NO. 4: How do you improve on success? Simple. Sponsor a golf tournament in Stone Mountain, Ga., as CCA Global Partners did on Sept. 28, for the fourth time, and donate the proceeds to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF). The three previous golf events raised more than $300,000—that’s success. This year, when the balls are in the cup and the clubs are in the bag, CCA expects the annual event to produce a record contribution to the FCIF—that’s improving on success. CCA Global Partners’ performance in planning and presentation was outstanding. And the industry people who participated, as well as the companies that supported the effort, deserve our deepest gratitude.

NO. 40: Dan Westervelt has just published, 40 Best Kept Secrets in Color Selling, a powerful book that explains the importance of using color knowledge to understand and guide the customer to a result. Some of the ground covered in the book includes, Color Selling Principles, Selling in Showrooms, Selling in the Home, Color in the Office and Color in Personalities. It’s easy reading, informative and much can be put to practical use in a business environment. Sam Allman, of Allman Consulting and Training and Dean of Mohawk University, says the author “understands color and how it works in the selling process. We can all learn from what he teaches.” Westervelt is an artist and product designer and you can learn more about him and his book at jaeger411@yahoo.com.

PAYOFF: At the start of the summer, the O.C. Floor Gallery of Ocean City, Md., launched a campaign, “Floor it...But not on the Highway,” and set aside a portion of every residential flooring contract signed at the store between Memorial Day and Labor Day. As a result, the O.C. Floor Gallery presented a check for $15,000 to the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company during a ceremony in its showroom. Chris Williams, president of the Floor Gallery, was proud of the success of the campaign and of the opportunity to help the local firefighters. That’s a retailer who really gets involved in the community.

SEMINARS: The National Tile Contractors Association, Tile Contractors Association of America, Ceramic Tile Distributors Association and union associations have partnered to provide two regional seminars that will be sponsored by Coverings. “Embracing Change in the Tile Industry,” will take place on Oct. 18 at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel and on Oct.19 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Other sponsors of the seminars include, the Tile Council of North America, Tile of Spain, Ceramic Tiles of Italy, Dal-Tile and Laticrete International. Both programs will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch provided. Programs are free with pre-registration, and meet IIDA and AIA/CES requirements for continuing education credits. For more information, call NTCA at 601.939.2071 or IMI at 312.347.2500.

USED CAR: Warren Buffett’s 2001 Lincoln Town Car sold for $73,200 during a charity auction on eBay. The winning bid belonged to Bill Zanker, who topped a $73,100 bid. The earnings of the sale will benefit Girls. Inc., a nonprofit New York charity that provides educational and recreational programs for girls ages six to 18 in high-risk areas. Buffett, head of Berkshire Hathaway, parent company of Shaw Industries, will be wearing a chauffeur’s cap to accompany the winning bidder from the Omaha, Neb., airport. The car, which has only 14,000 miles on the odometer, comes with the “THRIFTY” license plate. Incidentally, a single Class “A” share of Berkshire Hathaway stock cost $93,680 at last Wednesday’s close.