I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “everything in moderation”. Sometimes I feel like I experience this on a consistent basis. This morning it popped into my head as I was drinking my second cup of coffee. My heart started racing, my hands felt a little shaky and then...
Ever caught yourself saying “That’s How The Other Half Lives” as a G6 Jet lands on the runway next to you? Me neither – but that’s the scenario I always imagine when hearing that line. While there is a clear differentiator between traveling on a G6 and traveling on...
If you’re having trouble coming up with content for your kitchen and bath business’s blog, don’t give up. Sometimes all you need is a different frame of mind, or to ask the right questions. Think everything remodel Put yourself in your reader’s shoes – Try to...
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If that’s true, then there are a lot of insane folks in the kitchen and bath industry. As an industry sales professional, I imagine it’s safe to say that...
Remember that resolution we spoke of? You know – the one where our most important goal in 2012 is to help more of you fulfill your business resolutions. We’re making good on that resolution starting this Friday, January 6th, at 1pm EST with our Sales Tips...
It’s finally 2012, and although the outlook may not appear to be as crystal clear as we’d all like, we’ve got some things to look forward to. With each New Year come new opportunities and responsibilities. It’s almost as if the New Year is a sort of a reset button...
For many kitchen and bath dealers, contractors and remodelers the winter months and holidays tend to lead to a noticeable decline in sales. Of course, even as old man winter settles in for another extended stay, the spring building season is actually right around the...
These days, many healthcare plans include wellness packages striving to keep the healthy in good health rather than just serving the unhealthy. Often, companies don’t install large-scale wellness programs because they believe them to be expensive and time consuming. ...
According to Livestrong, “Employees who work as a team have improved communication, greater productivity and mutual respect for each other.” That being said, it is extremely important to make sure your employees don’t lose sight of your business’s...
In Part I of this two part series, we touched on the never ending search for a perfect accounting solution that integrates flawlessly with your design software, while solving all of your other business needs. The truth is, you’re not going to find it – because it...
Let’s face it; the kitchen and bath industry can get stressful at times. Things can become a madhouse…someone entered prices incorrectly, an in-home measurement was missed due to an absent employee, and your salespeople are arguing over who stole whose lead. While...
I feel so old even saying this but back when I was dating (I was just married this year on June 2nd so as Brent always tells me: I’m not a real man until I have kids), I always found it interesting that with each new person I met, they were always perfect. ...
Demonstrating value in your product is a way to get a customer’s business; showing that they are valued is a way to keep a happy customer (who has the potential to refer future business). During the sales process, your customer wants to be treated personally...
We’ve touched upon the issue of salespeople wearing too many hats at times – and we fully believe that each department should focus on their own workload instead of having to do two jobs at once. That doesn’t mean we don’t think cross-training is crucial...
It has been an interesting year in marketing for us. Budgets were low for most and the world of social media and a phenomenon called “inbound marketing” became even more prominent. I personally found 2011 to be one of the most challenging and yet...
If at some time now or in the future you want to sell your business, there are some things that a potential buyer really wants to see (other than financials that look good). Aside from the financial numbers, inventory, etc. these things will make your business much...
There’s no better opportunity than Thanksgiving to take a moment and reflect on some of the things we are very thankful for. This year, we thought we would share them with you (in no specific order). Our customers. We have been lucky enough to have customers...
Unfortunately, the marketing portion of your business is usually the first area to get pushed aside until a later date. Why? Because marketing doesn’t show an immediate return like closing a sale or contacting a lead. We are creatures who like instant gratification,...
We previously posted about extra costs associated with current employees. That post may have been sobering, but don’t go stiffing all of your workers to make up for it. The cost to replace employees if they leave is all but guaranteed to exceed the cost to keep...
What if I told you that your $40,000 salary employee may be easily costing you $15,000+ extra? If you don’t already know how much your employees cost, it’s about time you do the math – not to scare you, but rather to help you budget and make informed...
Not many people want to start a new project during the holidays, unless it’s one that doesn’t require as much time as an entire kitchen remodel. So, the end of the year for cabinet dealers, contractors and remodlers tends to become a time for finishing tasks (current...
Everyone has been holding out and hanging on for the light at the end of that ruthless dark tunnel we call today’s economic slump. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard the utterances of wishful thinking, “It’s going to get better…the future is looking...
The holidays really sneak up on you, don’t they? It seems they come earlier every year. One day you’re looking longingly at the summer sun through your office window; and then a day later it’s snowing and you can almost swear you hear the faint sound of...
Have you ever been to a restaurant that you just loved…and then went to the same restaurant in a different location and didn’t get that same vibe? Maybe they didn’t seat you right away, the food wasn’t up to par, or the order time was slower. ...
Your employees invest a lot of time and mental power (let’s hope) into making your company successful, so it’s always a good idea to let them know you’ve noticed. Of course there are things you can do throughout the year to show your appreciation,...
