We often look at flooring retailers and contractors as completely different entities since the first focuses on selling to the residential consumer while the latter specializes in the commercial market.

Yes, it’s true, their businesses are operated differently—one relies on consumer advertising and walk-in traffic while the other has to deal with bidding and specing large, complex jobs.

The reality is, though, they are both are just two sides of the same coin, especially the professional ones. I got to see this first hand over a pair of back-to-back trips last month—first to the Shaw Design Center convention, then to the annual Starnet meeting.

What struck me the most from both events was each one gathered some of the best-of-the-best in their respective fields yet attendees were not sitting and congratulating each other and telling stories of their success.

Rather, they were attending educational seminars on a variety of topics that actually touched similar points. For instance, both had sessions on the environmental movement and what they can do to create business from it; using different forms of technology to their advantage in creating a more efficient, profitable business; getting and keeping the best people to work for them, and financial strategies that can add to the bottom line.

By the way, for anyone doubting the quality of these people, just take a scan down the attendance of each: Nebraska Furniture Mart, Luna Carpet, Ideal Floorcovering, Bonitz Flooring Group, Consolidated Carpet, Intertech Flooring, and the list of names goes on.

Beyond the fact that every training room was filled to capacity at each event, the attendees spent their time between seminars networking. Sure their was laughter and non-business stories told as old and new friends reacquainted themselves and got to know one another. But the majority of time was spent talking shop.

At Starnet, members consistently noted how being able to talk to their colleagues face-to-face gave them solace they are not alone when it comes to the problems they encounter day-in and day-out on the jobsite. And, finding out what others are doing or have done to solve these issues is something they say is worth the investment to attend.

While the same types of discussions were taking place among SDC members, many of them commented how they were able to pick up ideas from other members that they can take home to help run their stores more efficiently. This was true no matter haw large or small the store. Even the largest among them, Gary Cissell of Nebraska Furniture Mart, noted he got a few tidbits he could use to “tweak” his business for the better.

The point is, no matter which side of the coin you come from, you’re never too successful to learn more. And one of the best places to do it is at conventions and continuously meeting with industry peers.