Notes from the Manager's Scratch Pad: Articles Written to the Employees of the Company

How many times have you heard that money doesn't grow on trees? Notes from the Manager's Scratch Pad . . . is a collection of Bruce Cloud's articles published in the company's internal news magazine from 1965 to 1984 emphasizing how a company must be resourceful with its assets to be successful and that without success there is no company, there are no jobs. Bruce Cloud's emerging career as a registered professional engineer (PE) shaped him into an executive who was asked to step up and managed a privately owned company in a rapidly developing worldwide construction market. These articles show how events impacted business in those days and how many similar circumstances are found in our business cycles of today. Have we learned from history or are we doomed to repeat it. Under Cloud's byline there were lessons to implement which turned into best business practices that have never lost their value. In 2006 Bruce Cloud was asked to write the employees one more time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company's internal news publication he helped initiate. That article is used as the book's Introduction and is titled; Things of the Past should not be Forgotten, but Made for the Future. It turned out to be his last letter to the company which he loved as his extended family and is a wonderful proven philosophy for businesses then and now. Throughout the book are short one and two line essential points that can be used effectively for inspiration and motivation. 'Notes' is an easy read and can be appreciated by all who opens its pages.

Bruce B Cloud, Sr. (1920 - 2007) was an engineer who built projects around the world during the cold war and afterwards who is remembered and respected by those with whom he worked. He was a natural leader whose principles focused on doing the right thing the first time while learning from the inevitable mistakes. Cloud had an intrinsic ability to communicate with every level of his organization and the industry associations toward which he devoted his time. He incorporated across the board guidance appreciated over three generations of the company founder's family. . . . articles to the employees of the company lays out how he inspired loyalty, citizenship, pride, humility and much more. Cloud's talent and character encouraged everyone, particularly each company employee to become a thinker and more importantly a doer. He believed in reaching out with a helpful hand but not a handout. His faith in God, family and country provided many around him a believable role model. As a mentor he excelled. He was always working to improve the process. His wisdom extends far beyond these 'Notes'. Ultimately, he hoped to have made a positive footprint for others to follow.