FLOORtalk

Recently, the Lowe’s Foundation committed $50 million to prepare and train 50,000 men and women for the skilled trades over five years. Here, Betsy Conway, director, Lowe’s Foundation, shares who the grant will benefit, who they are working with to achieve this goal, and how the flooring industry, or anyone for that matter, can benefit.

Hear from Steve Abernathy, COO of the World Floorcovering Association, who works with CFI, and FCICA Board Chair Pat Kelly about the inaugural year of the 2023 CFI FCICA Convention and future collaborative opportunities for installation.

Shaw’s Susan Farris was recently inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Association’s Hall of Fame. She talks about her 30-year flooring career and the importance of empowering and supporting women in their career journeys.

Wayne Highlander, director of adhesive sales, Bona, uses his 30 years as a hardwood flooring installer to inform product development, support his sales team and entertain listeners on his podcast. He offers some insight into how to reach the industry’s next generation.

Robert Falzone, national stone and masonry director, Coval, entered the cleaning and restoration business out of necessity. But what would seem like only a temporary gig turned into a lifelong, lucrative, and enjoyable career.

John Steier, owner, Steier Flooring, has been putting down flooring for over 20 years. He recently left a 15-year career as a volunteer for his local police reserve unit to write a new chapter—flooring installation training. He tells us what it really takes to be a trainer.

Erika Rieker, director of HR systems and operations, Ecore, served in the Marine Corps prior to joining the Ecore team. Following her service, she signed up for college and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and, like so many of us, fell into a career in the flooring industry. She shares her military experience, her extensive career with Ecore and how her son is keeping with the family’s military legacy.

Brendan Ball, VP of builder division, Spartan Surfaces, shares insights about the buildout of Spartan Surfaces’ builder division.

While many smaller retailers have historically used a notebook or Google Calendar to manage the labor for flooring installations, today's latest software options will keep your team on track more efficiently.

QR codes have been around for nearly 30 years, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that their usefulness was rediscovered. Retailers can benefit from these small but mighty technology tools. Chad Ogden, president of Qfloors, breaks down how retailers can use them to streamline your marketing and boost sales.