Business Operations

As an undergraduate, the term “lumber trader” wasn’t even in my vocabulary. Years later, I still had never heard of this occupation…nor would I have ever guessed that it would eventually follow my name on a business card.

I grew up on a golf course in Georgia; and my dream was to become an investment banker on Wall Street! My dreams and I went off to Georgia Southern to study finance; but experience after experience—step after step—kept pointing me toward my destiny.

Quick! Name three new buzzwords you’ve learned in the last several months. We can start with “social distancing,” “new normal,” and “flatten the curve.” And if someone had told you back in January that you’d be conducting regular business via something called Zoom, you probably would have rolled your eyes and laughed.

Retailers and the warehouses and distributors that support them know that empty shelves lead to lost sales.

Buyers want to feel that they have done their job. Their job is to shop for the best deal. Most sellers only promote one item at a time.

Although a term often associated with baseball and other sports, the meaning of “follow-through” goes far beyond that. The definition is: to engage in an action or complete some task that one said or implied one would do.

I often hear journeymen salespeople say, “I can’t believe she says that kind of thing to her customers! I could never talk to my customers like that.” If you listen to Master Sellers talk to their customers, you'll be amazed at how hard they push and the statements they get away with.

Running an efficient and productive lumberyard is a tall task. Shipment frequency is increasing and lead time expectations are getting shorter.

“Tumble outta bed and stumble in the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition.”
Yawn and stretch and try to come to life…