FindAnyFloor.com invited me to share with you information about myself, my blogs and my business. My name is Christine B. Whittemore, and my blogger 'handle' is CB. I am Chief Simplifier of Simple Marketing Now LLC http://SimpleMarketingNow.com, a marketing consultancy focused on bridging traditional marketing with new, digital and social marketing tools.

In my previous role as Director, In–Store Innovation for Solutia's Wear–Dated carpet fiber [as well as previous roles in Wear–Dated upholstered furniture and Wear–Dated apparel], I spent a lot of time figuring out how best to get a message across in the most cost–efficient manner in a world where our customers are increasingly turning to the web to obtain information. That's how I got started with blogging and using other social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn: traditional tools were no longer as effective as they used to be at connecting with customers and engaging with them to drive sales and increase loyalty. Social tools held promise, but I wanted to experience them for myself.

I launched Flooring The Consumer http://FlooringTheConsumer.blogspot.com in June 2006. It's listed in the AdAge Power 150 Marketing Blogs and is where I write about the customer retail experience and businesses – both digital and brick/mortar – who are passionate about meeting the needs of their consumers. It's where I describe best practices or tips and advice relevant to flooring retailers who truly want to connect with customers be it online or off. It's also where I share advice from some of the best practitioners of social media in a series called Bridging New & Old.

Are you involved in social tools? If so, I've recently developed the Social Flooring Index to monitor who in flooring is active with social platforms like Twitter, Facebook and blogs. If you aren't listed, tell me so I can add you. And, I'd love to hear what is working best for you. I may have advice or sources of additional information to offer!

At heart, I'm a practical marketer. I like simplifying and getting to the core of what truly matters – hence the title of chief simplifier! The spirit of simplifying and practicality is what is behind my newest blog, The Simple Marketing Blog http://SimpleMarketingBlog.com. That's where you will find articles describing social media tools, how to integrate them into your marketing strategy, practical marketing examples and other resources that highlight practical marketing and the spirit of simple.

So, if you aren't involved much online, but are curious about how to get started and whether any of it is even relevant to you, let me know. I'm an information pack–rat and will be happy to direct you to more information.

A few other details about me: I live in Northern New Jersey, I also write about the consumer experience for Floor Covering Weekly and my education includes a BA in Art History from Smith College, an MBA in Marketing from Columbia Business School, and constantly studying the world around me!

Please let me know if you have any questions!