Counting on You in 2009!

Wishing that you achieve all those goals!!!!

It's a NEW YEAR, a new adventure, a new beginning, a new opportunity - a time to let the tomorrows pass and look forward to 2009!

Abraham Lincoln once said,

"Most folks are just about as happy as they make up their minds they want to be."

Make up your mind to do something different, explore new avenues; be willing to change in 2009 if that is what it takes for you to be successful. 

Be sure you can COUNT on you for 2009!  Your method of success is Action with a capital A mixed with a lot of hard work  WalMart has a motto. Do it!  Try it!  Fix it! Do it again!  Not a bad approach and it still works.

2008 may not have been the best year that you can remember, but don't face 2009 with doom and gloom!  If you are sitting around and waiting for something to come your way, chances are it just won't happen!  Venture out into new territory.  Call designers and dealers who "sell" quality labor and "Sell YOU!"  Flooring is still being installed! 

Gary Bedrosian sent in ways of how The Kuske Company is adding services for their customers.  It is working.  Show commercial clients you care. Sell something EXTRA!  There's a large of group of firms who have received inferior labor and swear it won't happen to them again!  Find those folks!

Now is a great time to add to your skills.  What comes down; ALWAYS goes up!  You may be at the bottom of the hill, but WOW, look at the view from the top! Will you be prepared for the landslide of business that is going to hit?  Are you making those contacts now?

If I had it in my power, my wish would be that every CFI member and their families would never experience difficult times.  But, that�s not possible.  However, most of us have been there, done that and we did survive!  You will too!

Roy and Laurinda Davison sent us a Christmas card a few years ago with these words that is our wish for you in 2009!

Whatever you wish,

Whatever you dream,

Whatever you hope and believe...

Whatever you try for,

Whatever you plan,

May this be what you achieve!

And,don't forget the CFI motto,

"IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME!"

Here's to a great 2009!    ...Jim Walker

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A Story About Passion

Not too long ago, I received a frantic telephone call from a building contractor in another town.  He was at his "wit's end" - the installer who started the job kept putting him off, and then, when cornered, announced he wouldn't be coming back to finish the job at all.  The installation in question was a "high-end" whole residence remodeling.  The original installer had completed the upstairs, and when the contractor realized that the installer wasn't coming back, he scrambled to find another local installer to do the job.  However, when the second installer saw the sample (a much more difficult piece of carpet than that installed upstairs), he didn't show up either, which is where I entered the picture. 

Even though I was not from the area, the contractor knew me and my work.  In fact, I had done some work for him before.  On this job, however, the homeowner had lined up the first installer, and when he dropped out of the picture, the contractor didn�t even try to contact me, since he knew I almost always had a waiting list.  When he realized that no one wanted to touch the piece of goods they had, a low-profile patterned carpet that only an experienced trained installer would be comfortable working with, he called - almost begging to pay any sum to have me come take over the project.  And, as luck would have it, I had just had a job postponed due to the customer wanting to upgrade their pad, which had to be ordered.  This freed me up to help the contractor out of his dilemma.   

When I arrived at the jobsite, the homeowner greeted me with "open arms."  She was so relieved that I was able to come "save the day" and get her carpet installed before her furniture was delivered and before she had to leave town (this was her vacation home).  I made it clear that before she started thanking me, I needed to take a look at the carpet, a huge role located in a cold garage, and measure the job to make sure there was an adequate amount of carpet to do the job since their was a pattern to be matched.  That was when I had to gently break the news to her that this installation was not going to happen in one day as she had hoped.  I explained to her and the contractor about the type of carpet, the backing on the carpet, and the additional processes required in the installation of a patterned carpet.  She was hoping she could pile all the furniture in one room after it was installed, so I then had to explain why I couldn't do just one room given the layout of the house (the doorways were angled, construction of the carpet, pattern, etc.).  I related that the type of carpet and its construction dictated how it was to be installed.  I further explained that to install this piece of goods correctly I needed to tack-strip and pad and then, lay out the carpet so that it could acclimate at the very least overnight before the actual installation could begin.  Once I offered explanation for everything that needed to happen, she seemed excited about having such care taken with her property.

At this point, I looked up to see that the contractor had a big smile on his face, followed by his remark to the homeowner that he knew I liked carpet, but he didn't realize I was in love with it!  We all laughed, and a comment was made about me "romancing" the carpet.  I guess that's when I realized my passion for quality installation was evident to them as well.  I wasn't about to make any promises I couldn't keep in providing the quality job I knew my customers expect.    

WE ARE WHAT WE PROJECT!

Roy Davison, CFI President

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"If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't,

If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It�s almost a cinch that you won't!

If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out of the world we find,

Success begins with a fellow's will---
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are;
You must think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win that prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;

But sooner or later, the man who wins,
Is the ONE who THINKS HE CAN

Walter D. Wintle

CFI Chapter News

LOUISVILLE CFI CERTIFICATION and TRAINING a huge success!
John Shofner of the Louisville Chapter wrote, "This was one of our best events.  Everyone came to learn more and genuinely cared about adding to their skills and knowledge.  The excitement was visible as installers shared with each other.  It was a large training event and with everyone's help, CFI once again went above and beyond."

DELMARVA's BIG CHRISTMAS PARTY  
What a huge event and so much fun.  There were so many gifts donated that everyone went home with something great from the holiday party!  Roland says, "A BIG THANK YOU TO THE CFI ASSOCIATES!"   Lennox Bailey won the $300.00 scholarship for a CFI class.  Congratulations!

George Johnson, III showing off his door prize.

The display of great holiday prizes!

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Calendar of Events

January 7-8, 2009
Daytona Beach, Florida
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

January 7-8, 2009
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

January 13-14, 2009
Cincinnati, Ohio
Woven Installation Workshop
Full Class/Closed.

January 14-15, 2009
Irving, Texas
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

January 21, 2008
CFI Delmarva Chapter and Maryland & Northern Virginia FCA Person of the Year Honor Award Dinner - Honoring Junior Harris
www.delmarvacfi.org

January 21-22, 2009
Raleigh, North Carolina
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

January 21-22, 2009
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by USIG.  Closed Event.

January 28-29, 2009
Seattle, Washington
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

February 4-5, 2009
St. Louis, Missouri
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

February 11-12, 2009
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

February 13-14, 2009
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Carpet Installation Training & R I C I Certification, Advanced Certification also available.

February 18-19, 2009
San Marcos, California
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

February 20-21, 2009
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Carpet Installation Training & R I C I Certification, Advanced Certification also available.

February 20-21, 2009
Grand Island, Nebraska
Carpet Installation Training & R I C I Certification, Advanced Certification also available.

February 25-26, 2009
Omaha, Nebraska
Carpet Installation Training & Certification sponsored by Lowes.  Closed Event.

March 6-7, 2009
Charlottesville, VA
Carpet Installation Training & R I C I Certification, Advanced Certification also available.

CFI TRAINING!  Dealers are sponsoring more training events in January 2009 than were held in January of 2008!   It's amazing!  If you know of someone who is interested in hosting an event, have them contact us!  TRAINING PAYS BIG DIVIDENDS!

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New For 2009 - CFI Installation Tips!

Rita Bockrath, Marketing Director for Duo-Fast issues their challenge for 2009. 

Duo-Fast is sponsoring JANUARY with a Carpet Pro Electric Tacker and again in MAY with the Duo-Fast Hardwood Nailer/Stapler. 

During the entire month of January, the names of CFI installers who submit installation tips to cfiguy@earthlink.net to share with other installers will be entered into a drawing for the "Tool of the Month." 

Rita thought that it would be interesting to discover how the electric tacker can be professionally used in carpet installations, but send any tip that will help another installer.  So, here's your chance to win a great gift to start off the New Year. 

The winner will be announced on the first day of each month.  Manufacturers, we invite you to sponsor a month or maybe two in 2009.  Call (816) 231.4646 today!!!

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Happy New Year from Jim, Jane, Jimmy, Ed, John and Jill

CFI Friends News

JODI BLUEJACKET sends everyone big smiles and happiness from her to you for the New Year!!!  She's always thinking of someone besides herself.   Jodi enjoyed a few good days lately, but she has a big battle to fight.  Think of her EVERY day!!!!   She really appreciates the great cards and emails ------ keep them coming to cheer up her day!

STEVE SZACHON (GA) is so excited to be a grandfather for the 2^nd time that he is broadcasting this around the world!  His grandson, Michael Cash Smith was born Christmas Day.  His daughter experienced difficulty during the delivery, but he reports everyone is doing fine now. 

ED BRAILE (MO) sends his "thanks" for the 9-million phone calls he received on December 26^th for his birthday.  He always says that no one remembers his birthday, so... they did this year!

SCOTT TERRYBERRY (CO) came to Kansas City to visit his family over the holidays and stopped in to visit us.  He has a big government contract that is keeping him busy in the mountains.  Remember, he's the guy who delivers carpet on snowmobiles. 

DUEY and MIKE JOHNSON (ND) are really, really busy and will stay that way until March - yes in North Dakota!!!!! 

JON NAMBA spent 3 days in bed with the flu over the holidays.  He really sounds terrible!!!

BOB WAGNER and JERRY MURPHY of L. Fishman in Baltimore, really enjoyed the eNews about their new names.  Since Bob is the President, we wrote a very interesting article about Bob Murphy and Jerry Wagner.  Sounded good to us!

RALPH RICHINS recently spent 2 weeks in New York City and had a ball!  He loves the place.  In fact, so much so that he received 2 open-end tickets to NYC for the summer golf "something."

DAVE EDWARDS (MD) has retired!  Gee, we thought he was 30!  Congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful retirement.  Delmarva is going to miss this talent.  He is moving to New York where his daughter lives.

GARY BEDROSIAN (CA) of the Kuske Company sent us this note recently about how to add services for their customers...

"This is a job we did a few months ago for an orthodontist. With minimal investment you can make a good profit and add an additional service to your customer by offering protection and containment. My customer could not believe what we did to protect his walls and new fixtures. Since this install, we have carpeted his downtown condo and a rental house on the coast and now were working on his second office."

It is so great to hear from so many of you who are really busy!   Marketing those CFI skills has paid off!  Flooring materials are being purchased and someone is installing them.  Remember, dealers cannot afford a sloppy installation, so sell those skills and then, show everyone the CFI difference!

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How to Lose a Customer in Five Easy Steps

1. Be late. I'm not talking five minutes late, be an hour and a half late.

2. When you finally get there, do not apologize or offer any sort of an explanation. People like a little bit of mystery and unpredictability in their lives.

3. Take one look at their carpet and wonder aloud if this is the cheapest carpet the store had to offer. Remark at how dirty and stained it is. Tell your customer that her choice in carpet is terrible. Hey, you're the expert - go ahead and be snooty!

4. Rush your customer! You do not have time to find out where the customer's areas of concern are! You don't have time to add on services! You are just there to do a quick cleaning and get out of there!

5. At the end of the job, hand them the invoice and wait for them to write out the check. Don't give any aftercare instructions, don't tell them to call you with any questions and don't offer to come back if they need you to.   They've had this carpet awhile; they should already know how to take care of it.

If you follow these steps exactly, you should never hear from that customer again!

Now, obviously, I don't expect anyone to print out this list and follow the steps; just thought it was worth a bit of a chuckle.

We know there are businesses that do provide service this terrible on a regular basis - but they are not associated with CFI

Stolen from "CLEANING SOLUTIONS" 12-15-08

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Backing Chains Available for Sale

$35 for Members      $50 for Non-Members

Order Now!

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Fun Stuff

YOU MUST DO for a HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Dalai Lama

·    Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

·    When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

·    Follow the three R's: *Respect for self, *Respect for others,
and *Responsibility for all your actions.

·    Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

·    Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

·    Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

·    When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

·    Spend some time alone every day.

·    Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

·    Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

·    Live a good, honorable life.  Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

·    A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

·    In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

·    Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

·    Be gentle with the earth.

·    Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

·    Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

·    Judge your success by what you had to give up
in order to get it.

·    Approach love with reckless abandon.

·    LIVE A HAPPY LIFE!

Do you need a new leaf for 2009?

He came to my desk with a quivering lip - the lesson was done.  "Dear teacher, I want a new leaf," he said, "I've spoiled this one."  In place of the leaf so stained and blotted, I gave him a new one all unspotted, and into his sad eyes smiled --- "Do it better now, my child."

I went to the throne with a quivering soul, the old year was done.  "Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?  I have spoiled this one."  He took the leaf, stained and blotted, and gave me a new one all unspotted, and into my sad heart smiled----Do better now, my child."

Kathleen R. Wheeler

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived."

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