Flooring Podcast

Economist John McDevitt, on the Credit Crisis, Jobs & the Economy – (40:29)

September 14, 2007—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist John McDevitt discusses the state of the economy the additional $12 billion in credit Countrywide Financial has obtained from its banks and how that will affect the credit situation. McDevitt discusses last week’s jobs report, what it means to the economy as he shares his jobs forecast for 2007 and 2008. He also predicts the actions the Fed will take next Tuesday and he discusses Fed chairman Ben Bernanke and his actions in recent weeks. McDevitt looks at the housing market, when it will turn around, crude oil and the direction he anticipates it will take in the months to come and its affect on the economy, he also shares his expectations for GDP for 3rd and 4th quarter and for 2008.

Paul Friederichsen, Marketing when the Market Sucks – Part 3 (14:22)

September 13, 2007—Paul Friederichsen, President, market and branding agency, BrandBiz, in the final part of three-part series called “Marketing when the Market Sucks” discusses the concept of staying with your brand identity when executing marketing plans through tough times, tracking ones competitors, staying on-message and pursuing a more energetic internet strategy during more challenging times. Frederichsen talks about the advantages and disadvantages of advertising during an election year and his experience on the success of the concept of spending through these difficult times as well as aligning credit option, how to look attractive to consumers when their budgets are limited and where to find help in putting a plan together.

Floor Focus’ Kemp Harr, the Week in the Flooring Industry (34:06)

September 12, 2007—Kemp Harr, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine looks back that the past week in the floor covering industry discussing: The closing of Shaw nylon spinning plant in Georgia; Faus, its intellectual property and the recent suit it brought against a company in China; The awarding of NALFA certification to Unilin and Mohawk laminate brands; Home Depot’s move to attract small and mid-sized contractors and a recent survey comparing consumer preferences of Lowe’s and Home Depot; July Office furniture sales; And sustainability confusion in the hospitality industry.

Paul Friederichsen, Marketing when the Market Sucks – Part 2 (14:39)

September 12, 2007—Paul Friederichsen, President, market and branding agency, BrandBiz, in the second part of three-part series called “Marketing when the Market Sucks”, talks about the concept of maintaining one’s ad budget expenditures through tough times and the strategy’s long-term payout. Frederichsen discusses selling this concept to the board of directors, what one can reasonably expect from executing a plan of this type, he talks about the situation from the consumers standpoint and the upside of maintaining brand equity awareness through tough times as well as the plan’s dos and don’ts.

Paul Friederichsen, Marketing when the Market Sucks – Part 1 (11:11)

September 11, 2007—Paul Friederichsen, President, marketing and branding agency, BrandBiz, in the first part of three-part series called “Marketing when the Market Sucks”, discusses the old adage that says difficult times are the opportune time to advertise and establish ones brand, a strategy that’s counter to the natural instincts of most business people. Friederichsen points out the advantages of maintaining visibility in tougher times and gaining advantage over competitors who have scaled back. Frederichsen discusses the executing ones pre-existing promotion plan and staying with the tried and true in an environment when business is off.

Rick Ramirez, Shaw’s New VP, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs – Part 3 (12:03)

September 10, 2007—Rick Ramirez, VP, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Shaw Industries in the third part of a three-part series, discusses the company’s Green Edge initiatives and the growth in green initiatives he expects to see in the years to come in both the hard and soft surface products. Ramirex talks about his chemistry background and the role it will play in his new post, the ripeness of the U.S. consumer to purchase floor covering products with a sustainable story to tell and his views on the sincerity of the corporate world’s current focus on environmental matters.

Barker on the Market (34:06)

September 7, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management, discusses the upcoming jobs report and his expectations as to how it will affect the market and the Federal Reserve. Barker talks about the beige book that was issued by the Fed this month, the market reaction to the report and his take on whether the Fed will cut the funds rate when it meets later this month, the positive retail news that was released yesterday, consumer spending and the upcoming holiday season. Also discussed are Mohawk and Interface shares and their recent downturns, the negative foreclosure information recently released, the credit market and the areas that will draw his attention in the weeks ahead.

Rick Ramirez, Shaw’s New VP, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs – Part 2 (15:41)

September 7, 2007—Rick Ramirez - Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Shaw Industries in the second part of a three-part series, outlines the breath and scope of his environmental efforts within the company, the function of building awareness to sustainable concerns, as he discusses the company’s Evergreen facility and the role it will play as a centerpiece on the company’s cradle-to-cradle vision.

Rick Ramirez, Shaw’s New VP, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs – Part 1 (11:13)

September 6, 2007—Rick Ramirez - Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Shaw Industries Rick Ramirez, VP, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Shaw Industries in the first part of a three-part series, talks about this newly created post at Shaw and the environment that has brought sustainability to the forefront with the company and within the corporate world. Ramirez discusses his background in the sustainability field and his personal views on the subject.

Emily Kiker Morrow on Shaw’s Vision Retreat for Designers – Part 4 (11:47)

September 5, 2007—Emily Kiker Morrow, Director of Color, Style & Design, Shaw Industries, in the final part of a four-part series discusses the recently held 5th Annual Vision Retreat for designers and some of the company’s products that originated at earlier retreats. Morrow discusses the value of design archives, consumer’s appetite for design and her view as to where carpet style and design will go in the future and the prime benefits of the 2007 Visions Retreat for both designer and the company.