CFI for all Installers

MIke, CFI doesn't really want all the installers-just the cream of the crop.
But it would be nice if we could get the trainings and updates out there to all installers. That would greatly improve on how it is done and maybe get us a little more money which is what everyone wants. Even the recognition of what we do would help a lot.

Daris

 

Jim I didn't pay any attention to what forum it was in when I answered. I just answered. And let me tell you that we appreciate all the training dates you put up, CFI or otherwise. If people don't read or attend the trainings then it is their LOSS.

Daris

 

Mike, if a supply house in your area said they are "interested" that's your cue to get a date, contact the CFI office and set it up, then put posters every where!
Next thing you know you're the president of your local CFI chapter. Be warned though, once you start a chapter your hair-line starts to move. You could end up with a very popular and successful chapter but you also get a fore-head the size of Rolands'.

 

I had a brainstorm the other day .go figure .tell me what you all think a pattern woven workshop @ bloomberg carpet mill.

 

With a mill tour? Where do I sign up?

 

Jim what is Hanover Fist real name. I see he is in Charlotte

 

Ok, time for me to jump in. First I want to say, Mike very sorry we missed each other, Would have love to set and have a cup of coffee with you. I was on the move the hole time at surfaces, going from the CFI booth to help grade test and give a hand at the certification, to going around taking care of my marketting duty's for CFI. Then having meeting and diner with people I need to talk to.
Now getting on topic. I fell we would be doing injustice to the installers who studied and took the test to get thier certification if we just let anyone hold a title for a few dollars. even if it did not say certified, people would only see the words CFI.
Next, I AM BALD AND LOVE IT, it is a solar panel for a sex michine.
It is not easy to get retailers and other people to understand training, it takes hard work and staying on top of things. Once it set's in with them it becomes easy.
Jim, I know you can not be talking about me because I do like you. Now I do fit the part of not getting you the training stuff in this area. I guess because I know you get the list from CFI about our training's I forget to get you the one's that are not CFI trainings.

 

I am sorry I have not had a time to comment on any posts recently. I have been extremely busy learning how to spell correctly. Any one who has read my past posts understands how I feel about education inside our trade. Not only is it important, but it is the only thing that truly gives oyu an edge anymore. I am not talking about a competitive edge with fellow installers, but a personal edge in understanding how to make money. That is after all why why work, isn't it? Truth of the matter is, if you do not care about doing the job correctly you never feel right about yourself. That is human nature. The people in this forum want to do their respective jobs correctly. That's what brings them here. Whenever I am at a training I like to show this website along with CFI's as the class is ending. Of course I stress the manufacture trumps all advice!
As far as who CFI is for. It is for anyone willing to learn. Keep an open mind and understand nobody has ever truly mastered his trade until there is nothing left to learn. I am still learning. Daris and Roland are both my collegues and mentors in one way or another. But not because they are Master II installers, but because they are valued freinds whom are extremely intelligent inside and outside of our trade.
There are different levels inside CFI for a reason. Not everyone is going to understand woven, or faculty goods. NOt all commercial installers understand upholstry work. Yet anyone of us are probably very good at what we do for our particular shop.
I always considered CFI to be the reason we have no excuse to be ignorant about our responsibilities inside our trade. In other words, a CFI installer should never say he did not know.
I thought I was a great installer until I joined CFI. The truth was I was young and loved to work. I however had no clue what it took to run an installation correctly. CFI helped me tremendously.
All of us in this forum should look around. Are we actually leaving our trade better than we found it? We are the first generation that can say no we are not. We as human beings owe it to humanity to reverse this trend. If you want to complain about lack of funding to do this, consider this. Are you actually making what you are worth? The easy answer is no. YOur competition is cheap enough to force you to comprimise somewhere. If you want to make what you should be, then make your competition understand what they are worth! If theyvraise their rates your rates will not seam so out of wack.
That's all I got right now, I have to work!

 

After reading my own post I have to realize how much I rely on spellcheck! Sorry so wordy. Important to know that as installers we need to keep up with a constantly evolving manufacturing process. Like I told my son when teaching him to hit a baseball. "Hit it before it gets to the plate". Same goes for us. Stay in front of the industry not behind it. Now back to spelling class I go.