Edition #24

*As of July 2024, QLeads (Lead Downloads), QPay, Installer View, Account View, and our future QR code product are treated as individual products. See this page for details.

I wanted to take a moment to talk about QConnect. This is something that most of our customers don’t appear to completely understand. One big reason for the confusion is that QConnect isn’t something you can see on the screen. Instead, it is working behind the scenes, often without you even knowing about it.

But QConnect has some really beneficial capabilities. Here are some of the things that QConnect can do for your company:

1. Download Leads. QConnect can download leads into QFloors from external sources, such as websites from Mobile Marketing, Roomvo, Mobile Marketing, SamplesApp, Zoho, or other lead capturing programs you might have.
2. Download Payments. QConnect can download payments from QPay, and apply them directly to QFloors sales orders.
3. Communicate with Installers. You might have heard about a great new product we’re in the process of rolling out, called Installer View. It allows your installers to easily access their schedules and the corresponding details, right from their phones (or any other device with internet). Installer View connects with QFloors via QConnect. We’ve been testing this product for the past several months and are now starting to roll it out to all interested customers.
4. Share Information with Repeat Customer Accounts. We’re excited to announce a brand new product called Account View, which will be released in the near future. This product allows you to assign a username and password to your biggest repeat customer accounts. They then can log in and see a history of sales orders and payments. Again, the information is shared via QConnect. Keep an eye out for this exciting new product, coming soon!
5. Share Information via QR Codes. Another cool new product, coming in the near future, is our QR Code Updater. QR codes are generating a lot of interest right now, and QConnect will allow you to update QR code product information and pricing, through QFloors. This should be a big time saver when tagging your showrooms.

All of these features and products work through QConnect, which basically connects QFloors to outside software solutions, and vice versa.

This will continue to be a pretty big deal throughout the rest of the year, as we release more and more capabilities with QConnect. It should be noted that QConnect is free for every QPay credit card customer, or it is $100/month for everyone else.

Hopefully this has clarified a bit more about QConnect. I’m just trying to bring a bit more awareness and understanding to our customers, who may be unsure why we are focusing on QConnect and what it entails.

Feel free to call 801-563-0140, option 4 to learn more about these different products. And keep watching for updates throughout the year.

Leverage slow times to optimize your flooring business and gain market share with QFloors

As we navigate through the ups and more recently the downs of business, it’s essential to recognize that slow times can present unique opportunities for growth and customer base expansion. Many businesses contract (or shrink) on purpose during slow times, and many, without cash reserves, contract out of necessity. Too many don’t survive the downturn because they didn’t prepare beforehand. It may seem counterintuitive, but if you have the cash, these periods provide the perfect environment to strategically position your business for long-term success.

Here are 5 key ways to leverage slow times to grow your flooring business and take a larger slice of the market:

1. Evaluate and Innovate

Use this period to critically assess your business operations, identify areas for improvement, and innovate. With QFloors software as your foundation, explore how you can optimize workflows, streamline processes, and deliver added value to your clients.

2. Do The Basics

Most of our customers do the basics in QFloors (although there’s a portion who are still coming up to speed). If you’re not reconciling your checkbook every month, using our purchase order and inventory management systems, implementing integrated payments, and producing meaningful financial statements regularly, you’re not doing the basics. Taking care of the basics will put your floor covering business on the proper foundation for more profitable growth. If you need assistance with any of these tasks, please reach out to our support department, and they can help.

3. Go Beyond The Basics

Make time to find out what other things QFloors software does that would particularly benefit your business. We have so many features and extras that people never knew were there because they get too busy working in their business. It’s not at the forefront of their minds. I can’t tell you how many times I have been doing a training or even a support call and someone says, ”‘Oh, I never knew that was there!”, or, “I didn’t know you could do that or integrate that,” or, “Do you know how much time I could have saved over the years if I had known that?”. Sometimes we don’t have a particular feature you want but many times our trainers can find a workaround or at least a more streamlined approach than the one you are using.

4. Make Time for Strategic Marketing & Partnerships

While competitors are pulling back on marketing efforts during slow times, this presents an opportunity for you to stand out. Maintain a visible presence in the market through targeted marketing campaigns. Utilize digital marketing channels, social media platforms, and email newsletters to engage with your customers (and make sure you are collecting email and contact information from each customer and lead). Even a little bit goes a long way!

In addition, ask for referrals. Collaborate with complementary businesses or industry influencers to expand your reach and access new customer bases. By forging strategic partnerships, you can leverage each other’s strengths, possibly share resources, and potentially tap into additional networks.

5. Look to Expand Your Audience & Influence

Explore untapped markets or segments that align with your business strengths and capabilities. If your only location isn’t that great, consider diversification of product lines to do more business out of the same showroom footprint. Consider opening more locations if you’re doing well in one. With QFloors software properly implemented, scaling your business is possible, manageable, and efficient. If you want guidance, feel free to ask other QFloors dealers how they manage multiple locations. (You can find other QFloors users on our private Facebook group page).

Don’t Forget!

Remember the key to taking advantage of some of these opportunities is building up the cash when times are good instead of spending all of it like most people do. I would recommend saving half your profit when times are good. That’s how wealthy people get wealthier. They buy and expand when others are contracting and shrinking.

At QFloors, we are committed to supporting your growth journey every step of the way. Our cutting-edge software solutions are designed to empower your business with efficiency, agility, and scalability. Together, let’s seize the opportunities presented by slow times and pave the way for a better future.

I wish you continued success and resilience in your business.

For retail flooring dealers already leveraging QFloors, integrating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into your daily operations can significantly amplify your success. QFloors has proven itself as a powerful tool in navigating the complexities of the retail flooring market, offering unparalleled insights and efficiencies. However, the journey from leveraging technology to achieving tangible business growth requires a strategic approach, centered around the effective use of KPIs.

Understanding the Value of KPIs

KPIs are more than mere numbers; they are vital signs of your business health, indicating areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. By tracking the right KPIs, you can make data-driven decisions that align closely with your business goals, enhancing profitability and operational efficiency.

Selecting Your KPIs

Choosing the right KPIs for your flooring operation is crucial. While QFloors provides a wealth of data, focusing on too many metrics can be overwhelming. I recommend you concentrate on KPIs that directly impact your bottom line and efficiency, such as sales growth, profit margins and inventory turnover. These KPIs offer a clear view of your business’s financial health and operational effectiveness, guiding you towards informed decision-making.

How to Effectively Implement KPIs with QFloors

1. Use Real-Time Reports to Easily Automate and Track KPIs: QFloors’ sophisticated reporting capabilities allow for real-time monitoring of critical data, ensuring you always have up-to-date information, and a knowledge of where your business stands.
2. Customize Your Report Views to Highlight Select KPIs: Tailor QReporter Reports to highlight your selected KPIs prominently. That way, at a glance you’ll see the information you need without having to dig through large amounts of data, and can make changes on the fly.
3. Make Time for Analysis and Interpretation: Regularly review your KPIs in QFloors to understand the story behind the numbers. QFloors provides the tools and resources to deep dive into each KPI, helping you uncover underlying issues or opportunities.
4. Create Actionable Insights: Convert your KPI observations into action-based strategies. Identify areas for cost reduction, opportunities for sales improvement, or the need for operational adjustments.
5. Continuously Refine and Improve: KPI tracking is not a set-and-forget process. Keep refining your KPIs and strategies as you go, based on your evolving business landscape and the insights gathered from QFloors. This repeatable process ensures your business remains agile and competitive.

Leveraging Success Stories

Draw inspiration from success stories within the QFloors community. Many dealers have witnessed remarkable improvements in profitability and efficiency by effectively implementing KPIs. Engage with the QFloors users network through our private Facebook group to share experiences, strategies, and insights, further enhancing your understanding and use of KPIs.

For retail flooring dealers utilizing QFloors, integrating KPIs into your operational strategy is a step towards unlocking the full potential of your business. By selecting meaningful KPIs and leveraging QFloors’ robust reporting tool, you can gain a deeper understanding of your business operations, drive strategic decision-making, and ultimately, achieve greater success and profitability. Remember, the power of QFloors, combined with a strategic approach to KPIs, can transform your business insights into actionable growth strategies.

Bonus

If you’ve found this article on integrating KPIs with QFloors helpful, and are looking for a bit more guidance, I’ve put together a simple bonus sheet with example KPIs that might be relevant to your business. These examples are aimed to help you get started or refine your current approach to tracking and using KPIs effectively.

Should this sound useful to you, feel free to send me an email. I’m happy to share this bonus material with you, hoping it adds value to your efforts in making data-driven decisions for your flooring business.

We have several standard reports for QReporter on our Support website. They can be found under the QReporter Library. These reports have been updated to support new improvements and features added to QFloors. If you use a custom report, these new features can be added to your reports.

What is the QReporter Libary?

This is where your company can preview and download standard reports. There are multiple invoice templates you may use for your customers, profitability reports, and financial comparison reports you may not have realized were available to you. Each report’s preview will have an explanation, such as descriptions, character limits, and instructions for downloading and installation. You must log in to our Support site to view the QReporter library.

Wait, what is QReporter?

QReporter is an add-on program separate from QFloors that allows you additional flexibility in emailing and reporting options. QReporter has a separate login and user access settings. These reports can display your logo and be emailed to your customers. The QReporter reports are also more customizable. If you are pretty technical, you can make small changes yourself. Anything outside of this video requires a custom programming request. The video is a few years old, but the principles still apply.

What are the new features?

• Keyboard Shortcut Ctrl Q – Will quickly pull up your QReporter report selection dropdown.
• Sales Order Line Selection – Prints selected lines for invoices and work orders.
• Your QPay Pay Now Button links – Can now be added to your QReporter Invoice.
• Increased Character Limits – QFloors increased some sales order character limits so you may need to update your QReporter report to see them.
• Job Cost for Credit Card Processing Fees – Added a Credit Card Fee field to the Misc setup window.
• Add Job Cost from Bill Line – Connect a cost from the line of a Bill to a specific sales order.
• Improved Email Deliverability – We have full instructions here; please call if you need assistance.

How do I get an updated report?

If you are using a Standard report it is as easy as downloading a new copy from our QReporter library.

If you are using a Custom report, we will need to have a programmer update it for you. You can reach out to us and we can get your custom reports over to the programmer to update.

What is a custom report request?

A custom report request is where you explain what you would like personalized or modified with a report. It can be as simple as adding terms or removing something so it doesn’t show.

But that’s not all! Did you know that you can request a custom built report?

A custom built report is where you can request any report that you would like to design. If there is data in the database, then we can pull it to a report for you. We do charge for custom programming, based on the time required.

What is the process for requesting a custom report?

We will send you a form to fill out and have you look at the standard reports on the QReporter Library to find something close to what you are looking for. Our programming team will use that as a template to make your custom changes. We ask that you fill out the form with the name of the report you like the best, as well as what you would like your new report named. You will want to explain and describe the changes you would like so the programmer can let you know if it is possible and provide you with a quote for how much it will cost.

Make sure you check out the QReporter Library, try out these new features, and as always call us for help with any questions.

In a special ceremony a few months ago, WFCA CEO Scott Humphrey presented QFloors President/CEO Chad Ogden with the Tom Jennings Champion award, noting his significant contributions to the industry and his commitment to providing exceptional customer service.

In a touching twist, the award was also given posthumously to Mike Faust, owner of Carpeting by Mike in Somerset, Wisconsin (and a QFloors customer since 2002). Mike’s daughter Typhannie Harker, who now runs the business, was in Vegas to accept the award on behalf of her late father.

Chad and Mike were good friends, and so it was a privilege to share this with him, said Chad. Mike Faust passed away in 2018. We miss Mike. He was such a wonderful person. So having Typhannie there, representing him, was really special. Typhannie has done awesome things for her company since taking the reins. We think the world of her.

In 2023, the Tom Jennings Champion award was presented to Bruce Jones, owner of Carpet Mart Inc. – ironically, another longtime QFloors customer. (Coincidence? We think not. We believe we have the Best of the Best, when it comes to successful flooring dealers who truly care.)

When presenting the award to Chad, Scott Humphrey, of the World Floor Covering Association, said, “More than anything, Chad doesn’t care as much about your business as he cares about you. And that’s what makes Chad and QFloors so unique.”

Chad exemplifies the “servant leadership” approach, and employees were very supportive. An article in Floor Covering Weekly stated:

Ogden’s commitment to customer service is not just a philosophy; it’s a daily practice. From answering customer calls during peak times to working tirelessly to resolve technical issues, his hands-on approach resonates with customers and employees. The company’s success is a testament to Ogden’s exemplary integrity and work ethic, making him a standout leader in every circumstance the company faces. According to employee Jim Love, “Chad wears his passion, desire, and willingness to help on his sleeve. QFloors is the company it is today because every employee works hard for Chad and what he has built. There’s undeniable respect for him, not just as the owner, but for the person he is.”

(“WFCA Announces Winners of Tom Jennings Award”, Floor Covering Weekly, 1/19/24)

And Les Moore, senior advisor at HGGC LLC, paid tribute to Chad’s strength of character: I have had the opportunity to work with and associate with some of the best leaders and managers in the world. Chad is one of them. He is a role model for all of us because of his commitment to living and teaching correct principles.

We’re so proud of Chad, and of Carpeting by Mike, for this outstanding recognition!

Email providers have been doing what they can to crack down on phishing/fraudulent emails. Despite their efforts, a few emails still can occasionally make it to our primary inboxes. Did you know that in 2023, the FTC reported that roughly 690,000 people in the world fell victim to fraud, resulting in a total loss of $10.02 billion (Ouch).

To protect yourself from these email scammers, here are a few tips to follow:

1. Double and triple check the email address.

Many spam emails use a company’s name in the email address, but it’s not the official domain. (example: @qpro_softwaresupport.com vs @qprosoftware.com). Look for slight differences in the email address. Are there weird numbers, characters, or punctuation in it? If so, you need to be careful. Additionally if the message comes from a generic email address (such as yahoo/gmail/hotmail/aol/etc.), that should raise alarm bells. NEVER trust someone that comes from a non-business email.

2. Look for suspicious signs in the content of the email.

Does the message have the official logo/signature at the bottom? Are they linking to legit social media pages? If not, it could be spam.

Additionally if someone is:

• asking you to send financial / personal information
• telling you to click on a link to update sensitive information
• wanting you to pay them via gift card or any unconventional way
• and/or using threatening language (ie: you have been hacked, you have been locked out of your account, there is suspicious activity on your account, etc.)

it’s very likely you’re dealing with a phishing email. If you have any doubts, forward the message to your IT director and the company the email claims to be from. It’s better to be safe than having all of your information compromised.

3. Avoid clicking links and attachments until you know they are legit.

Know exactly what an attachment is before clicking the “download” button. If you didn’t request a file, or if the attachment is sent to you out of the blue, avoid clicking on it until you can authenticate.

When it comes to links, here’s a pro tip: hover your mouse over the hyperlink (don’t click) and look at the bottom of your screen to see where the link goes. If the address looks spammy/suspicious with weird spelling and characters, don’t click on it.

4. Do a background check.

Does the sender have:

• a verified LinkedIn account?
• reliable contact information? (phone number, address, email, zip code, google maps location, etc.)
• an active social media presence and are verified on their social channels?
• an official website?
• or customer reviews?

If you search for them on Google and can’t find anything, be wary of them.

You can never be too safe.

Unfortunately, some scams are really hard to catch. Despite taking all the precautions mentioned above, you could still be at risk of falling for a fraudulent email. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have security software installed, to use two-step verification for your accounts, to stay on top of phone and software updates, and perform frequent backups. (If you need help backing up your QFloors data, give our support team a call and they’ll take care of you.)

And don’t forget you can always report phishing emails. You can forward these emails to reportphishing@apwg.org (used by the Anti-Phishing Working Group, including financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and ISPs). Let the company/person that is being impersonated know about the scheme, and report it to the FTC. And if you see any message from someone trying to impersonate QFloors that looks like it could be a fraudulent email, PLEASE let us know.

Stay safe everyone!

Here at QFloors, we hope all is well with our customers as April draws to a close.

Because QFloors is a core member of the fcB2B organization, we are continually working to improve the industry through B2B technology.

We want to remind you that on our website we have a list of vendors who are currently B2B certified with QFloors. You can click on each vendor to see additional information on how to communicate with them about your B2B questions. You can also find their current fcB2B-certified documents.

You can see the full fcB2B list here.

I’d like to take a moment and share the lists of our current certified vendors who are taking advantage of B2B connectivity, EDI X12 trade documents, and/or Web Services. That way, you can quickly see the vendors who are meeting requirements for certain B2B features and capabilities.

Current certified vendors trading “Purchase Orders and Purchase Orders Acknowledgments” documents:

• All Tile/All Surfaces
• Belknap White Group
• Bishop
• BPI
• DalTile
• Emser Tile
• Engineered Floors
• Happy Floors
• Herregan Distributors, Inc.
• Interceramic, USA
• International Wholesale Tile
• Jaeckle Distributors
• JJ Haines/Wheeler
• Karndean Design Flooring
• Louisville Tile
• Mannington Mills (newly certified)
• MSI Surfaces
• Mohawk
• RA Siegel
• Shaw
• Virginia Tile
• William M Bird

Current certified vendors trading “Vendor Invoice” documents:

• Adleta
• All Tile/All Surfaces
• Bishop
• BPI
• Emser Tile
• Engineered Floors
• International Wholesale Tile
• Jaeckle Distributors
• JJ Haines/Wheeler
• Mannington Mills (newly certified)
• Mohawk
• Pacific Mat
• RA Siegel
• Shaw
• T&A Supply

Current certified vendors trading “Advanced Shipping Notices” documents:

• Adleta Corporation
• Belknap White Group
• DalTile
• Engineered Floors
• Louisville Tile
• Mannington Mills (newly certified)
• Mohawk Group
• RA Siegel
• Shaw Industries
• William M Bird

Current certified vendors with Web Services:

• Adleta Corporation
• BPI
• Buckwold Western
• DalTile
• Elias Wilf
• Engineered Floors
• Herregan Distributors, Inc.
• Jaeckle Distributors
• JJ Haines/Wheeler
• Louisville Tile
• Mohawk Group
• Ohio Valley Flooring
• Shaw Industries
• Tingle Flooring
• Virginia Tile
• William M Bird

New certified vendors with QFloors using SFTP protocol:

• 21st Century Tile (new vendor Certified with QFloors and uses SFTP)
• Mannington Mills (SFTP certified)

Current certified vendors with QFloors that are using the SFTP protocol:

• Mohawk Group
• United Tile
• J.J. Haines
• Happy Floors
• Certified Flooring Distributors
• Emser Tile
• Karndean Design Flooring
• Surface Art
• Engineered Floors
• Beaulieu Canada
• Mannington Mills
• LW Flooring
• 21st Century Tile

Pre-certification stages with QFloors:

• EJ Welch (SFTP)
• Arley Wholesale (SFTP)
• Stanton (FTP/SFTP)
• Crossville Studios (SFTP)
• RW Supply (SFTP)
• Conestoga Ceramic Tile (SFTP)
• Cain and Bultman, Inc
• Henry Tile

Taking advantage of B2B/EDI and Web Services which can help save time, lower stress and boost profits. Let us know if we can help you get started.