Author: Jason Bryner

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Setting Strong Goals

“If you want to grow your business by at least 10%, you should do a better job of selling adhesives. What better goal to put out there,” said Murfin, attributing that valuable insight to Taylor’s director of Technical Services, Gary Scheidker.

“Going into 2023, people are going to have to get creative on how to sell more product and grow their business. The key to that is to sell more accessories,” observed Murfin. “We get repeated requests for information from our customers on how to increase their business, how to sell more product, and clearly the opportunity is on how to sell more accessories.”

The role of TAYLOR TIME is a reflection on the need to inspire and educate the sales channel, born out of necessity as a way of communicating to Taylor customers during the pandemic. “Every time we ask ourselves is there still value to TAYLOR TIME, the answer is ‘yes.’ It’s been a great journey. And we do add value to our customers. It’s even used as a teaching resource by them for their sales teams,” he said. Note: TAYLOR TIME LIVE episodes are archived on the TAYLOR TIME YouTube channel for viewing repeatedly and at any time.

The TAYLOR TIME communications platform created a means to stay connected during a time of travel restrictions and lockdowns. It includes TAYLOR TIME LIVE, NEWS, TIPS, PARTNER EXCLUSIVES, and BUZZ, the Blog of Taylor Adhesives. “Following the pandemic, there was a remarkable uptick in activity, then came supply chain challenges on how to keep pace with that incredible demand, then the ice storm in Texas that hit which impacted raw materials availability, and now entering 2023, we have an economy that is less than certain,” reflected Murfin. Throughout all of that, TAYLOR TIME has kept providing valuable insights from industry experts representing a variety of fields and product categories.

But achieving strong sales goals also requires an understanding of your product, which is part of the challenge in selling adhesives. “We hear from salespeople, manufacturers, flooring contractors and distributors that they don’t understand the adhesives category as well as they would like. Frankly, we tend to speak too technically about the product we sell. We are going to help the typical salesperson in the industry understand the category, and over time do a more effective job of selling it.” Continued Murfin, “Even if you are an expert installer, you may not necessarily understand all the terms. I’ve challenged our team on finding ways to simplify the category and bring more understanding for doing a more effective in the marketplace.”

The fourth year of TAYLOR TIME LIVE will do just that, by focusing on the goal of selling more adhesives. In so doing, you will grow your business and, in the process, become a more valuable partner to your customer. Watch for a new episode on the third Thursday of each month.

In addition to improved product knowledge and category sales technique, here is a framework to help you set strong goals for your business. Setting strong goals is an essential aspect of running a successful business, whether you are a flooring retailer, distributor, contractor, or OEM. Here are some steps that can help you set strong goals. TAYLOR TIME content can inform all these steps:

  1. Define your vision and mission: Before setting goals, you need to have a clear understanding of your business’s vision and mission. This will help you align your goals with the overall purpose of your business.
  2. Use the SMART framework: Use the SMART framework to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. This will help you create goals that are realistic, achievable, and meaningful.
  3. Consider your resources: When setting goals, consider the resources you have available, such as time, money, and personnel. Set goals that are challenging but achievable based on your available resources.
  4. Get input from stakeholders: Consult with stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and investors, to ensure that your goals align with their expectations and needs.
  5. Monitor and adjust: Monitor your progress towards your goals regularly and adjust them if necessary. This will help you stay on track and make any necessary changes to ensure that you reach your goals.

Overall, setting strong goals requires careful consideration of your business’s vision and mission, using the SMART framework, considering available resources, and getting input from stakeholders. By following these steps, you can set goals that are challenging, meaningful, and achievable, and help your flooring business achieve success. Include TAYLOR TIME in your plan.

Watch “Setting Strong Goals” on the Taylor YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/gdrB4PqsHQo?feature=share

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Taylor Adhesives joins Starnet

DALTON, Ga. April 1, 2022 – The world’s largest network of full-service independent flooring contractors has selected TaylorAdhesives as its newest Preferred Vendor beginning April 1. Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership has over 390 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Taylor Adhesives is a leading producer of flooring adhesives and coatings for 45 years.

“We are delighted to have the Taylor brand available to our member network,” said Mark Bischoff, President and CEO of Starnet. “There is an intensity around adhesives from our members due to supply chain stress in addition to traditional performance, productivity and risk mitigation concerns. We’ve had many of our members request that we add Taylor to the Starnet PreferredVendor range as a trusted partner.”

“Taylor has a range of commercially-rated adhesives and coatings that are ideally suited for Starnet contractors and their customers,” remarked Paul Murfin, president of Taylor, a part of the Meridian Industrial Flooring Divison. “With our national distribution, quality reputation and sustainable formulations, we believe we are an ideal partner for Starnet.”

Taylor makes advanced flooring adhesives for resilient, carpet, and wood flooring, plus coatings that encapsulate old adhesive residue to promoting moisture vapor mitigation in concrete subfloors. In 2022, Taylor launched products specifically designed for floating floor installations and wall installations.

“We only represent the best vendors to our member partners across North America. That’s why Taylor was chosen,” said Eric Boender, Starnet VP.

“Starnet sets some of the highest standards in the industry, and we plan to meet those standards everyday with top products and service,” observed Shelley Ackerman, Commercial & OEM SalesManager for Taylor.

Taylor will be attending the Starnet 30th Anniversary MemberMeeting in Colorado Springs, CO, May 12–15.

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TAYLOR Adhesives adds new specialty products for 2022

ELEVATE™ and GRAVITY™ to be introduced at TISE

DALTON, Ga. (Jan.19, 2022)– TAYLOR continues its record of innovation with two new specialty products added to its Signature Line® of premium adhesives.

ELEVATE™ your atmosphere with this roller-applied wall adhesive for dry-back LVT and LVP.Many consumers have already discovered the design possibilities that wall installation of vinyl flooring creates. Now, Taylor helps anyone install vinyl planks and tiles on vertical surfaces with complete ease and confidence.

ELEVATE features:

  • One-step application with 3/8” nap roller
  • One gallon pail with a two-year shelf life
  • Fast grab with aggressive tack
  • High-strength, permanent bond

Harness the power of GRAVITY™. This is a roller-applied floor coating for installing floating LVT or LVP that gives the subfloor a helpful anti-skid surface. GRAVITY eliminates the shifting or “walking” of vinyl planks and tiles, making the installation process easier and quicker. Plus, GRAVITY helps keep floating floors in place after the installation, even in heavy traffic areas.

GRAVITY features:

  • Prevents lateral movement of flooring
  • Roller application with 3/8” nap roller
  • Four-gallon pail with a two-year shelf life
  • Fast-drying formula
  • Releasable—no transfer to the back of the flooring
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TAYLOR TIME LIVE updates format and focus for 2022

New half-hour program length to deliver problem/solution advice from multiple Insider installer experts

DALTON, Ga. (Jan.17, 2022)– TAYLOR continues its monthlyLIVE webinar stream with more impact in less time, according to marketing director and host Seth Gladden of TaylorAdhesives. Season 3 starts at its new time of 11:30 a.m. EST to Noon on Tuesday, January 18.

“Viewers suggested that we go from one-hour to 30 minutes,” said Gladden. “We have also re-concentrated our line-up of guest experts and topics to be more oriented toward solving installation issues that everyone, from installers, contractors, retailers, and even A&D, would profit from.”

Another change Taylor is making is the number of guest experts in a program. “We are including more participants, whether in-studio, live, or pre-recorded clips to deliver a number of different viewpoints on a topic. “We are also including guest editors from the trade media to share their updates and perspectives.”

The upcoming episode on Tuesday will be on “Biggest Challenges” and will includeJon Namba, Lew Migliore, Brett Miller, John McGrath, as well as regulars Gary Schiedker, Robert Varden and Seth Gladden.

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TAYLOR TIME LIVE updates format and focus for 2022

New half-hour program length to deliver problem/solution advice from multiple Insider installer experts

DALTON, Ga. (Jan.17, 2022)–TAYLOR continues its monthlyLIVE webinar stream with more impact in less time, according to marketing director and host Seth Gladden of TaylorAdhesives. Season 3 starts at its new time of 11:30 a.m. EST to Noon on Tuesday, January 18.

“Viewers suggested that we go from one-hour to 30 minutes,” said Gladden. “We have also re-concentrated our line-up of guest experts and topics to be more oriented toward solving installation issues that everyone, from installers, contractors, retailers, and even A&D, would profit from.”

Another change Taylor is making is the number of guest experts in a program. “We are including more participants, whether in-studio, live, or pre-recorded clips to deliver a number of different viewpoints on a topic. “We are also including guest editors from the trade media to share their updates and perspectives.”

The upcoming episode on Tuesday will be on “Biggest Challenges” and will include Jon Namba, Lew Migliore, Brett Miller, John McGrath, as well as regulars Gary Schiedker, Robert Varden and Seth Gladden

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Taylor Adhesives makes a statement with its new website

Taylor Adhesives makes a statement with its new website

DALTON, Ga. (Jan.12, 2022)–Three years ago, Taylor launch edits first state-of-the-art website. This week, Taylor launched its new website that “makes an industry statement,” says Seth Gladden, director of marketing for Taylor.

“There has been considerable change, both in floor covering as a whole, and at Taylor,” observed Gladden. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve experienced massive changes as an industry. We’ve also experienced unprecedented growth and product development as a company. Focusing on our industry leadership and dedication to our customers, we’ve redesigned tayloradhesives.com to not only keep us current, but to serve their needs like never before.”

What’s new:

  • The new Taylor site provides a fascinating historical perspective for the brand with adetailed timeline of its 40-year history of sustainability leadership and innovation.
  • Taylor’s newProductSelector technology that allows you to browse and identify the right adhesive for your project by product collection, flooring category, and flooring type. Products can even be filtered by sustainability and other criteria.
  • Taylor Time, the company’s unique and industry-leading information and teaching platform, has gotten a makeover. Now visitors can browse articles and episodes from the archive that interest them, and read or watch the mat their convenience.
  • Distinct Taylor advantages, such as its Technical Team, its Meridian Adhesives Group association, its superior product warranties, and its valued industry affiliations are highlighted and detailed for the first time.

“Today’s adhesive manufacturer must be more than a sundry, it must be a valuable and indispensible accessory to its customer’s success,” stated Paul Murfin, president of Taylor. “This new website is a vital part of that commitment. As with everything we do at Taylor, we are with our customers every step.”

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TAYLOR Adhesives rolls out new product line makeover for 2022

Features include newly curated product collections, color-coded labels, updated label content

DALTON, Ga. (Jan.6, 2022)–TAYLOR ushers in sweeping changes to its product line in 2022, designed to improve the understanding, proper selection, correct use, and easier inventory management for distributors and contractors. “We believe that Taylor already had the best packaging and labeling system in the business,” observed Paul Murfin, president of Taylor. “But we saw areas where we could make it even better from our customer’s point of view.” In all, 16SKUs in the Signature Lineand 10SKUs in the newly created EssentialsLine are being relabeledor newly labeled.

Revamped brand architecture
Instead of a premium Signature Line®of adhesives and coatings, followed by a random assortment of everything else in the product line, Taylor has curated everything into three groups:TheSignature Line, the new Essentials Line, and Additional Items. “Through the process, we were able to define the roles of each line, in order to optimize our product offerings. Also, through our new labeling strategy, we were able to visually group them according to their applications, performance, and sustainability” observed Seth Gladden, director of marketing for Taylor.

Color-coded labels
To make selecting the correct adhesive easier for each flooring type,Taylor created a color-coding system applied across its products. “Choosing the right adhesive or coating for the job is critical to a successful installation, so we now prominently feature the color representing the primary flooring usage on the label,” noted Gladden. Other approved flooring uses are identified in the product category key on each label. There are five colors, one foreach category: resilient, wood, carpet, moisture, and specialty.

Updated content
The new label designs for Signature and Essentials collections are more than just aesthetic changes, according to Gladden. They also communicate so much more. All new labels are trilingual, indicate where to use, display color-coding to the correct flooring use, and over a dozen other vital data points easily identifiable and displayed. “We want our customer’s product experience to be second to none, even starting with the helpful information found on the outside of the package,” explained Murfin.

All new labeling will be a rolling change throughout the year and will be introduced at TISE, booth4733. The entire product line makeover is detailed in the new Taylor 2022 Product Catalog and the soon-to-be-redesigned Taylor website and app. See a Taylor representative for details.