From cover to cover, this month’s issue ofNational Floor Trendsmagazine is chock-full of business building and money saving tips. Here’s a glimpse at some of the articles.

Beginning on page 10, Commercial Possibilities columnist Dave Stafford looks at the critical areas of cash flow and collection. Here are procedures you can follow to help ensure your next job doesn’t become a collection nightmare. Whether the job you are completing is commercial or residential, cash flow management and collection is definitely the lifeblood of your business.

NFTassociate editor Michael Chmielecki takes a look at healthcare and education flooring. The feature starts on page 16 and covers a wide range of flooring materials from hard to soft surfaces. The aim for these products is similar: performance and safety, while being extremely durable.

Art of Retail Management columnist Sam Allman discusses the features and benefits an independent retailer must consider before joining a marketing/buying group. He reviews options from products and services, to marketing programs and training. His column begins on page 20 and discusses the benefits of tapping into the power of size.

Just in time for the fall selling season are two new products sections – on page 24 we are featuring tile and stone products, while we are previewing other category products on page 82. Keeping your showroom stocked with the latest products showing the latest flooring trends and colors will help make your store the hit in your town.

Mullican Flooring teams up with HGTV for its Urban Oasis Giveaway as the exclusive flooring sponsor. HGTV designer Vern Yip describes the project featuring Mullican’s wirebrushed walnut in ebony brown, part of the Frontier collection of 3/4” solid hardwood flooring. See page 26 for the entire story plus more details on the giveaway with a package valued at $1.5 million.

Our Annual Wood Floor & Product Resource Guide begins on page 28 with a product section of wood floors and related installation products, followed by an alphabetical manufacturer section on page 49 and a wholesale distributor section on page 60. This special annual resource guide is also available online and is fully searchable with updates being made to the online edition throughout the year.

Our monthly Green Matters section (on page 68) highlights new green products for commercial and residential use along with mills upgrading their operations for a greener manufacturing process.

Focus on Resilient columnist Ray Thompson, Jr. outlines the ins and outs of concrete surface prep with three problem areas: existing adhesives; concrete sealers, curing and parting compounds and a hard trowel finished concrete. See the story on page 76.

Guest columnist Bill Feldman presents an important feature on explaining warranties to your customers, beginning on page 78. Are you in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission and have written manufacturer warranties on products costing more than $15 either posted near the products or ready to show upon request before purchase?

NFTalso spoke with Tarkett’s Bill Cralley, president of the North American residential division, and Gary Finseth, vp marketing. The two executives discuss a variety of topics including streamlining their brands, new retailer programs, and the company’s approach to sustainability. The story is on page 74.