SPOTLIGHTw w w . d a k o t a s u p p l y g r o u p . c o m

w w w . w a r o o s e v e l t . c o m

Your Customers Are Curious About Hands-Free Bathrooms – Go With The Flow With The HelpOf American Standard.The DC-version electronic proximity lavatory faucet is part of American Standard’s Selectronic™ collection, featuring a universal sensor for superior hands-free technology. Here’s why you and your customers will love this faucet:

• Safetyfeaturespreventvandalismandconservewater– This faucet has a durable, vandal-resistant brass body that is ideal for high-use commercial applications. Plus, it comes with a safety timer that turns off the faucet if the sensor is covered for more than one minute.

• Easyinstallationmeansyou’reinandoutof therefast– This electronic proximity lavatory faucet features single-post mounting with optional four-inch and eight-inch deck plates. The water-resistant solenoid enclosure simply mounts to the wall.

Superior Network Testing Begins With The Noyes® CS260-10 OTDR From AFL!• Testwithoutdisruptingservice–The CS260-10 provides an out-of-band 1625 nm OTDR with filtered detector, enabling live PON testing without disrupting service on an active PON. It also includes an integrated PON power meter to automatically detect and measure downstream 1490 and 1550 nm signal levels.

• Detectandmeasurecloselyspacedevents–The CS260-10 provides extremely short event and attenuation dead zones (0.8 and 3.5 m, respectively), enabling closely spaced events to be detected and measured in distribution and drop fibers.

FREE FLEECE JACKET WITH A

$400 AMERICAN STANDARD PURCHASE!SEE YOUR DSG REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS.

October 2012

COMMUNICATIONS

PLUMBING

Printed On 100% Recycled Paper!

The Do’s And Don’ts Of PricingI enjoy reading a magazine from the National Federation of Independent Businesses called MyBusiness, and the other day I came across an article called “Getting Pricing Right” by Martha Spizziri. As we all know, dealing with pricing can be key to business success or a huge pain in the neck – and this article did a nice job of reporting on that dilemma. My favorite part of the story is a short rundown of “Do’s and Don’ts for Successful Pricing.” Let me paraphrase some of these helpful tips.

DO make managing prices part of your everyday job. It’s a lot easier to set your prices and forget about them, but that doesn’t make it a good idea. The economy changes, markets change and your costs change – every day. Your pricing needs to be flexible as well.

DO monitor the results of your pricing changes, but DON’T make adjustments too quickly. We can learn a lot from watching what happens to sales once we’ve changed a price. But don’t be too hasty. This article suggests that you should give a price change 10 to 12 weeks before you judge whether it was effective.

DON’T make jarring changes. It’s easy to give your customers whiplash with deep discounts or big increases. Try to be consistent and considerate of those who buy from you.

Finally, I’ll add two of my own:

DO consider your material markup percentage when you adjust pricing. Most price comparisons revolve around hourly rates – not your markup. Adjusting your markup can be a relatively painless way to improve your overall margins.

DON’T cut prices too much. If you’ve ever read this column before, you know how much I believe in being paid for what you are worth. Slashing prices is a short-term fix that can do long-term damage to your business. That doesn’t mean you should never lower prices – but competing on price alone is a recipe for disaster. Too many times it changes the focus of your relationships to “how much does it cost” rather than “how much is it worth?” Show your customers how much you (and your products) are worth – and they’ll gladly pay it.

I believe that pricing is both an art and a science. It’s also a lot of work. Your DSG representative may be able to help. Give us a call, and we’ll do whatever we can to make sure your pricing is as effective as possible.

CurrentTom's

DSG# 079013

Tidy Jobs Make For Loyal Customers!• Boostyourimageinseconds– These shoe covers slip on quickly to protect carpet, tile or wood from dirt and scuff marks. Customers will appreciate your consideration and professional appearance.

• Onesizefitsmostmeanslessinventory– These shoe covers fit up to size 15 shoes.

Find Iron Faster With The Magna-Trak MT200 Magnetic Locator!The Magna-Trak MT200 from CST/Berger is the ideal tool to locate iron objects like valve covers, pipes, surveyor markers and more – under the ground, under the water or in the snow.

• Searchwithconfidence–The LCD display and audio tone allow for pinpoint accuracy, even in congested areas.

• Getmoredone–One-handed operation means your other hand is free to use other additional equipment.

• Worksafer–The locator’s indicator cautions when detecting a power line.

The operating frequency of OsiSense XS9 stainless steel inductive proximity sensors is three to six times higher than standard inductive sensors. Plus, these convenient features will make your job easier:

• Robustconstructionstandstoughinharshenvironments–The 303 stainless steel, one-piece housing and rugged sensor face are highly resistant to mechanical shock and vibration.

• Longersensingdistancekeepsthesensoroutofharm’sway–With “three times” sensing distance up to 40 mm, you can set up the sensor farther away from the target, reducing the potential for exposure to impact.

Detect Fast-Moving Parts More Precisely With Telemecanique’s OsiSense™ XS9 Proximity Sensors!

AUTOMATION

WATERWORKS

HVAC

Detect Fast-Moving Parts More Precisely With Telemecanique’s OsiSense™ XS9 Proximity Sensors!

Pop Quiz

Submit your own outdoor photos to

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1. What was Thomas Edison – famous for inventing the light bulb – afraid of?

2. What did Babe Ruth wear underneath his cap to keep him cool during the game?

3. In hunting, what are black bears judged by aside from body weight?

4. Who was the first African American quarterback to play in the NFL?

Answers:1. the dark 2. a cabbage leaf 3. skull size 4. willie thrower (1953 chicago bears)

Fast FACTSPumpkins also come in white, blue and green.

Former teammates Edgerrin James and Matt Leinart co-own one of the largest indoor go-cart facilities in Arizona.

James Buchanan, elected in 1856, is the nation’s only bachelor president to date.

According to folklore, signs that someone is a werewolf include a unibrow, hairy palms, tattoos and a long middle finger.

4.3.

2.1.

Todd Budke from

Bongards’ Creameries

hoists up the 25.5-pound

salmon he caught on a

trip to Lake Michigan.

Stand Up To Power Surges With Mersen’s STT4X!The Surge-Trap Type 1 Protection in the Nema 4X Enclosure from Mersen provides unmatched protection against voltage spikes. It was the first fail-safe, thermally protected MOV to pass all UL 1449 3rd Edition tests, and today it is still the best.

• Installsquickly–No extra fuses or circuit breakers are required – just a few wires to connect and you are protected within minutes.

• Versatilityletsyouputthepowerof Mersen toworkeverywhere–The STT4X can be used outdoors or indoors in applications including control cabinets, PLCs, variable frequency drives, security systems, medical equipment and industrial controls.

Badger Galaxy: Bringing The Improved Efficiency Of AMR To Your Desktop.Badger Galaxy is an AMI fixed network radio frequency (RF) system that allows utilities to improve operations – without ever having to leave the office.

• Timelierandmoreaccuratebillinginformation

• Uniqueleakdetectionandanti-tamperingcapabilities

• Easilyaccessiblereal-timeandhistoricaldata

• Simplifiedinstallation–receivermountsinminutes and transmitters come ready to install

D id You Know?You can get feedback from your customers with DSG’s feedback program – free to all DSG customers! Learn how at http://dakotasupplygroup.com/resources/marketing-toolkit/.

METERING TECHNOLOGY

ELECTRICAL

Box 13573Grand Forks, ND 58208-3573

PRESORTED STDUS POSTAGE

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Permit No. 14

These mobile work shelters provide outstanding protection from rain, insects and cold weather.

• Simplesetupmeansyoucangetrighttowork– The shelter sets up in just minutes, and you can take it down just as easily.

• Aluminumframingmeansthisshelterismade tolast–The solid aluminum framing is the strongest available and is made to stand up to years of abuse. Plus, itsmaterialmeetsCPAI84fireretardantrequirements.

• Easytransportationmeansthere’slessdowntime– The shelter’s integrated utility sled makes it easy to moveyourtoolsandequipmentwithyouinonetrip.

• Easeof useletsyouworkmoreefficiently– These shelters feature port hole openings for through-cable access and a side wall heating/cooling ventilation blower port.

Outdoor Jobs Are Easier When You Have An Otter Utility Shelter.

TO DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE , VISIT THE UTI LITY PAGE AT

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Check the code on the printed version of your September issue of Spotlight to see if you are a winner! If your code matches one of the codes above, bring in your September Spotlight to your local DSG to claim your prize!

Plus, don’t forget to hang on to the printed version of this issue of Spotlight to see if you’re a winner in November!

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