The Trend Report - Insights on Office Furniture, Contract Interiors & Workplace Design

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I share a discussion that I had with my Coaches Roundtable. Jonathan Howard, Russell Eubanks, Loubna Zarrou, and I speak about an impactful book that solidifies principles in our industry to create a memorable customer experience.

A key point for us to remember is that you don’t have to work in hospitality to create a hospitality-grade experience. The most successful businesses are those that create a memorable customer experience because providing your customers with a top-tier experience is the best marketing you can ever buy.

The experience that our audience has with us impacts the future they will have with us and the future that other prospective clients will have with us. Word of mouth is the most impactful marketing for your business. To ensure that each experience is seamless, you must get your team on board with the vision of your business. 

Taking the time to recognize the people on your team and elevate the people who make you better is key to enhancing the impact of the team. Understanding that we owe our success to the efforts of the whole and not that of the individual requires that you nurture the internal relationships in your business.

I really enjoyed this conversation, and I know you will too. It is jam-packed with information that can help you take your customer experience to the next level through the lens of hospitality. Tune in today to shift your perspective on how you are serving your customers. 

In this episode:

[01:39] Welcome to the show!
[02:30] The Coaches Roundtable Book Review
[04:52] The important themes we took away from Unreasonable Hospitality.
[07:33] People will remember how you make them feel.
[10:01] The most successful businesses create memorable experiences for their customers.
[13:30] Vulnerability creates genuine connections.
[18:29] Every business should have a hospitality mindset.
[19:39] Your team will define your customer experience.
[22:44] Elevate the people around you.
[24:47] Cultivating a culture of hospitality requires ongoing attention.
[26:28] What is the metric that you use to measure the experience in your business?[31:22] Hospitality is a mindset.

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara

Connect with:

Jonathan Howard

Success on .Social

Russell Eubanks

Security Ever After

Loubna Zarrou

LinkedIn

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

Content is all around us, and we are consuming it nearly every second of every day. For those of us who don’t know exactly what content is, it is the concept of sharing original thoughts with a call to action to get consumers to take action in your field of expertise. 

Creating quality content allows you to leverage your expertise to build trust in your industry and create content to solve the problems of your consumer. Brian Piper joins me in this episode, and he emphasizes the importance of storytelling in marketing. 

Your owned land is the area of content that you have control over, such as your website or your blogs. Your rented land are platforms that you have no control over the data, content, or how it is distributed, such as social media channels.   Your rented land should drive your traffic back to your owned land. And your owned land should provide value outside of selling your product or service. 

This episode is full of so much information for you if you are looking to beef up your content to provide value to your audience. Tune in today to get some actionable tips on maximizing your content and your customer experience!

In this episode:

[01:39] Welcome to the show, Brian!
[02:59] How Brian got started in content creation and content marketing. 
[06:29] Take the opportunities that life presents you. 
[07:39] What is content and how is it used in marketing?
[09:45] Using storytelling for marketing. 
[12:31] Solving problems in the office furniture industry through storytelling.
[15:39] The biggest problem as it relates to content in the office furniture industry.
[19:24] What modes are you using to capture your data and leads?
[22:24] Why it is key that you maximize the customer experience on your website.
[27:15] Encouragement for those who may feel intimidated by creating content. 
[32:15] Brian’s synopsis of the second edition of Epic Content Marketing and why it is valuable.
[35:05] Final thoughts from Brian about content marketing.
[37:08] Thanks for joining us on this episode of The Trend Report!

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Epic Content Marketing, Second Edition: Break Through the Clutter with a Different Story, Get the Most Out of Your Content, and Build a Community by Joe Pulizzi and Brian Piper 

Connect with Brian:

Brian W Piper
Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

So much about our growth and development within the industry hinges on the relationships that we build and the mentors that we have. I have had the opportunity to make some wonderful friends within this industry, and the journey that these relationships have provided me is one that I could have never imagined.

I share in this solo episode today about some of the meaningful relationships I’ve had in my career and some of the mentorships I’ve seen impact the lives and careers of others. It is so important that we take the time to build connections within our industry that go beyond the realm of day-to-day business and that develop into more meaningful relationships.

The value that is gained by having the ability to lean on our colleagues when we find ourselves in need of help or being able to offer help and insight to our friends in need is unparalleled. Our goal is to leave the industry better than we found it and continue to move it forward, and I genuinely believe that we can do this with a community of connection, inclusivity, and friendship.

Listen to this episode for a pep talk about how relationships can change the way we look at our careers and even push us to achieve more than we initially thought possible. I know you’ll love some of the stories I have to share today, so join me on this journey and get on your way to building meaningful connections in your career and, ultimately, your life. 

In this episode:

[01:39] Welcome to the show!

[01:58] Our newest podcast review and where you can leave your review of The Trend Report.

[03:35] What is the impact of building relationships within the industry?

[07:46] The opportunities that we have to build connections and their benefits.

[10:04] Mentorship moves our industry forward.

[11:19] My wife’s mentor and the impact he had in our lives.

[14:02] Take the opportunity to be a mentor or actively seek a mentor in our industry.

[14:47] My relationship with Angela Marr and how it led to my newest career change with ThinkSpace.

[17:44] Every engagement we make has the opportunity to lead us to something new and great.

[19:45] Thanks for listening!

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Thinkspace

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

The world as we know it has changed so much in the past several years. With the evolution of technology and the curveball of the pandemic, the culture of how our society operates in many industries, including that of commercial interiors, has shifted. And we have to shift with it.

In this climate, our industry demands innovation and thinking outside of the box, which I think that Jim Contois really nailed with his ambition to bring a presence of outdoor furniture to the commercial interiors industry. 

The pandemic put a whole new perspective on the outdoors, and many industries have been looking for ways to shift more of their presence to the outdoors. Bringing furniture outdoors that caters to those who enjoy the outdoor space but still need to collaborate and work has opened doors for the commercial interiors industry, and Parcel has capitalized on that need.

Parcel gets its edge from its furniture being functional for working or collaborative outdoor spaces without being utilitarian and plain. They prioritize using high-quality materials that bring durability to their products, giving a robust product that will hold up well in the face of the elements. 

Listen in to this episode to learn more about how the commercial interiors industry is expanding to the outdoors in industries all around us. As Parcel continues to grow and serve so many different markets, keep an eye out for Jim’s products the next time you take a working lunch in an outdoor space. 

In this episode: 

[01:39] Welcome to the show, Jim!

[02:20] Jim’s start in the commercial interiors industry.

[05:12] The drive to become an entrepreneur and create something new in our industry.

[09:14] Jim saw the potential of the outdoor category.

[11:20] Where Parcel got its name.

[12:24] Parcel’s first product.

[14:34] The different vertical markets that found benefit from custom outdoor space.

[17:26] What sets Parcel apart from its competition?

[19:57] The materials that go into Parcel’s products.

[26:09] Parcel’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

[28:17] The future of Parcel.

[32:37] Final thoughts from Jim.

[33:30] The best way to connect with Jim and learn more about Parcel.

Links & Resources: 

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Connect with Jim:

Parcel 

LinkedIn | 

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start.  To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/ 

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

The age of the independent rep is changing. The role that an independent rep played that we were familiar with up to the year 2015 doesn’t really exist anymore. So what does it look like now, in the wave of a digitalized era?

Coming from a background at a tech startup, Kurtis Michela was able to bring a new perspective on how to approach, monitor and track communication, bookkeeping, and sales to maintain relationships with his customers. He stresses the importance of using a CRM software to capture data and information as a key strategy to fuel the growth of the business. 

While building relationships poses a challenge in the digital era, it isn’t any less important. The emphasis falls on following up and showing your face when the opportunity arises. And by understanding that other independent representatives aren’t your competition but an opportunity for collaboration and partnership, you can build relationships and help each other to move forward as an industry.

Tune in to this episode to hear more about what the future looks like for the independent rep and how you can leverage technology and relationships to move your business forward as our industry evolves in the face of the digital era. 

In this episode:

[01:39] Welcome to the show, Kurtis!

[02:10] Kurtis’s background and the decision to join his family business.

[05:09] The adjustment into the independent representative role and Kurtis’s unique perspective.

[06:47] The outside perspective that allows for industry transformation.

[09:43] What does an independent rep actually do?

[12:44] How independent reps are evolving with the digital transition in the industry.

[17:00] Leveraging technology to meet your customers where they are.

[20:22] Building relationships in the industry when face time is hard to obtain.

[25:36] Using video messages to break the monotony of email communication.

[27:21] The benefit of using video messaging in your business.

[33:59] Innovation is the future of the independent rep.

[40:54] The best way to get in contact with Kurtis.

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Episode 108 - Hackathons, Predictions and More with Amanda Schneider of ThinkLab

Connect with Kurtis:

The Michela Group
Email

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

Social media and other digital marketing tools play a significant role in the commercial interiors industry. By developing a key strategy to show up for our audience with authentic content on social media, we can interact with our customers and generate engagement for our businesses. 

While social media can allow us to show our personality and how we can solve our customers' problems, we weren’t quite using technology to its full potential until 3form broke the ceiling with the digital showroom. 

Most traditional showrooms only give you the opportunity to show a very limited scope of what your business is capable of in a very controlled space. A virtual showroom provides us unlimited access to life-like, interchangeable, to-scale pieces in a beautiful environment. 

Karli Slocum speaks about the benefits of offering your audience the opportunity to essentially shop for themselves with access to pricing. The virtual showroom at 3form allows them to market their most recent roll-outs and the dynamic applications they can have.

The freedom and flexibility that the digital showroom brings to our industry are cutting-edge and are paving the way for technology to help us level up our businesses. Listen in to hear more about different digital marketing techniques and how you can still build a relationship with your audience while using technology to its full potential.

In this episode:

[01:39] Welcome to the show, Karli Slocum!

[02:20] Karli’s background in marketing and how she is bringing digital technology into the commercial interiors world.

[04:48] The reason a digital strategy is essential.

[10:00] Short-form video can drive a great amount of engagement for your business.

[13:32] The benefits of the virtual showroom at 3form.

[18:39] How the virtual showroom came to life and how it works for their customers.

[21:48] Bringing ease and flexibility to your customers with the virtual showroom.

[28:28] Customers can shop by price and lead time by accessing your inventory.

[29:45] Authenticity and personalization are key to lead generation.

[37:19] A virtual tool is not a one size fits all strategy for every company and its customers.

[40:42] The future of 3form’s digital journey.

[43:36] How to get in touch with Karli at 3form.

[44:44] Thanks for listening!

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Episode 62 - Leading Radical Transformation with Jennifer Ruckel of 3form

Connect with Karli:

3form

Email | LinkedIn

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

Staying ahead of market trends by educating yourself is key to providing an outstanding customer experience and achieving success in the office interiors industry. 

The future of the dealer in the office furniture industry is evolving in the face of how much technology has integrated itself into our lives post-pandemic. While we can leverage technology, we must also become experts in our industry and solve the problems of our customers while remaining consistent across the market and improving the speed, convenience, and communication in our market.

Jorge Anaya, the CFO of Henricksen, and I have a discussion surrounding what the future of our industry looks like from the perspective of the dealer. We agree that the industry needs to work together more seamlessly to provide an amazing experience for our customers. 

Listen in to this episode to get the scoop on how prioritizing customer service and building strong relationships can allow companies in the office interiors industry to establish themselves as reliable and trustworthy partners for our clients. 

In this episode:

[01:39] Welcome to the show, Jorge!

[02:31] Jorge’s background and how he landed at Henricksen.

[04:35] Shining light on the Office Interiors industry and the best way to draw attention and talent to our industry.

[07:58] Jorge’s unique approach to his role as CFO at Henricksen.

[09:42] The strategic growth plan that is responsible for Henricksen’s success.

[14:36] There is no end point to success. We must continue to evolve with the market.

[15:25] How the Office Interiors industry evolved after the pandemic and the challenges dealers face.

[19:39] The future of “The Dealer” in our industry.

[21:37] Industry experts and the solutions we provide are what drive our sales.

[24:30] Leveraging artificial intelligence apps such as ChatGPT in the industry.

[29:26] How Henricksen is creating an amazing customer experience.

[35:16] Parting words of advice from Jorge and where to connect with him.

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Episode 108 - Hackathons, Predictions and More with Amanda Schneider of ThinkLab

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Gerard

Try ChatGPT

Connect with Jorge:

Henricksen

Email | LinkedIn

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

There is a dirty little secret in the contract interiors industry and it is how much waste our industry contributes to landfills. Over 50% of landfill waste comes from building materials or used furniture from office spaces. 98% of all furniture that is manufactured for contract interiors is destined for a landfill.

These are insane statistics that demand a serious shift in our industry and there is one person with an amazing vision who is bringing a new perspective to repurposing office furniture for the greater good of the environment.

In this episode, I speak with Brandi Susewitz founder of RESEAT, the first online marketplace for second-life office furniture. The start-up of this genius tech company has paved the way for a more sustainable way to source office furniture by having dealers across the united states who help with the buying, selling, and warehousing of office furniture. 

Listen in to hear about how Brandi took herself from being laid off during the pandemic to the Owner and CEO of a booming tech startup that is making huge wins for the planet and leading the way for environmental sustainability of the contract interiors industry. 

In this episode:

[01:39] Welcome back to the show, Brandi!
[03:48] Brandi Susewitz’s background and business inspiration.
[04:55] Time is key when it comes to liquidating office furniture.
[05:55] The environmental problem that RESEAT solves.
[08:43] Having a plan in place for office furniture at the time of purchase can help reduce waste.
[10:35] Dealers across the nation help buyers and sellers move their inventory.
[12:53] How Brandi went from selling a physical product to a booming start-up tech company.
[14:57] The NeoCon Awards that RESEAT has won. 
[17:45] The amazing path that Brandi has taken, going from being laid off to worldwide press coverage.
[19:18] Many architectural firms are looking to source secondhand products for existing projects.
[20:35] Partnering with dealers to develop a RESEAT ID for furniture at the time of purchase.
[29:59] If you have a crazy idea, just go for it! 
[31:15} How to connect with Brandi. 

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Episode 41 - Rethink, Redesign, Repurpose with Brandi Susewitz

Connect with Brandi:

RESEAT
Email | LinkedIn
Brandi’s LinkedIn 

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

We are spending more time than ever on social media and, as business owners, there is an untapped potential that can be unlocked by promoting your business on social media platforms to bring awareness to you and your brand.

I got the opportunity to chat with Jonathan Howard this week specifically about Instagram and how it can be such a useful tool for promoting your business if you’re using it correctly. Unfortunately, there are so many business strategies out there that go straight into the direct messages of strangers and there is nothing more alienating to your ideal client than cold DMs. 

Think about it, direct messages with sales at the forefront are similar to the door-to-door vacuum salesman of the 90s. They rang your doorbell, interrupted your dinner, and started shoving a product that you didn’t even ask about in your face.

You know what might get you closer to buying that vacuum from the guy on your front doorstep? A relationship. If you knew who he was, how his product worked, and what problems his product has solved in his personal life - you might be 100% more inclined to buy his product. 

It’s a proven fact that people are more likely to buy a product or a service from people that they know and like. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about all of the best ways to build your following and make genuine connections with your audience on Instagram.

In this episode:

[02:35] Welcome to the show, Jonathan!
[03:04] Jonathan shares his background and expertise in social media platforms.
[06:14] Instagram is about building connections and relationships, not direct sales. 
[08:31] What can reels do for your business on Instagram?
[10:26] The magic of managing direct messages with personal connections. 
[11:55] Big reasons why businesses are underutilizing Instagram.
[14:20] People buy people, and that is why video is important to making connections.
[20:19] Using short-form video to show how your product solves a problem for your customer.
[22:37] Hosting interviews on Instagram Live and offering valuable spontaneous conversation.
[25:57] Are trends beneficial for your business?
[27:06] Engaging with your audience on Instagram.
[31:08] Keeping Instagram and other platforms easy to build your following. 

Links & Resources:

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Connect with Jonathan:

Success On .Social

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us Fan Mail

The pandemic presented the contract interior industry with many challenges as it shifted the way we do business with our clients and end consumers. 

I had the opportunity to talk with Amanda Schneider of ThinkLab who hit me with a ton of insight on the best ways our businesses can shift to meet the challenges that we are faced with. By developing personas for our consumers that are generated by research, we can still be successful and lean into the future of our industry. 

Along with knowing your audience and speaking to them in their language, we want to create the best client experience for them as well. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by digging through your content, your website, and your advertisements and looking at them through the lens of the customer. 

Listen as we discuss why being in touch with your business through consumer research is the best way to know where to invest, where to improve, and see areas that will allow you to succeed.

In this episode:

[01:56] Welcome back to the show, Amanda!
[02:52] Amanda is the founder and president at ThinkLab.
[08:57] What do personas look like in the B2B world?
[14:29] The three phases to a Hackathon.
[16:15] The big takeaways from previous Hackathons.
[19:13] Age demographics of personas are changing.
[23:08] How the pandemic has shifted business operations from relationships to information.
[27:57] Getting an outsider's viewpoint can provide amazing takeaways for improvement.
[31:18] The struggle to invest for the future.
[32:21] The ‘Rule of Thirds’ has shifted the future of the industry.
[37:08] The value of a persona takes marketing and strategy tools to the next level for your business.

Links & Resources:

The future of B2B sales is hybrid

The Insider
Support the Trend Report

Connect with Amanda:

ThinkLab
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
Amanda’s LinkedIn

Podcasts:

Design Nerds Anonymous
The Learning Objective
Mpowered

Hackathons
Hackathon Playbooks

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows

The Trend Report is proudly sponsored by the Insider, a weekly newsletter delivering a quick dose of insight to get your Monday off to a well-informed start. To learn more or to subscribe for free, please visit https://indeal.org/the-insider/

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link:https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License:

The Trend Report is your inside look at the people, products and ideas shaping the future of workplace design.  We explore the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com
Podcast Website:  https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/