Flooring Podcast

From NeoCon 2006, The Mart’s Mark Falanga (11:35)

June 15, 2006—From NeoCon 2006, Mark Falanga, Senior VP, Merchandise Mart Properties, reviews the show, discusses its turnout and the record number of exhibitors that participated this year. Falanga talks about the Mart’s swift expansion into the ceramic tile category and it’s goals of expanding into all specified commercial interior categories, he also discusses the organization’s promotion efforts, the host of events and seminars that accompanied NeoCon and the company’s satellite shows, NeoCon East and NeoCon West, which has been relaunched as NeoCon Express and moved to September, with the first show scheduled for 2007.

From NeoCon 2006, Mannington’s Davis & Ganley (15:57)

June 15, 2006—From NeoCon 2006, Mannington, President and CEO, Tom Davis and Mannington Commercial President, Jack Ganley discuss, NeoCon the show and its importance to the company and the company’s design and performance message to architects and design attendees of the show. Also discussed are Mannington’s new hard and soft surface product introductions, its unique showroom design, which includes “framing” those new introductions, and the integration of the company’s hard and soft surface offerings. Davis and Ganley also discuss the various segments of the commercial marketplace.

Frank O’Neill from NeoCon 2006

June 14, 2006—From NeoCon 2006 in Chicago, Floor Focus magazine Publisher Frank O’Neill discusses the show, which from early reports appears to have record-breaking attendance and record exhibitor participation. O’Neill talks about the return of Interface to the Mart, companies that exhibited for the first time at the show, Bentley Prince Street’s “Zoom Room” the unique products from Bentley Prince Street, Shaw, Mohawk, Interface, Masland, Milliken and many others, the prominence of carpet tile and up-scale product introductions, the growth of ceramic at the show and the prevalence of serious shoppers at the show.

John Simonson & Retail Opportunities on the Internet Missed By Most Retailers – Part 1 (16:53)

June 9, 2006—John Simonson, President, Webstream Dynamics & SellFloors.com, in the first part of a three-part series, provides an update on recent expansion of the internet and the growing volume of business that is effected by internet web sites. Simonson points out a number of directional and informational internet opportunities available to flooring dealers on a local basis, such as special tools on Google, Yahoo that educate consumers, drive traffic to retail websites, provide telephone leads and provide maps and directions to retail stores. Click here to view web slides that go with this interview.

John Simonson & Retail Opportunities on the Internet Missed By Most Retailers – Part 2 (17:18)

June 9, 2006—John Simonson, President, Webstream Dynamics & SellFloors.com, in the second part of a three-part series expands on special local search features available on Google, Yahoo discussed in the previous segment and talks about how they work and benefit retailers. Simonson discusses the costs for these tools and compares their features available to those available with Yellow Pages. He also shares his expectations for even more features that will be available with Google, Yahoo in future. Click here to view web slides that go with this interview.

John Simonson & Retail Opportunities on the Internet Missed By Most Retailers – Part 3 (13:42)

June 9, 2006—John Simonson, President, Webstream Dynamics & SellFloors.com, in the final part of a three-part series discusses the steps retailers should keep in mind to better take advantage of the internet, including the development of professionally-designed web site that include: Relevant keywords in the copy; The inclusion of compelling reasons to prompt a store visit; Good digital images of the retail store; Store address, store hours, a store map and contact info. Simonson discusses multi-channel advertising and establishing an annual Internet marketing budget and offers points that ensure the website remains update and current. Click here for web slides that go with this interview.

Paul Friederichsen and Bilingual Corporate Communication (16:09)

June 8, 2006—Paul Friederichsen, President of the marketing and advertising firm BrandBiz discusses corporate communication policy and immigration. Friederichsen touches on bilingual advertising, packaging and other communication and corporate responsibility to encourage immigrants to learn English. Also discussed are ways to effective service Spanish speaking retail consumers and the need to offer bilingual educational materials, including installation training materials.

Nafco’s Lefort and Cassady on Luxury Vinyl – Part 1 (14:55)

June 8, 2006—From Nafco by Tarkett, Pierre LeFort, General Manager and David Cassady, Marketing Manager, in the first part of a four-part series, discuss the niche market that is luxury vinyl and where the category fits in the industry’s hard surface product offerings. LeFort and Cassady also talk about the company’s efforts to differentiate itself in the marketplace, the improvements that have taken place within Nafco’s Florence, Alabama facility in recent years, the growth the company has enjoyed during that period and how the American consumer views luxury vinyl.

Nafco’s Lefort and Cassady on Luxury Vinyl – Part 2 (12:07)

June 8, 2006—From Nafco by Tarkett, Pierre LeFort, General Manager and David Cassady, Marketing Manager, in the second part of a four-part series, discuss the company’s “good, better, best” strategy, how the company has redefined its product offerings and included features that differentiate itself in the marketplace. Also discussed are product price and installation cost benefits of luxury vinyl, how consumers view luxury vinyl and the company’s new product launch including a simulated handscraped, hardwood offering.

Nafco’s Lefort and Cassady on Luxury Vinyl – Part 3 (9:59)

June 8, 2006—From Nafco by Tarkett, Pierre LeFort, General Manager and David Cassady, Marketing Manager, in the third part of a four-part series, discuss in greater detail the six new luxury vinyl designs, including marble, slate and wood looks the company recently introduced. LeFort and Cassady also talk about selling luxury vinyl against hardwood, laminate, ceramic and stone at the retail level, how the product’s pricing compare with other product categories and the pricing of luxury vinyl.