If expert predictions hold true, 2014 looks like it will be a good year for commercial construction. Buildings will be built and they for sure will need glass—let’s go for it and say they will need lots and lots of glass. Fingers crossed, folks, fingers crossed.

So it’s 2014 and things are booming; what are you doing to make sure your company, too, is busy? Waiting for someone to come along and just ask you for some glass? Probably not. You’re most likely out there looking for those opportunities. That’s what successful people (and businesses do). They don’t wait for the opportunity; they go and find them. So tell me, what are you doing to be successful?

Here are some things I have noticed about these companies. For one, they are active in their industries. I have spent countless hours in various technical meetings over the years where discussions are underway about the development of codes, standards, etc. Those involved are not waiting on the sidelines for someone else, some other group or organization, to step up and write the document. They are doing it themselves. Glass industry people know glass; seems to me glass industry people are the ones best-suited to develop the codes, standards, and so forth that will shape the way these products are designed, built and installed.

Likewise, these companies are innovative. So many people and businesses don’t try new things because they are afraid of failing. But there is nothing wrong with failure; failure is an opportunity to start over, get it right and get it better. The new products section of USGlass is one of the most popular parts of our magazine. People love to read about new products. Have you ever wondered how many failures and mistakes transpired before the product reached perfection? Kudos to all those companies who keep cranking them out, trying all those new ideas.

As we say our good-byes to 2013 and prepare for 2014, my question to you is this: what are you going to do to make 2014 the best year yet? Where will you look for opportunities? What new places can you think of that need your glass? There is more opportunity out there than you may know. I’d love to hear some of your ideas. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful holiday season.