Flooring Podcast

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.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill and the Week in the Floor Covering Industry (33:25)

June 6, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus’ talks about his trip to Paris last week to visit with Tarkett senior executives. O’Neill discusses the company’s global focus, its new operation in Russia and its plans for the commercial unit in North America. Also discussed is the Nafco by Tarkett residential, luxury vinyl operation in Florence Alabama its new product launch, Mohawk’s RICO case and the Supreme Court, and Home Depot’s annual meeting.

Barker on Bernanke and the Market

June 5, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management, discusses the comments made by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke yesterday saying the Fed “will be vigilant” and the market’s reaction, along with the market’s reaction to last Friday’s jobs report. Barker discusses the market recent “tough spot”, its performance during May and the performances of prior Mays. He also evaluates the comments made yesterday by Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and its subsequent affects on oil and the market.

Bob Sabosik on the Commercial Sector - Part 3 (11:45)

June 3, 2006—Bob Sabosik, President, M.E. Sabosik Associates and Chairman of the commercial flooring cooperative StarNet in the final part of a three-part series discusses maintenance and his approach to offering flooring maintenance services to the company’s clients. Sabosik also talks about his role as StarNet Chairman and how the cooperative has helped M.E. Sabosik Associates and the new relation between StarNet and CARE, the Carpet America Recovery Effort, whose goals are to divert post-consumer carpet from the nation’s landfills.

Bob Sabosik on the Commercial Sector - Part 2

June 3, 2006—Bob Sabosik, President, M.E. Sabosik Associates and Chairman of the commercial flooring cooperative StarNet in the second part of a three-part series discusses selling direct in the commercial marketplace and his expectations as to the future of this approach, problems revolving around the jobsite, including tight completion dates and concrete slab inspection and the company’s efforts to increase productivity on the jobsite. Sabosik also talks about trends in product quality, growth in the carpet tile sector and the company’s philosophy toward service.

Bob Sabosik on the Commercial Sector - Part 1 (16:22)

June 3, 2006—Bob Sabosik, President, M.E. Sabosik Associates and Chairman of the commercial flooring cooperative StarNet in the first part of a three-part series discusses the commercial marketplace, the expansion of the Sabosik organization and the cooperative nature of StarNet, especially as it relates to national accounts. Sabosik also discusses the growth in imported floor coverings and its effect on the market, how his company relies on technology and his expectations for the market over the remainder of 2006 and into 2006.