Category: Miscellaneous

May 2012 Newsletter


  May 2012


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    NEW– Valve Vanisher™ with Millivolt Standing Pilot Control
 
We have now applied a millivolt control valve to the Valve Vanisher™ for nine different burner styles, with sizes from 15" to 30".

The Millivolt Control System derives its power to operate from the standing pilot and thermo-generator. After manually lighting the pilot, it provides ON and OFF control from the switch installed on the front. It can also be operated from a wall switch, wall timer, or wireless remote control (all sold separately). Millivolt Controls are compatible with home automation systems, exhaust fans and automatic dampers. The Millivolt Control provides a lower cost alternative to the Electronic Ignition System that is also available with the Valve Vanisher™. For more information simply reply back to this email.

 


    Tool Tip!
 
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One of the best free computer "tools" you can have is Dropbox.

One of the best free computer "tools" you can have is Dropbox. Dropbox is cloud storage that lets you access the files in your Dropbox from your computer, phone, iPad and the Dropbox website. It is also great for sharing files with others, especially files that are too large to email.

I use a MacBook Pro as my primary computer. With its dual processor, I installed VirtualBox so I can run Microsoft XP (for using Quickbooks) as well as the Mac OS (for doing almost everything else). I had a hard time figuring out how to move files from the "PC side" to the "Mac side", and vice-versa. Dropbox was the answer. I save everything that I do on the PC side to Dropbox. Within seconds, it is available to the Mac side. It is amazingly simple, yet powerful.

You can sign up here http://db.tt/iTA0a72 for 2GB of free storage. You can increase your amount of free storage by getting your friends to sign up, up to 18GB. They offer 50GB for $99/year, but I've found the free storage to be sufficient – and I use it everyday.

 


    Rett's Reading Rec
 
I like to read and listen to audio books in order to stay up on trends and to grow as a person, business owner and leader. In this new feature, I will share with you books I have enjoyed and found valuable to me and my business.

The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary has been called the Jim Cramer of marketing. He grew his dad's liquor store into a $60 million/year business selling wine on the internet, at www.winelibrary.com. The Thank You Economy is about the effects of social media on business, but with emphasis more on "social" than "media". Gary does not claim to be a techie, so don't think that he has some fancy algorithm or script that will immediately transform your business. To the contrary, he thinks that the internet has changed the world into a "great big small town" and that your great-grandparents would be better suited for business in the next fifteen years than today's youngsters. Back in the day, business was conducted face to face, building trust, protecting your reputation by providing superior products and services, and going the extra mile to keep customers happy. Business was upfront and personal, and poor service or products was reported to friends at the country club, trade union or PTA. During the 1950s through the 1990s, big marketing dollars filled the airwaves, influenced buying decisions and crowded out the competition. Quarterly profits became more important than principles. But the internet is the great equalizer. It has given power back to the consumer, requiring a level of customer service from businesses not seen in decades. "Social media" is not just having a Facebook page or a Twitter handle, it's providing one-on-one attention scaled to your entire customer base. What's old is new again – doing business with the personal touch of our great-grandparents' time will serve us better going forward than the impersonal, "press 2 for customer service", way that many businesses have gone.

Most specialty retailers that we deal with "get" personal service with their customers. To some, The Thank You Economy will be a validation of the culture that already exists in their business. But for all of us, Gary Vaynerchuk reminds us that manners are always in fashion; that people want to do business with those they know, like and trust; and that happy customers are worth a lot more than any other kind. And businesses who do not connect with their customers via social media jeopardize the future and existence of their very business. The Thank You Economy will give you a good shove into using social media for your, and your customers', benefit.

I have seen Gary speak at two Infusionsoft conferences. He is lively and full of zingers. I actually listened to The Thank You Economy on audio book. Gary narrates the book himself and goes off-script often to add interesting asides and updates to the book since the time it was written. It made my drive into work pass quickly for a couple of weeks – learning while being entertained, a great combination!

Buy the book today by clicking on the images below:

 

 


    News & Notes
 
pic5Rett Rasmussen has been appointed to the Technical Advisory Committee of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG).

Rett will answer NCSG members' questions regarding Gas Logs and Control Systems, but will also assist with questions on gas grills, industry issues and marketing and business best practices. He will also contribute articles to Sweeping, the NCSG's monthly magazine.

rule1 Video: Infrared Myths

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There are many misconceptions about infrared grills on the market. We call these "Infrared Myths":

  1. Small burners or blocked ports are good.
  2. Round rod grilling grids are desirable.
  3. You can change a conventional grill into an infrared grill.
  4. Infrared burners are only good for searing.
  5. Infrared is all the same, I'll just buy the cheaper one.

In this video Rett Rasmussen explores these myths and shows how and why Solaire has addressed each issue in a better way.

Watch Video

rule1Save Gas Logs Update

pic5On April 23, 2012, HPBA and NPGA jointly filed an opening brief in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in our litigation challenge to DOE's first and second final rules that affect our industry. The next action will be a response from DOE, eventually leading to arguments before the Court of Appeals. Stay tuned…

rule1Cross Country Bike Ride Dedicated to Our Country's Fallen Heroes

pic5On April 20, 2012, my wife, Irene, and I were privileged to attend the retirement of Evin Thompson, my Naval Academy classmate and water polo teammate, after thirty years as a US Navy SEAL. On May 1, he embarked on a cross-America bike ride (the peddling kind), traveling from Astoria, OR, to Yorktown, VA (that will be over 4200 miles). Please read my send-off for Evin at http://rettras.com/

Evin is dedicating each day of his ride to a fallen SEAL or boat operator hero who has made the supreme sacrifice since 9/11/01. I am helping Evin's remembrance of these heroes by posting them to my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rett.rasmussen .  I encourage you to donate to the Navy Seal Foundation whose mission is to assist the families of injured or killed SEALs and boat operators.

 

 

    Make More Money NOW!

Introducing the NEW Dealer Business Alliance (DBA) Program, sponsored by Rasmussen.

banner1

Here's what you get FREE:

  • Advertising, branding strategies & collateral
  • Inside & outside sales strategies & training
  • Online PR development & distribution
  • Email marketing tools & distribution
  • Website deveopment & SEO Strategies
  • Live & online training events

With Rasmussen and the Dealer Business Alliance program, you can make more money now.


    HELPFUL Links

Be sure to bookmark these useful pages:

www.rasmussen.biz

Troubleshooting and Knowledge Base

PhotoRepository

Blog / Newsletter Archive


    Have you 'Liked' us on Facebook yet?
 
We have pages for both Rasmussen Gas Logs and Solaire Infrared Grills. Stop on by, read our posts and feel free to contribute your photos and stories to our online communities.

www.facebook.com/GasLogs | www.facebook.com/SolaireGrills

 


Copyright 2012 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.

Mar-Apr 2012 Newsletter


Trouble viewing – View online Mar – Apr 2012


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    HPBExpo 2012
 
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HPBExpo Video Booth Tour

In less time than it would have taken you to check your bags and make your way through the security check, Rasmussen presents two videos that explain the products that we showed at this year's HPBExpo in Atlanta, GA. Rett Rasmussen walks you through our various gas log sets, vented and vent-free; discusses the various control types; provides sales and design nuances of the various products; and provides a quick overview of the new "Valve Vanisher™" system, which is applied to nine of our vented burner styles, and helps you avoid "Big Ugly Box Syndrome."

Rett also walks you through our outdoor products, including FirePit logs, Solaire Infrared Grills and Bromic Radiant Patio Heaters that we displayed at the show.

So there you go: a trip to the HPBExpo that is informative, no strip search required, all from the convenience of your computer. Please be sure to contact us if you have any questions or would like a quote on any item you see.

 


    Dealer Interviews a Hit!

A quarter of our booth at HPBA was devoted to videoing dealer interviews. Google, in their latest search algorithm, provides high priority to video with relevant local content. This makes sense, because Google owns YouTube.

The interviews, conducted by our marketing coach, Edward Earle, were of business owners talking about what they know best – their hearth and outdoor products businesses. What is more relevant than that!

This effort by Rasmussen was a continuation of our Dealer Business Alliance, which is committed to providing dealers with the tools and knowledge to help dealers improve their businesses.

 


    Sneak Peak: OUR NEW WEBSITES
 

Launching SOON!

NEW Corporate Home Page

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Visit Beta-Test Site

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NEW Gas Logs Site

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Visit Beta-Test Site rule1

NEW Solaire Grills Site

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Visit Beta Test Site

 

    Make More Money NOW!

Introducing the NEW Dealer Business Alliance (DBA) Program, sponsored by Rasmussen.

banner1

Here's what you get FREE:

  • Advertising, branding strategies & collateral
  • Inside & outside sales strategies & training
  • Online PR development & distribution
  • Email marketing tools & distribution
  • Website deveopment & SEO Strategies
  • Live & online training events

With Rasmussen and the Dealer Business Alliance program, you can make more money now.


    HELPFUL Links

Be sure to bookmark these useful pages:

www.rasmussen.biz

Troubleshooting and Knowledge Base Photo

Repository Blog / Newsletter Archive


    Have you 'Liked' us on Facebook yet?
 
We have pages for both Rasmussen Gas Logs and Solaire Infrared Grills. Stop on by, read our posts and feel free to contribute your photos and stories to the community.

www.facebook.com/GasLogs | www.facebook.com/SolaireGrills

 


Copyright 2012 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.

December 2011 Newsletter


 

  December 2011


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    Merry Christmas!
 

pic5We at Rasmussen wish for you and your loved ones a very warm and joyous Christmas

At this meaningful time of the year, we like to stop and count our blessings:  For our family and friends (including our customers) for whom we work so hard throughout the year to provide our support, products and services; for our great country, where we have the ability to worship freely; and for our military, police and fire personnel, both here and abroad, who protect our homes and homeland, and who may not be as fortunate as we are to spend Christmas at home with their families.  We wish for you the blessings of the season, that the New Year is full of health and prosperity, and that we may continue to be a part of it with you.

 


    Holiday Schedule
 

feedback bos Rasmussen will be closed for the three-day weekends of December 24-26 and December 31-January 2.

On all other days we will maintain regular hours of 7:00 am to 4:30 pm PST.  


   

    HELPFUL Links

Be sure to bookmark these useful pages:

www.rasmussen.biz

Troubleshooting and Knowledge Base

Photo Repository

Blog / Newsletter Archive


 


Copyright 2011 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.

 

September 2011 Newsletter



September 2011


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  Is it in stock?
 

pic5Every day we are contacted by customers asking if we have particular items in stock.  We can truthfully answer "Yes, and No."

With extensive product lines and a variety of sizes, styles, variations and colors, for us to have on-the-shelf quantities of every price list item would require a much larger facility than our four acres, and would be an inefficient use of our financial resources.  So how do we do it?  Some items, like most logs, vented match-lit hearth kits, and portable infrared grills are, in fact, "on the shelf".  Many items are built to the sub-assembly level which allows us to quickly complete the item exactly as you need it once you place your order.  Rarely is there an item that must be started from scratch.  We have to stay at least one step ahead of our customers, especially because we deal with vendors who may take up to twelve weeks to fulfill our orders.  We carry a substantial inventory of parts, but wait until the last minute, when you place your order, to commit these long lead-time items to a finished product.

FireBalls, FireShapes, and FireStones always need two to three days (maybe a bit more during the fireplace season or rainy weather).  We have baskets and pallets full of the various shapes and sizes, but we color all of these items to order.  Depending on the weather, we need to let them dry for a day or two before we can package them.  With eight different colors, and a multitude of combinations of colors, Murphy's Law would kick in if we tried to make stock on the colored items.  Using our method, we can provide you with exactly what you need within just a few days.

We also are asked "How soon can we get it?"  In most cases, your question will be answered with "When do you need it?"  An accurate answer to our question helps us meet your needs, or for us explain the various factors in meeting your time requirement, chiefly the transit time required by either UPS or common carrier.  Production backlog could also be a factor, especially in season.  Please rest assured that we take your order seriously and want to ship it out as quickly as you want us to do so.

Our goal is to under-promise and over-deliver.  We cherish your business, want to meet your needs, and want to earn your repeat business.  If we miss the mark, please let us know so we can improve.

 


  Dealer Business Alliance Webinar– 10/11/11, Noon PST
 

webinarThe next Dealer Business Alliance Conference Call will be held on Tuesday 10/11, at 12:00 noon PST.

It will actually be a webinar where slides will be shown to accompany the topic discussed.  We are pleased to have Lee Sweeney of ACG Technologies as our featured guest speaker.  Lee is a technology expert, and he will provide you with a proven roadmap to follow that will help you take advantage of the local prospects surrounding your business.

Have you noticed a decrease in walk-in traffic?
Is it getting harder and harder to generate leads for your business?
Are you losing business to internet-only retailers?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, then you need to attend this webinar.

On this webinar you will learn:

  1. What businesses need to do to attract more local traffic into your retail locations;
  2. The most important action you need to take to ensure that you are found online by people looking for a brick and mortar retailer, and not an internet-only retailer;
  3. What the biggest mistake struggling businesses make that cause them thousands of dollars in lost revenue and what you need to do to avoid it.

In order to survive and thrive in business in this tough economic climate, you need down-to-earth, solid information about what is currently working for small and midsized business.  This is what you will receive on this webinar.

Since this is a live webinar, we only have a limited number of spaces available, so it's important that you register today.

Webinar details:

  • Date / Time: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 12:00 noon PST
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Your cost: Complimentary, courtesy of Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills
  • How to Register: Simply click here.

Register Now

We look forward to sharing this valuable information with you.

 


  Rasmussen Gas Logs or Alterna in Gas Fireplace
 
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Rett Rasmussen addresses the question "Can I use Rasmussen Gas Logs or Alterna Contemporary Balls, Shapes or Stones in my gas fireplace?"

As much as we all wish to "make the sale", some installations are not suitable for retrofit sets like Rasmussen manufactures.

 


  What's working out there?
 

feedback bos

We want more feedback!

Please email to rett@rasmussen.biz a picture and a paragraph that we can share in this newsletter of a success story you would like to share.  Photos showing unique installations or special touches would be helpful.  Perhaps you totally nailed a presentation because you _________ (fill in the blank and send in the story).

 

 


    Important Info & Announcements
 

New Price List for Rasmussen Gas Logs, Chillbuster and Alternapic5

All good things must come to an end.  Our current prices have been in effect for over 3 1/2 years.  We have absorbed many cost increases during the downturn, but we must recover some of them now.  Accordingly, the new price list reflects, in general, a 10% increase across the board.  The new prices are effective for all orders placed on and after November 1, 2011.  The new price list will be available for download on Monday October 10 from www.RasBox.com

The new price list integrates into one list what used to be two.  It also includes many new items:

Read More

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Gas Log and Alterna Ordering Tips
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  1. A complete set includes logs or shapes; burner; and control.  Some burner kits include the control.
  2. Order by price list item number.  Adding the description is helpful, but the item number is the language we speak.
  3. Specify N (natural gas) or P (propane) as desired for all burner ("hearth) kits and safety controls.
  4. Specify the color for all FireBalls, FireStones, FireShapes, FireGlitter and FireDrops.
  5. Specify the chassis type B (black) or SS (stainless steel) for all Alterna Vent-free sets.
  6. Please detail any special requirements, such as "date needed by", requested freight carrier, or anything else of importance.  Please tell us so we know how to meet your needs.

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"Save Gas Logs" Latest News
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Please check out www.SaveGasLogs.com for the latest news on the DOE assault on vented gas logs.  If you sell, install or service gas log sets, this issue affects you.  Please become involved for, at a minimum, your own business' sake.

  1. Contact your Congressman now.
  2. Submit your comments to the DOE on the proposed rule before the October 14 deadline.
  3. Industry response to request by DOE for a plant visit by their contractor.

rule1

VIDEO: How to Grow Your Sales
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Watch Video

 

 

    Make More Money NOW!

Introducing the NEW Dealer Business Alliance (DBA) Program, sponsored by Rasmussen.

banner1

Here's what you get FREE:

  • Advertising, branding strategies & collateral
  • Inside & outside sales strategies & training
  • Online PR development & distribution
  • Email marketing tools & distribution
  • Website deveopment & SEO Strategies
  • Live & online training events

With Rasmussen and the Dealer Business Alliance program, you can make more money now.

 


    HELPFUL Links

Be sure to bookmark these useful pages:

www.rasmussen.biz

Troubleshooting and Knowledge Base

Photo Repository

Blog / Newsletter Archive


    Gas Log Service Tip
pic8

Fall weather is here and consumers are starting up their gas log sets.  Read about the #1 Tip for Vent-free gas logs and heaters if the complaint is "hard to light" or "turns off after a few minutes of use" (Hint – it is merely a simple cleaning).

www.RasBox.com is our knowledge base for information and troubleshooting help – check it out for this and other helpful information.

 


Copyright 2011 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.

August 2011 Newsletter


August 2011


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  BROMIC HEATER INTERVIEW
 
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Watch Rett Rasmussen & Dan Joseph, Sales Director for Bromic Heating, discuss the new Bromic Heater.

 


    Important Info & Announcements
 

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Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills is truly committed to helping our dealers succeed, and we're proving that through action. On August 16th, we held the introductory call for the new Dealer Business Alliance program.

DID YOU MISS THE CALL?

If you did, here's the link to download the MP3 recording:

This introductory call provides an overview of what this DBA Conference call program is all about, why we're investing time and resources into conducting these calls, and most importantly, what you can expect to get out of the program.

We are looking forward to holding these highly informative and valuable calls. Over the next few weeks, we will be establishing the schedule for these calls and will send out that information to you as soon as we have it finalized.

Download the MP3 now.

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Bromic Radiant Patio Heater Trainingpic5

Wednesday, August 24, 2011, we streamed live over the web the Bromic Radiant Patio Heater training that was conducted at our Whittier facility by the Technical and Sales Directors of Bromic. They were gracious to visit us from Australia to perform this valuable training.

If you were unable to attend the live session, you may view recordings of the training at http://www.livestream.com/rasmussenonline. The recordings are broken up into six chapters, totaling about 2 hours, 22 minutes, and will remain at this site for a while for your convenience.

The initial feedback from those who viewed the training live, either in person or online, were very favorable. They felt it was informative, helped them gain a better understanding of the Bromic line and its place in the market, and feel that it will help them be able to make sales.

Please direct any questions you may have about the Bromic line to me. Also, be sure to stay tuned to www.radiantpatioheater.com for the new videos that were referred to in the training.

rule1

Mr. Rasmussen Goes to Washington
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After one and a half years of saying that gas logs would not be included in Department of Energy (DOE) rule making on gas fireplaces, on July 22 they wrote new rules that did indeed bring gas logs into their regulation. Under the proposed rules, gas logs would either:

  • (1) have to comply with minimum fuel efficiency levels (not practical for gas logs, since these products do not include the enclosure or the flue;
  • (2) be declared as "decorative" by having a gas input of 9,000 BTU/hour or less (yes, just nine thousand – think about 12 pilot lights lined up next to each other – not very decorative); or
  • (3) meet the following requirements to be excluded from the rule:
    • (a) Be certified to ANSI Z21.60
    • (b) Sold without a thermostat, and void the warranty if one were ever installed;
    • (c) "Expressly and conspicuously identified" on the rating plate and in advertising that a gas log set is a "Decorative Product: Not For Use As A Heating Appliance; and
    • (d) Not be equipped with a standing pilot light, after July 1, 2014.

On Thursday, September 1, 2011, Rett Rasmussen and other industry leaders will testify before a public meeting at DOE headquarters in Washington, DC. Rett is a Certified Gas Engineer by the American Society of Gas Engineers, has been designing gas log sets for over twenty years, and has been on many technical committees that have developed and maintained national standards for gas logs and other fireplace products. Rett has identified some flaws in their research and will attempt to "set them right". Rett will provide a report of his experience in a special email next week.

 

    Make More Money NOW!

Introducing the NEW Dealer Business Alliance (DBA) Program, sponsored by Rasmussen.

banner1

Here's what you get FREE:

  • Advertising, branding strategies & collateral
  • Inside & outside sales strategies & training
  • Online PR development & distribution
  • Email marketing tools & distribution
  • Website deveopment & SEO Strategies
  • Live & online training events

With Rasmussen and the Dealer Business Alliance program, you can make more money now.

 


    HELPFUL Links

Be sure to bookmark these useful pages:

www.rasmussen.biz

Troubleshooting and Knowledge Base

Photo Repository

Blog / Newsletter Archive


    Dealer Best Practice!
pic8

Tom Parks from Coastroad Hearth & Patio in Shallotte, NC, (http://coastroadonline.com) sent in this photo of our Rumford Tipi logs (RF-T60LOG with TNA30E-LP burner) installed in a masonry Rumford-style fireplace. Installing a gas log set that is in alignment with the orientation of the opening is important for achieving a "natural" look. The vertical lines of the Rumford Tipi were made for tall openings like this. A traditional horizontal log stack, while looking skimpy, would also have a difficult time fitting into the narrow read width found in Rumford fireplaces. The result's of properly sizing the log set to the fireplace opening speak for themselves.

Read more about Rumford fireplaces on www.RasBox at http://goo.gl/6vNT8

Please send in your installation and business successes to us and we'll give your some press here.

 

 


    What's working out there?
pic8

We want more feedback!

We've been hearing some positive reports from the field that 2011 is shaping up well, especially compared to the past couple of years. What's do you see? What actions have you taken that have had positive results?

Please email to rett@rasmussen.biz a picture and a paragraph that we can share in this newsletter. Photos showing unique installations or special touches would be helpful. Such an idea exchange could be quite valuable – you might find that next big idea for your shop that has proven results from another area of the country. We'll provide full attribution to those contributions that we use, with a link back to your website (which helps increase your search engine ranking).

 

Copyright 2011 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.


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