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Armonk, NY Real Estate News

By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
A Special Opportunity for Clients and Friends of Performance Development Strategies To any of my Active Rain Friends, I invite you to hear about a variety of topics ranging from business interruption strategies to business sustainability.       Free Seminar - Breakfast Served   Thursday, November 15, 2012   7:30am to 10:30am   Hyatt Suites   101 Corporate Park Drive   White Plains, NY  10604       Join Grant Schneider and five business professionals from the Hudson Valley Business Consortium as we discuss new techniques in business and technology.   Leave the seminar with new ideas on how to improve your business       Please register and get the full brochure here.   Contact us to learn more how we can provide the tools and process necessary to achieve more goals, more often, in order ...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Hardwood floor refinishing - Frequently asked questions - Westchester County Q. How long does it take to refinish hardwood floors from start to finish? This depends on what type of polyurethane you are using -oil based or water based. Oil based tends to take longer - often 3-4 days plus drying time (longer if for larger jobs) and water based tends to dry faster, so it's often 2 days (longer for larger jobs). Click here for a full explanation on how long does it take to refinish hardwood floor? Click here for a full explanation on water vs oil based polyurethane.   Q. What if my hardwood floors are currently covered with carpet, vinyl, tile or laminate? We will remove and haul away flooring materials that are currently on top your hardwood as well as prep and/or repair the exposed hardwo...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
If you have read Jim Collin’s book “Good to Great” you know about how companies become great companies.  Collins surveyed companies and found that their greatness was not due to a special sauce or a great product but rather because of the people in the organization.  It all starts with high quality, high performing employees.  Collins refers to this as getting the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats. Many companies find that selecting and hiring of the right employee is a daunting task.  Some people just hire anyone who applies or, at best, may ask a few quick questions before making an offer.  Hiring the wrong person can be costly but hiring high performing employees will result in helping your organization meet its goals and w...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” Think about this quote as it relates to the business world.  All organizations have a great number of individual stars or top performers – employees who are skilled and knowledgeable and have the necessary attitudes and behaviors to accomplish anything they desire, yet the organization is coming up short on their results. According to Suzanne Willis Zoglio, Ph.D. author of 7 Keys to Building Great Work teams, there are seven elements that high performing teams have in common.  The first element is Commitment. Commitment is being committed to the vision of the organization. All team members are focused...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Radiant heated floors | Armonk NY 10504 | Perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, basement and sun rooms Are your feet cold in the winter?  If you have tile floors or rooms that tend to be cold in the winter, radiant heat flooring may be a great option for you.  Heated floors provide a level of comfort and luxury and once you've experienced them, you'll never want to go back!  They are the perfect addition to your home in Armonk. If you are installing new floors for your home in Armonk NY, consider adding radiant heat.  Whether it's tile flooring (ceramic, porcelain, natural stone), hardwood, laminate and floating floors, cork or even carpet, radiant heated floors are a wonderful option.  The experts at Floor Coverings International can help you find the both ideal flooring for you and the rig...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Everyone in your organization plays an important role in its success.  You see that in sports but it is equally important in creating success in your organization.  In our business climate it is not enough to be good, you must exceed expectations.  Everyone has different talents and it is important to leverage those talents.  The power of your team is only as effective as your weakest link. To begin with creating a winning team begins with creating a culture that allows your employees to challenge, to question, and to create.  Get to know all of your team.  Don’t just spend time with people with whom you are comfortable or those with seniority and experience.  For example, some may be selected for their big picture systematic thinking and planning.  Some may be selected for their attent...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
What is the difference between working IN your business and working ON your business? The answer is “more growth”.  Let’s say you want to open a restaurant because you are a great cook and really love to cook.  If that is your primary reason I would suggest that you get a job as a chef at a restaurant.  If you want to open a restaurant you need to manage and understand all elements of that business, but primarily, be able to manage and hold you employees accountable. I have a client who had built a very successful home services business.  He did the sales and his wife did the bookkeeping.  He hired service staff to work with him.  He has a successful business but has hit a growth roadblock.  How many proposals can he do in one day?  How many follow-up calls can he take from his telephon...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Refinishing hardwood floors in Armonk NY - Everything you ever wanted to know about sanding your floors. Refinishing your hardwood floors can have a huge impact on your Armonk home. You will be amazed at how refreshed your home will look...and the floors will look good as new. Many don't realize that when you sand and refinish the floors, you have the option to change the color - you can go from dark to light or light to dark or anywhere in between.   If you have hardwood flooring underneath your carpet, you are in luck. Usually, refinishing and restoring the hardwood will cost LESS than recarpeting. And, most homeowners prefer the look and feel of hardwood. Not only will it improve your home's value, but they are much easier to clean and maintain. How does the hardwood refinishing proc...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
 In Armonk NY, dark hardwood floors are very stylish. Many of my customers love the dark look...they even ask for Ebony. Dark hardwood is sleek and stylish, and it gives your Armonk home a sophisticated look.   How do you get dark hardwood flooring?   Most dark hardwoods are stained to make them darker. There are many species/types of wood that can achieve this look.     1. The most common dark hardwood flooring is oak that is stained with a dark brown stain such as Ebony (the darkest stain) or a slightly lighter with a Jacobean or Dark Walnut stain. Many customers who are seeking a dark stain want "pure" brown with no hints of red. And, these 3 stains seem to achieve that goal well. The above 2 pictures are ebony.   Even if you have red oak flooring, these dark stains will drown out th...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
You may have heard the expression, “If you can’t measure it you can’t manage it” Well, if you want to have a sustainable business you need to have a strategic plan, goals and objectives, and a way to measure your progress.  Without these elements you are relying solely on luck. What you measure is just as important as having and plan and executing it.  For example, many business owners are familiar with the acronym EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), or more simply said profit.  That, however, is a measure of what has happened in the past.  It may not predict what will happen in the future.  Using measurements that predict whether you are on the right track and will predict and shape your future are far more effective than relying on measurements of...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
A commonly asked question of executives or business owners is, “Why won’t my employee take charge?  Why won’t he or she take ownership and responsibility? This is a fair question and the point of frustration for many executives.  Here are two questions that you need to ask yourself.  First of all, have you provided her with the tools to succeed?  And have you clearly communicated the objectives and desired results?  The first thing you need to do is let go and empower your team.  Instead of giving assignments with specific instructions try something different.  Here are two different approaches to giving an employee an assignment. Let’s say that you have a project the needs to be completed.  You could give your employee a complete set of instructions detailing what you want done, how it...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
What are the advantages of Oak Hardwood Floors for your home in Armonk NY? Oak is the most popular species of hardwood flooring here in Armonk NY. If you see hardwood in a home, chances are it's oak. Why is oak hardwood flooring so popular? 1. Oak flooring is very affordable since it's grown in the US and is  abundant. Oak hardwood tends to be less expensive compared to the other species (such as maple, hickory, brazilian cherry, etc). And, in Armonk NY, it's very readily available to get unfinished oak hardwood flooring. Often, unfinished oak flooring (that is refinished and stained on-site) is a bit less expensive than prefinished oak, especially as you go wider in the plank size.     2. Oak flooring is the standard of hardness, and oak tends to hide scratches well. On the Janka hardn...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Kitchen Floors Trends - Westchester NY Kitchens are the heart of the home and remodeling kitchens is a hot ticket item for many homeowners in Westchester County. When you are remodeling your kitchen, there are a lot of considerations as you need to color coordinate floors, cabinets and countertops. On top of that, there are functionality considerations for the floor in terms of use, subfloor and cost. So, everything needs to be considered in the context of the whole room.   Below are the trends I'm seeing for kitchen floors in our area.   Kitchen Flooring trends in Westchester NY 1.  Hardwood Flooring - Yes, hardwood floors are now the #1 surface we install in Westchester kitchens (followed closely by tile). Benefits of hardwood: 1) easier on feet, 2) more in style, 3) less expensive, e...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Everything you ever wanted to know about Carpet runners. In Armonk NY, carpet runners for the steps have become more and more popular. What are carpet runners? A carpet runner goes on top of your hardwood steps. Unlike wall to wall carpet, carpet runners cover most of the step, but still show the hardwood on either side. They are bound on the sides for a finished look. Why are carpet runners so popular in Armonk NY? Carpet runners serve 2 purposes: 1) they make the stairs safer - they help prevent slipping and 2) they add a decorative element. By having a some sort of carpet on the steps, it adds traction and friction so you are less likely to fall, especially if you are wearing socks in your home. Also, it makes it easier on your feet, knees and back when you are walking up and down th...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
I ask this question in every one of my client strategic planning processes. How do we know that we are exceeding a customer's expectations? The measurement of customer loyalty is the most important metric for forecasting future success and business sustainability. While sales and profits are very important measurements they tell you what has happened. Customer loyalty tells you what will happen. When you exceed the customer's expectations and create an emotional bond with your customer they become your promoter. They will recommend your company and your product to friends.  According Fred Reichheld, pioneer in customer loyalty, the most important question is, "How likely are you to recommend our product or service to a friend?" Fred Reichheld's 2006 book, The Ultimate Question, challeng...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
If you're looking for a light colored hardwood floor, consider maple  flooring for your home in Armonk NY. Maple flooring is a light blond color with low graining. It’s a light, smooth look that can open up any room and give a modern, contemporary and northern European feel.     Maple flooring is harder than oak. On the Janka hardness scale, Maple is a 1450 vs. red oak which is 1290. Maple is lighter than oak flooring and its grain is smoother. While traditionally a light blond color, the shade of maple flooring can differ depending on its age and the area where it was grown. Maple’s appearance also differs based on how the trees are cultivated. Flame maple, quilted maple and bird’s eye maple are 3 different types grain patterns that will give your room 3 different looks.     Maple floo...
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By Debbie Gartner, The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
(The Flooring Girl)
Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring is growing in popularity in Armonk NY.  Its brilliant red color and exquisite graining gives is breathtaking.   As the name implies, Brazilian Cherry hardwood grows in Brazil. Due to the climate and growing cycles, Brazilian Cherry is much harder than the typical oak you traditionally see here in the US. On the Janka hardness scale, Red Oak is a 1290 while Brazilian Cherry is 2350 - almost twice as hard.   But, the main reason customers love Brazilian Cherry is its beauty. The redness and depth of color is unparalleled, along with the richness of its smooth graining. Even if you stain oak to be red, you can't get same effect - it's impossible. Take a look.   Brazilian Cherry typically comes in wider planks which is more stylish and makes the space look...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
I recently met with the leaders of an organization to present results of an employee survey.  The employees felt that there were a lot of changes but the staff felt that management was not keeping them informed.  Productivity almost always suffers in times of great change because employee stress dramatically increases due to the universal fear of the unknown. Often senior executives genuinely believe they are communicating with employees when it comes to matters that affect them.  Unfortunately, they often underestimate the number of matters that includes. So how do you know what is important to employees and what to tell them? You need to put yourself in the position, the mind, and the heart of your employees' one employee at a time. If you were that person, what would you be worried a...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
Have you ever heard someone describe a leader that they admire as a “born leader”?   But really, what is a born leader?  Are leaders born?   If I were to ask you to tell me what qualities you think of when you think of a great leader each of you would probably answer with totally different qualities and attributes. Let’s take two military leaders from World War II.  George Patton and Dwight Eisenhower were both considered to be great leaders.  Their attributes and their personalities, however, were very different.  Patton was in the face of his troops.  On the other hand Eisenhower was a great consensus builder who melded a very difficult military and political alliance of cantankerous personalities. Let me ask this question.  At the moment of birth did we know they would be effective l...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
I was having lunch with an associate of mine today.  She is in sales and she was telling me that her company is urging solutions based sales and marketing.  This is a winning plan—assisting people with finding solutions will lead to more business.  In the past salespeople were taught to concentrate on making the sale and closing the sale. However, today’s buyers are no longer willing to be sold.  Linda Martin, founder of Resource Associates Corporation said, “People do not like to be sold but they sure like to buy”.  Doesn’t it make sense then to assist the client in the buying decision rather than selling them something? Look at it another way.  You visit your doctor because you have a pain in your knee.  Your doctor does a thorough examination.  She asks you questions such as, Where d...
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