Our 2 fall events, the Deborah Flate sales and marketing training, and the Barclay Butera appearance and book signing, are coming up fast. If you have not signed up for these events, please do so as soon as possible so that we can plan seating and refreshments.
Last week a designer expressed concern that the first Deborah Flate presentation was just "a sales pitch for the follow up classes", and wondering if it was worth attending. Let me take this opportunity to clarify this for everyone. Deborah is committed to making this first class a valuable use of every attendee's time. The topics were chosen because they are areas where many of us are weak. Let's face it, we do not really NEED more classes on product or color or design. Those are fun, and within our comfort zone but we are all pretty well versed in these areas. Subjects like branding and social networking are uncharted territory for many of us, due to age, lack of computer skills or just being right-brained...(or are we artistic types left brained??) I rest my case.
Anyway, the small admission price is a way to make having a speaker like Deborah available to all of us at a reasonable price. We also wanted to ensure that the audience is made up of designers who truly want to learn about the topics. A small fee helps keep the group to a more manageable size which streamlines things, especially when it comes to questions. For some designers, the first class will be enough. For those who are ready to take their marketing efforts to the next level, more detailed, more personalized information will be needed. The follow up classes are for them. Rest assured, you will get your money's worth whichever route you chose.
If you are planning on being in business and growing in the next few years, it is important to keep up with the current ways of marketing. I was at Barnes and Noble and Borders yesterday, and the business aisles were full of books on these topics. It's important to keep up with ALL the trends...not just the ones that deal with decorating. Think back even 5 years ago. Many of us did not even do e-mail. Only a few designers had web sites. Marketing is undergoing a huge change. All of us need to "catch the wave".
HOT TIPS
Jasper Cabinet has a new catalog. In order to promote it, they are offering 10% off on any domestically made pieces, and 15% off imported items.
Cox now has a collection of "Perfect Fit" benches, which can be ordered in 22", 35" or up to 72" lengths.
Sam Moore has added new wood finish colors.
Big Fish is offering 15% off from now till the end of the month
Keep reading for more sales and promotions highlighted below.
Help us solve a mystery!
It has come to our attention that during the course of the past few months, about a dozen items have disappeared from the showroom. It is hard to imagine, given the size and description of the items, that someone stole them. They would have to be a better thief than designer! Clearly we have to tighten up our procedures for accessory loan outs. So, effective immediately, all items going out on approval will go out via the memo room door ONLY.
Meanwhile, if you took out accessories and have not been billed, please let us know.
Did anyone buy the small metal cone-shaped planters with greenery that were on the wall by the memo room? The white ceramic rooster??? We are baffled!
Deborah Flate Seminar
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Barclay Butera
THE ARLINGTON DESIGN CENTER PRESENTS
WEST COAST INTERIOR DESIGNER
BARCLAY BUTERA
SPONSORED BY KRAVET AND LUXE MAGAZINE
PRESENTING
DECORATING IN A NEW ECONOMY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH
11:00 AM PRESENTATION
PLEASE JOIN US FOR A LUNCHEON AND BOOK SIGNING FOR
BARCLAY BUTERA LIVING IN STYLE
FOLLOWING HIS PRESENTATION
KRAVET BUILDING 2
3425 N. RIDGE AVENUE
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004
PLEASE RESPOND BY SEPTEMBER 25TH
847-394-4364 EXT 26
Due to a miss up in the mailing lists, you may or may not receive a formal invitation. Please feel free to RSVP and come!
FFDM
FFDM is the latest addition to the CDT showroom. Many designers requested that we add this line, and we are happy to make it a reality. You will find excellent quality and a variety of beautiful designs at price points that will make your clients happy. Styles range from traditional to contemporary, with a bit of mission, West Indies and country tossed in!
Be sure to take a look when you are next in the showroom. We know that you will like what you see!
Fall Temple Sale
It's time for our semi-annual sale on Temple Upholstery! This perennial favorite is sure to please your client in both style and price. From September 1-30 take an additional 10% off.
Marketing tip: Call ALL of your clients to tell them about this sale. Download photos from the Temple website and make fliers to mail out. This gives you a great excuse to contact everyone. The price point of Temple makes it a great choice for clients to jump back into buying mode! Get on the phone!!!
All orders must be in no later than 3:00 PM on September 30 to allow time for last minute orders to get placed.
Century Sale
Don't forget about the Century sale! 10% of all collections except: Monarch, Grand Tour and Lana Home collections. This offer is good until September 30th! Make sure to get your orders in by 3:00 PM on the 30th to allow for order entry.
Hunter Douglas Holiday Promo
We are happy to announce the Hunter Douglas fall 2009 promotion, "The Season of Giving"! From September 25-December 15 there will unprecedented savings with no minimums or maximums on the most popular window fashions, including Duette, Silhouette, Luminette and Pirouette. Your customers can save from $25-$600 per window while enjoying beautiful new looks and greater energy efficiency.
Help your customers celebrate the holidays with a nice rebate check!
As usual, details and rebate forms are available at CDT
Taylor King October Sale
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