Premier Flooring Retailer Premier Flooring Retailer Magazine - Covid-19 Busi | Page 13

3. B  e careful with your pricing. Several dealers have told me when this is over, they are going to charge top dollar for everything. They are convinced people will be desperate to buy. With unemployment reach- ing 30% and not buying, my hunch is that every- thing will be on sale! 4. C  onsider teaming up with a business that can help you grow, for instance, a kitchen business. Talk with other similar flooring stores in your neighborhood, is there anything you can do together or can you share installers. Build an alliance with this same group and see if you can negotiate pricing on your merchandise. 5. S  tay in front of your customers; be thankful for social media. Post daily, show your concern for them and continue to connect with your community. Vol- unteer, find a way to help raise money, work with our medical personnel or do anything that will help your area. Next to money, volunteering is the next best thing. 6. E  veryone is hurting and uncertain; that includes your customers. The best thing you can do is show your compassion, find ways to show your humil- ity and concern. Show your appreciation for those that are risking their lives to work any way you can- maybe an extra tip or a thank you. 7.  People in the service industry are likely to be the ones feeling the most hurt during this time. Anytime you can go out of your way to thank them; I’m sure it will be appreciated. If you watch the national advertise- ments, most are speaking directly to the customers and showing concern and empathy. I’ve heard comments about who may be struggling. Start thinking about what you can do to help. Personally, I don’t think it’s about sending discount tickets to your customers. 8.  Don’t waste this precious time you have been given. Develop a schedule as if you were going to work, get dressed, exercise and get enough sleep. 9.  Get smarter. Learn about technology, take a class. When this is over, things will be different, and you will need new skills. Remember everything changes, if it doesn’t it dies. ❚ Don’t let your business be one of the casualties. The official magazine of the World Floor Covering Association Premier FLOORING RETAILER A Special “Thank You” to all the manufacturers and their marketing departments who provided outstanding editorial to make this publication a success. Publishing Staff Margo Rodgers Locust, Publisher Karen George, Managing Editor Lisbeth Calandrino, Associate Editor Stan Michelson, Communications Director Barry Briskman, Senior Copy Editor Toelke Associates/Ron Toelke, Creative Director Editorial and Advertising Offices: Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Contributing Writers Michael Bennett, Lewis Davis, Karen George, Frederik Langston, Margo Locust, Jason Spangler, James Wisdom Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and timeliness of information, Premier Flooring Retailer Magazine cannot be held responsible for discrepancies, typographical errors, discontinuance of product nor color reproduction. WFCA Scott Humphrey, Chief Executive Officer Freida Staten, V  ice President Marketing + Communications Steve Abernathy, Chief Financial Officer Kay Wiley, Executive Assistant to the CEO All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any way without written consent from Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC or the WFCA. Contributing Columnists Lisbeth Calandrino, Tom Jennings, Jeffrey King, Stacy Eickhoff Premier Flooring Retailer is published quarterly in print and digital by Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC located at 741 Main Street, Andrews, NC 28901 and the World Floor Covering Association located at 855 Abutment Road, Suite 1, Dalton, GA 30721. The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Premier Flooring Retailer is a joint initiative of the World Floor Covering Association and Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC. Copyright© FABULOUS FLOORS MAGAZINE and WFCA 2020. Change of Address: in order to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of Premier Flooring Retailer, notice of change should be made at least 5 weeks in advance. Postmaster: Please send address changes to WFCA, 855 Abutment Road, Suite 1, Dalton, GA 30721. Premier Flooring Retailer | Q1 2020 11