FCI Article Discussion: Professionalism

[TFP Admin]

I got my issue of FCI Magazine in the mail today. Found a great article that applies to far more than just installers. The article, Professionalism, by Jon Namba, appears in the May 2008 Troubleshooting Guide, beginning on page 38. It addresses a number of issues that are very important in today's business climate (important in any climate, at any time) and I thought it might make an interesting discussion.

What are your thoughts about professionalism? You needn't have read the article to have an opinion about this. What does it mean to you? How does it effect the industry in your corner of the world? What can we do to improve and promote it?

The article starts:

Excerpt from: Jon Namba What is professionalism? A state of mind? An action? A word? Organization?

Jon has some interesting questions to ask and points to make. I especially liked this bold statement:

Excerpt from: Jon Namba Professions have responsibilities to other professionals! That means manufacturers, retailers and installers working together. We are all equal partners for the overall satisfaction of the client who really deserves a professional.

This has been my feeling for a long time. It is the attitude I embraced to develop The Floor Pro Community website. It makes me proud to see how all of the members of TFP have worked so well together the past two years - and we bring so many segments of this industry together in our community. Less animosity, more cooperation and great strides in building those bridges and tearing down those walls.

Please offer your comments regarding this article. As I mentioned, you don't have to read the article to participate - surely you have an opinion on "Professionalism." If you want to read the article, you can pick up a copy of the magazine at your local flooring supply store. You can also subscribe for free to FCI Magazine by following this link: Floor Covering Installer Magazine Subscription or just visit the FCI website here: Floor Covering Installer

Some questions you may want to discuss and share your ideas about:

• What makes you a professional?
• What are the characteristics of a professional?
• What criteria do you consider important for a professional?
• How do you achieve professionalism?
• What is your attitude toward your work/career?
• What is the industry lacking in professionalism?
• Can you offer suggestions that will help others become professional on the job?

Jon addresses these very things, but it would be interesting to read your take - whether or not you read the article.

Thank you,

T

[Tandy Reeves]

I have not read the article yet, but would like to comment on one of John's points.
What is professionalism? A state of mind.
I think this is the foundation of a professional. They must hold themselves to a high standard in both what they say and do. A professional never allows himself to get down in the mud and wallow in order to draw attention to himself. A true professional is willing and ready to reach out to others to bring them to a higher level than they were before he helped them. The motivational speaker Zig Ziggler stated in his book "See You at The Top" "you can get anything in life you want if you help enough people get what they want". That should be the mind set of all professionals.

We all are examples to others. It is our choice whether it is a good or bad example.

[tony lamar]

I too believe professionalism to be a state of mind. Other things such as actions, clean apearances, neat vehicles, and even organizations, are a by-product of that state of mind. If you have truly achieved that state in your head, you wouldn't be able to wear questionable attire to a clients home or be rude or inconsiderate or do sloppy work, etc. I also agree with Tandy with regard to passing it on (which can lead to organizations). It's easier to maintain a higher level of professionalism when you're surrounded by other like minds and the more we pass it on, the more professionals there are around us. It feeds on itself. None of us would be on this path were it not for the good will and influence of others a bit futher along than us. In fact, FCI magazine and then later, the message board, and TFP are what really set me on this path to becoming better than I am. I had plateaued for a while and wasn't thrilled about that place. Then I became exposed to people in my field discussing things I'd never heard of. I've been steady catching up to them ever since.

[Barry Carlton]

change the order:
a state of mind
a word
an action
organization
Then repeat this is a cycle one leads to the other. Start at any one of these points and it will lead to the other and continue to grow in a cyclic manner, only to the benefit of yourself and those around you?

What I like about this article is that it is laid out in an outline format and being a public speaker on occasion myself, this would make an excellent outline for a public lecture.

barry

[Bud Cline]

Tandy Reeves: "I have not read the article yet, but would like to comment on one of John's points. What is professionalism? A state of mind. I think this is the foundation of a professional. They must hold themselves to a high standard in both what they say and do. A professional never allows himself to get down in the mud and wallow in order to draw attention to himself. A true professional is willing and ready to reach out to others to bring them to a higher level than they were before he helped them. The motivational speaker Zig Ziggler stated in his book "See You at The Top" "you can get anything in life you want if you help enough people get what they want". That should be the mind set of all professionals. We all are examples to others. It is our choice whether it is a good or bad example."

Well put, I couldn't agree more.
I have always enjoyed Mr. Namba's articles as well as all the other contributors to FCI Magazine.

Unfortunately...FCI Mag is no different than the CRI offerings or the TCNA offerings. The installers we all know of that don't know the "recommended standards" even exist are the very same installers that also don't know FCI Mag exists and of course have no opportunity to read any of the articles.

THEREFORE: The trade magazines are once again "preaching to the choir".

All of the related trade magazines could do us and the entire industry a great favor by doing more to get some basic information into the hands of all installers. Not an easy task I'll admit but it can be done.

The recent Tulsa "Bridges" Workshop sponsored by F.I.T.S and TFP is a good example of an organization that could spawn a movement to make more installers more aware. The trade magazines could be very helpful if they only would. The magazines are great the articles are great the authors of the articles are super qualified and well spoken. But, it is the same guys month after month saying the same things month after month to the same readers month after month.

The trades seem to ignore some basic needs of the industry and seem to cater to their own machinery and contributors and advertisers that pay for ads.

This is why I publicly applauded FCI Mag when the article by Selva Lee Tucker appeared. Mr. Tucker's article was one of the first I had ever seen in that publication that wasn't clad in BNP gold leaf. I viewed that article as a great beginning and was hoping to see more more realistic articles published in the future. I am sure it was Mr. Tucker's article in FCI Mag that inspired the first "Tulsa Building Bridges Workshop". An inspiration that I hope to see live-on for a long time.

OK OK OK, I'm rambling so I'll back up and sit down for now.

[cproader]

Not quite sure how to respond to this topic. I am not what I would call a true professional. I am not business minded in any way, nor do I ever intend on being such. I am simply a guy who grew up working with dad and grampa, and continued in the trade because of a deeply profound love for what I do. I don't even need to work. I work simply for the challenges and satisfaction I get from turning something ugly into something beautiful. I continue to demand higher wages for my talents not because I need it but to continue to keep the pricing in my area up for the next generation of installer. If I had to define professionalism to you guys, I would probably point to one of many on this site. Maybe the way he expresses himself or his manner of writing but the guy I am thinking of right now is our own....Perry Wright....the guy just wreaks of professionalism......

[Peter Kodner]

I'm hoping you meant REEKS (smells) not wreaks (destroys), as in wreaks havoc

[cproader]

Peter Kodner said I'm hoping you meant REEKS (smells) not wreaks (destroys), as in wreaks havoc

.....................:b rick:

[Jerry Thomas]

I always look forward to getting that magazine. I just got done reading Jon Namba's article. What he outlines is pretty much describing me and how I try to conduct myself and my small self employment "business". It's not really a business.... I'm just trying to feed the family if the truth be known.

I wish to address his last paragraph , to paraphrase..... "now you have the opportunity to raise the level of professionalism for yourself and the industry. So do your part......". I am already doing my part sir, what I want to see is for FCI to take a good hard look at home. I am referring to the FCI message board which I have been reading for many years now. That board used to be good and had many professionals from all the trades sharing their views and opinions.

I remember one guy in particular who stumbled in there long ago and commented that he disposed of old razor blades by leaving them under the carpet he was installing. That guy caught hell far awhile and he finally woke up and is now considered to be a true professional in this flooring trade.

For the last 2 to 3 years that message board has disintegrated to a vile place to go with nothing but insults and name calling. Do you or anyone connected with FCI consider that to be professional? To me , personally. it has become a disgrace. I know that Dan Lipman is now back with FCI and all you guys must get your own house in order. To allow that to happen to a professionals forum or message board without interceding and making needed changes board is 100% inexcusable to me.
Make Jerry happy and get that place back to what it is supposed to be and should be...... PROFESSIONAL..

[steve h]

Professionalism state of mind! In my case came from my upbringing my father always told me. Anything worth doing is worth doing right and from that point and my time in the Marine Corps built on that. And then my union training in this industry also reinforced what I needed to be a professional. That is stay educated, make sure my appearance was always professional and included all my equipment, transportation. Now as for appearance. I kind of broke all the rules. I wore shorts to work in, because they were the most comfortable working that also included the time that I lived in Flagstaff even when it snowed. I had waist length hair, and I always wore golf shirts you with my company name or after and certified by CFI shirts with their logos on. But professionalism is a state of mind and every one at TFP has shown nothing but professionalism, and I enjoy being around the group. I have not read Jon's article as of yet, but I will be my first read tomorrow morning. I've know Jon for a few years, and I admire his accomplishments.

HAVE A GREAT DAY

[Harry Myers]

Personally knowing Jon and Suzy great couple. I love them folks. We always laugh and have a good time together. Jon is just so smart and is truly a unique indivisual to the carpet industry. When he talks you have to listen.