New Members

[FlooringGirl]

I'm kind of excited about this - my Stainmaster rep was given a business card from this site and is pretty anxious to be a member! She asked for another one to give to her coworker! We need to figure out more ways to get members and also to pull in consumers ...

I'm working on a flyer to be passed around at the upcoming Carpet One seminar. We need everyone we can get! Anyone have ideas about getting more consumers to the site?

Tia

[DJ]

how is a "professional" defined from a "want to be/diy'er" to join the pro forum. the majority here are "real installers". not "office jockeys/sales reps".

[TFP Admin]

Topic sponsored by:

To qualify for pro status on TFP the member has to be currently or retired from any segment of the flooring industry. Any segment is exactly the criteria - not just installers, inspectors, manufacturers, retailers - ANY part of the industry the person works in. If you are the accountant for a retailer, the person who sweeps out the warehouse of the distributor, the driver of the freight truck that makes deliveries for the manufacturer, the helper for the installer or the executive secretary for the CEO of the company that makes the display racks in the showroom, you are qualified for access to our pro forums.

The majority of the members are NOT installers. More installers participate here than other segments of the industry, but they are by no means the majority. And many of those installers are also retailers or inspectors or hold other positions in the industry. To even think The Floor Pro Community favors the installer over any other segment would be a false assumption. A "floor pro" is not exclusive to installations at all and one of our purposes here is to embrace all segments of the industry in order to foster communications, cooperation and shared goals. The usual reaction of those who feel their particular segment of the industry is more important or better than any other segment is one of disappointment. Success in this industry does not come from isolation, frustration does.

Jim

[DJ]

how do they prove they are pros? how does the administration find proof? i didn't mean tfp favors installers it just seems/reads like most here are installers which is great! i like both aspects of the trade as i am getting into sales.

[TFP Admin]

Topic sponsored by:

There's no sure-fire proof on the internet. I most often just take the word of the member as all the proof I need. However, there are certain signs that a member just wants to have access because they think we are hiding something really juicy. If the member uses a throw-away email address (gmail, yahoo, hotmail, live.com, etc.), doesn't provide me with any indication of being a professional (an entire email message I got today: "lemmme in"), claims to be the owner of a company, but doesn't seem to know common flooring terminology or uses a member name of a recognized individual but none of the info they provide matches that person, they are told they will have to provide further proof.

I very, very rarely make a phone call, but I have done it in the past. Someone from Arizona registered using the owner of an Arizona carpet company's name and I was suspicious. I called and found that person never even used a computer. Once in a while I check the IP address the member used when they join to see if it matches where they claim to be from - we get a few that use IP cloaking services or just want me to believe they live in Florida when their IP says they are in Alaska.

Some non-pros sneak in, but they don't usually last long, or they look around, discover our conversations really aren't all that juicy and never bother to come back. But I think most of the pros are who they say they are. I don't ask for a resume, although some give one. I don't even ask for phone numbers or any personal information. All I ask is an indication that they are flooring professionals. Access is pretty easy to get, but I don't hand it out to those who obviously aren't. If a member knows how to read my welcome message and answer my request for a little info and maybe some fill in the blanks on the profile, they get access usually within no more than a few hours of joining. I check my email many times throughout the day and the system tells me each time someone registers. Sometimes they don't even have to reply to my welcome message. If their email address is from a pro website and they have provided some info in their profile, I try to add their access before they even ask for it.

Jim

[FlooringGirl]

I'm a little confused and kind of upset by this:

DJ said The majority here are "real installers". not "office jockeys/sales reps".

Although some unreal installers might slip through the cracks and spend their time here trying to learn something from the real ones, what is wrong with any type of flooring person sharing on these forums?

I don't know what you mean by an "office jockey", but the people in our office are of invaluable assistance with pricing, spec sheets, claims, etc. They are the backbone.

When you comment about sales reps, I have to consider the complete contradiction of your next comment:

DJ said How do they prove they are pros? How does the administration find proof? I like both aspects of the trade as I am getting into sales.

Jim explained very well his verification process, and he does a great job. Didn't you go through it once yourself?

Then, you say you like both aspects of the trade because you are getting into sales. That was a complete slap after you didn't appreciate sales reps to join over installers. Let me tell you, if you are going into sales and can have a Stainmaster/Invista rep teach you about trilobal fibers, and so on, you'll be a much better salesperson. You have to understand the products completely when Mr. HardAss asks.

There are a lot of installers who think they know enough about flooring by working with it to sell it. Many do. Others have no clue at all about the specifics and important technical information. Any time you can get free learning from experienced people, it's a bonus!

Tia

[TFP Admin]

FlooringGirl said Jim explained very well his verification process, and he does a great job. Didn't you go through it once yourself?

I knew DJ and most of the members who joined the first week or two. We also didn't have private, pro only forums right away. It was voted on a couple weeks later and then, after overwhelming approval, The Professional Forums were made private. Not all the forums in that category are see forum but not read forum. There are some that can be read, but not participated in by anyone but pros.

These are the forums that only flooring professionals can read and participate in:

• The Business End of the Floorcovering Business
• Carpet Sales and Installations
• Sheet Vinyl, Rubber & VCT Sales and Installations
• Hardwood & Laminate Sales and Installations
• Ceramic & Stone Sales and Installations
• Flooring Inspection Services
• Cleaning & Restoration Services
• Building Bridges

These are forums that anyone can read, but only pros can participate in:

• Flooring Potpourri
• Spotlight on Professionalism
• Tools, Equipment and Supplies
• Industry Training & Organizations
• Training News & Announcements

TFP also hosts message boards for organizations that are private and for members of those organizations only. We currently have only 2, but the invitation is open to any recognized flooring organization or entity that would like a free message board for their members. They get all the benefits of pro membership here, plus a Personal Message board to discuss membership business. Even staff members cannot access those forums, with the exception of lead moderators and myself, but only for administrative purposes. We are not allowed to participate in any of their discussions unless specifically asked to respond to an issue. A member of their organization is chosen to be the forum moderator for that group and has the power to do whatever any moderator on other forums can do. That person is also in charge of who gets access to that forum. Here are the two we host currently:

• FITS Certified
• CFI

Lastly, there is one forum that anyone can participate in, but it is primarily set up for the use of pros:

• Buy & Sell Flooring Tools and Equipment

Ya just never know who will have a tool for sale or who will want to buy one, so I made sure there was plenty of opportunity.

Jim

[FlooringGirl]

TFP Admin said I knew DJ and most of the members who joined the first week or two. We also didn't have private, pro only forums right away. It was voted on a couple weeks later and then, after overwhelming approval, The Professional Forums were made private. Jim

Sorry ... I already mentioned somewhere else that I was being kinda rough about a couple things. Starting this site was a great blessing, and we need to build it. Also, Jim you are on a great roll about explaining things today!!

Tia

[stullis]

It sure would be nice if more of the sales reps would share info about their products.

[FlooringGirl]

stullis said It sure would be nice if more of the sales reps would share info about their products.

They do if you are around them and allow them to! I think we need some of their expertise around here, don't you?

Tia

[Peter Kodner]

Most manufacturers do not want their employees involved in internet boards. I believe there is concern about inaccurate or proprietary information being shared. There is also a legal paranoia about creating any liability about something an employee writes.

I have spoken to several of the management folks at manufacturing companies over the last couple of years and they frown on any participation.

This said, I am also quite sure they read these boards even if they do not respond.

I know at least one case of a rep joining under a pseudonym. Won't mention any names but I had a few "issues" with him...

I'm all for anyone in any aspect of the industry being involved here. The more information we can pass on the better the entire industry becomes.

Tia, I wouldn't give a second thought to DJ comment. I have yet to meet an installer who did not learn something from me and I make no secret I have never earned my livelihood installing. Don't misunderstand, I often learn a lot from installers too! The fact is, in my normal course of doing my job (and previous job in particular), I had access to people, places and things no installer ever will. No good, not bad, just the facts. My skills and talents are in another part of the industry and enable me to be be of help under a multitude of circumstances.

Last, where would the installations come from is the sales people aren't doing their jobs? An absolutely necessary part of the whole equation IMHO.

[FlooringGirl]

Peter,

With due respect, we all sign papers stating that if we're involved in blogging, internet message boards, anything to do with the business online, etc., that we have certain responsibilities.

These folks do want their subordinates involved, as long as it is appropriate.

Giggling here, as someday I may be the one in charge, and may be more closely monitoring, HAHA!

Tia

[stullis]

FlooringGirl said They do if you are around them and allow them to! I think we need some of their expertise around here, don't you? Tia

It is more like pulling teeth to get information out of them.

[rusty baker]

When I was managing a store we bought mostly from distributors. Their reps would tell you what they could. But mill reps were not helpful at all.

[pblnslee]

FlooringGirl said Peter, With due respect, we all sign papers stating that if we're involved in blogging, internet message boards, anything to do with the business online, etc., that we have certain responsibilities. Tia

I didnt get them papers