6/3/2008
11:37:20 PM 

Roland,
I was doing a small class for some sales persons at two stores
on Monday,,,two master tile setters came in asking if they
needed any installations done,,,I have never seen that before,
,,,most tile setters of their caliber usually never have to ask for
work,,,,

Today, I was making the rounds of some stores in
Greenville,,,,each one had the same story,,,,slow, slow, and
slower,,,,one told me they are only selling the low end stuff,,,

another store, the same,,,,all are hurting,,,many stores in
Greenville have closed that were in it for the quick new
construction money...

but, what I found yesterday and today was, the
managers/owners who are pros specializing in residential non
new homes, are making it,,,,

I called on five stores,,,,and in each store, I had time to talk and
renew old friendships and relationships because little to none
walk in traffic came in while we were talking.

One manager, Todd, told me because of one report I did
exposing the installation wood contractor was doing a poor job,
he got rid of him and now, keeps a tighter control over his
business, he thanked me! that was unusual...

another, I had not seen in three years who would always go with
me on his inspections, got so happy to see me when I walked in
because he was having a problem, which he and I will go look at
tomorrow,,,,

Made me realize, I had spent way too much time away from my
"people" and needed to get back out on the "streets" with them,

made me realize, we all need to keep making and nurturing our
contacts.

6/4/2008
6:00:03 AM 

We're slow down here in Florida.
Too many Vacant new construction homes.
And 65% of all new flooring materials go into new homes, according to an article I read.

Work is slow and I'm told one of the big three closed another yarn plant in Alabama.

But, we're surviving.