We've patently called out the K&B industry as not being the hotbed of innovation. Let’s face it, an industry that clings to the rollout tray as a shining example of modernism is not exactly on the cutting edge of technology. So we accept that the manufacturers...

The world of kitchen quoting is one that revolves around speed.  Consumers expect it and even demand it.  Your ability to quote lands you jobs.  Your ability to quote faster means you can take swings at more opportunities.  The problem designers have today is there’s...

If Marty McFly were to flash back to the years leading up to the market regression (say 2003-2005ish) and pay your business a visit, what would he see as your strategy for winning more sales? I’d be willing to bet he’d see an over-inflated sales team with their own...

I know, I know…keeping up with the latest social media trends can be absolutely exhausting.  Especially if you’re a busy cabinet dealer and don’t really have time to “experiment” with a million different things.  Lucky for you, we’ve been doing our own little...

Not exactly an HR warm and fuzzy when a sales manager makes that comment about their staff.  But, from some distant planetary perspective, we can understand. Most sales/design teams have been rudderless for years.  It seems that every new person on-boarded has a...

Throughout our business lives, we’ve all learned it.  “You need to be consistent.”  It’s one of those important phrases that sort of goes without say.  We know we should listen, but it is just so easy to stray from the norm and do “whatever is needed,” regardless of...

Are you a designer or a salesperson?  This was a question that I asked in every design class that I led across the country. The answer was predictable; most people in the business of selling kitchens considered themselves designers first and foremost. Now to be fair,...

We love our customers, but we're pretty sure Brad's love for Aurora takes it to a whole new level.

The countdown is on, one month until spring.  The birds will soon be chirping, you'll suddenly feel the urge to get in shape, and you will actually want to clean everything from the floor to the ceiling.  What is it with spring being just around the corner that puts...

Rahm Emanuel said “Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste.” A crisis is an opportunity to do important things that you would otherwise avoid. While the economy does look brighter, our industry is still at the bottom. The good news is that means our industry is ripe...

Is it February already? It's been such a mild winter, I haven't even noticed. Well, since Punxsatawney Phil already poked his head out for a few brief moments, I guess that means we just have the Super Bowl, Lincoln's Birthday, Valentine's Day, last minute girl scout...

In part I of this article, we learned about the disheartening number of people who don’t like their co-workers. While there may occasionally be productivity draining negative behaviors in your dealership that need to be addressed, there are also times when the problem...

A Conference Board research study published in 2010 stated that a mere 56% of people like their co-workers vs. the 1987 percentage of 68%.  That means (excuse me for stating the obvious) that there are 44% of people out there who aren’t happy with their co-workers. ...

These days it seems like the next big trend is to announce software products that are coming soon.  You know, just around the corner. It’s called vaporware, and it's one of the oldest tricks in the book. And So It Starts Microsoft was one of the pioneers of announcing...

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 imagine...

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 and Tricks...

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 mission.  There are...

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...