I had a therapist friend whose favorite expression was “You can’t get chocolate milk in a turnip field!” It may sound silly but if you’re looking for something specific, you had better know where to find it! Looking for new business should be on the top of everyone’s list, but I know who has any extra time? Like you, I’m ‘time starved’ but this year I’ve been re- introduced to our partners in the building and remodeling industry. This is an industry that directly connects to the flooring business. For many of you, it’s your bread and butter business.
I recently spoke at the Leading Suppliers Conference in Portland, OR. The LSC was established by the National Association of Home Business in 1964. The council is a multifaceted supplier resource for the building industry that represents the business the business interests of its members through advocacy, education and networking. I realized how important this connection was when I realized how many of their members were from the flooring industry! This is what I call an ‘eyes wide open’ connection. Isn’t the building industry directly related to our business?
Seriously looking for new business? How about ‘partnering up’ with some of your customers? Who is in a position to help you get more business and how can you help them? Are you overlooking potential customers who are also satisfying your customers?
Those of you, who’ve known me over the years and read my column, know my passion is helping you become more successful. We all need to expand our horizons and explore new opportunities. With that in mind, consider this my personal invitation to the Remodeling show and Deck Expo, https://www.remodelingdeck.com/en/home.html on October 9-11, 2018 at the Baltimore Conference Center, Baltimore, MD. The show is brought to you by Informa Exhibitions; the same people who bring you the International Surface’s event, TISE. If you’ve attended, TISE, you know Informa Exhibitions knows how to put on a great show.
You can tweet about the latest building trends, meet new experts and do some Liveblogging or live streaming with Facebook Live. (If you’re not sure how to do these, give me a call.) This is a tremendous way to connect with your existing social customers and post fresh content to your web site. Click on the link and check out the network events and on-the-floor exhibitions.
Of course, there will be plenty of flooring manufacturers as well as architects and designers; you’ll feel at home!
These are your customers. What could be more enlightening than a new place with fresh scenery to get your creative juice going? Think of how excited your customers will be when they see you’re networking with their builders and understanding the trends in ‘their ‘worlds.
Of course I want you to join me at my seminars, TU10 – Being a Woman in a Man’s World – Women in Construction Workshop and TU19 – The Coaching Edge: Building a Successful Team. Please recheck the times and schedule for my workshops.
You’ve undoubtedly heard this before, ‘there’s gold in those hallways.’ I hope to see you networking in those halls!
Lisbeth Calandrino is Associate Publisher of Fabulous Floors Magazine, and we will be speaking at the Remodeling and Deck Expo, October 9-11, 2018. She can be reached at http://lisbethcalandrino.com. or Lcalandrino@nycap.rr.com., 518.495.5380.
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