Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 2,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on February 3, 2013
from http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bs-ae-gardiners-free-furniture-20130203,0,2581324.story
The owners of a local furniture company that declared free goods if the Ravens returned a kick for a touchdown at the start of the game or just after halftime found themselves having to make good after Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones did just that.
Gardiners Furniture, a Baltimore company, offered customers the throwdown, saying if such a kick return happened, all furniture bought between Jan. 31 and 3 p.m. on game day would be free.
And then Jones opened the second half with a 108-yard kick return.
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January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on February 1, 2013
In preparation for the upcoming Tupelo Furniture Market, the building's owners have invested in technology and people to maintain its growth curve.
The company reports that pre-registration for the spring market set for Feb. 28-March 3 is up 30 percent from the August market.
"We have made changes in how we market our event to both attendees and exhibitors," said Kevin Seddon, president, adding that the show has also benefited from a positive upturn in the furniture industry.
Prior to the August market, the company shifted marketing strategies and how they were executed.
"To manage our growth, sustain or success and execute on our new growth strategies for the fall market, we hired personnel in a number of key areas," Seddon said. "In total, we brought on six full-time staff and 10 part-time employees."
Two employees were hired to coordinate an enhanced buyer recruitment initiative. In addition, an information technology person was employed to enhance online promotional capabilities through the Web site and social media, as well as develop software to improve customer and client communication. In addition, three facility management personnel were hired to handle the increased number of companies now exhibiting at the market, Seddon said.
The investment is not limited to people.
According to Adam Cleveland, Tupelo Furniture Market's COO, the company invested in database management software, trade show management software, Web site and social media development tools as well as other technologies.
"During this spring event which runs from Feb. 28 through March 3, 2013, we will also offer all our exhibitors badge scanning hardware and software which will allow them to capture buyer contact information quickly," Cleveland said.
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on February 1, 2013
Women's home furnishings leadership network WithIt presented its 2013 WOW Awards during a dinner and reception event on the eve of Las Vegas Furniture Market.
The annual WOW Awards honor the achievements of home and furnishings professionals and businesses that embody the organization's mission. This was the first year the event took place during Las Vegas Market.
The President's Award went to WithIt Vice President of Networking Margi Kyle. Kyle has contributed to this industry as an interior designer, television host, mentor, keynote speaker, educator and writer. She has a long record of serving the industry, as owner/interior designer at The Designing Doctor, she has also served as past president of the Interior Design Society, past vice president of the Window Coverings Association of America, executive director for We Make Color Easy, board member for WithIt and professional member of the Color Association in United States. She is the founder of a North Carolina based childrens charity, Little Smiles, a non-profit organization that grants wishes to hospitalized children. She is also the spokeswoman for Safety Shade; a revolutionary new product that eliminates the senseless and preventable deaths of children from the cords on window blinds.
Every year the president of WithIt is asked to pick one woman from the organization who embraces, nurtures and leads those around her, one woman who goes above and beyond the call of membership, and this years recipient is an unwavering, valiant guardian of all we hold dear as an organization, said Julia Rosien, 2012 WithIt president.
Margaret Peggy Traub, CEO and president of Adesso Inc., received the Founders/Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to WithIt and its mission to advance the careers of female professionals in the home and furnishings industries. As one of the founders of WithIt, Traub has performed an integral role in building WithIt, from nascent nonprofit to professional network comprised of hundreds of successful professionals.
Peggys commitment to WithIt has no limits, said 2013 WithIt president Betty Lyn Eller, IMREs vice president, home. She provides invaluable counsel to the board, year after year, and she supports the organizations most vital initiatives, including, most recently, the relaunch of WithIt.org."
Other honorees recognized at the event include:
* Legacy Award: Kathy Ireland of Kathy Ireland Worldwide received the Legacy Award, celebrating Irelands lifetime contributions to the home and furnishings industry.
* Mentoring Award: Ron, Greg and Don Wright of Wright Global Graphic Solutions received the Mentoring Award for their efforts to foster advocacy, development and promotion of women in their company and the industry.
* Education Award: Cheminne Taylor-Smith, vice president of communications for the High Point Market Authority, received the Education Award for her efforts to educate associates, retailers and consumers about home furnishings.
* Leadership Award: Kim Knopf of Innovative Mattress Solutions received the Leadership Award. In 2011, WithIt created the Leadership Award to recognize the contributions of a woman over age 40 who has demonstrated successful leadership in her company, WithIt and the home furnishings industry.
* Future Leadership Award: Kiersten Hathcock of Mod Mom Furniture received the Future Leader Award, which is bestowed upon a woman younger than 40 years old who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and the potential to become an industry leader.
The 2013 WOW Awards were made possible through the support of International Market Centers, Palliser Furniture and Wray Ward. The awards were presented in the SkyView Terrace of the World Market Center Las Vegas.
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 1, 2013
Brack Culler has been promoted to executive vice president of Braxton Culler Inc.
Culler, representing the fourth generation in the Culler furniture family, is a 19-year veteran of the furniture business founded by his father, Braxton Culler III, in 1975.
Brack Culler has served as vice president of manufacturing, managing the operations of some 400,000 square feet of production facilities and 135 employees for the past 15 years. Eighteen months ago, he led the company's move into licensed product with the introduction of the Libby Langdon Upholstery Collection. The collection continues to grow in volume and retail placements and will be expanded with new product this spring at the High Point Market.
"Growing up in the furniture business, I was looking for ways to grow our company and to expand my own role within it," Culler said. "Libby and I were neighbors growing up in High Point, and in fact, we used to carpool together when we were in the first grade at elementary school here. Because we knew each other so well, it was a natural fit for us to work together. It's been an exciting collaboration because I know what works from the manufacturing side, and Libby knows what consumers want. The result is a high-end look without the high-end price tag that has really struck a chord with retailers, designers and consumers."
In his new position, Culler will work closely with company chief executive, Braxton Culler, as his role expands beyond operations management to include sales, marketing, merchandising and distribution responsibilities as well.
"My father is an outstanding furniture executive who has worked relentlessly to build Braxton Culler from a small upholstery company into a preferred resource for Top 100 retailers, independent dealers and designers," the younger Culler said. "He feels strongly that I have a 360-degree understanding of every facet of the company. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to work for him all these years, and to continue to learn from his leadership and experience as we work to ensure that Braxton Culler remains a successful family-run business that stands for made-in-America values for decades to come."
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 1, 2013
Managing people is never an easy task. Those charged with the managing have a distinct personality with various mannerisms, just as no two people are exactly alike in how they prefer to be managed.
Im far from a management expert, but I do know human nature and that folks like to be respected, appreciated and feel as if theyre making a difference in their chosen career path.
I understand that the furniture industry is making a very slow comeback from the cliff of 2008, but undervaluing your employees is a detriment to the broader picture of success.
One of your jobs as a manager of folks is to help boost morale in this up-and-down economy in which retail sales are spotty. As a manager, you have a great deal of influence on your employees satisfaction.
So what to do?
Everyone would love a 20 percent salary increase, Im sure, but seeing how thats not likely feasible until sales make a dramatic turnaround, lets get creative.
1. Offer praise where praise is warranted. Granted, its easier to point out when things are done wrong. Make a point to catch folks doing things RIGHT. Positive reinforcement nets positive results.
2. Welcome employee ideas. Morale improves when people feel valued. Share and implement those ideas whenever possible.
3. Say thank you. Even if theres no extra money to exchange hands, saying a word of thanks for a job well-done can go a long way in letting employees know their work is appreciated.
4. Take employees out for lunch or a cup of Joe. Simply spending time together with the opportunity to say thanks and to exchange ideas is valuable.
5. Host a pot-luck breakfast or lunch. Everyone can participate and enjoy a bit of camaraderie. The cost is manageable, and it provides an opportunity for team interaction.
6. Offer a new, interesting assignment. Make sure its something interesting to the employee. Sometimes all thats needed to boost morale is a little bit of variety and a change of pace
7. Apologize when you should. A sincere, public apology can go a long way when mistakes have been made. Be sure its a personal apologyIm sorry; not were sorry.
8. Help people feel valuable. Talk with employees about the types of projects, training, or experiences they want. Times may be difficult and tough for people to get jobs, but your best people are also the most marketable.
Because of peoples distinct differences, human resources issues require flexibility on all sides and an abundance of training to ensure matters are handled properly. Sadly, for many small businesses, the human touch side of things is relegated to the owner.
Inside this months issue, we take a look at a number of key issues that every business owner, human resources professional and manager will surely face at some point during their career. Ideas on hiring, firing and boosting employee morale follow through the pages. Im hopeful youll find an idea, or two or three, to implement within your operation.
Happy reading.