• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Are Employees a Cost? Who’s Responsible for Training?

By Howard Olansky
February 11, 2003
The challenges the industry faced last year, and the ones it now faces, are tied part and parcel to the two questions posed in this column’s headline. How each of us views and acts upon them could very well spell the difference between a great year and a year of stumbling — perhaps even defeat. The answers are found in two of the many management/business principles set forth by the world -renowned Peter Drucker.

Peter Drucker, still going strong at age 93, is universally respected as a management guru (and is often described as the gurus’ guru). He has authored 31 books, been a college professor and consulted to companies and nations. Some mistakenly think his principles apply only to huge international corporations. In fact, most of them apply to businesses large, small and everything in between.

Drucker’s management/business principles apply to every individual and company in floor coverings -- manufacturers, retailers, contractors, distributors, installers, and cleaners. They apply to owners/managers, salespeople and office personnel -- the entire organizations. Here, we’ll look at the two principles relative to the headline.

1. Employees aren’t a cost. That’s right, he says that the employees aren’t a cost. Rather, they are resources. Many floor covering company owners, managers, supervisors, and executives recognize this and act accordingly. Those who don’t make a big mistake.

Some in our industry did well last year and, in many cases, they chalked up record-breaking performances. It is obvious that they treated their people as important resources, who in return gave everything they could to help make positive things happen. Many companies that ignored this principle floundered. Some even failed.

2. Management is responsible for training. Simply stated, Drucker says that management is responsible for giving a company direction and making training available to its people. To me, this means that owners, managers, supervisors, etc. must insist on trained people in every position. It means requiring everyone to participate in and take full advantage of the training programs, seminars, informative meetings, educational material, etc. available through our industry.

It means that personnel willingly and enthusiastically attend such programs and do everything possible to put to use what they learn. It also means that management and the entire organization take advantage of both training and certification programs. We have training and certification programs at our beck and call for manufacturers, retailers, contractors, distributors, installers, and cleaners -- from owner/manager right through the entire chain. Sadly, we are not taking full advantage of them.

Those who ignore the two principles discussed here are candidates for failure. Companies that treat employees as important resources, and provide solid direction and training, will thrive and grow. Their personnel will thrive and grow right along with them.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Senior Editor

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

More Videos

Popular Stories

Schluter waterproofing system

Waterproofing Wet Areas: Three Essential Methods to Protect Your Bathroom and Shower Installation

kitchen floor

Regrouting Caution for Cement Grouts

Starnet 2025 Carlsbad CA

Future-Proofing Success: How Starnet Members Are Building Resilient Flooring Businesses


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • Industry Perspectives: Are Your Installation Costs a Problem? Would You Like to Find a Solution to Your Problem?

    See More
  • Industry Perspectives: Santa, It's High Time for You to Give All of Us a Break Instead of Turning a Deaf Ear to Our Annual Wish List

    See More
  • Wanna Be a Happy Camper? Stop Wishin' and Go Fishin' for Business

    See More
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP