NWFA Real Answers

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Chuck Capone of Charles J. Capone Associates, a concierge service that helps homeowners meet their construction project timelines, budgets and quality control goals. They discuss the role of the owner's representative on the job, the best way to work with them, and more.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Matt Bruno of Palermo Flooring to discuss tips on running a healthy and profitable small business, overcoming financial challenges, accounting advice, motivating staff, finding a work/life balance, and more. 

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, and how mentoring, business coaching, and his focus on self-improvement benefits his company and his staff, and more.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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's perspective,  the importance of keeping staff motivated, trained and enthusiastic, and more.

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's recent NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Orlando, Florida.

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.

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, and more.  (Recorded June 3, 2021)

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

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.

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

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's recent blog post on the topic...

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.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss how a simple note taking technique can prevent major headaches at a later date, and the importance of taking responsibility for your mistakes.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss how to effectively keep your composure, practice patience, and combat aggression, anxiety, and exhaustion.  They also focus on how to better meet the informational demands of your customers.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss customer communication issues, the importance of being reachable, potential pitfalls of social media, and give an important update about the 2021 NWFA Expo.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Sean Connolly, a Regional Vice President of Sales for Belknap White Group. They discuss the value of distributors, and the power and importance of the relationship between distributors and contractors.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss details of new PPP loans, and tips for budget planning and sales forecasting for 2021.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Jeff Doyle of Doyle Wood Flooring, who discusses subcontractors, and his unique approach to finding labor.  

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss planning for the future, Chris coping with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, and understanding changing customer expectations.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss new COVID-19 restrictions, advice on filling your business calendar, turning inventory into cash quickly, staffing considerations, and more.

Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, how certain equipment can give you an edge over your competition, online marketing advice, labor only vs. supply & install projects, and more.