September 19, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management discusses the Federal Reserve’s decision yesterday to increase interest rates, why rates were lowered 50 basis points rather than 25, how Wall Street will view Fed chairman Ben Bernanke as a result of the move and how this might change things in the housing arena.
September 19, 2007—Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus magazine looks back at the events of the past week in the industry talking about the Floor Expo National Conference in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, which he is attending. Harr discusses the tenor of the event, the presentations and discussions about the housing market and the forecast for a market recovery. Also discussed: Homebuilder Hovnanian’s 3-day sale; The drop in builder confidence; Shaw’s purchase of Anderson, Senior management changes at CCS Global; Armstrong’s new patent; And 2007 industry marketing plans.
September 18, 2007—Dr. Ken Cyree, Professor at the University of Mississippi and a faculty member at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU along with Mike Barker Investment and Retirement Management in the final part of a three-part discuss the Federal Reserve and the effects the negative jobs report might have on the Fed’s decision today, whether the Fed is to blame for the current credit crisis by keeping rates too low, too long, the role increasing oil prices and inflation may play in the Fed’s decision today, the role market expectations play in Fed decisions, the Fed’s real stance on inflation and the mechanics of how decisions are made by the Federal Open Market Committee.
September 17, 2007—Dr. Ken Cyree, Professor at the University of Mississippi and a faculty member at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU along with Mike Barker Investment and Retirement Management in the second part of a three-part series discuss the Federal Reserve and the psychological aspects of the actions and messages released by the Federal Reserve, the mindset of Fed chairman Ben Bernanke and the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Cyree and Barker talk about their expectations as to the actions the FOMC will take tomorrow and the Fed’s rationale for making the decision they make.
September 17, 2007—Dr. Ken Cyree, Professor at the University of Mississippi and faculty member at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU along with Mike Barker Investment and Retirement Management, in the first part of a three-part series, discuss the Federal Reserve and the recent performance of its chairman Ben Bernanke during the and the rationale and timing behind the Fed’s decision to lowering the discount during by 50 basis points during that credit crisis. Also discusses is a comparison between Bernanke and former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan, the Fed’s.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.