Hardwood Blog

Perspectives and insights on the hardwood lumber industry.                     

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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Wednesday, 10 June 2020 14:11

Avoiding Miscommuncation in the Workplace

Clear and concise communication is a big challenge for all of us these days, especially with the increased amount of remote work due to the current situation around the globe. But when miscommunication occurs in the workplace, it can cause damage that could be measured in a variety of ways, sometimes even in your company’s bottom line. This can come about in a variety of ways, like instances of employees not understanding what is expected…
Thursday, 21 May 2020 15:54

Keeping Employees Engaged

Helping employees keep motivation is a year-long objective for pretty much any business. But sometimes in the face of unexpected challenges, this can sometimes prove to be an extra challenge. In these and similar circumstances, workers sometimes can become less productive or otherwise have a sense of decreased motivation at their jobs. At American Lumber, we believe it is important to help employees maintain their motivation no matter what challenges present themselves. With this in…