The International Alliance of...

By: Andrea Schuch
I found this anonymous editorial that I thought was great. Normally, being the first week of the month, I would post a business article and possibly a follow up with it. This does not necessarily follow that thought process but I think it will give us all a little justification of exactly how much our jobs entail! We may hear clients say our job is soooo much fun, and while it can be - there are aspects of the job that client's don't see or even think happen. We just make things appear in front of them, right? So here we go....

The International Alliance of C.P.D.S.D.S.I.S.E.O.H.S.W.D.I.C.B

Hey there: YOU, with all the professional initials after your name, and YOU, who ought to have them!
Why don't you spell it all out, let all your talents hang out so your clients can see them. Proclaim them for all  to know and appreciate.
The title, Interior Designer, doesn't tell anyone but another interior designer what you do. Come out of the closet, let down your veil, show what you really do!
CONSULTERS, meeting with prospective, new and old clients, determining their needs, drawing them out, learning lifestyles, interpreting their dreams.
PLANNERS, plotting solutions making use of spaces and materials, developing concepts, and analyzing practicalities.
DESIGNERS, devising new forms and shapes, new textures and shades, creating what has never been before, combining elements in new ways for new function.
SCALERS, balancing sizes and weights, playing spaces and shapes against one and the other, breaking rules for emphasis and effect.
DRAFTERS, putting it all down for the record, and for easy comprehension, and making working drawings for the artisans to execute.
SHOPPERS, searching for the right materials, seeking the new and old that fit the scheme, perusing catalogues for an answer, comparing quality and value.
INVENTORS, developing new products, applying new techniques, heeding the call when necessity becomes the mother of invention and when it just doesn't exist on the market.
SPECIFIERS, locating and listing the answers, adhering to the codes, following traditions, and showing the way.
ESTIMATORS, grappling with costs and budgets, ascertaining quantities and sizes, quoting labor, time and materials.
ORDERERS, filling out purchase forms, telephoning rushes, checking strike-offs, and approving finishes.
HAND HOLDERS, assuring the nervous client, massaging egos all about, acting as a psychologist and confidant.
SUBSTITUTERS, coping with non-delivery, out-of-stock, mismatched colors and finishes, rushing in where angels fear to tread, saving the day.
WAITERS, pacing the floor awaiting deliveries, standing in line for samples, cursing the mail, and expecting payment.
DELIVERERS, toting samples, uncrating drop-shipments, and putting in place finishing touches.
INSTALLERS, putting up rods, hanging pictures, and supervising the workroom's efforts.
COMPUTERS, figuring sales and income taxes, dividing fees from merchandise, adding on delivery charges.
BILLERS, scanning the file for every charge, totalling, deducting deposits, and adding it all up to the hoped for profit.

Do you realize you're responsible for at least all of this? Does your client? It's all in a day's work!

I'm sure you found yourself saying you do all of these, even adding on to certain categories with personal experiences you have had with your business. Do you have any you would like to add? Leave a comment and let us know! I think there definitely should be a M for Marketing and an S for Social Media. I have been getting so many requests for information on social media lately - I think it's great! Social media is such a great way to promote you business with little cost - generally only time setting it up! Or for me, how about D for Dreamer - Is it just me or does anyone else come up with the best ideas when sleeping? I thought this was normal until my husband informed yesterday that this is not a fact. I find that I am able to come up with solutions or have a clearer view of a problem after I wake up in the morning. Tell me I'm not crazy...