In 1975, an engineer at Kodak invented the first digital camera. But instead of seeing it as the future, the leaders saw it as a threat that would cannibalize their lucrative film business. So, in a move that would seal their doom, they buried it. Kodak chose to protect what was rather than prepare for what was coming, and it cost them everything. Think about that - Kodak created the very technology that eventually wiped them out.

How ironic - or is it?

I'm not here to tell you how to run your business. But I will say this: if you're leading a company in the window and door industry and you're still clinging to the way it's always been done—you're dangerously close to writing your own Kodak story.

Here's the truth most people don't want to admit:

1. Change isn't coming—it's already here.
2. Workforce shortages aren't a trend—they're a reality.
3. Costs aren't just rising—they're outpacing your pricing power.
4. Margins aren't just tight—they're disappearing.

And while we all nod our heads in meetings and say, "Yeah, we need to do something," too many are still saying, "But it's not really an issue for us right now." Let me be direct: If you're still saying that, here's what I believe: you're not seeing what's already hitting you, you're not in control, and you're on borrowed time. And this isn't just about automation—although, yes, that's a critical piece. It's about a new way of thinking.

AI isn't just some buzzword—it's already rewriting how customers interact, how data is used, and how we forecast and produce. Digital quoting isn't the future—it's the expectation. And automation? It's not optional anymore. It's survival.

When you focus only on today's problems, you're insulating yourself against the crisis you will face in the next 6–12 months if you don't move.

So ask yourself: If nothing changes in your business in the next year, what does that cost you?

1. How many more unfilled jobs?
2. How many late shipments?
3. How many customers walk because someone else figured it out faster?

The companies that win aren't the ones with the best intentions. They're the ones who take action before they're forced to. I've seen it up close—teams who leaned into change early are now thriving. They're not chasing labor—they're redeploying people into higher-value roles. They're not bleeding margin—they're gaining efficiency. They're not just surviving - they're leading. They know they're not just investing in technology - they're investing in the ability to stay relevant.

The ones who waited? They're struggling to stay afloat. And they don't even know how far they've already sunk.

The cost of doing nothing is growing by the day. And in 6–12 months, we'll all see who was ready and who was still holding onto film in a digital world.

Change is coming. Don't get left behind.