Article Number : 4725 |
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| Date | 8/7/2009 8:59:11 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4725 |
| Abstract | Once upon a time—actually, it was almost exactly two years ago— FCNews published what we believed to be one of the most useful tools any magazine had ever given the floor covering dealer. The groundbreaking... |
| Article | Once upon a time—actually, it was almost exactly two years ago— FCNews published what we believed to be one of the most useful tools any magazine had ever given the floor covering dealer. The groundbreaking Retailer’s Guide to Selling Hardwood Flooring encompassed just about every aspect of wood, from selling to merchandising to marketing to installing to the product itself. We decided to print a few hundred extra copies. They didn’t last long at all. We were flooded with requests from retail store owners seeking additional copies. They told us they wanted all their salespeople to read the Guide. Many distributors called requesting bulk copies. We regretted that we couldn’t oblige. But what blew our minds was that more than a year after the Guide hit the streets, we were still fielding requests for additional copies. And then we ran out. With that as the backdrop, FCNews on Aug. 24 will publish the second edition of the Retailers Guide to Selling Hardwood Flooring. Consider it one of those “back by popular demand” things. Many of the topics that were covered two years ago will again be included but updated: trends, solid vs. engineered, installation methods like naildown vs. gluedown vs. staple, species, finishes, alternative woods like cork and bamboo, and more. But this time around we will expand the offering to include topics like green—Lacey Act, CARB, etc.—glueless, upselling the consumer, how to compete with and beat the e-tailers, what to look for in imported lines and much, much more. If you are a manufacturer, it is an issue in which you certainly will want to participate. For one, this supplement will have as long a shelf life as anything any publication will come out with this year. Second, there are editorial opportunities where you can inform the store owner and sales staff about what makes your company unique. And we also welcome you to submit an article that will serve to educate the retailer. This type of editorial only positions your company as a leader in the hardwood flooring industry. (If you are interested in being included in the Guide, contact Dustin Aaronson. His info is listed on page 4.) I remember some years ago viewing a nugget of research that revealed one of the things that drove sales of a particular product category or brand was the salesperson’s comfortability in selling that particular product or line. When asked what led to that comfortability, two factors arose: confidence and education. We believe this Guide addresses just that. If you are a retailer, contractor or installer, it is a publication you cannot afford to be without. For FCNews, it is just another example of how we want to earn the right to be an integral part of your business. And we’ll be doing even more exciting things this fall that I can’t wait to talk about. |