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When your clients and customers are bidding new projects, how would they feel to know that your business was among a select group already vetted by a leader in the industry. It’d make them feel as if they were making a safe decision. Listen as Lisa Merder explains exactly how this works at OMNIA Partners. 

OMNIA Partners is a purchasing organization who is reshaping the future of purchasing. They operate in both the public and private sectors and have taken the guesswork out of hiring vendor partners for any size job. 

They are the largest and most experienced partner in procurement and supply chain management. When they sign vendors on, those vendors go through a strict vetting process before being added to the OMNIA Partners fold. 

Now OMNIA Partners is moving more heavily into the private sector and changing the way relationships are made. Listen as Lisa shares her role as well as the overall goal of OMNIA Partners in the contract interiors industry. She’s also detailing how we can better use both public and private sectors to grow stronger, more adaptable businesses.

In this episode: 

[02:20] Welcome to the show, Lisa!

[02:31] She shares who she is, what she does and her journey in the furniture industry.

[06:00] Listen as Lisa talks about why she believes the industry will have a surge of business soon.

[08:31] Working from home has now become a selling feature when companies are hiring new employees.

[12:18] Lisa defines what she means by the public sector.

[13:15] Cooperative purchasing is the vehicle and OMNIA Partners facilitate the process.

[16:05] This allows dealers to piggyback on a bid process that has already been done.

[18:23] How the private sector is different and how OMNIA Partners work with them.

[21:18] Lisa talks about who is in the private sector.

[22:40] She shares how a business can become a member of OMNIA Partners.

[25:50] What goes into the whole process and finding the secret sauce to make everything work.

[28:27] How you can become a supply partner with OMNIA Partners.

[32:19] Thank you for being on the show!

Links & Resources:

INDEAL
NeoCon 2021

Connect with Lisa

Lisa on LinkedIn
Lisa’s Email
OMNIA Partners
OMNIA Partners on LinkedIn
OMNIA Partners on YouTube

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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/

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Something new is coming to our industry and I cannot wait to share it with you. To help me do that Stefanie Ince joins me to reveal a massive project we’ve undertaken to help revitalize our industry workforce. Listen in to hear all about this amazing initiative. 

Stefanie Ince is an Executive Director at INDEAL Cares. A charitable organization dedicated to bettering the lives of people in the workforce throughout North America. She has since helped start a new program called Dovetail. 

Dovetail is a program designed to help spread the word about our industry amongst young people coming out of high school and college. So many of us fell into the contract interiors space without even realizing it was there. We’ve since stayed and have grown and grown up in the industry.

What we need now is new blood. Listen as Stefanie details exactly how Dovetail aims to do that and ways that you can get involved and spread the message. 

In this episode: 

[02:13] Welcome to the show, Stefanie!

[02:32] She shares who she is and what she does.

[03:43] Listen as Stefanie discusses the challenges that led to the creation of Dovetail.

[06:07] She talks about Dovetail’s mission and what they want to accomplish.

[09:01] Stefanie shares the structure of Dovetail and the industry veterans who are currently involved with them.

[12:01] She speaks about the passion the people of Dovetail have for the industry.

[16:23] Stefanie discusses their recruitment strategy and who they are trying to attract.

[20:56] This is a great opportunity for the industry to have exposure and be talked about.

[22:45] One of the unique selling propositions of the industry is the massive number of jobs and opportunities there are.

[25:31] She also shares about the internships that are available in the industry.

[27:00] Stefanie talks about why they need people in the industry to get involved.

[29:27] Thank you so much for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

INDEAL

NeoCon 2021

Connect with Stefanie:

Stephanie’s Email
Stephanie on LinkedIn
Dovetail
Dovetail on Instagram
Dovetail on LinkedIn

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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/

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Diversification is the key to business growth per Dean McIntyre. He has spent his career finding ways to intermingle his interests and his ventures in such a way that they fuel each other as well as his creative and professional needs. Listen as he shares his background and how he’s found creative ways to diversify his businesses. 

Dean has been at the forefront of commercial acoustic design and installation for several years now. Through his work with ezoBord and Quiet Earth Moss, he has created a name for himself and dominated this particular aspect of commercial building and design. 

Dean personifies the values and traits of a true entrepreneur. As he says, opportunities beget more opportunities. You simply have to be willing to look at the world, your business, and your products in various lights. Be open to seeing new possibilities and diversification will happen naturally. 

Listen in to hear all of his words of wisdom and be sure to keep a notebook ready. 

In this episode: 

[01:15] Shout out to Carrie in Australia for the great review!

[03:13] Welcome to the show, Dean!

[04:14] Dean shares who he is and what his organization does globally.

[07:41] “I believe opportunities breed more opportunities.”

[08:20] How he got involved with Ezobord.

[10:36] What he believes is attributed to the growth they have seen in the last five years.

[12:39] He talks about the leadership position he is taking with Ezobord.

[14:35] They were the first in North American to domestically manufacture PET.

[18:38] Dean believes you need to be diversified instead of having only one stream of revenue.

[19:16] He discusses Quiet Earth and how he got involved.

[22:24] Dean was able to combine Ezobord products with the Quiet Earth Moss products.

[25:06] Quiet Earth Moss is art and you can incorporate it into your facility.

[27:48] He discusses Swiftspace, what it is and how it’s used.

[31:38] Dean gives advice to business leaders that want to diversify their companies.

[34:22] Thank you for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

INDEAL

NeoCon 2021

Connect with Dean:

LinkedIn
Ayrsonics
McIntyre Group
Swiftspace
Ezobord
Quiet Earth Moss
Starwall Ontario
Dean’s Email - [email protected]

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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 a text

Longevity in a company’s workforce is a key indicator of the health, values, and strength of a company. My next guest has been working with 3form for many years and has climbed the ranks to become the VP of Sales. Jennifer Ruckel joins me to share her journey and why she wholeheartedly believes in her company and what they’re doing to create radical transformation.

It’s been said before on this podcast and I imagine it will be said again, now, more than ever, we have an obligation to meet our customers where they are at. Gone are the days of the “lunch and learn.” Gone are the days of vendor visits and creating in-person relationships through frequent visits. 

What does this mean for our industry? 

Per Jennifer, it means finding the digital tools that work for your company and using them to create strong relationships virtually. Traditional selling is dead. Building relationships and creating strong ties is necessary.

Listen in as Jennifer shares her story and what they’re doing at 3form to build stronger in the coming years. 

In this episode: 

[02:12] Welcome to the show, Jennifer!
[02:43] She shares her background and what she is doing now.
[04:41] 3form is a translucent resin manufacturer.
[08:22] They still today encapsulate organics, which is one of their best sellers.
[10:49] Listen as Jennifer discusses how they have expanded their brand and company.
[14:31] She talks about what it takes to be a dealer for 3form.
[18:47] She explains what light art is and how they got started making light fixtures.
[21:41] Jennifer discusses how they are selling in the digital market and how important relationship selling still is.
[24:01] She talks about the sales enablement tools that are out in the digital realm.
[27:48] Traditional selling is dead, relationship building is key.
[31:12] Jennifer shares about working with the A&D and how it is changing.
[34:34] “Our industry will be transformed not by product innovation but by process
innovation.” Amanda Schneider.
[37:03] Listen as Jennifer shares the difference between mentorship and sponsorship.
[40:38] She discusses what a sponsor can do for an individual.
[45:20] Thank you for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

INDEAL
ICFF Trade Show in New York
Episode 13 - Research, Data and the NEXT Normal with Amanda Schneider of ThinkLab

Connect with Jennifer:

3form
LinkedIn
Email

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmead

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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 a text

Product design is not simply an art. When it comes down to it, design informs manufacturing and as such, product design is truly a science. Listen as Jeff Theesfeld of Union Design shares his background and why he’s so passionate about the industry as a whole and design in particular. 

Jeff originally wanted to be an architect. He loved creating the design of buildings but his math skills were not up to snuff. Which is when he found product design. He’s been in the field now for many years and benefited from being influenced by true legends. 

He and his business partner recently decided it was time to put their skills to the test and start their own design firm which led to the birth of Union Design. Despite the fact that they formed at the start of the pandemic, they’ve come out strong with new designs and the ability to work with some major brands. 

Listen as Jeff shares how design needs to be done today and why product designers and developers need to be involved in every aspect of the go-to-market process. We are digging into so many aspects of the industry and the different facets that every company should be thinking about as they design products. 

This is truly a conversation you will not want to miss a moment of.

In this episode: 

[02:12] Welcome to the show, Jeff!

[02:42] He shares his background and how he ended up in product design.

[08:11] He tells the story of the ceramic piece that started his journey into product design.

[11:06] You can’t be scared of failure. It happens a lot and is part of the process.

[13:02] Product design is a progression.

[16:46] Listen as Jeff shares the first thing he designed for a company.

[21:12] He takes a very simplistic approach to design.

[22:19] Jeff discusses how he thinks design needs to be done today.

[26:20] He shares the benefits the pandemic had for them designing new products.

[29:04] He speaks about the obstacles designers face.

[30:36] Know your customer and know what they need.

[33:23] He talks about what he means by speed to market.

[36:56] Embrace the constraint!

[40:35] He shares some companies they have designed products for.

[43:11] They discuss some revolutionary products that were developed in the industry.

[47:48] Practice makes perfect, but you can’t practice unless you get 20 seconds of courage to get started.

[48:59] Jeff shares some words of wisdom for the listeners.

[51:19] Thank you for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

INDEAL

Connect with Jeff:

Create With Union Design

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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 a text

The world of the workforce is changing and has been for decades. No longer is your job title the sum of your entire professional identity. Listen as Dr. Sarabeth Berk shares her story and why we have moved into the realm of the hybrid professional.

Listen as she shares her view of the workforce and how it has changed overall. She also provides a visual representation of the different types of professional identities that she has found. Which type do you identify with?

In this episode: 

[02:09] Welcome to the show, Sarabeth!
[02:35] She shares her background and what she is doing now.
[04:38] Sarabeth speaks about her book and why she felt the need to write it.
[07:45] She explains the three different types of professionals in the workforce.
[08:09] Singularity is one professional identity.
[08:19] Multiplicity are people who wear a lot of hats.
[08:37] Hybridity: a hybrid professional is a worker who has many professional identities but works at the intersection of those identities.
[10:02] Identity is a social construct.
[13:25] The journey to being an entrepreneur is not a paved road.
[15:02] When hybrid professionals are in their intersection, they are in their zone of genius.
[16:24] Sarabeth talks about her workbook.
[18:24] I have been on a journey of reinventing myself and stepping into what I want to do.
[20:02] Listen as Sarabeth talks about how to brand yourself and she explains what personal branding is.
[24:04] She discusses why she believes people are afraid of looking inside and doing the work.
[27:01] Sarabeth talks about how leaders are responding to conversations about embracing the hybrid professional.
[31:44] She is sharing some words of encouragement for the listeners.
[34:40] Thank you so much for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

INDEAL
Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson

Connect with Sarabeth:

More Than My Title
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Introduction
Book - More Than My Title: The Power of Hybrid Professionals in a Workforce of Experts and Generalists 
Workbook -

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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 a text

There’s nothing like starting a new role with a company weeks before the entire world shuts down due to a pandemic. Rich Oliver started with 9 to 5 Seating just before everything was cancelled but now as things open up, he’s sharing their relevance in our industry. 

Listen as he shares more about 9 to 5 Seating, his role there, and why he thinks they are truly the best seating solution on the market. We also dig into the need for independent reps and why they’re important in the industry as a whole. 

In this episode: 

[02:06] Welcome to the show, Rich!

[02:34] Rich shares his background and what he does with 9-to-5 Seating.

[04:00] Rich talks about consistency in sales and what is happening in the industry now.

[06:32] Listen as Rich discusses what he feels the role of a small brand plays in the industry.

[09:25] What makes 9-to-5 standout in a crowded seating market?

[11:46] Go to 9-to-5’s website site and check out their Seating Chair Designer Tool.

[14:12] Cross selling and the need for dealers and manufactures to offer different brands.

[16:46] Learn about research and how they use it in their product development.

[19:47] Rich discusses Flokk and who they are.

[22:08] His advice to independent reps to make themselves more valuable to the industry.

[26:01] Why a dealer wants to work with and partner with 9-to-5.

[28:37] Thank you for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

2020 Connect

INDEAL

Connect with Rich:
9-to-5 Seating
Seating Chair Designer Tool
Flokk
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Connect with Sid:
www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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 a text

Customer experience is not the same thing as customer service. While you need to have great customer service, customer experience goes even deeper. Here to share her thoughts on creating an outstanding customer experience is Stacy Sherman with Doing CX Right. 

Listen as she shares more about her processes, why she’s so passionate about this topic, and how you can get in touch to upgrade your customer experience. She also has her own podcast, Doing CX Right where she shares information, tips, and tricks for brands at every level. 

In this episode: 

[02:00] Welcome to the show, Stacy!

[02:20] Who she is and what she does.

[03:09] Listen as Stacy defines what customer experience means.

[05:10] Why customers don’t buy on price alone. It’s an experience which is why it’s important to understand what customer experience is.

[06:42] What she means by an unexpected experience that makes you love a brand.

[09:15] Stacy believes that the customer experience is in your control.

[10:02] You create a customer journey map by walking in the customer's shoes and then you see what your customers are experiencing.

[13:13] The more diversity has a place in your business, the more your employees will want to go above and beyond, even when the boss isn’t looking.

[15:20] Why CX is so important.

[20:59] Her connection to the furniture industry.

[23:59] We discuss Clubhouse and what she feels about it.

[27:50] Sid talks about finding his people on Real Talk Podcasting.

[29:35] Traditional selling is dead and relationship making is real and it’s happening.

[32:52] My take away is if you don’t have a CX strategy, build one.

[35:42] Thank you for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

2020 Connect

INDEAL

Connect with Stacy:

Doing CX Right
Doing CX Right Podcast
Stacy on LinkedIn
Stacy on Twitter
Stacy on Instagram
Stacy on YouTube

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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 a text

Color is extremely important in our perception and understanding of the world. It changes our moods, it evokes emotion, and it helps solidify memory. Listen as Laura Guido-Clark chats about the power of color in the world and in the furniture industry. 

Laura is a designer by trade, but she fell in love with the study of color. She now designs her own textiles and helps her customers solidify their brand feel through the texture and color of her custom creations.

The way she thinks about color and its impact on the emotional process of experience is truly unique. We chat about why we pick certain colors as our favorites over time and how we associate our memories with colors as a whole. 

Beauty, as an experience, is a human right, and the colors that the world has to offer are a pure delight. Listen as she shares her story and how she’s turned her passion for color into a profitable business within our industry. 

In this episode: 

[02:41] Welcome to the show, Laura!

[03:26] Laura shares that her world revolves around the power of color.

[04:45] Listen as Laura discusses how she got involved with a career that focuses on color.

[05:52] She is also a designer and has designed her own collection of textiles.

[09:27] Why you pick a certain color as your favorite.

[12:16] What it’s like to design textiles and leathers.

[15:15] Laura believes that beauty is a human right.

[18:25] She has been in business for over 25 years but her new venture, Love Good Color was started about three years ago.

[20:11] Laura speaks about her non-profit, Project Color Corp and what it does.

[23:33] When working with children, the word they always use is happy, they all want to feel happy.

[26:33] Listen as Laura talks about how you can get involved with her organization and their color revolution.

[31:55] Color is energy.

[34:32] Thank you for being on the show!

Links & Resources: 

2020 Connect

INDEAL

Episode 52 A Conversation About Product Design with Brian Graham

Connect with Laura:

Love Good Color

Email

Project Color Corps

LinkedIn

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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 a text

We’re doing something different! Throughout our 2021 interviews, I’ve been asking all of our guests a few questions behind the scenes. We’ve put together their responses to the first of those questions which is, how is work changing? 

Listen as all of our guests that have been featured on the show so far, give their thoughts on how work has changed overall in their experience. Many of them mention the pandemic specifically, but several also note trends that they’ve seen for years. 

In this episode: 

[01:36] To kick off this episode, let's ask Jennifer and Jeff Hollingsworth of Darran the question of how work is changing.

[02:38] Jennifer says that work is becoming a lot more untethered.

[02:48] Kibibi shares her perspective on how work is changing.

[04:35] Bruce says it's changing because you don’t have to be 100% tied to a desk. We can work pretty much from anywhere.

[05:43] Paul believes that where people work is the biggest change and being technologically driven is an equal change in the industry.

[07:35] Brandi says that many people are realizing the work can be done from the home office but everyone needs human interaction as well.

[08:25] Tony thinks that everything about work is changing and the way we communicate is the biggest change.

[09:41] Boaz shares his perspective on the fundamental ways that work is changing.

[11:16] David speaks about the changes he is seeing.

[11:54] Jennifer says that where we work has been one of the biggest changes.

[12:28] Abby believes we are a much more efficient workplace than it has ever been in the past.

[13:08] Jim believes the pandemic has shown that x number of positions are more productive at home.

[14:09] Jonathan suggests that the biggest change is how working collaboratively has become a lost art.

[15:25] David says that he has never seen a time when an employee has been more empowered or when mental health and inclusivity has been on the table.

[16:21] Eddie believes the last year has taken on more change than has ever been seen.

[17:31] Pat says that the competition now might be Wayfair or Overstock instead of another dealer.

[18:04] Brian shares that work is changing in a way that is more about a total ecosystem of your personal life and work melding into one.

[18:41] Thank you for listening!

Links & Resources: 
2020 Connect
INDEAL

Connect with Sid:
www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid

Connect with Sid:

www.sidmeadows.com
Embark CCT on Facebook
Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube
Sid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadows
Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/

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/