Although most of my columns are about kitchen and bath design, materials, products, and methods, a great deal of my time is spent on the business side. Some of what I have stumbled upon gives me an advantage with clients, and much more control over what my company does and how profitable it is. (I'd like to say that I'm firmly in control all the time, but I'm not sure that's possible in this business.) One of the most significant business decisions I have made was to computerize. In general, information is available more quickly, in more detail, and in a form I can easily use for analysis. And if you choose wisely, the payback shouldn't be too
