We showed them a new European style tilt-turn window from Marvin that has the same look as their existing windows yet with an uncommon twist. Although from the street they look like traditional double-hung windows, where the bottom slides toward the top, these windows tilt open from the top. That provides additional ventilation. In a unique design, they also crank inward for greater air flow.

It’s a contemporary innovation the Evanston couple appreciated that maintains the historical design of their home.

I am starting the McCann Window blog upon my return from the annual kick-off meeting for Alside, our long-time siding, window, and roofing supplier. Each year we go and learn about Alside’s new products, meet with our reps, and take some time off.

This year the atmosphere was different. Our Alside rep, for instance, wanted me to meet another North Shore roofing contractor. We have never thought of these meetings as networking events. We’re both Chicago replacement windows and roofing contractors and, as competitors, may have been wary around one another.

It’s likely today’s tighter economic environment and perhaps a general distaste for a political environment that seems to pull people away rather than work toward solutions made the event more collaborative. Whatever the case, I went to the Alside meeting as much to meet with competitors as I did to learn about Alside’s new products.

The roofing contractor I initially viewed as a competitor became, through the introduction of our Alside rep, a peer. We started to see how we can augment one another’s services, bringing greater service to our respective customers.

And I think it goes beyond two window, door, roofing, and siding contractors in Chicago and the North Shore. In some spiritual and philosophical way, we will not come out of this tough economy until we learn some lessons about how we have worked in the past.

I believe that many of those lessons have to do with how we build relationships in our communities, with our suppliers and competitors so that we can all serve our customers and one another better.

What do you think? How do you see our attitudes shifting in these challenging economic and political times?

I look forward to your comments. And I look forward to sharing more of my thoughts on why we do business the way we do, as well as more practical ideas on how you can make your home the place you always dreamed it would be.