The Design Pop

In this episode, Alexandra Tseffos takes a moment to reflect and reconnect after a whirlwind month. She shares stories from a recent journey to Greece, exploring her heritage and creating memorable family experiences. From historic landmarks to unique family dynamics, Alexandra's travel tales reveal deeper connections to her life's purpose.

She also dives into her experiences at NeoCon and Design Days and how reconnecting with others creates true moments of gratitude and curiosity. Tune in for a heartfelt blend of personal stories and professional insights that underscore the importance of human connection and discovery.

To access the Pop into Excellence recordings, please visit: https://www.thedesignpop.com/offers/AP2S9W9L

POP into Excellence 2024 recordings are a limited release. This offer ends on August 1st at 12am central time.

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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What truly drives collaboration between sales reps and designers? Today, we cut through the noise to explore how technology and simplified processes can foster better partnerships.

Join us as we hear from industry experts Lindsey Shepherd, owner of Full Circle, and Tom Caterino, principal at Contract Sources in Boston, as they share how they use technology and unique approaches to communication to create harmonious and impactful relationships that deliver real results for their businesses and people.

But wait, there’s more! Alexandra also examines survey results from the North American Independent Rep Council (NAIRC), hosted by Jeff Carlson, on the use of specification services and technology by independent rep groups. The results may surprise you.

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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In today’s episode, we sit down with Aaron Estabrook, Director of Digital Marketing and Media Strategy at OFS, who shares compelling insights on building a personal brand that resonates and stands out in a crowded market. Together, they explore the impact of personal branding on career advancement, the psychological barriers professionals face, and practical strategies for overcoming them. Aaron offers actionable advice on how individuals can express their unique values and skills, enhancing visibility and connections within their industry. This episode is an essential listen for anyone eager to elevate their professional profile and forge meaningful connections in the design world. Whether you're an emerging designer or a seasoned professional, you'll find valuable lessons in building a brand that truly represents who you are and attracts the opportunities you seek.

Register for Aaron's Pop into Excellence personal branding workshop here. 

Learn more about The Design POP into Excellence event 

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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Are you thinking of "crossing over?" 

On this episode,  we welcome Alison Kulisek, a designer-turned-salesperson who has experienced multiple "crossover" events in her design industry career. Alison is currently an Account Executive at MDC Interior Solutions and today she'll share her path from dealer designer to sales, discussing the stresses and challenges of both roles.

This episode offers a deep dive into the diverse career trajectories within the design field, exploring the essential skills required to excel in both design and sales roles. Highlighting the significance of embracing risks and innovation, our discussion underscores the necessity of adaptability and courage to distinguish oneself in the ever-evolving design industry.

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

Learn more about The Design POP into Excellence event 

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On today's episode, Laura Boone, co-founder and principal of turnerboone, shares the unique business model and company culture that drives their success. During our chat, Laura discusses prioritizing highly skilled account managers (who have design backgrounds) over traditional commission-based sales, emphasizing hiring for culture fit and developing leaders internally. Laura also highlights embracing remote work for top talent, prioritizing customer experience, and staying open to industry evolution. Her insights offer a glimpse into an innovative dealership structure centered on service excellence and employee satisfaction.

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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Despite starting his design career in his 30s, Paul Riches has become a distinguished leader at MillerKnoll. Captured during a conversation between long-time industry friends at the CET Experience, Paul traces his winding path to design. From deciding against law school to touring with a heavy metal band, his journey demonstrates how saying "yes" can unlock unforeseen opportunities.

Now a celebrated technological trailblazer, Paul helped push early dealer design software to the limits. He shares valuable insights on innovation, client expectations around speed-to-market, and why designers shouldn't fear AI. Tune in to discover Paul's unconventional trajectory and perspective on technology transforming the workplace.

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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In the second installment of our series, we delve deeper into the actual practices of dealer design incentives.

Join us as we speak with Brent Matthews, President of Price Modern, who explains the rationale behind introducing designer incentives in their organization.

We'll also engage with two design leaders who take distinctly different approaches to incentives. Joining us are Julia Machado, a familiar voice on The Design Pop, who collaborated with Brent on these incentives, and Kim Melka from Duet Resource Group, bringing a fresh perspective.

To cap off the episode, I'll break down the findings from our online survey about design incentives used by both manufacturers and dealers. This episode is packed with real-world insights that are sure to enlighten you.

Get the Incentives Report here

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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As projects get more complex, dealer designers juggle more responsibilities - and as more responsibilities grow, so too does dealer designer compensation, right? RIGHT?! Well, apparently, not always…

In this first episode of our two-part series, we dive into the complexities of dealer designer compensation and incentives. Join us with consultant Shelley Rosetta from Solomon Coyle, who helps shed light on why, despite rising pay, 80% of designers are leaving for better opportunities. Together, we tackle how Dealer Principals can better retain and motivate talent by aligning compensation with skills, setting clear KPIs, and offering more than just monetary rewards. 

Expect insights on transparency, training, and recognition in part 1 of today’s episode, setting the stage for more in-depth discussions and survey data in part two. Stay tuned!

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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Can you believe it's been a whole year of podcasting already? Crazy! As a new podcaster, 2023 has been a fun and surprising journey. For instance, my kiddos now call this podcast, "mama’s show" and my hairstylist mentioned she “digs the sound of my voice.” It’s a little startling to know so many folks are listening, both inside and outside our industry. Even though I’m still adjusting to this new reality, I’ve loved strengthening old connections and making new friends through this podcast journey.

Looking ahead into 2024, I hope to bring more leadership perspectives to the table and chat about topics that impact the life of a dealer designer, like the role of incentives, career advancement, work-life balance, and so much more.

I hope you enjoy this episode and take time this holiday season and unplug. Thank you for joining me on this journey and I look forward to sharing more with you in the new year, so stay tuned!

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

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Recorded LIVE from the CET Experience, Alexandra sits down with Julia Machado, Director of Design at Price Modern. Together, they explore Julia's transformative journey from a production designer to a leader in management. Their discussion delves into  the evolution of her leadership skills, the criticality of maintaining work-life balance, and the art of empowering teams while fostering specialization. A significant part of their conversation revolves around the industry's ambiguous career paths and how professionals can proactively navigate and advance their design careers. Julia shares her valuable insights, providing perspectives from both an individual contributor and a managerial standpoint, offering a comprehensive view of the potential trajectories of a design career within a dealer organization.

And make sure to stay tuned for the last few minutes of today's episode, as we look ahead to our next episode, in which we'll need your help learning more about "incentives" for dealer designers. 

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)

Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn

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Learn more about Alexandra Tseffos and The Design Pop

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