasts most fabric coverings. It has an exceptionally long useful life. It will not tear and is half again as strong as other upholstery materials -- even along the seam lines. It is fire resistant and emits no toxic fumes, even when exposed to intense heat. Modern full grain leather products won’t crack or peel. Quality leather stretches and retains its shape without sagging. It 'breathes', assumes body temperature rapidly and is instantaneously comfortable. It resists heat and sun damage. Leather is a practical material, ideal for busy lifestyles. No special solvents or cleaners and no lengthy or expensive procedures are necessary for its care. Leather generally ages well.

On the other hand, depending on how it is used, covers promoted and sold as leather differ in how long they will last, how easy they are to clean, in their suppleness and, how effectively they can be repaired. There are big differences in leather price, quality and wear, yet retail customers may have trouble evaluating how these differences correlate with desired benefits. This is not surprising since even retail salespeople who should have this expertise, may not be conversant with the types of leather, finishes or products such as leather splits, vinyl and fabric/leather composite materials.

Although home furnishings industry professionals do not need to know the fine details of leather production, basic information regarding hide quality, tanning, dyeing and finishing can help retailers to steer customers toward making informed purchase decisions."

The article stresses that there is quality to be had across the entire price point spectrum.  Best to be educated than to make a poor design and material choice.  In the end the value will be appreciated by the owner or end users.

Don't think leather is only for the ultra-rich.  Bienenstock remarked that tanning technology, globalization and composite leather materials are changing the marketplace making leather furniture more affordable and gaining broad consumer appeal.


For more on how GET, LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific furniture needs-even leather-please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!!!

A Primer on Deco Lighting Products

Since November of 2013, GET, LLC has been a proud Sales Representative for Deco Lighting in Guam and Micronesia. With the success of the rehabilitation of the Santa Rita Basketball Court, we continue to push the innovative products of Deco Lighting all across the region.  This blog post isn't any different.  Deco Lighting is a great choice for your next lighting project and here's why.

At Deco Lighting, they believe in the power of LEDs. While thousands of businesses and facilities still rely on traditional incandescent or fluorescent technologies to power their operations, Deco Lighting works to help savvy business owners make the transition to more efficient, durable, and attractive light sources. Deco Digital’s line of LED Retrofit Kits converts existing fixtures into energy-saving LED fixtures, and allow for significant reduction in power consumption. Simply put, LED lighting fixtures are more adaptable, burn less energy, and create a more desirable lighting environment than any traditional lighting solution.

Here’s why:

If you’ve ever worked under the glare of fluorescent lights for hours at a time, you know how much strain they can put on your eyes. LED lighting fixtures like the Deco Digital Cloud fixture, create a pure, clean light that doesn’t cause as much visual strain as traditional lighting solutions. As a result LED lighting creates a more pleasant working environment for employees and a more pleasant shopping experience for clients and customers.

One of the biggest costs associated with running a brick-and-mortar business is the cost of energy. 

Businesses use a lot of electricity, and there’s no real way to avoid it. But you can reduce your energy bill by retrofitting your facility with energy efficient LED lights. Swapping out your current lighting solution for LED lighting fixtures can net you enormous savings when the energy bill comes. Deco Digital’s LED Retrofit kits are designed for maximum energy efficiency and feature up to 75% power reduction when compared with fluorescent tubes.

One of the best features of LEDs is their unlimited flexibility. Because they do not rely on age-old technology that demands a certain bulb shape or size, LED lighting can be implemented in almost any environment for almost any purpose. For instance, Deco’s Linea 2’X2’ and 2’X4’ Troffer and Parabolic LED Retrofit Kit will convert your existing 2’X2’or 2’X4’ fixture into an energy-saving LED fixture in minutes. Distributing light more efficiently than traditional lighting methods, LEDs are perfect for recessed lighting or unique lighting installations designed to highlight specific products or areas.

We won't be the first or the last to tell you that LED lighting fixtures are a clear winner for businesses looking to cut costs, increase efficiency, and reduce maintenance needs. Making the switch to LED lighting can improve employee comfort and enhance the appearance of any facility-the switch to a Deco Lighting Product would do just that.

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us at 671-483-0789 to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs-All Made in America!!!

Collaboration on Education to Grow the Metal Construction Industry

This past summer, leaders from six trade associations and the Metal Construction Association came together to find the best way to bring their collective resources together to grow the metal construction market. 

The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA), the Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA), the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), the National Coil Coating Association (NCCA), the National Frame Building Association (NFBA), and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) agreed that  to grow this industry is to focus primarily on education over the course of the next year and beyond.

How will it be done?  

There was agreement that the target audience be architects, specifiers and engineers. With education currently being  done on a project-by-project basis, industry leaders believe readily available, widely accepted educational tools on these issues would be useful to their own association members and the entire industry.

 “We’ve done one-on-one education, taking pictures of jobs that show that metal is attractive and pointing out [limits to] their codes,” said National Frame Building Association Chairman Elect Ken Gieseke, “Getting tools to help us as an industry would be huge.”

NFBA has more than 700 members, including contractors, suppliers, and design professionals. The association seeks to expand the use of post-frame construction, educate builders and decision makers on post-frame construction, provide technical research, and market the benefits of post-frame construction.

Getting out messages like this to influencers of construction and consumers is key to growing the industry.

However, all the groups promote professionalism and provide education and training to their members, and some provide accreditation.

The 52-year-old NCCA, which has about 100 members, promotes the growth of pre-painted metal.  It serves as the voice of the coil coating industry for technical, promotional, education, and regulatory matters. The 46-year-old MBCEA provides, among other things, national standardized testing and apprenticeship and accreditation programs. It has seen a 30% jump in its membership of metal building contractors and erectors over the past year, according to MBCEA President Gary Smith.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners can help with your next steel building or aluminium roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.    

Guam-A Different Perspective

There has been plenty of press surrounding the service of United Airlines in Guam and Micronesia as of late.  A public hearing was held last night at the Guam Legislature to address "air travel safety and airline customer concerns".  

Not sure why I endured the two hour hearing on television, which looked well attended by United employees and supporters.  

There were some takeaways:
  • United recommitted to bringing modern airplanes into the service area of the former-Continental Airlines Hub.
  • United shared their 98% success rate of flight arrivals into the Western Pacific-just 16 flights were cancelled over the past year.
  • United demonstrated their commitment to the community sharing their philanthropic CV since 2013 with the Senators and viewers at home.

While I have been very critical of United's service to family and friends, one thing drives my opinion-my experiences.  I recently flew to the U.S. Mainland via United.  There was a delay leaving Guam-thanks in large part to then-Tropical Storm Halong that slammed the region.  Arriving in Narita, a route recommended by a friend/United employee, I found the service of the gate, lounge and flight crews to be consistently above average.  It matched the service in the air to Japan.  To the U.S. Mainland, the United team was pretty good.  Meal and in-flight entertainment was pretty good.  Coming back home on this route was just as good.  Efficient.  Polite.  Friendly. This story is a far cry from a story a family member who simultaneously left Guam for America via Honolulu a half hour before me.  He said the flight crew was a bit distant.  The passengers were fidgety and service was not at the same level as the Japan route.  The Honolulu Flight, once renowned for their stellar in-flight customer service, was reduced to a couple of drinks, expensive "snacks" and delays out of Hawaii. United was unapologetic to my family member for the lack of attention, in fact it may have forced a letter to the United CEO Jeff Smisek from him this past week.

Air travel is critical to our ability to reach the world around us-especially from our place in Micronesia.  Whether the air travel be for business or pleasure, we should be cognizant that the demand drives the service levels here.  

Guam residents simply do not fly.

With the exception of local and federal government officials and employees, college students and those seeking healthcare away from the island, the number of Guam residents buying a ticket to fly is just small.  That means not the same level of elite service and costly tickets.

If you need to fly, you will pay.

What is the best way to mitigate this negative aspect of going "off-island"? Buy in advance.  Pick the best and affordable route for you and your travel companions.  Research the services provided on each flight.  Choose wisely.

United is OK.  But so is Delta...JAL...Korean Air...Philippine Airlines...Asiana Airlines.

Traveling is always an adventure. Air travel now is not only an adventure, but is emerging as a way to support the local employees who service these respective airlines who in turn are your neighbors, friends and family. 


United has your attention.  Pay attention to them. Respect them.  Appreciate air travel in Micronesia. Flying with the warmth of paradise doesn't have to be a horrible and cost prohibitive experience.

Housing Market Gets Boost From Home Depot

New York-based Home & Textiles Today is reporting that with demand from building contractors rising and consumers beginning to step up investment in their homes, Home Depot said it expects the pace of same-store sales to accelerate in the second half of 2014.

The newspaper of the home textiles industry says that the Atlanta, Georgia-based home improvement retailer’s second quarter net income jumped 16.7% to $2.1 billion, or $1.52 per share for the quarter that ended on August 3, 2014. Sales rose 5.7% to $23.8 billion. Consolidated comps climbed 5.8%, with same-store sales for the U.S. operation up 6.4%.

"In the second quarter, our spring seasonal business rebounded, and we saw strong performance in the core of the store and across all of our geographies," said Home Depot Chairman and CEO Frank Blake.

Forbes Magazine reported on the Home Depot outlook as less a sign of good things ahead in the housing market than it was a sign that the company is just operating well.

“This strong performance gives us further confidence that Home Depot can handle a slower paced housing market recovery on strong execution,” said Citi analyst Kate McShane.

GET,LLC has worked on a number of federal projects with the home improvement retailer this year.  A strong outlook is welcome news for stockholders and expect the end of the year to get better for them.


To learn more about the other products and services that GET, LLC provides, please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us at 671-483-0789 to discuss solutions for your important construction needs-All Made in America!!!

What Cisco UCS Can Do For Your Microsoft Applications

Your data center is probably costing your business too much… and delivering too little.

If you would like to find out how to save on the capital and operational expenditure of your IT infrastructure, give GET, LLC a call or drop us an email now.

Learn how the Cisco® Unified Computing System (UCS) is the optimum platform for Microsoft® applications such as Exchange, Hyper-V, SharePoint, and SQL Server, helping to:
•           Lower overall costs at the platform, site, and organizational levels
•           Increase business agility through just-in-time provisioning and mobility support
•           Improve energy efficiency by reducing power and cooling demands
•           Reduce the complexity of your IT infrastructure while increasing its scale
•           Cut IT management time and cost

With Cisco UCS and Microsoft you get integration with the Microsoft System Center family which helps streamline and centralize management for physical and virtual environments, covering deployment, network optimization, and application services.

It makes your data center cheaper and simpler to run and scale.

Find out more about how using Cisco UCS for your Microsoft applications can help your business to lower costs, speed deployments, and increase flexibility, scalability, productivity, and performance.


GET, LLC is a proud Cisco Registered Partner providing the latest Cisco products and services direct to businesses and organizations. For more about our role as a Cisco Registered Partner and the benefits it brings to you and your business contact us at 671-483-0789 or at www.get-guam.com.