Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with John Lessick, President at Apex Wood Floors Inc. about recognizing blind spots, tracking a project from start to finish, how mentoring and business coaching and his own focus on self-improvement benefits his company and his staff, and more.

NWFA Real Answers

A Conversation with John Lessick, President at Apex Wood Floors Inc.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Steve Brattin of SVB Wood Floors. They discuss the benefits of leave-behind marketing pieces.  Learn how these critical marketing materials positively impact your business, how to create them, what audiences to target, questions materials need to answer, and more.

The Importance of Your Leave-Behind Marketing Materials

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Steve Brattin of SVB Wood Floors. They discuss how to best deal with supply & demand challenges, hiring issues, employee training, and more.

Navigating an Uncertain Future - Supply Challenges, Hiring, and More

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Marquis Wright, president and CEO of Mr. Wright Flooring Inc., about the importance of watching patterns in business, his start in the wood flooring industry, the value of mentorship and being coachable, and his work with the Floor Covering Education Foundation, which is working to educate the next generation of flooring professionals.  For more information, visit https://fcef.org/.

A Conversation with Marquis Wright of Mr. Wright Flooring Inc.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza sit down with Lenny Hall of Endurance Floor Company, as well as members of his staff, Gerardo Cardona and Jason Hernandez, about what they love about the wood flooring industry, on-site training, memories of their first days on the job, separating yourself from the competition, and more.

A Conversation with Lenny Hall and Staff from Endurance Floor Company

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Steve Brattin of SVB Wood Floors.  They discuss specialized divisions of labor within SVB Wood Floors, industry trends and challenges from Brattin&apos;s perspective,  the importance of keeping staff motivated, trained and enthusiastic, and more.

A Conversation with Steve Brattin of SVB Wood Floors

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza sit down with Willie Short of Willie James Quality Flooring LLC, servicing the greater Baton Rouge, LA area. They discuss how Short is growing his business, why office location matters, and more. This episode was recorded live at the NWFA&apos;s recent NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Orlando, Florida.

A Conversation with Willie Short of Willie James Quality Flooring

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss how to deal with increased consumer participation, the importance of practicing patience, coping with scheduling challenges, and how to adapt to a seemingly more fast-paced business environment.

Proper Planning to Prevent Poor Performance

Elliot Eisenberg, the Bowtie Economist, joins Michael Martin and Chris Zizza to discuss the state of the economy, labor and supply chain issues, inflation, and advice on reducing risk and staying ahead of the financial curve more.  (Recorded June 3, 2021)

An Economic Update with Elliot Eisenberg, the Bowtie Economist

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss methods by which you can stay organized and run a more efficient and profitable business.

Run Your Business...Don't Let Your Business Run You

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss the importance of growing with the times, staying current with trends to help your customers, keeping yourself out of financial trouble, checking in with employees, and more.

Giving Your Business a Pulse Check

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss why taking on one-room flooring installations is a good idea for your business.  

The Case for One-Room Installations

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Bill Smith, Vice President of Business Development and Sales at CV International (CVI), a global logistics provider based in Norfolk, VA. They discuss how ocean transportation impacts the hardwood flooring industry, the state of international shipping, and more.For more on this topic, be sure to check out Bill Smith&apos;s recent blog post on the topic: https://hardwoodfloorsmag.com/2021/03/13/ocean-freight-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Ocean Freight During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Matt Thibeau, author of Digital Marketing Secrets for Contractors: 7 Steps to Attract More Leads, Close More Sales & Boost Your Revenue – Using Online Advertising That Works!   Also visit www.contractormarketingbook.com to download the digital edition and audiobook for free.

Digital Marketing Secrets for Contractors

The NWFA's "Real Answers" podcast series features NWFA President & CEO, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza, founder of C&R Flooring, Inc., and past Chairman of the Board of the NWFA.

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NWFA Real Answers

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