There's been a lot said recently in industry publications about taking the opportunity now, during a down economy, to educate. Certainly there may be more time to do that, but there may not be the money to invest. We've recently experienced this because we had to cancel our LGM Carpet Seminar, to be held in March, due to lack of attendance. So, since necessity is the mother of invention and because people can't afford to come to Dalton, we're going to come to you. We've been working on this idea for a while, but we've got more reason to bring it to fruition now.

Here's how it's going to work: We are teaming with an online technology partner to bring you a site that will afford you the opportunity to learn from the comfort of your home or business. We will also offer regional educational programs, customized for your needs and wants, for which you or your organization can commission LGM. And, we'll develop the program especially for you- installation related, moisture issues, claims, new technology, etc. You aren't going to get this information anyplace else from anyone else.

What is it you need to know? Well, certainly more information on installation and preventing issues that may create complaints and claims that will cost you money you don't need to be paying right now. Information on new backings-of which there are a multitude from Shaw, J&J, Mohawk and others-that will look like nothing you've ever seen, as well as Free Lay, a revolutionary new installation system being marketed by Bentley Prince Street and soon other manufacturers.

This is the result of the green movement, which is impacting the way carpet is made, the components used in it and installation problems. These new backings may also confuse installers. Face fibers such as Corterra and Sorona, which, despite all the press they've gotten, are to my surprise, unknown by the retail community as exhibited by the lack of familiarity in three seminars I gave during Surfaces. Corterra has actually been manufactured, marketed and successfully sold by Shaw for about 12 years, yet people in the industry are unfamiliar with it.

There's no question everyone needs to know more about the performance characteristics of different styles of carpet and yarn systems. We keep getting complaints from dealers regarding defects when in fact they are actually inherent performance characteristics of a particular style or yarn system.

If you knew and understood what the inherent characteristics of carpet styles and yarn were, you could stay out of a lot of trouble. This is not something you're going to learn from manufacturers, as they don't make a concerted effort to inform you of this, unfortunately.

Your customers are relying on you to sell them a product that works, as the expert not the "guesser." It's scary when we query a dealer on a carpet based on what the concern is and they ask, "What's that?" You sell this stuff, and you're supposed to know about it. Ignorance is no excuse for a complaint on your part.

And, there's so much new in hard surface flooring of all kinds-adhesives, underlayments, cushion material, seam sealers and installation tools- that not knowing what's available will get you into trouble. So, regardless of your position, we'll continue to do as much as we can to keep you informed, out of trouble and profitable. This is the time, if you have a question, to ask us for help, before you get in trouble. We're here for you more now than ever. If you can hold on, the pent-up demand for flooring products is going to be extremely strong once the economy corrects itself, and correct itself it will.