December 2018
I
the REPORT
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR Merr y Christmas From Central Michigan Roofing
not all about gifts. Time with family, remembering the true purpose of the season, and spending time together over a good meal is just as important — especially when you have Christmas dinner like we do. My family’s tradition of a haystack meal on Christmas is something I look forward to every year. It’s the perfect way to come together because it’s not overly complicated or formal. For those of you who don’t know, a haystack is a layered dish that has all the main food groups. Everyone has their interpretation of what goes into their haystack. It starts with a carbohydrate base, usually crackers or chips. The next layer is potatoes, then meat and eggs, along with chopped onions, carrots, bacon bits, and a salad or some
Christmas is always a magical time of year for my family and the team here at Central Michigan Roofing. Once Thanksgiving ends, it’s all systems go for the most wonderful time of the year. I remember when I was
a kid, I couldn’t wait for Christmas. One of the most poignant memories I have is performing in the annual program at my school. Beginning rehearsals became the official start of the holiday season for me. On Christmas day, our family goes through the annual Herschberger gift exchange process. Since I can remember,
we’ve had the tradition of drawing names before Thanksgiving, and then each of us finds the right gift for the person they draw. That’s how I got my first BB gun! I’ll never forget that moment because everything about it was perfect. I got a lot of fun out of that gun, making great memories along the way. I won’t tell you who I got this year, but my kids and I are both buzzing to find the perfect gifts.
greens. Many recipes will have vegetables incorporated, but once the stack is built, we top it off with a cheese gravy. It makes for an awesome Christmas Dish. The best part is that everyone can make theirs different, so fussy eaters or food architects can build their haystack precisely as they please. I hope everyone can experience the joy of the holidays this year. Christmas is truly a wonderful time of year to spend
with those closest to you. Whether it’s at home with family, following the traditions you’ve had for years, or blazing the trail to make new memories, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope you find joy this season.
My children love Christmas and everything about it. The gift exchange gets them in the spirit, but once the day comes, you can see their eyes light up with possibility. As a parent, that excitement becomes contagious. The more anxious the kids get, the more invested my wife and I become. However, it’s
– Emanuel Herschberger
Did you know? A sneeze travels at about 100 mph.
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CHIP AND DAN HEATH’S ‘MADE TO STICK’
Have you ever wondered why certain stories that have no basis in fact get passed around like wildfire? Whether they’re rumors, urban legends, or conspiracy theories, these tales can often gain more traction than important ideas and facts. In their book “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die,” Chip and Dan Heath explore the qualities that give ideas relevance and pass-around value. “An accurate but useless idea is still useless,” they write. This point is key to understanding why people get excited about certain ideas and ignore others. The Heaths argue that the presentation of ideas can have just as much of an impact on their “stickiness” as the content of the ideas. After analyzing hundreds of examples, they note, “We began to see the same themes, the same attributes, reflected in a wide range of successful ideas.” “Made to Stick” explains those attributes using myriad examples to illustrate how stickiness works in the real world. Early in the book, the Heaths share six key principles, demonstrating how good ideas are made valuable and exciting by their simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, and credibility; are capable of rousing emotions; and are often presented in the form of stories. While these principles are relatively straightforward, they are often subverted in an Uncovers What Makes Ideas Matter Metal is a superior material for many uses, especially roofing. Its characteristics provide natural cooling, resilience to adverse weather conditions, and longevity that can’t be found in shingles. It’s great for roofing, but it also has a variety of other uses. Metal siding, corrugated planter boxes, and partitions are all common additions that can add pleasing aesthetics to your structure. Now, what if you could take it one step further? That’s exactly what the shipping container movement is starting. SHIPPING CONTAINER HOUSES Companies shipping products from overseas will often send their items in what are known as “one-use” containers. These steel shipping boxes are used for one trip only and are then taken out of rotation. There are an estimated 14 million shipping containers around the world that are no longer in service, making the re-purposing of these crates very appealing to the cost-effective builder. It might sound a little odd, but as the tiny house movement expands, homes built from shipping containers become more and more popular. With costs ranging from $1,000 for
effort to use business jargon and other neutered forms of language.
The Heaths deploy John F. Kennedy’s famous speech about putting a man on the moon as an example of a compellingly relayed
idea. “Had John F. Kennedy been a CEO, he would have said, ‘Our mission is to become the international leader in the space industry through maximum team-centered innovation and strategically targeted aerospace initiatives,’” they explain. Nobody would have been excited about that. If you’ve ever thought that you had a great idea but couldn’t get your employees to buy into it, a lack of stickiness may be the cause. Understanding how to present your ideas in an inspiring way could unlock the key to increased productivity and growth like you’ve never achieved before. The next time you present an idea to your team, a group of conference attendees, or any other audience, ask yourself if that idea will stick. If it won’t, you’re just wasting your time. If you need a little guidance on how to make your ideas punch a little harder, “Made to Stick” should be on your holiday book list. a 20-foot container to $3,000 for a 40-foot vessel, the cost of raw materials provides viable savings for those looking to build simple structures. Add in a little ingenuity on the interior, and the dull rectangle initially used to ship raw goods can become an oasis. OTHER USES Shipping containers aren’t just limited to homes. Garages, sheds, and storage spaces are all common uses. The 14-gauge steel is thick enough to withstand hanging thousands of pounds on its walls, so many people love to use them as workshops. One issue with using a shipping container as a structure is that it doesn’t have a roof. The flat pitch to the ceiling means water, snow, or other debris will collect on top. Over time, this can cause rust or pooling that weakens the integrity of the steel. That’s where we come in. Let us help you treat your metal and build a roof for your structure. If you think the whole thing is a little nutty, call us today and let us help you discover how we can help you with your unique roofing project.
YOU BUILT YOUR HOUSE OUT OF WHAT? One Use of Steel You Probably Didn’t Think Of
Central Michigan Roofing | (269) 758-3330 2
What falls in the winter but never gets hurt? Snow.
ONE BUSINESS RULE THAT WILL SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS Look 3 Times Before You Ask
many cases, what might take two people one minute can take one person the same amount of time just by following this rule.
Every year, countless hours are wasted by employees asking questions rather than looking for solutions. It presents a problem for most businesses not because answering questions is a nuisance — most of the contractors we work with are eager to help — but because too much time is spent answering those questions. INTERRUPTIONS Whenever you ask someone a question, whether it’s on a job site or in an office, that person has to stop what they are doing to provide an answer. In some cases, this isn’t an issue, but in others, the time they spend answering your question causes a loss of focus on the task they were working on. Once the question is answered, they have to reorganize their state of mind and dive back into their job. Interruptions like these cause a loss in quality of work and in employee time. LOOK BEFORE YOU ASK In many instances, the questions asked have solutions that can easily be found. Because of this, businesses are now implementing a new rule aimed at saving time and increasing productivity: Look three times before you ask. Searching in three different places to find a solution is surprisingly effective for getting questions answered. In
CRITICAL THINKING
Not only will having your teammates look before asking save time, but it will also empower them to think critically and work independently. When you have more well- rounded and competent coworkers, your business will increase its potential for growth. None of this is to say that employees should never ask questions. In many cases, answers can be hard to come by, but after looking three times, you should always consult someone who can help. It’s also important to note that just because someone can find the answer doesn’t mean they should do the task. Questions like “Jim, have you seen my drill?” should follow the “look before you ask” rule. On the other hand, you can find resources to answer “How do I operate this forklift?” but that doesn’t mean it’s something you should do on your own the first time. If you’re ever in doubt, err on the side of caution and ask.
Hol iday Roast Prime Rib
Have a Laugh
Inspired by Food Network
Ingredients
• 4 cups beef stock
• 1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 cups red wine
Directions 1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature. 2. Heat oven to 350 F. 3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare. 5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.
Did you know? Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.
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I
Inside This Issue
Merry Christmas!
A Guide to Making Ideas Stick
Houses Out of Shipping Containers?
One Rule That Can Save You Time and Money
Are You Damaging Your Nonstick Pots and Pans?
HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR NONSTICK COOKWARE
Another way to extend the life of nonstick cookware is to avoid using cooking spray. These sprays often contain additives that cling to nonstick surfaces, even after washing. Instead, use a purer form of fat, such as butter or coconut oil — or don’t use anything at all! And during cooking, always use soft utensils, such as wood, plastic, or silicone. Never use metal utensils, which will scratch nonstick surfaces. Another tip is to keep nonstick cookware off of high heat. High heat shortens the life span of nonstick surfaces. Save this cookware for low and medium heat only. For high-heat cooking, rely on stainless steel or cast iron. When it comes to cleaning your nonstick cookware, skip the dishwasher. While many nonstick pots and pans are labeled “dishwasher safe,” regular exposure to scalding hot water and detergent will shorten the life of the cookware. To keep your pans in good shape, hand wash them using dish soap, warm water, and a soft brush or sponge. Following these simple
The nonstick pan is a kitchen staple. It’s useful, convenient, and easy to clean. But after a few months of use, it always seems like food starts to stick to it and “easy to clean” becomes a thing of the past. The life span of nonstick cookware is generally supposed to be about five years, depending on use, but as many can attest, that rarely seems to be the case under real-world conditions. However, there are steps that you can take to significantly extend the life of your nonstick cookware. If your nonstick cookware is starting to show signs of wear, you can repair existing damage — as long as that damage is minor, such as small scratches or blemishes. Using a 50/50 mix of baking soda and water, gently scrub the surface of the pan with a cloth or sponge. This helps even out imperfections. Rinse and dry. Then, wipe a small amount of cooking oil over the surface of the pan, wiping away any excess. Repeat this seasoning process regularly for even better results! If your nonstick cookware is flaking or chipping, it’s time to replace it. Those flakes and particles will get into your food and your body. While modern nonstick surfaces, such as Teflon, are technically considered safe, Teflon flakes are, of course, unappetizing in all situations.
steps will keep your nonstick cookware looking great for years to come!
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Why did the gingerbread man go to the doctor? He was feeling crummy.
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