Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/101524
Market Pulse { Readers��� opinions on industry-related issues } Designers Talk About Their Resolutions for 2013 Kitchen & Bath Design News recently posed the following question to dealers and designers in the kitchen and bath industry: ���What resolutions have you made for the new year?��� I would like to use social media more to connect with clients. There are so many great ideas and products available, and clients love to hear about them. I think social media is a wonderful way to get the word out, through e-mail blasts, blogs, etc. Currently we use social media on a very limited basis. It���s such a powerful tool. I���d love to employ it more. I would also like to network more with other kitchen designers, interior designers and vendors. There are so many talented individuals in our peld. Whenever I talk with them it���s very inspiring. I love connecting with them, and I always learn something. They have such wonderful information to share. Trading ideas sparks a lot of new ideas in my mind. Judi Cooper, CKD, CBD Julie Williams Design Novato, CA O ne resolution is to try and get my CEUs in on time. I usually wait until the last minute, then it���s a hustle and bustle trying to get them in. I���d like to do a better job of getting them in as soon as I���ve completed them. On a personal level, I���d like to get out and take more walks to keep myself focused, energized and healthy. It���s very important to keep a clear head and a clear mind. It���s a little tough this time of year, but I do want to make an e���ort to get out more. Sandra Michaels, CKD Gilley Kitchen + Bath Winsted, CT W e���re so busy now, which we���re so thankful for, that I haven���t really had time to make any resolutions yet. We���ve done a lot in the past couple of years to update our showroom to reqect what is currently going on in style and design trends. We���re pretty much updated now, but one resolution would be to stay on track with current design trends. Our clients are usually two to three years behind what is popular, so we try to bring current trends to our showroom to reqect what is going on with design in the rest of the world so our area can catch up. Another resolution would be to continue to focus on client relationships. My clients aren���t just people coming in the door, many of them are close friends. When you work with someone on their home, sometimes for as long as two years, they become friends. I also want to make sure each customer feels like he or she is the only customer, that his or her thoughts and beliefs are important. It isn���t just my design, it���s a collaboration. Carlene Corigliano, designer Empire Bath & Kitchen, Inc. Utica, NY M y prst resolution is to be more organized. I think it helps to de-clutter the mind. Our binder system helps with organization, but keeping them up to date is challenging. I���d also like to do better with job costing. Picking a specipc time to do it, for example Mondays, could help with that. Overall, improved organization would help days run more smoothly and would help when clients call in with requests. A second resolution is to be a happier person, and to look at each day as a gift, to not take things for granted. A happier outlook a���ects everything, not only the business, but also clients, family and friends. Ti���any Williams, AKBD Tangerine Designs Kitchens + Baths Omaha, NE O ne resolution is to push my creativity levels further. I do go online to get some ideas, and I���d also like to take part in local seminars held in our area. We���ve been very busy so it���s been hard to pnd time to do that, but I think it���s helpful to know about the latest and greatest products available. I would also like to get more organized. A lot of my jobs are very detailed. We keep binders for every project, but it���s important to make sure those binders are in order���to stay on top of everything, to minimize errors and to make sure everyone is on the same page, especially as far as product selections. Sometimes there will be multiple changes made before pnally settling on a particular product. We need to make sure we���re all on the same page as far as what decisions have been made. Kristen Myers, designer Kitchen Choreography Traverse City, MI I would like to expand my business and hire another designer. Currently I am the only designer. I would also like to expand more into general interior design. Another resolution I have is to refresh and change some of my displays. Margie McCulloch, owner/designer Red Pepper Kitchen + Bath Design Boulder, CO WARNING: For Professionals Only! Now, a leading marketing organization offers you a way to survive this decade of turbulence. We prepared eight ���Survival Guides��� of proven tactics based on years of marketing and experience ��� everything from publicity and advertising to the Internet and how to become a product spokesperson. You can get your copies FREE by simply asking for them. No strings attached. Go to guides.interlinegroup.com or call 847-358-4848 for a full set of Interline ���Survival Guides.��� Intense reading. If you don���t have your copies of the survival guides you are missing out! Order now, go to: guides.interlinegroup.com, or call 847-358-4848. ��2012 Interline Creative Group, Inc. Circle No. 04 on Product Card