Nominate Your Associates!
Paramount Granite Company was honored to be last years, 2006, recipient of the COTY award for Specialty Contractor of the year. The COTY awards were established in 1997 through NARI, to establish pride and accomplishment for its members. Last year, in addition to recognizing contractors, 2 new awards were established. The Specialty Contractor of the Year award was established to give tribute to sub contractors. The Supplier of the Year award was established to give tribute to suppliers.
While the the NARI organization was originally established as a networking group for remodelers in the building industry, it has grown over the years to include sub contractors and suppliers, as well as professional organizations. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of the COTY planning committee, which decided to add a third award for 2007, Professional Service Provider of the year to recognize professional services.
While it is important to recognize contractors for their hard work, why not recognize a sub contractor, supplier, or professional service provider who is actively involved in NARI and works with you? Nominate them for:
It is easy to do. Just fill out a COTY Nomination form and return it by fax to the NARI office at 612-332-7854 before September 25, 2007. Your fellow associate members will be glad you did.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Following are some photos from today’s COTY committee meeting:
Posted in Company, Industry News, Business on September 12th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Less is more!
To me, fall is a time to get back into a routine and get organized again. The kids are back at school, the weekend cabin life is winding down and the the warm summer breeze is fast fading to a brisk fall chill. For me, the need to organize often stems from things that have gone by the wayside over a period of time and the idea that when this gets done, I can do that, or have time for this.
We all have things that we want to eliminate, or change in our lives, because they drain our energy, but getting started is sometimes hard to do. I recently read, “When less is more,” an article found in the September 2007 issue of Body + Soul magazine, by Cheryl Richardson, that talked about “addition by subtraction,” a formula she uses to help people add more joy to their lives. I found the article interesting and useful and wanted to share some of her points. Listed below are 5 steps to addition by subtraction:
Addition By Subtraction:
- Enlist a partner: Enlist a friend to help you through the process and support you.
- Make an “Add” list: Before subtracting anything from your life, write down 3 goals that you’d like to achieve.
- Subtract: Make another list of 3 things that you’d like to get rid of in your life that drain your energy, etc.
- Take Action: Break each subtraction item down into smaller tasks that you can accomplish over a period of time. (e.g. 1 month)
- Greet the additions: Celebrate what you’ve accomplished. e.g. If you cleaned and organized your closet, or garage, invite a friend over to see your accomplishments, or go out to dinner to celebrate. Feel the sense of relief and the weight being lifted off your shoulders. Watch to see what shows up in your life, as you get rid of some of your negatives.
Could you use the “addition by subtraction” formula in your life?
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized, Business on September 11th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Recipe: Walleye With Relish
Here’s another recipe compliments of Troy, our Lead Installer. When he’s not out installing granite countertops at PGC, he’s enjoys cooking as one of his hobbies. This one is fantastic and is easy to prepare and delicious! Thank you Troy!
Walleye With Relish
4 Qty. 6 oz.walleye fillets brushed with olive oil and seasoned to taste
Walleye Baste
2 cloves garlic minced
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. Hot sauce
1 tsp. dijon mustard
Relish
1 avacado pieced and diced
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 Tbsp. lime juice
2 cloves garlic
salt & pepper to taste
Mix above ingredients together in a bowl. Grill fish 3 minutes per side, basting mixture frequently. To serve, spoon relish on serving plates. Top with fish and a few sprigs of cilantro. Serve with warm garlic, or cheese bread.
Enjoy!
Thanks for reading!
Barb
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Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on September 7th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Team Effort
I’ve said it before, it takes a team effort to provide great customer service, and produce, deliver, and install a quality product. Over the years, we’ve developed a strong, committed team who are devoted to meeting your granite countertop fabrication and installation needs. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the newest member of our team, Brad Lein, as our newest Sales Representative. He will be working along our Customer Service staff to help serve you.
Brad has over four years of sales experience working in the Wireless Phone field and is eager to learn about granite countertops and the natural stone industry. Brad has been doing some training in the office, but will be out on the road before you know it. Please extend a warm welcome to him when you speak to him on the phone, or meet him at a NARI, or BATC function, or out in the field. Brad’s e-mail is blein@paramountgranite.com
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Following are some photos of the “Dynamic Duo”:
Posted in Granite, Company on September 5th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
What’s the real objection?
With more competition and a slower market, a little more aggressiveness and follow up are a necessity when it comes to winning a sale. While beating on doors is a great way to introduce yourself, promote your products, and answer questions, getting the customer to sign on the line often takes a little more effort by a sales person.
Getting drawings, or the opportunity to bid a job is important, but it is only the first step to a sale. The other step involves follow up, asking the potential customer if they have questions regarding the bid, do they understand it, etc. and finally… what it might take for them to close the sale. While this may process may sound straight forward, many customers have objections. A common objection is, “I want to think about it.” This objection, however, can have a variety of meanings.
I recently read, “They don’t think about buying from you,” an article published in the July 2007 issue of Qualified Remodeler magazine that contained a list of questions to help a sales person get to a customers real objection that I found very useful. They are listed below:
Objection: “I want to think about it.”
- I understand wanting to think about it. May I ask, what else do you need to consider in order to make this decision?
- How do you typically make a decision like this?
- What part of what we’ve discussed so far are you still not 100 percent comfortable with and is still in question for you?
- May I ask, what else do you need to weigh in order to feel confident this is the right solution for you?
- It’s great to hear you are that interested. Based on what I’ve shown you, can you share with me what you’re most excited about?
Are your sales reps getting to the real objection and overcoming it?
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized, Company, Business, Marketing on September 4th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
