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Hardwood Blog
Perspectives and insights on the hardwood lumber industry.
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Wednesday, 25 August 2021 13:03
Establishing a Culture of Innovation
Oftentimes, new business innovations, ideas, etc. fall on the business owner's or leader's shoulders as they are tasked with generating a solution to organizational challenges. However, those individuals typically already have a lot on their plate, and finding time to generate inventive ideas can be difficult. At American Lumber, we make every effort to open our minds to new ideas, where ever they may originate. Whether it be a suggestion for a new hardwood lumber…
Wednesday, 21 July 2021 17:36
Get to know Red Grandis
For some time, American Lumber has been proud to offer a variety of tropical hardwoods. One of these is Red Grandis. Red Grandis is a plantation-grown species that is grown in the North-Western part of Uruguay. It is 100% FSC certified and the supplier does a fantastic job managing this product and resource. When looking at the physical characteristics of Red Grandis a few things stand out. The coloration of the heartwood on Red Grandis…
Wednesday, 23 June 2021 16:41
Tips on Setting Goals for Employees and Businesses
Whether you are in the hardwood or any other industry, setting goals for the future is always a good idea! Sometimes coming up with goals, to begin with, can be challenging, and to compound matters, many organizations (and people) typically fall short of seeing these goals through to completion. At American Lumber, we believe that it is important to assess where we stand today and set strong goals for the future. In pursuit of that…
Wednesday, 12 May 2021 17:55
What are some key differences between Red Oak and White Oak?
Red Oak and White Oak are both beautiful hardwoods. Each with its own niche in the industry. Both of these species can be used in a vast variety of finished products, from flooring to furniture, and more. But how can you tell the difference between the two? And which species would work best in your specific application? A seasoned hardwood lumber expert would most likely tell you that there is quite a bit of differentiation…
Wednesday, 21 April 2021 16:49
Assessing your Company's Strengths and Shortcomings
As a business leader, understanding your company’s strengths and weaknesses makes a big difference in assessing where your business stands in the marketplace. It may sound simple, but often people’s perspective is clouded by preconceptions, biases, hopes, and other factors—often times making it difficult to get a true reading on where a business stands. At American Lumber, we believe in evaluating the many components that go into our company’s success. If something doesn’t go as…
Wednesday, 17 March 2021 17:47
Why North American Hardwoods are the Responsible Choice
There is no doubt that when you step back and take a look at the hardwood lumber industry as a whole it truly is a unique and rewarding industry to be in. Some people enjoy the challenges and complexity of the industry, others may enjoy the relationships that can be built, or even the global nature of the business. Whatever the reason, it is clear that the hardwood lumber industry a ton to offer. This…
Wednesday, 17 February 2021 19:12
Improving Customer Data Protection
It has always been important for businesses to protect the confidential information of their customers. However, as technology further weaves its way into the way business is conducted, diligence in this area is crucial. One can never truly predict what new hacking techniques will emerge, but it’s a safe bet that cybercriminals will actively look for ways to steal sensitive information regarding both you, your business, and your customers. That is why it is your…
Wednesday, 20 January 2021 15:49
Adding a Personal Touch in a High-Tech World
The sales process can oftentimes be complicated. As a result, businesses may end up focusing too much on automated operations to keep things moving. But this often falls short of that all-important personal touch. Here at American Lumber, we understand that everything from a phone call to a web ad contributes to a customer’s perception and overall experience and that every touchpoint with the customer should be positive and make them feel valued. Here are…
Wednesday, 23 December 2020 13:41
Gathering Customer Feedback
Strong relationships with customers are built over a long period of time. In order to build those relationships, it requires a deep understanding of how you can meet the needs of both new and existing customers. By understanding their needs, it gives you the opportunity to build that relationship and earn customer’s loyalty well into the future. At American Lumber, we value all of our customers. We place great importance on continuously striving to meet…
Wednesday, 11 November 2020 16:49
Creating a Culture of Diversity within your Organization
Many business leaders are coming to find that diversity in the workplace is great for business. The more diverse your workforce the better your organization will be in understanding the needs of both customers and employees. Diversity brings the possibility of new perspectives and personalities to your business and your workplace in general, allowing you to better adapt as challenges arise. Here at American Lumber, we strive to embrace a hiring policy that embraces all…
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Monday, 26 October 2020 16:28
Why is Delegation So Hard for Business Leaders?
Many business leaders struggle with the issue of delegating tasks to team members at one point or another. Especially in the cases of leaders who started out as entrepreneurs, it can be difficult to work past the mindset that “I’m am the only one who knows how to get this done!” Often times, a consequence of this is business inefficiencies. Important but routine tasks can get overlooked, and key responsibilities can go unaddressed. Work goes…
Monday, 14 September 2020 17:05
Encouraging Innovative Thinking and Creativity Within your Team
In terms of creativity, many businesses overlook a significant asset they already have on hand, their employees! It stands to reason that more likely than not, the people who know the most about the company are the people that work there, and can offer creative solutions and ideas in an environment that places an emphasis on that. At American Lumber, we have long been an advocate for employee creativity within our organization. Here are a…
Wednesday, 26 August 2020 13:51
Knowing Customers’ Needs
Especially in times like these knowing your customers is important. Working on current knowledge of your customers is even more crucial. If you aren’t working on updated knowledge of your customers’ wants and needs your offerings may come up short. While the obvious benefit of boosting sales is important, it is even more essential that you understand the problems your customers are up against, and how your products and services can solve their problems. At…
Monday, 27 July 2020 16:38
Building Trust with Prospective Customers
While tending to the needs of your current customers who purchase your company’s products and services is important, so is the need to build relationships with prospective customers. Strong relationships are built on trust, so how can you establish a foundation of trust that allows businesses to feel comfortable enough to respond to your marketing efforts? Typically, one of the best points to start at is by establishing a customer-centric culture in your business. While…