Information…  Getting it, sharing it and distributing has changed over the years.  I remember as a kid watching ‘The Flintstones.’  The daily newspaper was chiseled in stone and you better duck for cover and not get hit in the head.

Because of technology we’re getting information at an alarmingly fast rate of speed with so many places to get it from that it seems like you’re swimming in an ocean hoping you make it to the right island so you don’t drown.

Back in the day you tore out a magazine page and brought it in to your hair stylist to show how you wanted to get your hair cut and styled.  Remember that embarrassing time when you walked into a record shop and when you wanted to know the name of the artist and song and you had to sing it to the store clerk in front of everyone?  For those of you in younger generations… yes that is how we gathered our favorite music… iTunes had not happened yet.

It’s a new frontier.  While you have to be high-touch you also need to be high-tech.  The personal touch is often forgotten because it’s very easy to automate technology and make it easier.  But no matter how much we become more advanced in tech, people still want to have that human touch.  Think about it…  do you like calling into your bank on the phone and having to deal with multiple automated menu-after-menu, push this number-push that?

Here is the point.  An old world way of building relationships with customers must collaborate with a new world way of high-tech.  Unavoidable and balance is key.

www.urbanfloor.com

An example of current relevant media and technology that can be used to personalize service with tech without taking the human aspect out. Enter:

iPad and Pinterest

As a dealer imagine this: Customer walks into your showroom.  Obviously you ask how you can help them.  You show them around to your various selections.  You have samples of wood species and brands… But your sales rep also can carry an iPad (or tablet) where they can show a flooring sample with an image of how it might look in an interior designed room.  And using Pinterest from your account and on a tablet you can feature flooring collections on-the-fly as they shop, walk and you consult.  Sometimes it is a challenge for clients to imagine floors in a home but if you can paint a picture it is easier to see potential.  This is an opportunity for personalized service while providing cutting-edge technology to give your customer total client care. 

As a homeowner imagine this: You walk into your local dealer with your iPad and your own Pinterest account.  Not only are you able to show your consultant exactly what you like from your tablet but you also have the ability to show other design ideas you love so that there is better understanding for what you want.  After all “a picture is worth a thousand words,” right?

Times are changing and how we do business is evolving rapidly.   Here is a story I heard years ago early in my career but remember to this day.  In business no matter how small, medium sized or fortune 500 large… the axe needs to be and must be sharpened to survive now and grow in the future…

“Rodger, a woodcutter, worked for a company for five years but never got a raise.  The company hired Bill and within a year he got a raise.  This caused resentment in Rodger and he went to his boss to talk about it.  The boss said, “You are still cutting the same number of trees you were cutting five years ago.  We are a result-oriented company and would be happy to give you a raise if your productivity goes up.”  Rodger went back, started hitting harder and putting in longer hours but he still wasn’t able to cut more trees.

He went back to his boss and told him his dilemma.  The boss told John to go talk to Bill. “  Maybe there is something Bill knows that you and l don’t.”  Rodger asked Bill how he managed to cut more trees.  Bill answered, “After every tree I cut, I take a break for two minutes and sharpen my axe.  When was the last time you sharpened your axe?”  This question hit home like a bullet and Rodger got his answer.”

So which is going to have the knock out punch?  Let’s start with understanding each opponent.

Oil Finish:
1) An Oil Finish doesn’t create the resiliency needed to protect against dents and scratches.
2) Oil needs to be refinished every 12 months which could severl hundred or even thousands of dollars each year.
3) Once the Oil finish wears off it leaves it leaves no protection to the floor allowing moisture to seep in and soak up into the wood flooring.

Lacquer Finish:
1) Resilient and durable protecting against dents and scratches.
2) Does not require any annual maintenance.
3) Gives a barrier for accidental spills. (You do need to wipe it up quickly though)

Have Questions?

Tweet: @urbanfloor
Like: /urbanfloor
Site: www.urbanfloor.com

In a previous blog under the Contests section we announced a dealer contest at the Surfaces 2012 trade show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in viva Las Vegas, NV.  Dealers at the show could visit our booth and enter into a drawing to win a trip for two to Rome, Italy.  The motivation for the trip was to promote our newest collection Villa Caprisi with an Italian inspired design using brushed European Oak.

Talk is cheap and people want to see it to believe it right?  So here you go.  This is the winner of our Win a Trip to Italy drawing at the Surfaces 2012 trades show:

Shawn Zand of Best Floor from Anaheim, CA

Congratulations to Shawn Zand of Best Floor from Anaheim, CA for being the lucky winner of our Trip for Two to Italy at the Surfaces 2012 Expo!

So you see, people really do win these “thingies” called contests.  Who knows maybe you’re next!  Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our website for the latest and the greatest.

Tweet: @urbanfloor
Like: /urbanfloor
Site: www.urbanfloor.com

Ron Call, "Your Urbanfloor Guy" Host & Spokesperson

At this years Surfaces 2012 Expo held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV we will be introducing you to Ron Call “Your Urbanfloor Guy.”  Ron will be making his appearance at the show on Wednesday the 25th from 8am-5pm.   Which is also the same day we announce the winner of our Win a Trip for Two to Italy for one of our lucky dealers that enter our drawing during the show.  Full details HERE

Over the last few months we have been producing a series of educational how-to videos that include Care & Maintenance, Installation, Product Tours and general advice on when it comes to hardwood flooring.  Ron Call is our company host, spokesperson and industry expert that you see appearing on Urbanfloor Media that is in ongoing development.  See our YouTube Channel HERE 

In addition we are developing an “Ask Ron” page on our blog site.  This is going to be an excellent way to get in touch with Ron directly and get advice, ask technical questions no matter how complex or simple they maybe.  Ron knows best.

So you may be thinking who is this Ron guy anyway?

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts Ron Call comes from a military family background.  He has lived all over the U.S. as his family was stationed to various bases.  He settled in San Diego County in 1974 and hasn’t left since.

His humble beginning in the flooring industry started at age 18 as an apprentice in 1978.  Today Ron is a recognized leader amongst his peers and clients throughout the industry.  34 years later Ron is an expert in all floor covering products specializing in hardwood installation and refinishing and the owner of the very successful business named Harmony Flooring based out of San Diego serving the entire southern California region.  Harmony Flooring’s motto “Music for your feet” stems from the fact that Ron is not only a topflight professional contractor but a world class musician as well.

Ron is a songwriter and plays multiple instruments including harmonica, guitar and bass.  When he isn’t laying down floors he is passionate about music and enjoys his free time as one of the members of the power trio “V Child.”  Ron has recorded and played with numerous Grammy winners and Grammy nominees and is no stranger to the limelight.  When asked what propels him in his remarkable life his answer is always his beautiful wife and two children.  We’re proud to introduce you to Ron Call, our Urban Floor Guy.

“we have the hickory sunset hand scraped finish wood flooring, the installer used lacquer thinner to wipe up a certain area. the finish now looks and feels different in that area. is there a way to correct this problem? help please!!!!!”

Hickory Sunset from our Handscraped Series in the Urban Lifestyle Collection

We’re leaving out the name to protect the innocent but thought this was an important tidbit of info to share with ya’ll.

Lacquer thinner should NEVER be used on finished flooring, because it will strip the top coat and there really isn’t a way to get the poly urethane top coat back to match the other wood planks once it’s gone.  The only way to fix this is to replace the damaged planks with new ones.

When you are a contracted installer it’s tough to admit error especially when there is money at stake but this is where a code of solid business ethics comes into play and you “man-up” to responsibility and learn so it never happens again.  If an installer makes a mistake they should guarentee their work.  If they make a mistake they should fix it.  As consumers we don’t always know best which is why we hire professionals to do certain jobs in the first place right?  We depend on their advice and expertise.

This is a particular case where an installer was at fault not the end user.  Just remember when it comes to your hardwood flooring the Urbanfloor website has a great FAQ page with a plethora of info and right here on our blog site we have a tab called ‘Ask Ron‘ where you can ask any question you have to Ron Call “Your Urbanfloor Guy.”  Ron has over 30 years of experience specializing as a flooring contractor.  If you’re ever in doubt, have installation questions, what you should prepare for when gettng new floors or best practices for taking care of your hardwood flooring… Just Ask Ron.

Look for our Villa Caprisi display at the show.

The big Surfaces 2012 trade show is upon us  and we would like to invite all dealers to visit us at the show.  Our newest collection, Villa Caprisi is a fine European Oak with Italian design inspiration.  And that inspiration inspired us to create this trip to Rome. The tagline for Villa Caprisi is “A Touch of Italy at Your Feet” and now…  a touch of Italy will literally be at someone’s feet for one lucky winner and their guest.

During the show we are offering our Urban Floor dealers a chance to win a free round trip to Rome, Italy.  The trip includes 5 nights at  a first class hotel and airfare for two people.  This “topnotch” trip has a value close to $5,000 with the winner being selected during the show.

To enter, the dealer needs to register at the Urbanfloor booth, #B3239 – Floor B,  in the Bayside Hall.  We’re in a 50′ x 50′ space. You can’t miss us.  A map of the show floor plan with our location is available: here

Make sure you read the official rules and Qualifications below.

For further details, visit our booth at Surfaces or call your representative.

Win a Free Trip to Italy for Two

Official Rules & General Information:

To Qualify: Every order placed at Surfaces (minimum 1 full pallet required for entry) gets an automatic entry. In addition every pallet order placed and paid in full at surfaces will get an additional entry (1 additional entry per pallet). Entrant fills out an entry form which will then be placed into the drawing box. On Wednesday January 25^th 2012 at 4:00 pm the winning entry form will be drawn by an independent agent. Winner must be present.  If potential winner is not present at time of drawing an alternative drawing will be made. (A two minute claim time will be allowed.) Winning entry is subject to verification by proper photo identification.

Terms & Conditions: Entry constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, photographs & testimonials for promotional purposes including posting of such information on sponsors Website. Sponsors are not responsible for damaged, late, illegible, incomplete or misdirected entries. Entry constitutes agreement to hold the sponsors & their affiliated entities, employees, agents harmless; from physical injury, damages, liabilities, losses & expenses arising out of this give away. Applicable taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner.

We were born to grow and build. Even with Lego® when we were kids.

According to USA.gov, the United States government’s official web portal, the most popular New Year’s resolutions are:

1. Drink Less Alcohol
2. Eat Healthy Food
3. Get a Better Education
4. Get a Better Job
5. Get Fit 
6. Lose Weight
7. Manage Debt
8. Manage Stress
9. Quit Smoking
10. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
11. Save Money
12. Take a Trip
13. Volunteer to Help Others

What are your New Year’s resolutions?  How are you going to grow in 2012 to be a better person, a better company, a better coach, a better mom or dad, a better friend, a better husband or wife, a better cook in the kitchen, a better mentor, a better…  a better whomever you are and whatever you do.

I ran across a quote from the late Jim Rohn that said “I used to say I will take care of you if you will take care of me.  Now I say I will take care of me for you if you will take care of you for me.”

A friend of mine posted this blog on facebook from the Harvard Business Review which provoked me to type this up.  We all see year after year the standard resolutions for the new year.  They’re basically the same each year.  The question is how can you grow and stand out from the crowd and not just be the same? Food for thought.

At the end of the day we all deal with life.  It’s an up and down roller coaster!  Don’t let your highs be too high or your lows too low.  High or low is gonna happen no matter what!  How you react to any situation is the outcome of any situation.  Balance is key.

Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.  All of us at Urban Floor wish you a loving and prosperous 2012!  Work, work and work at your best with passion!  Happy New Year 2012!  Whoever you are and whatever you do…  be your BEST!

Personally and professionally strive to Grow, Grow, Grow!

PS.  This blog had nothing to do with flooring and Urban Floor is a flooring company.  So here is a shameless promotion plug: Urban Floor  hehe *wink*wink*

Urbanfloor provides sustainable products by acquiring raw materials from ecologically well-managed forests and suppliers. 

The U.S.D.A. Forest Service recently released a report summarizing the scientific findings that support the environmental and economical benefits of using wood and wood products in green building construction.

According to the USDA Forest Service, “The use of forest products in the United States supports more than a million direct jobs and contributes more than $100 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.  The sustainable use of wood products supports forests, jobs, national income, and a healthy environment.  It also contributes to green building by reducing environmental burdens with constructing, operating, and decommisioning many other types of buildings.”

So how can using wood products be better for our environment?

Let’s look at some facts from industry peers and published reports:

• Using wood plays an important role in mitigating climate change and is a renewable resource.
• Harvesting, transporting, manufacturing, and using wood in lumber and panel products contributes to reducing air emissions and greenhouse gases (GHG).
• North American forests help with climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere however what many don’t know is using wood products continue to store carbon dioxide, keeping it out of the atmosphere in the first place and indefinitely.
• Less environmental emissions to construct commercial and residential buildings using wood than using concrete and steel.
• Fossil Fuel consumption which contributes to increased GHG emissions into the atmosphere and quantities of solid waste tend to be less in the manufacture process of wood products.
• Over 100 years, net GHG emissions are 20%-50% less than alternative construction materials such as steel and concrete.

These are just a few examples but we don’t want to bore you with a huge list.  Take a look at the full USDA Forest Service report HERE

What are your opinions?  Leave us a comment and share your thoughts.