Evan Acton, manager of Birmingham, Ala., Acton Flooring, talks about the history of this floor covering installation contractor, its long history within the floor covering industry, developments after the recession, and its affects on the Acton organization. Acton also talks about the installation shortage, developments with the company, and possible solutions for the problem.

Cynthia Dean, director of accounting and member services for Canada Nufloors, discusses some of the group's recent marketing work, the development of the group’s website, and the company’s online philosophy. Dean also shares her thoughts on competition in the field, particularly big box competitors.

Cynthia Dean, director of accounting and member services, Canada Nufloors Group, talks about the group and its history as well as the recent organizational changes in the group, including giving its member board of directors responsibility for managing the group, replacing the general manager. Dean talks about the group’s board and its member’s individual responsibilities as well as trends she is seeing among the group’s membership.

Paul Friederichsen, president of Brand Biz, discusses gathering demographic marketing data such as real estate values and income levels in the area immediately surrounding the retailer’s store and the use of industry-specific software for storing and managing that data correctly. He talks about incorporating all staff members in the collection process and how best this personal data can be used in personal emails, email blasts, and a variety of additional mailings.

Paul Friederichsen, president of Brand Biz, talks more about the collection of marketing data by retailers and how this data can be utilized effectively in a variety of marketing efforts. Friederichsen discusses the wide variety of data that should be sought, such as personal information, product preferences, and observations gathered at time of measure. Friederichsen also gives tips on how and how not to collect data.

Paul Friederichsen, president of Brand Biz and partner in the Blake Project, talks about ways retailers systematically collect data on current and potential customers and use that data in a variety of marketing campaigns to build sales. Friederichsen discusses privacy concerns as well as how and when this data should be collected and by whom.

Bill Yeadon, training facilitator, talks about the basic knowledge level required for a maintenance technician to be effective in the field, the training available in the industry, and the involvement of flooring manufacturers and suppliers in the training effort. Yeadon also talks about the most significant events that have occurred in the maintenance industry over the past year as he discusses how the advent of legal marijuana has affected the maintenance business.