June 2011 Table of Contents

Featured Articles
Bostitch N62FNK-2 15-gauge fi nish nailer

The N62FNK-2 15-gauge finish nailer is ideal for installing door and window casings, trim, and molding, and for other woodworking applications. Read more

Jeld-Wen Custom Wood Line windows and doors

Part of the Custom Wood Line, reclaimed wood windows and doors are made from Douglas fir originally used for fencing, barns, houses, and factories. Read more

Atlantic Premium ProSeries shutters

Hand-assembled from exterior grade composite wood, ProSeries shutters come factoryprimed and ready to paint. Read more

Ryobi 10-inch Portable Table Saw

The 10-inch Portable Table Saw conveniently rolls into place at the jobsite and back to the truck when finished. Read more

Oldcastle Architectural Suretouch polystyrene backer panels

Unlike other stone veneer systems that require puzzle-solving skills, Suretouch incorporates insulating polystyrene backer panels with modular spacing designed to accommodate one of the system's stone or brick profiles. Read more

Fiberon Post and Rail fencing

The open, informal look of a wooden rail fence is now available in composite. Read more

Decra Shake XD stone-coated steel panels

At 150 pounds per square, Decra stone-coated steel Shake XD panels are lighter than their composition and durability suggest. Read more

Ply Gem Mastic Home Exteriors insulated vinyl siding

Structure EPS insulated vinyl siding can boost a wall's R-value by 25% and help cut down on exterior noise. Read more

Market To the Homeowner's Needs

When you're creating a marketing campaign, bear in mind that what people want to know about your company and its products is how these can fill their needs. Read more

Control Company Credit Card Use

The convenience of company credit cards can leave you open to loss or abuse if those cards are not tightly managed. Read more

Lead Regulations Check List

What you need to have on file if the EPA, or a state agency, wants to know if you're following lead safe renovation procedures. Read more

Background Checks Screen Potential Problem Employee

A thorough background and credit check helps prevent you from taking on the employee whose hiring you later regret. Read more

Free Gutter Cleaning Gets Home Improvement Company New Business

A service offered annually to past customers reconnects this Cape Cod company with homeowners who used its services previously, and may need such services again. Read more

Sales Leads Are Whose Business?

It can help salespeople to know where the lead came from. Or, in some cases, it can cause them to take that appointment less seriously than they should. Read more

Can Canvassers Sell?

Some home improvement companies see their canvassing teams as potential recruiting grounds for the sales force. Read more

Great Salespeople Know When To Keep Their Mouths Shut

The salesperson who can't stop talking does himself no favor. Here are some suggestions for breaking that bad habit. Read more

Sell The Facts on Energy Savings

Homeowners can be sold on modest increases in energy efficiency, provided you back your promises with data. Read more

Certification Means Credibility in Home Performance Contracting

Being certified as a home performance contractor, with certified personnel to perform the work, gives companies a big advantage in selling energy retrofits. Read more

Re-Energized

Demand for energy efficient improvements is somewhat cyclical. But the long term trend is up and that won't change. Read more

Internet Marketing Key To Future Dominance

The rapidly evolving role of the Internet in home improvement marketing is forcing some companies to re-think the way they allocate promotional budgets. Read more

Harried Window Customers Buy In Tranquility From Him

Zen Windows, in Columbus, Ohio, has forged a reputation by proclaiming it will do everything right that other window replacement companies do wrong. Read more

Pitch Your Products From A Screen

Selling a home improvement project will always depend on the interpersonal skills of the salesman, but the newest generation of digital sales aids can make a dramatic difference in close rate. With lead costs up and digital costs shrinking, here's what moving from pitch book to laptop could do for you. Read more

Set Goals For New Sales Hires

New sales hires usually have a limited time in which they must produce. Good managers do everything in their power to help them meet those goals. Read more

End Excessive Sales Turnover

Excessive sales turnover is usually the result of improper selection of new hires or improper management of the sales force. Read more

How Homeowners Should Prepare For That Window Crew

Customers need to know what's expected of them before your window installers arrive. Read more

Present That Deck With All The Options

The best strategy for selling an upper end deck is not to start at the bottom and try to convince homeowners of options but to start with all the options and let them choose which they'd like to discard or can't afford. Read more

Foam Backed Siding Makes The Case For Energy Efficiency

Homeowner concerns about energy savings and fuel efficiency are making insulated siding more attractive to siding contractors. Read more

What Does A Lifetime Warranty Actually Mean?

Some roofing contractors follow the lead of manufacturers in offering warranties of 10 years or more. Read more

Champion CEO Manes Says Energy Efficiency Still Drives Window Demand

The Ohio company makes and sells its own windows through a network of dealers across the country. Energy efficiency remains a prime sales point. Read more

Homeowners Once More Want Energy Efficient Improvements

The trend that sees homeowners staying in their current homes rather than moving can only feed demand for the kind of products that allow those homes to consume energy in a functionally efficient way. Read more

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