5/13/2008
5:43:39 PM 

I'm going to set up a training in FL. But Were??

5/13/2008
11:15:54 PM 

I was called today to come and help because Mikeal Heyts and some other trainer that was to be thier could not make it but I need to play catch up from being gone and will not be able to help out. I realy would have loved to be able to be there so I will have to make it next time.

FD

5/14/2008
11:05:03 PM 

Training is when the trainiers work more with the people there to help them understand sealing and seaming and stretching better but if the guy can show good enough he can still get R-1 and C-1 but not the 2nd level. With you skills I would go to a certification where you can go for the 1st and the 2nd levels. That is what John most likley would want to bring in.

FD

5/15/2008
9:09:52 AM 

We can have a pattern work shop, wood, inspecter,etc.

5/15/2008
10:16:01 PM 

Being a member of CFI, I would suggest either Tampa Area or Fort Lauderdale area for training.

5/16/2008
7:58:08 AM 

I got in to C.F.I. to help Installer most of the organizations are set up for the shops or manufacturers.

5/16/2008
11:21:39 AM 

John have you ever had one installer that stood out from the crowd and thought ok, this guy has got what it takes to be an installer. If so how long ago was that and how is he improved from then to now?

I don't understand why the other organizations are not for the installer. If the installer does not continually improve his skills, then what is the point. How do they stay in business?

I don't understand the shops either. Customers are hard to get and advertising is very expensive. Bad word-of-mouth travels fast and advertising is costing more money in the long run. Do they like getting yelled at by customers and losing money?

I really don't understand this one either. Manufacturers should support the installers. There's got to be at least one Manufacturer that cares about the end-results of the job?

I'm sorry for asking so many questions.

5/16/2008
4:59:14 PM 

Here's my take on this thread.

CFI has always supported the installer. Through great effort and care, they have set themselves apart from other organizations by keeping a humble attitude regarding any 'standards' and 'methods' they endorse as well as having maintained a much needed 'family' environment in dealing with the Installer. They have remained pro-active in establishing these standards and won't hesitate making changes if something better is introduced by one of the multitude of students passing through their doors.

In a word, CFI is the 'Installer'. By conducting Certification and Training classes that greatly benefit the Industry and also improve the image of installers who take advantage of these programs, they effectively give voice to this vital flooring segment that otherwise would have to fend helplessly for themselves.

One more point, please.

CFI has taken some unfair criticism because of a few 'bad seeds' who use their CFI Certification to promote installation methods that are clearly not the standards taught nor endorsed by CFI. This is an unfortunate situation that should reflect bad, not on CFI, but the installer(s) that clearly wasted his/her time in getting certified in the first place.

CFI, as a forward-moving organization, has neither the time nor the resources to police every certified installer who passes through their doors. Besides, wouldn't that be a bit intrusive?

Instead, CFI simply focuses on what they do best, and that is teaching.

5/16/2008
10:00:52 PM 

The one thing I would like to see CFI doing is national advertising. This would help out each intaller that is certified it would also help CFI as an organization to grow bigger and to have name recognition with the general public, builders, architects and designers. Until something like this is done we will never be able to compete in the market. Don't get me wrong I love the things CFI has done up until now but as things get harder its harder for a good installer to get work because he spends more time doing the job right. We are competing against installers who only care to get the check. The stores could care less if you are CFI because the customers don't know what CFI is and why its an advantage to them to have a CFI Installer doing there job. The manufacturers most of the time won't even recommend a CFI installer because they say there aren't enough CFI installers to go around.

5/19/2008
9:29:30 AM 

Darian,

After pondering your "separate yourself from competition" statement.

For YOUR business to grow, you must have more Darians willing to work with you or for you.
If you are an Island, and alone, there can be NO MORE Darians.

If you are alone and stay that way; the only income produced is limited to what you, alone, can produce;;; therefore no growth potential.