Recent Articles

The climate change situation is likely to be more positive than negative for the pulp and paper industry, but with lots of uncertainty.  Actions of our governments in the name of climate change, which are not likely to be rational on such a complex issue, will have the key impact on the industry...

But like leading edge technology today that is prohibitively expensive, trickle down technology will eventually reach you and me in the form of advances in what we can buy and use...

While the paperless office will probably never exist, we all know that the “less-paper”  office arrived around ten years ago, and is cutting seriously into paper sales. At the Consumer Electronics Show in January this year, I found a clever, non-traditional measure taken by International Paper to promote the use of paper that is also useful to many readers of this column for daily work...

It is so easy for us to sink into the feeling that America (The United States of America, that is) is going downhill at an increasingly rapid rate. But whenever I get into a funk about the US, I just read some history and realize how far we've come...

Nip Impressions is a teenager this Christmas. Let’s go back and look at some of the highlights, shall we?

Listen to this column in your favorite format

iTunes            MP3             

Travis asks, "How many steps are on this escalator?"

Travis asks, "How long does it take 7 ducks to lay 7 eggs?"

Readers weigh in their perception of the regulation burden in their locale...

Often, I help people with their resumes and job interview skills individually.  In this case, we are going to have to do it in a mass training forum right here, right now.

Listen to this column in your favorite format

iTunes            MP3             

Readers weigh in on how quickly they begin a new task...

I used to use the term “creeping regulations” but no more—they are galloping now.  As I reported in PaperMoney® on Tuesday, the EPA announced last week it is looking at over 130 new regulations.  Other government departments in the US and elsewhere seem to be ramping up their regulation writing machines as well.

Listen to this column in your favorite format

iTunes            MP3             

Travis asks, "What iconic movie sound was produced this way?"

Despite the overall employment rate in developed economies remaining stubbornly high, when it comes to trained technical professionals, especially in the pulp and paper industry, a shortage seems to exist worldwide. How did we get in this situation, which seems especially difficult in the United States?

Listen to this column in your favorite format

iTunes            MP3             

Readers weigh in on their experiences where strong personalities have exerted their influence on a large capital project.

Travis asks, "What do these things have in common?"

Cheering a little harder and paying off bills...

It is the responsibility of everyone in a leadership position, all the way through the board of directors, to make sure investments are well thought out.  Many day-to-day decisions can be corrected.  Facility location, design, and specifications are permanent.  They can cripple a site from day one and lead to an early demise.  These mistakes are fiduciary crimes...

Listen to this column in your favorite format

iTunes            MP3             

Several weigh in on the subject of ad hoc teams and relate their experiences....

Travis asks, "What is this symbol?"

I am not talking about teams with assigned rolls, such as baseball, football, or, papermachine production teams.  I am talking about ad hoc teams put together to accomplish a specific task...

Listen to this column in your favorite format

iTunes            MP3