Scottsdale Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, TraVek, Inc.

Is It Raining In Your House?

2011-08-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

Although the rain here in the Scottsdale area is beautiful and welcome at this time of the year, some are finding it INSIDE THEIR HOMES. Roof leaking? Drywall ruined? Floors trashed? If this is happening to you, give us a call at 480-367-1171 and we'll be out quickly to give you a hand.

Mammograms in Scottsdale Saturday, June 25, 2011!

2011-06-23T15:24:00.002-07:00

Good afternoon to all our friends out there. I just forwarded an email we received from the Home & Design Idea Center in Scottsdale to our mailing list, but I know there are people who out there who are not part of the list. (Surprise, surprise!) Please note that time is of the essence so, for those who are interested or for those who know people who are in need of a mammogram, the mobile mammogram will be at the HDIC on Saturday. Appointments must be scheduled today!

If you end up going over to the Home & Design Idea Center on Saturday, take a walk through the building and look at all the neat vignettes set up there. If you're looking to do some sort of home improvement or remodel, you're bound to get some ideas. Make sure to stop by vignette 2068 and ZAP our barcode. We will call you to see how we can help you with your project, AND your name will also be entered in our monthly drawing.

Email We Received From HDIC Is As Follows:

Home & Design Idea Center visitors and vendors, don't miss the opportunity to care for yourself. A mammogram mobile unit will be at the Home & Design Idea Center on Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. providing mammograms. Most doctors feel that early detection tests for breast cancer save thousands of lives each year, and that many more lives could be saved if more women took advantage of these tests.

For more information and to book your appointment, call 1-888-233-6121. Mobile mammograms will be provided by the Breast Assured mobile unit. ALL insurance companies are accepted, and should you not have insurance, the fee is only $150.00.

Please take a moment and forward this to all the women in your life, their lives are worth it.

You must register by Thursday, June 23, 2011.

Thank You,
Home & Design Idea Center Staff

I thank you, too. Remember, for all your home improvement needs, we are just a phone call away.

Sincerely,

Todd Raisanen

President

480-367-1171

Vignette 2068

And the Winner Is....

2011-06-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

Randy B. of Glendale is the lucky winner of our Norwex rag this month. He "zapped" the barcode in our vignette at the Home & Design Idea Center last weekend in order to have his name entered into the drawing. Randy, look for the rag in your mailbox within the next couple days.

This past weekend was really active at the HDIC. It makes me think that they've been doing some good advertising because there certainly was no shortage of people. Maybe the people have been passing the word, who knows! Anyhow, we sure enjoyed meeting all kinds of new people and even saw some of our previous customers as well. As always, it was a pleasure.

Mark your calendars for July 9. That's the next MEET THE EXPERTS weekend at HDIC. (In case you don't know, MEET THE EXPERTS is the second weekend of every month.)

Have a super day! Remember, for all your home improvement needs, whether it be kitchen or bath remodel, whole house remodels, additions, landscaping, interior/exterior painting, waterscapes or other, TraVek is only a phone call away (480-367-1171). We look forward to hearing from you.

TraVek's Booth at Home & Design Idea Center in Scottsdale

2011-06-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

We'll be at the Home & Design Idea Center again in Scottsdale tomorrow, June 11 from 10:00 to 4:00. This is a perfect time for anyone looking to do home improvements, because all the EXPERTS will be at their booths ready to help you with ideas and answer questions. There is only one weekend each month when the experts are in, so take advantage of the great opportunity and WELCOME to HDIC!

TraVek, Inc. is located inVignette 2068.

Be sure to ZAP our barcode so that you will be automatically entered in our monthly drawing for some great Norwex cleaning rags. They are the BEST rags we here at TraVek, Inc have found for shining up granite countertops among many other things. (Click here for more info on Norwex.)

Have a great weekend, and we hope to see you at HDIC.

Winners of Our Home & Design Idea Center May Drawing

2011-05-17T13:02:00.002-07:00

Each Monday following "Meet The Experts" weekend at the Home & Design Idea Center in Scottsdale, TraVek, Inc. draws a winner for the Norwex cleaning rag drawing. This month's winners are Richard & Cindy from Sun City West. Congratulations Richard and Cindy. They submitted their contact information at the front desk and then zapped our little barcode in the booth.

Next month might be your lucky month! If you are interested in knowing more about Norwex or how to purchase those rags locally, please contact Susan at TraVek, Inc by email or call 480-367-1171 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 480-367-1171 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

We are dedicated to improving quality within your homes.

Susan

P.S. If you are interested in knowing more about Norwex, we wrote about it in a previous post. CLICK HERE.

TraVek Found A Perfect Rag For Cleaning Granite!

2011-05-17T12:41:00.001-07:00

Here at TraVek, Inc. our tagline for a long time mentioned quality service for quality life. Definitely our purpose is to give you added quality and enjoyment to life through the pleasant surroundings we can design and build for you right within your own walls. We also enjoy looking at the whole picture, and when we see something else that can lend quality to life, we want to pass it on.

Some of us here at TraVek, Inc. have been using Norwex products for some time already. Today I decided to look at their website, and couldn't help but notice their tagline is "Improving Quality of Life".

Briefly, Norwex is environmentally friendly cleaning solutions and products. You don't have to worry about inhaling all kinds of chemicals that may burn your lungs or hurt your eyes. It's gentle and clean. The main product most of us have been enjoying is the cleaning rag. We've found that they work splendid on granite counter tops! You don't have to worry about smears or shine; it leaves no smear and gives lots of shine.

Following is a brief excerpt of what I include in the package of our Monthly Norwex product winners:

NORWEX ENVIRO PRODUCTS

“Clean Without Chemicals”

Why Norwex?

Save Money – This will reduce the use of chemicals, sponges, and paper towels up to 90%!

Save Time – Our cleaning system saves time & effort, making life easier.

Better Health – You don’t breathe, touch or ingest chemicals. Dirt & dust are removed instead of spread around. It removes 99% of bacteria from surfaces. This is a great benefit to those with allergies and asthma.

Better Environment – You will be doing your part to preserve the environment by reducing the amount of chemicals used.

It’s Tried & True – True life story…one of our member’s wife was hospitalized for six weeks. During that time, the dishrag did not get changed at home. No kidding, there was no bad smell to the rag, although it was feeling rather grimy by that time. We don’t recommend six weeks without washing, but you get the point!

We LOVE it! - The most exciting discovery for us was how well it works to clean & shine granite.

How Do I Use It?

The Antibac Enviro Cloth can be used for all surfaces. Clean everything using only water. Works great on walls, windows, sinks, tubs, and also as a remover of certain stains on furniture and carpeting such as color crayons or pencil. Can be used dry for dusting. When washing windows, it is recommended to use the NORWEX window cloth to polish the surface as well.

Maintenance:

By Machine - Wash slightly dirty cloths with a little dish/laundry soap and hot water. Wash and with low lint items. DO NOT USE BLEACH OR FABRIC SOFTENER.

By Stove – Cloths can be boiled for 15 minutes to release dirt and grime.

Why is TraVek giving me this cloth? (Since we discovered the cloth we have been drawing a monthly giveaway winner from our new contact and current remodeling customer list.)

Simply because we love the cloths so much, we figured our friends and customers would like them, too. Many of you have granite countertops, and we have found it to work so well in shining them up, so we are passing on a fantastic product!

Where can I get more NORWEX ENVIRO products?

Call or email TraVek, Inc. for more information. 480-367-1171

GOURMET BBQ at HDIC in Scottsdale, Saturday, April 9, 2011

2011-04-08T11:16:00.001-07:00

It's gonna be a party! Come join us and many others tomorrow, Saturday, April 9, for a FREE GOURMET BBQ at the Home & Design Idea Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Scottsdale! BBQing is compliments of Backyards Unlimited and Arizona Backyard Concepts.

Not only will you get some delicious, sumptuous food, this is also a great chance to meet 100s of local exhibitors and get some new ideas for your home improvements!

TraVek is at HDIC!

Vignette 2068

TraVek, Inc. is very excited to be a part of the Home & Design Idea Center in Scottsdale.

HDIC is a place where you can go any day of the week and browse the displays at your own pace. The booths are "unmanned"; however, the second weekend of every month, the experts will be there and available to answer your questions and give advice you may be seeking.

TraVek Gives Gifts!

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday at HDIC. Make sure to stop by our booth and ZAP our barcode, because we give out a lovely NORWEX cleaning rag to someone each month! (These work great on cleaning granite, as well as the rest of your home.)

Todd Raisanen
TraVek, Inc.

Starmark Cabinetry Offers Lyptus Wood Cabinets

2011-03-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

We here at Travek have really been impressed with the Lyptus wood cabinets. Beautiful! If you're looking for a higher end, rich looking cabinet, consider Lyptus.

Taken directly from Starmark's website:

Lyptus is a very rich, warm tone, hard, fine-grain hardwood with a rich, warm tone. A darker finish palette minimizes the natural color variation, which can be significant. More than most woods, Lyptus mellows and darkens with exposure to light.

As always, we're here to help you with all your home improvement needs. Call now to 480-367-1171 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 480-367-1171 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 480-367-1171 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or click here to email us

TraVek - Latest Trends in Kitchen Designs

2011-03-18T11:01:00.001-07:00

TraVek's designers are often asked about the latest trends in kitchen design. Here's a great link that was recently published in Urban Home (CLICK HERE).

A couple things to remember when designing your kitchen space is first of all, what will fit your family? What purpose does your kitchen serve? It is merely a room where food is made? Is it a gathering place that becomes the heart of your home? Do you entertain a lot of guests? Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Do you have children or others that you want nearby while you're in the kitchen?

Is Your Kitchen the Heart of Your Home?

There are a lot of questions to ask and answer. That's why it is important to talk with someone who has experience in kitchen design. When someone only remodels a kitchen once or twice in a lifetime, they just may not be in tune to what is going on out there or what is available in the world of remodeling.

Here at TraVek, our designers love to keep on top of what's going on in remodeling. And we're happy to share it with you! Email now for more information or to set a time for one of our designers to meet with you.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from TraVek!

2011-03-17T11:04:00.002-07:00

On today, St. Patrick's Day, we want to wish this for you and yours:

"May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore"

-An Old Irish Prayer

TraVek, Inc Setting Up Booth at Home & Design Idea Center in Scottsdale

2011-03-15T14:12:00.001-07:00

This week we're excited to be setting up our booth at the Home & Design Idea Center just north of the 101off Pima here. For those of you who are shopping for ideas and don't know where to begin, the Home & Design Idea Center is a great place to start! So many vendors have worked hard to bring gorgeous displays that are only the tip of what they are capable of creating within your homes! You name it, it's there if it's in the home improvement industry!

Stop by to see our booth. We should be set up within the next week, and you'll find us at booth #68!

Need More Painting Tips?

2011-02-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting link with some helpful tips for painting in Arizona. Brian Santos, aka The Wall Wizard, was interviewed prior to the last Home and Garden Show in Phoenix. Enjoy!

Brian Santos, The Wall Wizard, Gives Painting Tips

Take Care of Things Now!

2011-01-18T12:31:00.001-07:00

Would you rather paint your house or wait a couple years and replace all the wood, too (eaves, posts, facia)? How about your showers? Are they 10 years old and leaking? Are you interested in taking care of the mold now or would you rather having to end up replacing the walls around them? This may sound harsh, but it is a reality. These are questions based on real-life situations we have seen, as well.

Is your paint oxidized? Is there water getting inside your exterior walls? Let's hope they're not to that point. One way to prevent that is by painting them on a regular basis so that they are more water repellent. Here in Arizona it is recommended to paint the exterior of your home every 6 to 8 years, although most homes look pretty drab if you end up waiting that long.

On another note, taking a look at the economics and trends of the country, it's looking like a given that inflation is going to hit sooner or later. Thinking in those terms too, you can get more work done for less now than you will be able to down the road.

So many things to think of, but it always pays to plan ahead and be pro-active in taking care of your home. We're here to help you with this and all your home improvement needs. Call now (480-367-1171) or email sales@travek.com for a FREE estimate.

What Makes A House A Home?

2011-01-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

They say that kitchens and bathrooms are the biggest determining factors in selling a home. Well, if you are staying in your home you need not worry about the features for re-sale. Instead you need to concern yourself with, "Does this kitchen fit my lifestyle?"

Granite countertops alone will not make a kitchen a great. Consider the layout. If you enjoy baking and cooking, are the oven/stove, refrigerator and baking cupboards in close proximity to each other so there is nice work flow? How about the mixer? Do you have room on the counter to pull it out? Where do you roll out pie crusts?

Think of your family. If you have children, is there a place for them to sit and do homework while you putter in the kitchen? Or is there a spot for your spouse to pull up a chair in the corner and visit or read? Is there room for more than one in the kitchen?

How about the bathroom? Do you want it strictly functional, as a place where you can run in and out of the shower? Or would you rather have it as a place you can go to relax in the tub?

There is all this and much more to consider when making your house a home. Of course we know that when it comes right down to it, a house is made of four walls, and a home is made of love alone, but if you can, why not have a beautiful house to make your home?

TraVek, Inc. has inhouse designers to help you with all your home improvement needs. Email or call now to 480-367-1171.

Merry Christmas To You and Yours!

2010-12-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

To Each One of our Valued Friends and Customers,

Wishing you every happiness this Christmas and Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year. Thank you for the part you play in our lives and business. We look forward to continuing our relationship in the coming year.

All the best to you and your family,

Todd and all of us at TraVek

From Our Home to Yours This Christmas & Holiday Season...

2010-12-01T14:14:00.002-07:00

Recipe of the Month...

Prune tarts are a common Christmas treat in Finland, the land of most of TraVek's forefathers. This recipe is another one handed down by Grandma, and something that has been enjoyed in our homes forever and something we want to share with our friends and customers.

Finnish Prune Tarts

1 lb butter

Pinch of baking powder

¼ t salt

1 c cold water

1 egg yolk

4 c flour

Mix dry ingredients like a pie crust. Cut in ½ lb butter. Mix egg yolk and water and mix into dry ingredients. Form the dough into an 8" x 5" rectangle. Refrigerate in a one-gallon ziplock bag for one day (or at least 6 hours).

Lightly dust your rolling surface with flour. Roll the dough into 9x13 or a slightly bigger rectangle. Don't actually divide the dough into thirds, but imagine it is divided into thirds. Spread 2 T butter on the middle third. Fold the bottom third over the center. Spread 2 T butter on top of that. Fold down the top third. You know have another rectangle lump of dough. Refrigerate for another day or at least 6 hours. Repeat this whole process of rolling the dough 3 more times (That means this entire process will take about four days). Butter that has been sitting out 15 minutes makes it easy to spread.

On day three you want to make your prunes. Take about 13 oz. pitted prunes. Put in saucepan with enough water to cover the prunes. Boil until soft (about 2 hours). Stir occasionally and be careful not to scorch the bottom. You may need to add more water, depending on how dry the prunes are. Once the prune mixture is soft, but not runny, take it out and just put it in the refrigerator until you use it when forming the tarts on the 4^th day.

On day four you will take out your dough and cut it into 4 sections. Roll each section into a ¼ " thickness rectangle. Cut into 3 ¼" squares. Put each square on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cut slits from near the center to each corner, making sure not to have the slit come too close to the center so they fall apart.

Put a heaping teaspoon of prunes in the middle of each tart. Just as you would put together a little pinwheel, pick up every other edge, bring all four edge corners to the middle and turn. (Look at the picture link below that I found on Google...) When you turn it, make sure the ends stick well so the dough stays together when it's baking.

Bake in 400 degrees F for approximately 15 minutes if thawed. If frozen, bake 20 minutes until very light brown.

Let cool just a bit and then drizzle a very light frosting made of powdered sugar, couple drops of almond flavoring and water. You may also just sprinkle powdered sugar on the top if you don't want to glaze.

Makes 4 dozen.

Prune tarts freeze nicely and are most delicious when fresh out of the oven. If you want to make them ahead of time, form them, put on a cookie sheet and freeze them long enough to be firm. Then you can just put them in a gallon-size ziplock bag and freeze until you bake them just before serving.

This site has some nice pictures of the process. Even though the recipe is a little different, the pictures will give a more clear picture of how to form the tarts. CLICK HERE.

Sparkle Up Your Home For the Holidays!

2010-12-01T14:11:00.002-07:00

In the past few weeks I have had a different sort of opportunity to learn something new. Among my wife's, sisters' and mom's friends, the women have gotten really excited about an eco-friendly cleaning product, Norwex. It was totally new to me, and being somewhat skeptical, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this product really has merit to it, and figured our customers and friends out there might enjoy it as well. Now is as good a time as any to tell you about this cleaning product since so many of you are probably starting to "sparkle up your homes for the holidays."

From what I understand there is some sort of silver within the fabric of the cloths, and that silver is a natural way to kill bacteria. If you go to the website itself, you'll see much more information about it, and if you're really interested, you are more than welcome to come to a presentation we have set up with a local consultant on Saturday, December 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Remember, for this and all your home improvement needs and design ideas, TraVek is here to help you from start to finish. Give us a call at 480-367-1171 or email us at info@travek.com.

Todd

P.S. A couple weeks ago I went to visit my mom and dad's. Dad was sitting there at the kitchen table, had his feet up and was just looking quietly around the room. He said to take a look and notice how sparkly the granite countertops were. I did, and they certainly were beautiful. All because of just a rag and water. Under no uncertain circumstances did he leave any doubt in my mind that we need to offer this to our customers. He said to at least let you know a rag like this will work wonders on your granite countertops.

P.S.S. Please R.S.V.P. if you intend to attend the event where we will show this very fun and exciting product. We will plan to bring enough Finnish tarts and coffee for all who sign up! Email us at info@travek.com.

P.S.S.S. These make great Christmas gifts for anyone who likes a clean house!

Roofing Calls From Hail Storm Still Coming In!

2010-11-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

It has been six weeks already and we are still getting roofing calls because of the intense hail storm that we had here in the Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix area. If you have a shingle or foam roof, pay special attention.

What we are seeing is that with the shingle roofs, the granules have been wiped right off! This is on brand new roofs, too! Your shingle roof will not hold up to shingles minus the granules! Walk around the perimeter of your house and take a look. Do you notice spots that are discolored? It might mean the granules are missing.

As for foam roofs, they took a royal beating! We are seeing some of the most beat up roofs we have seen in a long time. Again, it doesn't matter what age the roof is. The hail pounded the foam so hard that it tore up pieces of it all over the roof, and moisture has been allowed to get into the foam and destroy the integrity of your foam roof. Your foam roof will not protect you as it was designed to protect you; in fact, it will more than likely leak with another big storm.

Skylights are cracked, a/c units have been beaten so that the motor is having to work "overtime", thus wearing out your motors.

If you live in an area that had this destructive hail go through, and you have a foam or shingle roof, chances are very high that your roof has been compromised. At this point, roofing problems are typically insurance problems. Once it goes beyond that, it becomes a bigger problem that leads to more issues.

Now, don't you go climbing up on the roof. Unless you know a roof, you shouldn't be teetering around up there. Give us a call at 480-367-1171, and we'll come check it out.

HOMEOWNERS: Don't Miss Out On the $1500 Home Remodeling Tax Credit Awaiting YOU!

2010-10-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

First of all, YES, the $1500 tax credit really does end December 31, 2010! This means that you have only 2 months from Sunday to get your products installed. In the world of remodeling and home improvements, it's getting to be the eleventh hour if you're looking to do improvements to your home energy improvement, whether it be in the HVAC, windows, doors, skylights, roofing, insulation, or non-solar water heaters. If you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit.

See more information HERE for qualifying purchases toward the $1500 energy tax credit.

We, here at TraVek, can help you with all your energy efficiency needs. Call NOW for a FREE estimate. 480-367-1171.

Congratulations to Our TraVek Gift Basket Giveaway Recipient!

2010-10-11T10:20:00.003-07:00

Congratulations to Elizabeth Biladeau of Phoenix for being drawn as the winner for the $200 TraVek "Simply Fun & Frivolous for Ladies Basket" Gift Basket Giveaway at the recent Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show.


Todd Raisanen presenting "Simply Fun & Frivilous for Ladies" Basket

Enjoy the basket, Elizabeth. Hope it brings relaxation to your day and a smile to your face. Thanks to all those who stopped by to say hello and sign up for the chance at the basket. We'll be doing it again, so don't forget to stop by our booth at the next home show in January to sign up for another chance at another "just as fun" basket! We'll be glad to see you.

Ike & Deb's Story as Mentioned on KTAR

2010-09-17T22:34:00.001-07:00

Ike and Deb worked with TraVek and after much careful planning, their house went through a complete makeover in order to make it their home. Watch the progression...

Bathroom Remodel Doesn't Have to Be Extensive to Be Nice!

2010-09-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

We just finished up a bathroom remodel at a home here in the Phoenix area. See how they were able to give a nice face lift and really freshen up a dated look? Dick Meyers, one of our reps designed this one.

TraVek's Employee of the Month Donates Kidney

2010-08-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

In this world there are many generous people, but to what extent? TraVek saw a whole new definition of the word “generous” in the last month.

The story started last April when Todd and Kent were meeting with an apartment complex manager regarding a job we were doing. Somehow in the conversation they started talking about organ donation. The manager mentioned the complex owner needed a kidney transplant, and that he himself had undergone some testing to see if he was a viable candidate to donate. There was a difficulty in that his blood type did not match; however, they could do something called a “lead frog” donation, meaning he’d donate his kidney to someone who matched and someone else would donate to his desired recipient. Upon ending that conversation Kent said to let him know if that wasn’t going to work and he would maybe be willing to be tested.

Kent went home, talked with his wife and they did some research on kidney donating and transplanting. Then he got a call from a friend of the person who was needing a kidney, and she asked if Kent was serious in considering testing and possibly donating. At that time Kent said, yes, but he still wanted to do more research and talk more about it with his wife.

Over the next weeks, Kent and his wife met several times with the one who needed a kidney, and got to know him and learned his life’s story. Kent and Kayla started to feel like this was the right thing to do, and so he went in for four days of testing. Suffice it to say that he was a perfect match!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010, Kent and his kidney recipient were in adjacent operating rooms at the Mayo Clinic here in Scottsdale. The initial transplant went smoothly, and as of today, the signs are real good that this was a successful transplant.

This month, we tip our hats to Kent and Kayla for their generous heart of giving. We also wish a successful recovery and happy, healthy years to the recipient.

Does Craftmanship Still Exist?

2010-08-23T12:26:00.001-07:00

The other day we touched the tip of an iceburg during our sales meeting. The beginning of the discussion was whether or not craftsmanship still exists in remodeling today. At TraVek, we have felt and wanted to stress the art of craftsmanship, and as we work with different people, it is an ongoing process to try instill that pride and craftsmanship that would reach into and display itself in every part of life.

In looking more into craftsmanship, I searched Google and found some interesting articles. The following article is being taken from someone else, and is by no means my own words, although some of it echoes my own thoughts.

Read on and let me know what you think:

Craftsmanship: the Meaning of Life
By Tim_Bryce
“Manage more, supervise less.”
- Bryce’s Law

When I got into the work force back in the mid-1970′s it seemed everyone dressed in a suit and tie, drank black coffee, smoked their brains out, and worked their butts off. Today, golf shirts have replaced suits, herbal tea and bottled water have replaced coffee, nobody is allowed to smoke, and rarely does anyone work beyond 5:00pm. More importantly, we used to care about the work we produced; there was a sense of craftsmanship, regardless of the job. My Brother-in-law in Cincinnati conducted me on a tour of his company’s machine-tool shop years ago and showed me how he could take a block of aluminum and convert it into a high-precision machine tool. It was a pleasure to watch him work, as it is to watch anyone who knows what they are doing, be it a waitress, a programmer, a laborer or a clerk.

Quality and service used to be considered paramount in this country. If it wasn’t just right, you were expected to do it over again until you got it right. We cared about what we produced because it was a reflection of our personal character and integrity. But somewhere along the line we lost our way and craftsmanship has fallen by the wayside. Why? Probably because we no longer care.

In today’s litigious society, employees are acutely aware that it is difficult to be fired due to poor performance. They know they will still get paid and receive benefits, regardless of the amount of effort they put forth. Consequently, there is little to encourage people to perform better. Money isn’t a motivating factor anymore. People now expect bonuses, raises and other perks to be paid out regardless of how well they perform during the year.
We’ve also become a nation content with doing small things. America used to be known as a powerhouse that could tackle large projects, such as building skyscrapers, designing innovative bridges and tunnels spanning substantial bodies of water, engineering transcontinental railroads and highway systems, conquering air and space travel, and defending freedom not just once but in two world wars. If you really wanted something done, you talked to the Americans and no one else. Now we get excited over iPods, cell phones, and other electronic trinkets.

Many believe Craftsmanship is in decline due to the general apathy found in today’s society. Maybe. I tend to believe it is due to an erosion of our moral values. Let me give you an example. Having a child in college, my interest was piqued recently by an article describing the pervasiveness of cheating and plagiarism in our schools. It is not my intent to make a political statement here but many of the students mentioned in the article rationalized their cheating on the fact that one of our past Presidents cheated and lied under oath, and got away with it. They figured if it is okay for the Commander-in-Chief to act this way, it was an acceptable form of behavior.

Arnold Toynbee, the famed English historian, observed, “Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder.” If the moral fabric of our society dies, our story is told as evidenced by other great civilizations that long preceded us. Our perspective needs to be realigned: Our personal and professional lives must be viewed as one. As Toynbee remarked, “The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.” By doing so, we identify more closely with our work and assume a greater pride in workmanship. We do not need to hear this from our boss, but rather from within. As strange as it may sound, I see Craftsmanship as being patriotic in nature; doing a good quality job is part of leading a good and honorable life and builds on the individual’s esteem, the company he works for, and the country he lives in.

The biggest problem though is that we have forgotten how to manage people. The manager’s primary goal is to create the proper work environment for employees to produce the desired work products. This is different than a supervisory capacity that directs how each person performs the various tasks of a job. In fact, I encourage managers to manage more and supervise less. I cringe when I see a manager try to “micromanage” either a Fortune 500 company or a non-profit organization.Yes, people need to be trained in order to properly perform their work but following this, employees should be mature enough to supervise themselves. In the old days, management stressed discipline, accountability, and structure; three ugly words in today’s workplace.

Understanding Craftsmanship
Some might say craftsmanship is a simple concept that we should intuitively know. Not true; most people today have no comprehension as to what makes up a good craftsman; they have either forgotten or it has simply passed them by. Craftsmanship can be found in any field of endeavor imaginable, be it in the product sector or service industry. Craftsmanship, therefore, is universally applicable to any line of work.

Craftsmanship is not “workmanship”, nor is it synonymous with quality, although the three concepts are closely related. Let’s begin by giving “Craftsmanship” a definition: “The production and delivery of quality goods or services from highly skilled workmen.” Quality relates to the absence of errors or defects in the finished product or service. In other words, finished goods operate according to their specifications (customers get precisely what they ordered). Such products are normally durable and require minimal maintenance. Craftsmanship produces quality products. In the absence of craftsmen, a rigorous methodology or assembly line process is required to produce quality goods using workers without the expertise of craftsmen. Such processes detail “Who” is to perform “What” work, “When”, “Where”, “Why” and “How” (5W+H), thereby assuring a quality product or service is produced. Such is the underlying rationale of the ISO 9000 certification as used by many companies today. The point is, quality is not the exclusive domain of the craftsman.

Craftsmanship is also a human trait. Some might argue a computer or industrial robot can produce quality products and are, therefore, craftsmen. However, we must remember these devices are programmed by human beings in accordance with the rules of the craftsman. As such, they are an extension or tool of the craftsman.

Craftsmanship can be found in either the overall work process or a section of it. For example, there are craftsmen who are intimate with all facets of building furniture, such as a table, a chair or desk, and can implement the product from start to finish. However, as products grow in complexity, it becomes difficult to find people suitably qualified to build them from the womb to the tomb. Consider military weapons alone, such as the complicated ships, tanks, and airplanes we now use, with thousands or millions of parts to assemble. Such complexity makes it impossible for a single person to have the expertise to build the whole product. The same is true in the service sector where different types of expertise and capabilities may be required. In other words, craftsmen have a specific scope of work. The scope of work may relate to other types of craftsmen through a chain of work dependencies, e.g., Craftsmen A, B and C concentrate on separate sub-assemblies which are eventually joined into a single product.

Attributes
So, what are the attributes of a craftsman? What makes a craftsman a craftsman? There are three basic attributes described herein:

1. Possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the work.
The craftsman is an expert in his field of endeavor; so much so that he could easily serve as an instructor in the subject matter. But the craftsman is also smart enough to know that education is not a one time thing, that his world and field evolve as new tools and techniques are introduced. As such, the craftsman is a student of his profession and is constantly looking to improve himself. This is exercised through such things as continued education, routine certification, studying books and trade publications, and industrial groups. The craftsman willingly participates in trade groups, often at his own expense, in order to network with his peers.

It is Important to note that the craftsman does not need to be told he needs periodic training to sharpen his skills. Instead, he takes the personal initiative to stay on top of his game. Further, the craftsman has no problem with a periodic job review; in fact, he welcomes it for it might bring out a weakness in a skill he needs to sharpen.

2. Attention to detail.
The craftsman understands and respects the process of building/delivering a product or service and is acutely aware of the penalties for cutting corners. Earlier we discussed the need for a methodology that specifies 5W+H. The craftsman is intimate with all details of his scope of work, so much so, he could probably write the methodology himself. Further, his intimacy of the work process means he can produce a reliable estimate of time and costs to perform the work.

Although many of the craftsman’s tasks may be repetitive, it doesn’t mean he easily falls into a rut. Instead, he is constantly looking for new tools and techniques to improve the work process. As such, he plays the role of Industrial Engineer who is normally charged with such a task.

The craftsman’s attention to detail also means that he demonstrates patience in his work effort. Again, wary of cutting corners, the craftsman must possess such patience in order to produce the product the right way.

3. Views professional life as an extension of his personal life.
The craftsman identifies with the end product which is where pride in workmanship comes from. In his mind, the craftsman has been charged with the responsibility of producing something, and wanting to satisfy the customer, puts forth his best effort to produce it. In other words, craftsmen take their work personally. This is a difficult trait to teach particularly in today’s society where the focus is more on financial compensation than on the work product itself. It may sound naive, but the craftsman believes he will be suitably compensated for producing superior results.

Years ago, Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears (NFL) confounded sports writers who could never understand why Butkus played as hard as he did year after year for a losing football team. True, Dick loved the game, but beyond that, the sports writers didn’t understand one thing about the seven time All-Pro linebacker: Butkus took his job personally. It was important to him that his opponents know that they had been tackled by the best player; as he said, “When they get up from the ground I want them to say ‘it must have been Butkus that got me’.” Dick Butkus was a craftsman.

The craftsman has a burning desire to produce a superior product/service because he sees it as a reflection of himself. As such, the lines delineating their personal life and professional life are blurred. This is a significant characteristic that clearly separates a craftsman from the average worker. The craftsman’s work is his life. He does not shirk responsibility, but rather embraces it with confidence and embosses his name on the finished product. Conversely, making a work related mistake of any kind pains a true craftsman. Job titles are normally inconsequential to the craftsman who is more interested in delivering a quality product/service enjoyed by the customer. Instead, the craftsman takes pleasure in being touted as the best in his craft. He appreciates recognition; when someone makes a compliment about a product, the craftsman views it as a personal compliment. This too runs contrary to today’s corporate world where people desperately seek recognition through simple job titles. Want someone with an inflated ego? Give them a title. Want something done right? Call a craftsman.

Productivity
“Dependable”, “professional”, and “resourceful” are adjectives that aptly describe the craftsman. He is not one who fabricates excuses but, rather, always finds a way to get the job done. The craftsman is typically your most productive employee. He is mindful of the concept of productivity that we have touted for years:

                    Productivity = Effectiveness X Efficiency

Most people fallaciously equate productivity with efficiency, which simply gauges how fast we can perform a given task. Effectiveness, on the other hand, validates the necessity of the task itself. There is nothing more unproductive than to do something efficiently that should not have been done at all. An industrial robot, for example, can efficiently perform such tasks as welding. But if you are welding the wrong thing, then it is counterproductive. Going back to our description of a methodology, effectiveness defines “Who/What/When/Where/Why”, efficiency defines “How.” The craftsman is well aware of the difference between the two and knows how to apply both. As such, the craftsman is in tune with his work environment and corporate culture.

So how do we make craftsmen?
Not easily. Because of the human dynamics involved with the craftsman, you will need to be a pretty intuitive manager or industrial psychologist to make it happen. Selecting suitable candidates is the logical first step. Devise an aptitude test to determine the candidate’s suitability to become a craftsman. After all, “you cannot make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.” Aside from specific knowledge and experience in a given field (e.g., programming, woodworking, construction, accounting, etc.), here are some other important traits to look for:

   Fertility of mind – judge his ability to learn, to adapt to changing conditions, and to look beyond his scope of work. Evaluate his professional curiosity.
    Confidence – judge how well the candidate knows himself, particularly how well he knows his own limitations. He should admit his deficiencies and not fabricate excuses.
    Dedication - judge his loyalty and determination to accomplish something. What is his attendance record? What outside clubs and organizations does he belong to and how active is he in them?
    Entrepreneurial spirit – judge his personal initiative. Is he driven to succeed (but not to the point of reckless abandon)? Does he have a problem with accountability? This says a lot about assuming responsibility.
    Attention to detail - judge his ability to focus on a subject. Does he have a problem with discipline or organization? A person’s dress, mannerisms, and speech says a lot about a person.
    Reliability – judge his ability to assume responsibility and carry a task through to completion.
    Resourcefulness – judge his ability to adapt to changing conditions and persevere to see a task through to completion. The candidate cannot be inflexible; he must be able to find solutions to solve problems.
    Socialization skills – does he work better alone or as a team player? His position may depend on his answer.

When you have selected suitable candidates, here are three areas to concentrate on:
   Develop their skills and knowledge by allowing such things as: participation in trade groups, outside certification and on-going training, subscriptions to trade journals, continued education, etc. Some companies even go as far as to develop an in-house school to teach the company’s way of doing things. If the in-house school is good, it will promote confidence through consistency. Even if people leave the company, they will recommend your company because they know the quality of the work produced. Supporting the education needs of our workers is not only smart, it is good business.
   Teach them the need for producing quality work; they should become intimate with all aspects of their work process (5W+H). Further, instill discipline and patience in their work effort.
   Change their attitude towards development so they become more focused on delivering a quality end-product. This is perhaps the most difficult element to teach. However, it can be realized by having them become intimate with the needs of the customer (have them visit or work with a customer for awhile – “let them walk in the customer’s shoes”). It may also be necessary to change their form of remuneration by going to a reward system for work produced (as opposed to guaranteed income regardless of what is produced). Changing the mode of financial compensation is highly controversial in today’s business world. But, as an example, can you imagine the change of attitude of today’s professional athletes if they were paid based on their accomplishments (e.g., runs or points scored, hits, rebounds, etc.) rather than having a guaranteed income? Their motivation and attitude towards their profession and team would change radically. Candidates must learn to respect their institution, the process by which they work, fellow human beings, and themselves. They must also learn not to be afraid to TRY; that they must put their best foot forward, win or lose. Bottom-line: they must learn that their work has meaning and worth. If they don’t enjoy their work, they shouldn’t be doing it.

“There are two things that I want you to make up your minds to: first, that you are going to have a good time as long as you live – I have no use for the sour-faced man – and next, that you are going to do something worthwhile, that you are going to work hard and do the things you set out to do.”
           - President Theodore Roosevelt
            Talk to schoolchildren in Oyster Bay, Christmas-time 1898

Certification
Teaching the elements listed above probably cannot be done in one fell swoop. Further, companies simply don’t have the time or money to wait for the craftsman to be produced. Instead, they must understand the human spirit needs to be cultivated and be allowed to grow over time. Because of this, it is strongly recommended that an in-house certification program be devised specifying what the candidate should know and what skills and talents he should demonstrate. This should be divided into classes of progressive expertise; e.g., apprentice, intermediary, and craftsman. The ancient builders in Egypt, Rome, andGreece understood this concept and devised such classes of workmen. Other disciplines and schools follow similar tactics (the various degrees or belts in martial arts for example). Each degree is based on specific prerequisites to master before moving on to the next level.

An in-house certification program has the added nuance of making people feel special which greatly enhances their self esteem. If they are made to feel like a vital part of the company, regardless if their work of a large magnitude or trivial, they will strive to do what is best for the company overall, not just themselves. Consequently, their work adds meaning to their life. There is one pitfall to all of this; today’s “go-go” management style fails to see how craftsmanship adds value to the company. In fact, there were companies back in the 1980′s that shut down such programs simply to reduce costs. As a result, quality suffered, repeat business was lost, products were more in need of repair, absenteeism on the job escalated, etc. Want value? How does a loyal customer base who has confidence in your products or services sound? And what effect would employee harmony have, particularly if they believed in the work they were producing? It would be mind-boggling, all because we had faith in the human spirit to produce superior results.

A final note: craftsmanship is not a one time thing. After it has been instilled in people, it has to be cultivated and perpetuated. If a manager slips even for a moment, it will go right out the window and it will take time to bring it back to life. As for me, I like to post motivational reminders kind of like the one recently spotted in the Hickey Freeman manufacturing facility in New York, “Excellence is Tolerated.”

Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has 30 years of experience in the field. He is available for training and consulting on an international basis. He can be contacted at: timb001@phmainstreet.com.

Copyright © 2006 MBA. All rights reserved.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Bryce

TraVek Creates Pond INSIDE Home in Arizona,

2010-08-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Did You Know...

2010-08-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Having A Brick Home Is Murderous To Your Energy Bills?

Brick homes are very difficult to keep cool in the Southwest’s scorching summer heat. Brick heats up very easily and spreads the heat through the entire house, fighting the air conditioning in the battle of keeping the house cool or hot. This internal war between the bricks and the air plays havoc on your pocket book. The harder the air conditioning has to work, the more expensive it becomes in multiple ways. First, it overworks your air conditioning unit, aging it far before its time, and second, it adds costs each month in your electric bill. One way to combat this “brick” problem is to stucco your home. Stucco is the most efficient siding product for the Southwest. It is thick enough to keep the warm air out and the cool air in the home, even while the sun is beating down on it. Stucco also gives your home a modern look or a face lift, while it is busy insulating and saving you money! What better way to combat this nasty brick overheating, energy eating problem than a brand new look which can go right over the existing brick, saving you time, mess and money! To learn more call us at 480-367-1171 or email us at info@travek.com. For this and all your home improvement needs, visit us at www.travek.com!

Got Some Old Paint Hanging Around?

2010-08-16T12:00:00.004-07:00

Here's How To Safely Dispose of Old Paint

The following article is taken directly from a random Wiki article at http://www.wikihow.com/Safely-Dispose-of-Paint.

After the renovations, after the touch-up period has expired, after you’ve completely forgotten about it, there sit your stacks of old paint cans, a hazardous waste albatross hanging around your house. So what can you do with it?

1. Check the label to see if any lead or hazardous materials are in it. Some old paints call for hazardous waste disposal.

2. Remove the lid and let the paint air dry in the can. To speed up the process, stir in an absorbent material such as clay kitty litter, sawdust, or leftover concrete mix.

3. Look to see when the paint is completely dry and shows no moisture whatsoever, wrap the dried clump in newspaper and place into your regular trash. Do not place the lid back on the can. Wrap the lid and can separately in newspaper for disposal. This option works best for latex paints because oil based paints require an extensive time to dry. (Latex paint is not hazardous. After hardening latex paint can be placed into household trash. Oil based paints need to be taken to your local hazardous waste center or used up.)

4. If you need to get rid of a lot of latex paint you may want to consider purchasing “waste paint hardener” (Google it). A cup or so of this powder mixed in with a gallon of paint will cause it to harden up within hours.

To learn more about painting hints or other home improvements, call TraVek in Scottsdale at or email us at info@travek.com. For this and all your home improvement needs, visit us at http://www.travek.com/!

Decluttering Your Home, Refreshing Your Mind!

2010-08-16T11:57:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

This might seem like a funny subject for a home improvement company to be writing about, especially on its first blog! TraVek, Inc. understands that the comfort of your home is not only creating the beautiful environment through remodeling, painting, additions, or landscaping but also helping you to make your homes beautiful through simple arrangement and organization!

About a week ago, I had an interesting experience. I had gone to my home in MN for a family reunion. Believe it or not, even though I moved here already six years ago I still had a lot of stuff in storage. At the time I moved here, in my mind it was all treasures, and I figured it would be used again some day. Now this past Spring I had this daunting task lingering in the back of my mind because I knew that it did not pay to keep that stuff in storage; it was time to go through and get rid of the things I no longer needed. Clutter equals chaos in my mind. Even though I couldn’t see it there, I knew it was just beyond the door.

When I opened the door my first thought was, “Oh my gosh, how am I ever going to get through all this?” I sat on a chair and just looked at the mountains of boxes before me. Slowly a plan formulated in my head. I knew some of it was truly treasures to me, and some of it would most definitely be treasures to someone else, and some of it was downright JUNK. Now I had four ways to separate it: KEEP FOR ME, GIVEAWAY, GOODWILL, and DUMP.

I had no option but to start going through every box, but once I got going, I knew there were no options other than the four outlined above. There were some of those sentimental things I just couldn’t part with. That pile was easy; however, soon that pile started to grow. Now I needed to give myself some good self-talk and convince myself that even though some of this stuff is really beautiful, it has been in storage for six years, and I haven’t needed or wanted it yet. My biggest boost came when I realized that it’s okay to get rid of things, especially since I just knew someone would be able to use them or enjoy them. My Goodwill and Giveaway piles grew.

By now my sisters had heard I was going through my junk. Soon Mom and one, two, three sisters and a few nieces joined me and each picked out a few things, as they talked about decluttering their own places, too! We had a lot of fun going down memory lane as the little girls tried on the eyeglasses and wondered how we ever wore such ugly styles (remember those really big ones that covered nearly the whole face?). Yep, ugly. Into the Goodwill pile. Clothes? Give them all to Goodwill. If it hasn’t been worn in a year it will never be worn again. Give this box to your kids to sell on Ebay, yeah, tell them to keep the cash. This one goes to the trash, and on and on until it was all sorted.

By the end of the day I saved only seven boxes for myself. We had a couple vans of treasures for the Goodwill and another for the kids to try their luck with Ebay. The burning barrel had high flames. As for me, I was tucked in bed and totally relieved to get that huge mess off my mind! I haven’t missed anything yet. Getting rid of junk in your surroundings clears the mind as well!

What are you doing to your surroundings to make your mind and space clear? If you need help getting started, you might find helpful tips from www.Flylady.net.

Susan

Welcome to The Latest at TraVek, your Phoenix Area Home Remodeling, Painting and Landscaping experts

2009-11-10T13:35:00.006-07:00

Check out the latest pond we completed. Our first ever pond created right inside our customer's home. The project turned out beautifully - check out the pictures here to see for yourself!!

http://www.travek.com/