Vacuum World

by David Parkes, Electrolux Home Care Products North America

Reflection

Turning the calendar to January brings about a time in many of us to reflect upon the year past while sparking a renewed optimism for the future. As I sit here and think about the past year at Electrolux, we are saying goodbye to a great year. A year filled with excellent sales results and one where we launched several new products including the Sanitaire Precision Line, which is exclusive to those of you in the independent vacuum dealer channel.
I can assure you we don’t plan to let the momentum end just because a new year is upon us. In my new position for close to a year now, I’m excited to welcome the year ahead and excited to share our goals with you for 2007!

• Electrolux will continue to partner with the independent vacuum dealer channel with our Sanitaire brand.
• We will continue to produce two brands exclusive to the channel:
  - Sanitaire Precision will continue to be our premium product offering;
  - Sanitaire System_Pro will move to Sanitaire Professional and continue to offer commercial quality vacuums for the home.
• We will introduce a new upright platform at the Spring VDTA Show.
• We will expand the Sanitaire Precision line with new uprights and canisters.
• We will promote the “Green Clean” theme with our brand and dealer advertising.

These are our commitments to you, but now ask yourself -- Is your company positioned to take advantage of these opportunities in the coming year? Step back and take a look at your operations objectively and ask yourself the following two questions: What are the financial goals for my company in 2007? And what do I need to do different in 2007 to grow my business? This is also a great time to take inventory of your advertising and promotional efforts as well. Evaluate what vehicles are working for you and what are no longer providing the results you desire. Then identify the opportunities to grow your business and you’re well on your way to working with our sales force and making 2007 a successful year! There is a saying that is popular within our organization (I’m not sure where it came from but it is so true.) -- “If you always do what you have always done, why would you expect a different result?”

We’ll be in it with you for the long run -- so let’s enjoy the ride together. I look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming VDTA Show and learning more about your business and how we can become an even stronger partner. Then a year from now, we can celebrate an even more successful year end together! v

David Parkes is the national sales director – field sales with Electrolux Home Care Products North America. Parkes started with the company in 1989, and with the exception of a few years has spent his floor care career supporting the independent vacuum dealer channel.

Reprinted from Floor Care Professional, January 2007