The DASH doesn’t simply apply to your life. Your business, community, organization, etc… will also have a DASH. On this week’s Leadership Live, hear how even the Olympics understands that our actions must change to change our story, because our story is the foundation of our DASH…
In Part 1 of our series on multigenerational workplaces, we highlighted the unprecedented reality of five generations coexisting in today’s workforce and their unique characteristics. In Part 2, we’ll unravel the shared desires and expectations that transcend age barriers. From Traditionalists to Generation Z, it turns out that amidst the differences, there are striking similarities
In the 2022 TISE Edition of the Premier Flooring Retailer magazine, Scott Humphrey challenged us to consider and apply three words to our year – Reset, Reconnect, and Renew. There’s another word that I’d like you to consider – Reimagine. The pandemic has undoubtedly had a profound impact on people and businesses, with many now considering what they
When you have brought a newly hired employee on board, it is important to remember that training and induction are not the same thing. A good induction helps individuals understand the company and its culture. It defines the expectations for the person and the role that they will be filling. Most businesses do an acceptable…
I recently observed an experienced sales person make a presentation to a couple looking to buy several rooms of carpeting. I’ll call him Joe. He did many things correctly. He rose to greet the customers. He offered his name and asked theirs. He was both dressed and groomed professionally. So far, so good. Then Joe…
At the recently held Surfaces show in Las Vegas, neither Shaw nor Mohawk had a significant presence on the showroom floor. No big news there, as they have not participated for several years. While their collective market share is significant, I came away with the impression of both how large and varied our industry is…
As I return again from Surfaces, I have a renewed optimism that our industry is regaining some lost momentum. While attendance figures are not yet announced, traffic in both the showroom and educational events seemed to me to be significant. One observation stands out in my mind. I feel that the personal appearances shown by…
When I speak to salespeople, I often ask them how ready they are to make a sale right now. I almost always get an answer to the effect of, “I was born ready!” Then I will ask them for a clean business card (not a wrinkled one that has been in their wallet for too…
Take a good, objective look at your firm’s sales staff. Now, take that same objective look at the majority of customers that walk thru your doorway. Do they look very similar? They should. Remember that an estimated 80% of communication is non-verbal. Our potential customers are sizing your staff up from the moment that they…
Many flooring dealers that I visit with state that “advertising just doesn’t seem to work very well for us. We run ads occasionally, but usually don’t see immediate results.” In most cases, the problem that I see is not the message itself, but rather the messenger. They forget that the products that we are offering…
I admit it. I am a serial list maker. At the beginning of each day, I typically find myself making a “to-do-list” of what I both want and need to get accomplished that day. There is nothing unusual about this. My guess is that many of you do the same. What I would like to…
I was recently asked by a young sales professional for some advice regarding her handling the move into management at one of her company’s satellite stores. My advice to her was to remember that her first day on the job would be her most important day on the job. Remember that first impressions count. Whether…
We have again reached the time of year when distractions become more commonplace. If one is not disciplined, it’s easy to spend all day at the workplace, yet accomplish very little. Even though December is not traditionally a booming month for flooring sales, important tasks still remain to be accomplished. In my experience, one of…
Close your eyes, relax, breathe deep – and spend some money. Retailers have long known that less-stressed shoppers are likely to browse longer, but there’s also evidence that they’ll also be more receptive to higher prices. A recent study in the “Journal of Marketing Research” found that relaxed shoppers were willing to pay up to…
We’ve all heard the axiom that “it’s not always what you say… rather it’s how you say it”. I believe this to be absolutely true. The way that you deliver your message has a direct impact on the perceived content of the message. Just today I hung up the phone and commented to an acquaintance…