On Links and Needles

Why Quality is the New Price – The Power of Reputation

Steve Hawk — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:08:54 GMT

So, you are in the apparel decoration business and you want to survive and thrive. You know that you need to court new customers and make the customers you have as loyal as possible. Let me offer you the following advice: Don't compete on price alone.

When Not to Sweat the Details, or, Fighting Customers Means Defeating the Purpose

Steve Hawk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:56:52 GMT

I've talked about all manner of customer relations issues before, and given tips on how to educate your clients, how to stand together with your company to make things right when faced with a fouled-up order, and even on how to redirect problems with your customer's requests into possibilities for better work.

The Request line Is Open: Balancing Customer Desires, Expectations and Compensation

Steve Hawk — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:31:44 GMT

After soliciting my wonderful Twitter followers for a blog topic yesterday, I received a brilliant suggestion from @garment_cat. In her own words: "I have a blog idea...How to solve design conflicts, ie: creative vision vs. technical limitations/budget. The intersection of ‘What I Want,’ ‘What's Possible’ and ‘What Can I Afford?’ Not always easy!"

The Chisel vs. the Silver Bullet – the Truth About Technology

Steve Hawk — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:42:29 GMT

I'm about to tell you something you don't want to hear. Like the old ostensibly Mongolian saying goes, "A man about to speak the truth should keep one foot in the stirrup," and I am just as prepared for your resistance to this revelation.

Temporal Troubles: Productive Procrastination and Priorities

Steve Hawk — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:36:32 GMT

You may have noticed that "On Links and Needles" has just so recently disappeared for over a week. I've been having some temporal difficulties; now before you accuse my poor temporal lobe of cutting off my language functions, I'm referring to my occasionally poor grasp of time management and my unfortunate capacity for "Productive Procrastination" when faced with more work than I can comfortably complete or tasks that look incredibly difficult. I'd like to help youavoid the same predicaments I've found myself in by sharing what I've learned in this latest spate of deadline dilemmas.