Green Flooring options for Westchester County Many Westchester homeowners are proactively asking about green flooring products. Going green with your flooring is now easier than it's ever been. What types of flooring products are green? For hard surfaces, many of the following can be classified as green products: Bamboo flooring Cork flooring Some hardwoods (greenish Laminate Flooring  (greenish) Linoleum (not vinyl) For carpeting, it's often more challenging to find green options. Wool carpeting Sisal (or jute or seagrass) Some nylons are greenish (can be recycled and/or use partially recycled materials)   Bamboo and Cork - Ecofriendly   Bamboo flooring and cork flooring are green because they grow rapidly and are easily replenished...in fact, within 5-7 yrs. These are true green produ... 06/15/2012

Many small businesses are family owned businesses. Suppose you started your business years ago and you have built a profitable business for you and your family.Your children are now working in the business. What will happen when you exit?Many parents do not have a plan in place for when they exit the business. There are number of steps that should be taken to prepare.These include legal, financial, and preparing the next generation to take over if they want to work in the business. In the first two areas you should work with an attorney and financial planner who understands tax laws.This is particularly important if you have other children who will not be working in the business. Now with regard to succession and operating your business you need to develop a strategic business plan.The ... 06/12/2012

A few weeks ago, I did some spring cleaning...and I came across one of my T-shirts that has my company name.  I've been trying to wear it once a week (and I'm in process of getting some new shirts that say "The Flooring Girl.").   Today I was in Armonk having some coffee and doing estimates online.  As I left, a woman asked me for my card.  It turns out she needs to sand and refinish her floors this summer.   I was surprised how she knew I did flooring (did she overhear me on the phone?).  No, silly me, I had it on my t-shirt and didn't even realize.   This is a great reminder that I need to get my new t-shirts done quickly (with the new logo) as well as get a new big sticker for my lap top (I now have a new computer).  I just got my new note pads last week (w/ my new logo) and soon tha... 06/12/2012

You may have read recently about companies that request applicant’s password to Facebook.  Let me advise all business owners large and small against this practice.  Sure it is important to check references and background.  However, the use of social media opens new challenges in the employment area. A person’s Facebook account could have all types of information including age, heath status, relationship status, and many other things that have no bearing on job suitability.  I am sure no one would knowingly eliminate a candidate for illegal reasons.  But here is the problem.  Even if you don’t make a hiring decision or other employment decision based in this type of personal information you could still cause a legal problem for you or your company. For example, if you legitimately discip... 06/10/2012

I had the opportunity to coach a young professional who had just received a performance appraisal.  She had wondered why she had not been given projects lately and felt that there was something wrong. During the interview her boss told her that she had not been proactive and that she had not shown that she can think out of the box.  They went through a number of other examples and at the end she felt rather deflated. I suggested that she go through every performance item where there was criticism and write a goal for improvement.  Write them all on a paper and number them. Then for each goal write action steps. I suggested that she request a follow up meeting with her boss to show what steps she would be taking and asking for input. This process is very important.  If you are a business... 06/09/2012

Here is a problem that comes up all too often.  A business owner or agency owner spends most of his time working in the business and virtually no time working on the business. Why is this problematic?  When you start your business you need to do everything or it does not get done. Sometimes you have time management issues but you must work through them.  Your business grows and you simply can't get it all done.  So you hire someone. You are at the pinnacle of a growing business.  At this point you are now not only the owner but also a manager. Here is what happens many times.  The owner hires an employee and continues to stay totally involved in his business.  The new employee asks a question, 'don't worry, I'll take care of that.  It's involved"  is the answer. Before long the owner sa... 06/08/2012

In today’s business environment, creating high performing teams is a critical component to building a successful organization and maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market place. Creating those high performing teams begins with the CEO or the business owner. Leadership’s role is to create the environment that allows teams to be successful by creating and providing a clear vision that empowers employees to succeed. I have found that when the leaders of an organization provide a clear vision, their employees are more excited and passionate about accomplishing the organizational goals because they can see that they are an integral part of making the vision a reality. Edward Deming states, “What we need to do is learn to work in the system, by which I mean that everybody, ... 06/05/2012

Currently, it seems that the majority of businesses are focusing on customer satisfaction to determine their customer service measurements. This measurement is flawed and often falls short of actionable expectations. Satisfaction surveys are unable to predict customer behaviors because they are built on faulty foundations. Many organizations assume that high levels of satisfaction translate into customer loyalty when, in fact, customer satisfaction ratings are more closely linked to your customers’ perceptions of your products or service attributes rather than to the value gained by those products or services or your product or service compared to competition. Satisfaction is a measurement of, “I expected it and I got it; therefore, I’m satisfied.”  If this were translated into a gradin... 06/05/2012

We hear so much about Gen X and Gen Y. But let’s start a little bit eariler … let’s begin by looking at the Baby Boomers.  Here are some general facts about Boomers, who  incidentally,  are the largest contributor to the nation’s business and industry workforces. Generally, Boomers are people born between 1946 and 1964.  They are associated with rejection and redefining of traditional values.  They are workaholics, and value staying with one company.  They are associated with women developing careers and juggling work life issues. When managing this group respect is key.  Dedication to the employer is important for them.  Encourage sharing, mentoring, and leading projects with boomers. Gen X, born between 1965 and 1979, received very little formal training when they entered the work pla... 06/05/2012

I have a graphic on the back of my business card (shown on this post.) It is called a KASH box.  It says that most organizations and people spend most of their time on accumulating knowledge and learning skills of the job.  However, most business failures and terminations occur because of lack of attention to doing successful things (habits) as well as Attitudes (patterns of thought).   So now that you have hired a qualified candidate don’t expect that you can walk away and the employee will run on automatic pilot.   Have you given the employee a clear job description?  If you have done that you are off to a good start.    Now…. about the success habits and attitudes….   The root of success habits involves goals, action plans, accountability, and achievement.    First of all make sure ... 06/04/2012

There is a conventional wisdom; it seems, that people will leave jobs because someone else made them a better offer.  However, surveys and findings have proven that false.  That is not to say that money is not important; it certainly is.  However.... PEOPLE DO NOT LEAVE JOBS, THEY LEAVE SUPERVISORS.  While it is true that they may have been enticed away by promises of more money they start looking because they are unhappy.  Employees who are engaged in their work and feel a part of their organization develop an emotional bond.  You can liken this to being a player on a winning sports team. Here is a recent 2011 Survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In this economic climate it is not surprising that job security (63%) was in first place.  This was followed closely b... 06/03/2012

Hiring a salesperson seems to be one of the most problematic hires that a small business owner makes. The salesperson you hire can help you solidify your brand or can just as easily destroy it.  Unfortunately, many business owners feel that they have nothing to lose by hiring someone. I couldn’t disagree more.  I have even been told by one owner that he was just trying to have the most agents to increase credibility.  So I asked, “How’s that working out for you?” He told me that he the one doing most of the selling. You should have a clear understanding of your business and a clear goal in mind before interview your first candidate.  Write up a job description with activity and sales goals.  Make the goals realistic based on your knowledge of the business. Ask applicants questions about... 06/03/2012

There are many books written on sales and sales techniques.  You may have heard the saying “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.”  Well, the best way to do that is to make him thirsty by salting his oats.  When you have salted your prospect’s oats, so to speak, he will be thirsty for the benefits you offer and will want to make the buying commitment. The best way to get commitment is not to focus on selling!  Wow, really! Right!  You need to help your clients buy what they need.  That means that you are a problem solver and this puts you on the client’s side of the table.  You are an assistant buyer, using their money of course. Spend the majority of your time discovering your prospect’s wants and needs.  That means being a good listener but more importantly it me... 06/02/2012

Business Owners are looking for that silver bullet.  Unfortunately, that silver bullet does not exist.  We hear are about having a web site, search engine optimization (SEO), Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and other social media.   The fact is that these things alone may work for a business that is a commodity.  If you sell branded merchandise people know about it and want to find it fast.  Hence, I always use the Internet to find the best price on electronics, computers, and software.   Few of us fall into that category.  Most of us deliver value which in harder to measure.  Our customers are buying us and our company.   The best way for a value based business to market itself is through building relationships.  The web, SEO, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter will serve to nurture that rel... 06/01/2012

Many small businesses are started with the best intentions.  In many cases the business owner previously held a very successful position in corporate America. The  business owner has to make quite a shift from corporate executive to small business owner.     Although the owner has the skills or has learned them from buying a franchise or receiving a real estate license he or she will not be successful unless a plan of action is followed. Knowing what to do and doing it is two differenct things. Owners old and new struggle with executed their plans.  Let's face it.  We all can procrastinate in we do not have focus and accountability.   It is important for business owners to continue the habits that made them successful as employees. That mean setting up a written plan, following that pla... 06/01/2012

There is a difference between a consultant and a coach.  Which one do you need?  You should know the difference before you hire either one.  The best way of explaining the difference is by example.   Suppose you are teaching a child to ride a bicycle.  If you were to take the consultant approch you would start with PowerPoint sides explaining the aerodynamics and balance.  Then you would instruct the child step by step on what to do next.  A consultant will analyze your business and show you what you are doing wrong and show you how to correct it.   A coach will hold the bicycle as the child gets on but then he will encorage the child.  He will gradually remove his hands from the bicycle.  The child will waver and yes, the child will fall.  But the coach will encourage the child to get ... 05/31/2012

Or, in other words, are you and your team on the same page or singing from the same sheet of music?   Are you an executive or business owner who plans, sets goals, and measures results but somehow you don't have your team on the same page? If you have experienced this feeling you are probably running your organization as if you were driving your car with your emergency brake on. You move forward but not with speed that you want. And after a while you have worn down your brakes. How similar is that to running your organization with a drag on your performance?  If you and your team are not on the same page you will not achieve the highest results in your business. Worse yet, your best employees will feel frustrated and disengaged. They will underperform or they will leave.   Alignment of ... 05/30/2012

Here are some thoughts on procrastination recently shared with me by one of my Affiliates, Tammy Kohl   Procrastination, like all of your behaviors carries consequences. Whether your behavior is conscious or unconscious, you will eventually have to deal with the effects. Procrastination is something that we all have to confront and deal with from time to time. It's only natural to procrastinate at times, but the way you deal with your procrastination patterns will determine what effects procrastination has on your life.   One of the most obvious effects of procrastination is the failure to reap the rewards that would come from taking action. When you procrastinate you simply fail to take action on the very things you know will bring you the rewards that you desire. Although you know wha... 05/28/2012

  I am happy to introduce my client, Marshall Alarm Systems.  Marshall Alarm Systems is a well established and trusted business in Westchester County, NY.  This family owned business was started by Marshall Marinace in 1976.  Marshall started the business in his basement with the help of his wife and business partner, Michele.  Through hard work and exceeding their customers’ expectations Marshall Alarms has grown to become a prominent regional provider of all security related services.   The business has just added employees, upgraded systems, and moved to a larger location at 2014 Crompound Road (Roma Building).    Marshall is extremely proud of his business and its growth.  He has made a commitment to continue to be a major regional player in the business and fine residential securit... 05/08/2012

Of course, every sales person knows referral business is vitally important. But how do you generate enough referrals to triple your sales and commissions? That's easy, keep reading and we will share three sure fire steps to creating massive referrals for your business:   Wow your clients   In order to generate referral business you want to go out of your way to demonstrate a high level of service to EVERYONE who comes in contact with your business and not just clients.   Everyone who comes in contact with your business is a potential customer or referral source. You have had service people come into your office, see how you do business, and ask about your services. But how do you "wow" your clients and others to generate referral business?   Basically, you will need to be honest, knowle... 05/07/2012