In today's episode, we're going deep into a surprisingly hot topic in the world of the dealer designer. Should the reins of ancillary decisions be in the hands of designers, salespeople, a specialist, A&D, manufacturer’s rep… all of them? To help break down this debate, we welcome two very special guests, Jodi Sorenson (Director of Furniture Design at AGILE INTERIORS) and Abby Leopold (Principal at CH411). We discuss how ancillary has become more complex, the differences between specification & selection, and explore ideas on how dealerships can enhance the ancillary process as the demand for ancillary grows.

Plus, we glean findings from a survey put out by The Design POP, revealing how dealerships approach ancillary, with some eye-opening feedback. Join us for a comprehensive look into the evolving realm of ancillary furniture and how this topic just might make or break your dealer design team.

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In today's episode, Alexandra interviews Ellen Gerovac, VP of Design at BSI-Milwaukee and Mother of 4 children. Together, they discuss their experiences becoming parents while building design careers, including overcoming early misconceptions about motherhood in the industry. 

Ellen shares advice on setting boundaries between work and home life, being creative about managing workload, and involving kids in your design passion. Alexandra and Ellen offer clear advice for managing your mental health as a Mom, emphasizing clear communication, asking for help when needed, and maintaining balance during stressful seasons of life. 

As you'll hear, this conversation aims to empower designers to advocate for their needs while bringing their best selves to their families and their work.

Looking to make a change? The independent designer registry is a way to help you market your skills, in a field you love, to those who need your design expertise.  

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Today, we chat with Josh Collins, Design Director at Atmosphere Commercial Interiors. In this episode, we discover how Josh's experience working in A&D and data analysis led him to prioritize design and embrace the challenges of the dealership industry, realizing the immense potential for dealer designers to make a lasting impact on the world of work environments.

We also explore the transformative effects of the pandemic on redefining work and consider how dealer designers can shape the future, leaving their mark on the universe of design.

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In Part 2 of our designer stress series, I team up with esteemed communication coach and AlwaysStrategic founder, Rob Langejans, as we explore the findings from our Dealer Designer Stress Assessment. With his extensive expertise in Architecture, Engineering & Construction, and Contract Furniture, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation.

Tune in as we go further on the topic of managing stress, enhancing workplace satisfaction, and improving communication techniques. 

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Let's talk stress. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the complex stress landscape that dealer designers confront daily. From relentless requests for deliverables, quick deadlines, exhaustive email chains, and unending creative demands - we examine how these tasks can grind you down. This balancing act between projects and people strains not just the mind and body, but also begins to cross over into every facet of life and business.

So, what's the greatest source of your work-related stress? How do you counteract this daily pressure?  Join me as we navigate these questions and consider solutions for managing and mitigating the stresses that many dealer designers are facing daily.

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On this episode of The Design Pop, I sit down with the brilliant Jill Stewart, VP of Business Strategy at Office Revolution. Together, we dive into Jill's journey, starting as a dealer designer to leading a diverse team of designers and workplace professionals today.  Jill breaks down what she's learned on this journey and how embracing change just might be the most important skill we can learn in today's fast-moving, tech-enabled, world.

We also explore the power of a design team and how to unleash their potential. Jill emphasizes the significance of recognizing and respecting the work of dealer designers, and how their unique ability to connect with people can help elevate your organization.

Tune in to this episode to discover how to "get to the table" and take your career to the next level.

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Welcome to the very first episode of The Design Pop! So...where should I start?

In this inaugural episode, I take a moment to reflect on my design career and share the valuable lessons I've learned along the way. As I delve into the topic of success, I ponder which skills have truly contributed to my achievements. For instance, could it be that figure skating, a passion nurtured by my Mom, has played a role in my current career path?

Join me as I delve into the importance of identifying our unique strengths as designers, and how leveraging these strengths can pave the way for success in our businesses. In today's episode, we'll explore the crucial role of self-awareness in design, and how recognizing our strengths can lead to creating meaningful and impactful work.

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I'm your host, Alexandra Tseffos, and welcome to The Design Pop! I'm here to help you build a design career that you love by learning and understanding perspectives from within our industry. Whether you're a furniture enthusiast or just curious about growing and learning more to apply to your own career. I'm glad you're here.

Through my journey as a designer and trainer in the design community, discovered the importance of understanding dealer processes to effectively train and understand designers. Along the way, I noticed a common craving among designers for community, partnership, and validation. Now self-employed, I aim to raise awareness about frequently asked questions in the design community and explore topics such as the future of design, better collaboration between designers and salespeople or manufacturer reps, and what flexibility means to a designer. Join me as we harness the power of the design community to explore these important topics in the world of design.

The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production.

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