Category Archives: Business News

Atlanta Insulated Concrete Forms

Over the last several days I have had the priviledge of meeting Bill Brown and examining first hand a project he is working on utilizing Insulated Concrete Forms. The first time I ever saw this type product in use was on HGTV with a room addition project and that has several years ago. Looking at the product you see the best of both construction worlds with concrete and rebar for rigidity and strength and expanded polystyrene for energy efficiency and sound attenuation. These are just some of the key benefits of Isulated Concrete Forms.

With all emphasis being put on ecologically and enviornmentally friendly construction practices in today’s building industry, it seems to make perfect sense for builders and homeowners alike to examine using this technology. While it may be slightly more expensive than traditional methods, the cost could easliy be amortized and recovered via the energy savings.

Insulated Concrete Forms

Atlanta Broker’s Receive Distinguished Service Award

The Broker/Owner’s of RE/MAX Around Atlanta Partners; Sharon Dover, Barbara Pearson and Charlotte Steed were recognized at the opening general session of the RE/MAX International Convention in Atlanta. Each of these special ladies received the Distinguished Service Award for their service to RE/MAX.

After receiving her award Sharon Dover commented that the award was for all the agents of RE/MAX Around Atlanta. Having known Sharon for over 8 years, her willingness to share the limelight is once again exemplified here. Rather than take the credit for herself, she passes it around for all her agents to share.

Congratulations ladies, Y’all done good!

Advanced Access Featured Client

As we all go through life, every now and then, unexpected honors are bestowed on us. This just happened to me. Several weeks ago I received a call from Advanced Access wanting to set up a time to interview me about being their Featured Client for the month of February. After scheduling the interview I went to the client spotlight section of their site and observed the other recipients of this honor. What an impressive group to be included in! My thanks go out to Advanced Access for thinking of me and my site for this high honor.

Gas Prices in Atlanta

Today I had the priveledge of once again going to the gas station for a fill up. Ever since hurricane Katrina hit in New Orleans gas prices seemed to have gone through the roof here as well as throughout the nation. Well today I paid $1.859 per gallon of gas. I remember on the nightly news last night the national average for a gallon of regular gas was $2.17. As my wife and I have traveled to other areas of the country we have noticed that gasoline prices are typically less in Atlanta. This is just another reason for “Loving Atlanta Living”.

Home Depot’s Nardelli Resigns

Atlanta based The Home Depot chief Robert Nardelli resigned yesterday. The bigger news item was the size of the seperation package, $210,000,000. You read it right 210 million dollars. Are you kidding me? Charlie Gibson on the ABC Nightly News reported that during Nardelli’s tenure, while the bottom line profits increased, the overall stock price decreased by some 7.1%. This is in direct contrast to Home Depot’s primary competitor Lowe’s who’s stock value has increased over the same time period.

My main question would be, shouldn’t a CEO compensation or seperation package be tied to the stock performance of the company? Why would the board of directors approve such an outlandish package? Is one person worth this type of compensation? Let’s take a look at what this seperation package equates to:

  • Home Depot, according to their website, has approximately 355,000 associates.
  • Now assume that each associate works 40 hours per week and earns $15.00 per hour.
  • This seperation package would pay 350,000 associates for a year.
  • If the average associate earns $20.00 per hour then the package would pay 262,500 for a year.

Is one person that the public never meets worth this much more than say, 262,000 associates who are in contact with a companies customers every day? Maybe it’s time for a board of directors to realize who are actually the people promoting a companies good name and good will through good customer service.

The President and CEO of a major corporation should be compensated handsomely for their leadership and planning capabilities, perhaps just making the compensation performance based would prove to be a good idea.