Go green. Buy local. Recycle. We have all heard these statements, but have we ever stopped to really think about the importance of these statements? What are the benefits to me and my community? Well I have spent a lot of time researching the benefits of these three statements and feel that it is important for all of us to understand why we should pay attention to these three things. However for the sake of time I am going to focus on the "Buy local" statement and the product focus will be hardwood flooring in the Northern, VA area.
I chose hardwood flooring for the type of local business we will look at only because I have intimate experience with this topic. I have first hand working knowledge of this product and region. I am asked all the time, why go local? Well I am going to explain why using local companies is a win for the overall community. In my research I have found many well-documented benefits to our communities and to each of us to choosing local, independently owned business, as opposed to a huge national brand. I realize it is not always feasible to work with a local company and so merely ask you to Think Local FIRST!
Top Reasons Why Going Local When Evaluating Hardwood Flooring Northern Virginia Benefits the Community
1. It Actually Supports YOU: When you work with local flooring businesses, as opposed to large national corporation, it is much more likely that the money taken in will be re-spent back into the community to support local flooring distributors, delivery personnel and warehouse workers. These are all members of the community... why not give back!
2. You Help Local Community Groups: Credible study's show that non-profit organizations on average receive over 200% more support from small business owners. Northern Virginia is home to thousands of non-profit organizations and I have personally seen members of the local flooring industry contribute.
3. Build a Unique Community: When you use a local flooring company you are literally helping to build a unique community. Only a local flooring company is going to have the flexibility to build and install a unique highly customized look and feel to your hardwood floors. In general national companies just don't offer this
4. Helps the Environment: Local owned flooring businesses more frequently make their purchases locally, which requiring less transportation and most likely their place of business is in highly populated town or city as opposed to building offices on the outskirts. This means that a local flooring company contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create Jobs Locally: This is an undeniable fact. Local flooring businesses create local jobs!
6. Service: I am sure that this could possibly be debated, but based on the feedback I get from clients, as well as being aware of the flooring businesses in Northern Virginia flooring market, I find that a superior more personalized level of service is received when going local
7. Investing in Your Community: Working with a local hardwood flooring company, allows more money to stay in the community.
8. Innovation: A local market made up of many locally owned flooring businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and high value over the long-term.
9. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Flooring requires wood. Wood is heavy. The less transportation required, the less greenhouse gas emissions are produced.
10. Be Part of a Movement: The decision to go local for hardwood flooring can have a huge impact on Northern Virginia. Be a part of the movement. Start by shifting your thinking, then take action to make next flooring project a local community contribution!
So that is it in a nutshell. You really can apply this type of thought to any product or service, however as I mentioned earlier, my extensive experience and insight pertains to how going local specifically affects the Northern Virginia hardwood flooring market. Cheers, and remember: Act Global. Think Local!
- Chad
Chad is President and Owner of Total Flooring, LLC. He is LEED accredited and participates in "Green" building methods. Chad has a strong belief in giving back, and participates in a number of local charities.
No comments:
Post a Comment