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2010 Vision Awards - April 2010
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Full Article
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| Floor Focus' first annual design contest features a photo essay on the winners in four commercial categories: large remodel, large new construction, small remodel, and small new construction. |

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Installation Update - April 2010
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Full Article
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| Editor Jessica Chevalier takes a close look at S600, the carpet standard that will ultimately replace existing standards, and also examines hard surface and resilient flooring standards. |

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Strategic Exchange - April 2010
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr takes a look at Stainmaster's decision to partner with Lowe's at the expense of Home Depot and Menards, and also discusses the development of a new carpet installation standard and the NFA's new bylaws. |

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Best Practices - April 2010
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Full Article
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| Contributing editor Sonya Jennings profiles Floor Craft, a Colorado based retailer that has developed a range of strategies to maintain business during the recession. |

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Wood Cuts - April 2010
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Full Article
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| NWFA's executive director, Ed Korczak, talks about the range of hardwood finishes available and how to determine which ones are appropriate for a range of installations, as well as how to maintain them. |

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Surfaces 2010 - March 2010
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Full Article
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| Floor Focus' editorial team reviews the 2010 residential flooring show and discusses products from over 50 of the leading residential floorcovering producers. |

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Focus on Leadership - March 2010
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr sits down with Mohawk's Tom Lape to discuss a range of issues, including the challenges of being the largest floorcovering producer in the world and the role of branding in the industry. |

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Best Practices - March 2010
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Full Article
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| Contributing editor Sonya Jennings profiles Jaime's Designs & Floors and takes a look at how the Fresno, California based firm works with realtors and bankers in the community to increase its visibility and drive sales. |

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Surfaces Expo - February 2010
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Full Article
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| A quick look back at the history of Surfaces from its humble beginnings as a regional show to its peak in 2006. After 18 years at the Sands Convention Center, the show will move in 2011 to the Mandalay Bay. |

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Beyond Las Vegas - February 2010
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Full Article
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| Editor Brian Hamilton discusses new products from flooring producers not attending Surfaces. In addition to comprehensive collections from Shaw and Mohawk, the article features Kronotex, Karndean, Mirage, Vitromex, Marazzi, Faus and Gulistan. |

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2010 Color Trends - February 2010
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Full Article
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| Milliken's Kaye Gosline offers her indepth analysis of the latest color trends and the forces guiding them, as well as a look at commercial market segments and regional differences. |

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Distribution Update - February 2010
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Full Article
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| Editor Brian Hamilton discusses the role of floorcovering distributors, the impact of Armstrong going direct to CCA Global retailers on the distribution, and other challenges facing flooring distributors. |

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Strategic Exchange - February 2010
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr discusses consumer confidence, as well as Armstrong going direct to CCA Global retailers, Shaw's Texas pie fight, and Carpet One's convention, featuring a speech by Colin Powell and strategies for a successful year. |

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Designer Forum - February 2010
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Full Article
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| Lynda Anderson with Ratio Architects talks about the challenges of designing large public spaces, focusing on the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. |

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Best Practices - April 2010
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Full Article
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| Phil Schrimper, owner of JP Flooring Design Center, discusses how he has differentiated himself, including showroom design and services like dustless hardwood floor refinishing. |

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Wood Cuts - February 2010
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Full Article
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| Ed Korczak, executive director of the National Wood Flooring Association, talks about recent trends in hardwood supply and pricing, as well as consumer tastes and prospects for 2010 and beyond. |

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Surfaces Preview 2010 - January 2010
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Full Article
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| A sneak peek at what's new in this year's Surfaces Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, including images and descriptions of carpet, area rugs, hardwood, laminates and resilient flooring, as well as an overview of other show features. |

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The Backing Business - January 2010
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Full Article
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| Editor Darius Helm takes a close look at the carpet backing business, including an overview of the business itself and highlights of all the major independent producers and carpet mills. |

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Concrete: Moisture Testing - January 2010
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Full Article
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| Lee Eliseian, president of Independent Floor Testing and Inspection, Inc., talks about how excessive moisture and high pH are the most common causes of commercial flooring failures, and how to correctly deal with them. |

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Strategic Exchange - January 2010
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr covers a range of hot topics, including fiber technologies, flooring price increases, Mohawk's 2010 convention, the role of the Floor Covering Inudstry Foundation, and author Stephen Covey's take on leadership and success. |

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Focus on Leadership - January 2010
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr interviews Frank Douglas, vice president of Crossville, about how the porcelain producer is structured, how it targets the commercial market, and how its green initiatives are being received. |

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Best Practices - January 2010
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Full Article
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| Blake Lewis, senior vice president of Atlanta West Carpets, discusses how the firm has survived the economic downturn, including its focus on strengthening relationships with local builders and contractors. |

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Contract Dealer Survey 2009 - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Contract dealers from across the country weigh in on a broad range of issues. The survey covers top problems, product and process issues, and rankings for favorite carpet and hard surface flooring, adhesives, and equipment and accessory suppliers. |

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Review 2009 - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Editor Brian Hamilton takes a month-by-month look at floorcovering highlights of the year, as well as an introduction focusing on the biggest trends and the most important news. |

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Greenbuild 2009 - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr and editor Darius Helm report on this year's Greenbuild show, held in Phoenix, Arizona. The report includes extensive highlights from the flooring exhibitors at the show. |

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Riding the Recovery Wave - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Jim Dion, a well known retail consultant, talks about how to organize your business to take advantage of the coming recovery, with a special focus on how to put together the best sales team for today's market. |

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Industry Panel on the Builder Market - Dec 2009
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Full Article
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| Flooring contractors from both the single-family and multi-family markets weigh in on a range of flooring issues. Topics include the state of the markets, shifts in preferences, sourcing, diversification, the recession's impact and going green. |

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Strategic Exchange - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr discusses whether the economy is on the road to recovery, social media as a marketing tool, and Starnet's fall meeting in Washington, D.C., as well as an update on green homes. |

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Designer Forum - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, founder and principal of EFM Design, writes about the range of functional requirements, including aesthetic demands, that impact what type of flooring gets specified. |

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Best Practices - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Sam Roberts of Houston based Roberts Carpet and Fine Floors, says that its expert installation program and its focus on advertising are two of the key elements that are helping it gain share in this economy. |

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People Power - December 2009
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Full Article
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| Scott Humphrey of Shaw Industries comes up with a list of things to quit in 2010--behaviors, thought processes, strategies--in order to lead a more productive life. |

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Channel Wars - November 2009
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Full Article
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| Santo Torcivia of Market Insights/Torcivia looks at how home centers are stealing marketshare from independent flooring stores, and how the small guys can compete. |

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Wood Cuts - November 2009
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Full Article
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| National Wood Flooring Association Executive director Ed Korczak describes how service, and knowledge of the industry, can give retailers an advantage. |

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Hardwood Update 2009 - October 2009
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Full Article
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| Brian Hamilton looks at signs of optimism in the industry, and what hardwood floring buyers are looking for in this market. He also includes updates on the cork and sports flooring markets. |

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Polished Concrete - October 2009
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Full Article
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| Polished concrete is a versatile and durable flooring option in many situations, but a lot of prep work is required to get the desired look, and installation takes a lot of skill. |

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Strategic Exchange - October 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr discusses how M&A activity in the flooring industry seems to be fairly quiet given the down market, takes a look at the Armstrong-Beaulieu partnership, and notes the activities of "Ricko." |

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Designer Forum - October 2009
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Full Article
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| Designer Lisa Slayman discusses her work on the Glendale Arena, home of the Phoenix Coyotes, and how she brought her residential design experience to such a huge project. |

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Best Practices - October 2009
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Full Article
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| Floorcovering dealer Sergenian's uses a carpet recycling and reclamation program to help boost sales in the sustainability minded college town of Madison, Wisconsin. |

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Sustainability 2009 - August/September 2009
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Full Article
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| The flooring industry remains at the forefront of the sustainability movement, despite suffering through the worst sales environment in a generation. Find out what leading manufacturers are doing to reduce their environmental footprint. |

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Laminate Update 2009 - August/September 2009
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Full Article
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| Despite growing evidence of renewed activity in the housing market, and signs that increasing numbers of consumers are considering remodeling projects, it's likely that laminate sales will be down for the third consecutive year in 2009. |

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Strategic Exchange - August/September 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr takes a look at the good news that is starting to break on the economic front. He also talks about the likelihood that wood prices will rise soon, and how consumers are shying away from extravagance in general. |

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Designer Forum - August/September 2009
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Full Article
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| Flooring made a significant contribution to the U.S. Green Building Council's ability to achieve platinum certification for its new headquarters building, thanks to the efforts of designer Ken Wilson. |

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Wood Cuts - August/September 2009
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Full Article
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| The focus on green building has created an unprecedented opportunity for the wood flooring industry to promote and sell their hardwood products as highly sustainable and renewable flooring alternatives. |

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NeoCon 2009 - July 2009
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Full Article
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| Floor Focus editors review NeoCon 2009, which took place in Chicago's Merchandise Mart from June 15 to 17, and report on trends, innovations and new products. |

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Sports Flooring - July 2009
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Full Article
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| Synthetic turf has come a long way since the original AstroTurf. Today, it's a highly specialized tufted carpet and the industry is growing about 20% annually, a bright spot in the niche sports flooring business. |

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Strategic Exchange - July 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr takes a look at changes in the carpet fiber market over the last several years, the threat and promise of the Web for flooring manufacturers, and the growing popularity of tile, in all its forms. |

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Designer Forum - July 2009
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Full Article
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| Andres Nicholls of New York firm Lippincott, a retail specialist, talks about designing to advance a client's brand for the likes of McDonalds and Samsung Electronics. |

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Focus on Leadership - July 2009
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Full Article
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| Johnsonite's Carmen Pastore understands that in tough times it's still important to advance the brand. Learn more about how to survive the downturn and emerge ready for the next upturn in this Q&A with Brian Hamilton. |

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Best Practices - July 2009
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Full Article
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| Diversified Flooring Design Center of New Smyrna, Florida, has managed to continue growing while other dealers are treading water, thanks to its willingness to add design services and new products. |

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People Power - July 2009
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Full Article
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| Working harder and faster at the same old things generally won't give you a different result. Focus on things you haven't focused on before to continue personal and professional growth. |

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Strategic Exchange - June 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr sees light at the end of this economic tunnel; Reflects on the strengths of the NFA buying group; and comments on the strength of the Hospitality Design Expo. |

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Best Practices - June 2009
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Full Article
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| Jason Goldberg, owner of America's Floor Source in Columbus, Ohio, believes that ongoing education will keep his staff ahead of the competition and his business successful. |

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Wood Cuts - June 2009
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Full Article
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| Ed Korczak claims that despite the last two years, all indications are that the U.S. wood flooring market will return to its former glory by 2011. |

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Annual Report 2009 - May 2009
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Full Article
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| An in-depth report on revenue and share shift within the flooring industry by product category for 2008. Report includes updates on the top players in the flooring industyr. |

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Strategic Exchange - May 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr discusses the effect of the recession on the ceramic tile market; the strength of the Starnet group of commercial contractors; and the consumer's options for buying flooring via the internet. |

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People Power - May 2009
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Full Article
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| Columnist Scott Humphrey offers advice on sustaining hope, focusing on the positives and enjoying the climb even in the midst of a tough economy. |

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Monetary Wisdom - May 2009
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Full Article
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| Charlie Ragland, Business professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, offers a practical overview for preparing your business for the next upturn. |

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Hardwood Report - April 2009
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Full Article
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| Brian Hamilton explores the ups and downs of the hardwood industry on both the high and low end of the market, and the effects of the Lacey Act on the big players of the industry. |

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Commercial Market Trends - April 2009
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Full Article
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| Darius Helm talks with Interior Designers about why Healthcare and Government are the strongest sectors right now and about their trends in commercial flooring, color and design, and sustainability. |

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Retail Advertising - April 2009
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Full Article
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| Even in a down economy, the importance of retail advertisement is a key to success in the floorcovering industry because it builds awareness of the company in the midst of minimal sales. |

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Designer Forum - April 2009
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Full Article
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| Interior Designer John Peterson explains the construction of the "ScrapHouse" in San Francisco and how re-used and salvaged materials can become a highly sustainable option. |

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Strategic Exchange - April 09
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr takes a look at the signs of the stabilization of the housing market, the effects of "staycationing," and the introduction of the new Triexta carpet fiber subclass. |

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Surfaces 2009 - March 2009
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Full Article
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| Although this year's Surfaces flooring expo saw a downturn in attendance, the big players as well as some new faces were out in full force to attract business. |

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Strategic Exchange - March 2009
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Full Article
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| Kemp Harr stresses the importance of knowing what makes your business unique & promoting it; how the Internet has sped up the spread of often unsubstantiated news about the current economic situation; an, what Surfaces might be like next year. |

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Best Practices - March 2009
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Full Article
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| Kevin Hames, owner of five Big Bob's Flooring Outlets, offers top-notch service and discount pricing, the creativity of his employees, and new targeted relationship sales techniques in order to achieve greater success in this soft economy. |

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Strategic Exchange - February 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr discusses how economic recovery will vary depending on your market sector focus, why oil pricing and product pricing are not always in sync and why lowering price too much just to get a sale is a bad strategy. |

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Strategic Exchange - January 2009
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Full Article
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| Publisher Kemp Harr provides his views on why iFloor was forced into bankruptcy, on whether waste-to-energy is a resonable solution for post-consumer carpet and where are we on the road to economic recovery. |

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Facility Managers Survey - December 2008
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Full Article
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| A national poll of the nations leading facility managers reveals their role in the flooring selection process. Study highlights how that role has evolved in the last 2 years, what influences decisions & which manufacturers they prefer to do business with. |

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Strategic Exchange - December 2008
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Full Article
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| Kemp Harr looks at the economic outlook for 2009, the declining price of oil & the benefit of lower raw material costs, how the U.S. GDP stacks up against the other leading nations, and the flooring industry's role in the green building movement. |

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Wood Cuts - December 2008
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Full Article
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| Columnist Rick Berg provides insightful information on the Lacey Act and what it will mean for the hardwood flooring market here in the U.S. as it is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in April of 2009. |

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