Flooring Podcast

CRI’s Braun on 2004 Sales & Plans for Rug Stats

September 8, 2004—Werner Braun, President, Carpet & Rug Institute discusses industry-wide carpet sales and price increases in 2004, the association’s proactive stance in dealing with Washington, and its efforts to compile statistical data on rug sales. Braun also discusses structural changes within the organization and its efforts to deliver information to improve the carpet knowledge level at the retail salesperson and commercial field rep levels.

Jonathan Bragdon on the Merger of Tricycle and Cre8tive

September 6, 2004—Jonathan Bragdon, President of technology company Tricycle, discusses the recently announced merger with UK-based Cre8tive, Ltd. and the company's equity injection. Bragdon also discusses the time and cost savings made possible by the company’s SIM technology, which offers simulated carpet samples to architects and designers and the company’s development and expansion plans.

Larry Winter on Life Cycle Planning for a Business

September 3, 2004—Larry Winter, Winter & Harris CPAs discusses business planning for mid and small businesses encompassing planning at both start-up and at intervals throughout the life of a business. Winter talks about pricing, knowing the types for business to walk away from, knowing the business’ life cyclec and differentiating a business and knowing how to define success.

Jon Dougal on Social Responsibility & the Triple Bottom Line – Part 2

September 3, 2004—Jon Dougal, Sustainable Design Associates, in the final part of a 2-part conversation discusses the social responsible aspect of the triple bottom-line, defining it, offering some examples of how companies can demonstrate their social responsibility with their employees and within their communities. Dougal also discusses how this practice is reflected positively at the bottom line and he pointing how the concept has taken root in the floor covering business.

2004 Favorites -- Jon Dougal on Social Responsibility & the Triple Bottom Line

September 2, 2004—From FloorRadio Favorites of 2004 -- Jon Dougal, Sustainable Design Associates iscusses the social responsible aspect of the triple bottom-line, defining it, offering some examples of how companies can demonstrate their social responsibility with their employees and within their communities. Dougal also discusses how this practice is reflected positively at the bottom line and how the concept has taken root in the floor covering business.

Frank O’Neill – The Week in the Floor Covering Industry

September 1, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss the Flooring America’s summer convention, the organizations new national ad program, centered around an infomercial, Flooring America's Neighborhood Networks and its new websites. Also discussed, the sale of Burlington Rug, the North Georgia resort purchased by a group headed by Julian Saul and Milliken goes to the Olympics.

Paul Friederichsen on Why Consumers Buy What They Buy

September 1, 2004—Paul Friederichsen, Executive Vice President of the Hauser Group in an ongoing series on branding and advertising looks at the psychology of the consumer discussing the book, “Why People Buy Things They Don't Need”, by Paula Danziger. Friederichsen looks at the role branding plays in consumer purchases and the categories of both discretionary spending and consumers who spend discretionary dollars.

Flooring America’ Evan Hackel on the Group’s Unique Branding Initiative

August 30, 2004—Paul Friederichsen, Executive Vice President of the Hauser Group in an ongoing series on branding and advertising looks at the psychology of the consumer discussing the book, “Why People Buy Things They Don't Need”, by Paula Danziger. Friederichsen looks at the role branding plays in consumer purchases and the categories of both discretionary spending and consumers who spend discretionary dollars.

Rug News.com’s Lissa Wyman on the Rug Sector

August 26, 2004—Lissa Wyman, Editor and publisher, Rug News.com looks at the rug segment of the industry discussing its prime events and growth patterns over the past twelve months. Also discussed, consolidation in the sector, how the major players are affecting the industry, shifts within the retail community and what’s hot from a product standpoint.

Barker on the Market

August 25, 2004—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the overarching factors that are affecting today’s market, including oil prices and interest rate expectations. Barker also looks at recent earnings reports, the housing numbers and how they're affecting floor covering stocks and how recent economic data plays into the equation.