How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
I know, I know, it’s been a while since I’ve sent out a message. This in itself actually is positive. We have been very busy, with phone calls looking for appointments, and then with approvals looking for installation dates. So much so, that one of our Installation Technicians asked our Scheduler/Bookkeeper, “Hey, when are we going to hire another installer?”
April 30, 2010
April 14, 2010
Pent Up Demand!
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
I was talking with my computer IT guy, and he says that business is picking up. I asked him from who, and why did he think it was? He replied that he believes that most small businesses have been holding off on technology and that they feel things are stable now. So, again I see pent up demand, and recovery, albeit a slow one. I must still budget on a much smaller scale.
I was talking with my computer IT guy, and he says that business is picking up. I asked him from who, and why did he think it was? He replied that he believes that most small businesses have been holding off on technology and that they feel things are stable now. So, again I see pent up demand, and recovery, albeit a slow one. I must still budget on a much smaller scale.
April 13, 2010
A Faster Sales Cycle
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
At our peak in 2007 and part of 2008, our Sales Cycle was 6 weeks. This cycle is from the time we get the lead, until we are paid. Our clients were approving their design in days, sometimes weeks. In late 2008 this started to shift and by mid 2009, our Sales Cycle had become 9 months. This was due to people delaying the decision to buy, builders not putting in closets until the house was sold, or those that did buy took a month or more to finalize the designs. I am happy to see this Sales Cycle dropping to 2 months now. We are finding that when people are calling, they are ready to buy and only take a week or two to finalize the designs. This is a good sign, and I believe it will continue, unless something scares us, like a terrorist attack, a shortage of …
I am looking forward to the rest of 2010, and believe that there is pent up demand. It is now up to us to work hard to tell our story and gain market share.
At our peak in 2007 and part of 2008, our Sales Cycle was 6 weeks. This cycle is from the time we get the lead, until we are paid. Our clients were approving their design in days, sometimes weeks. In late 2008 this started to shift and by mid 2009, our Sales Cycle had become 9 months. This was due to people delaying the decision to buy, builders not putting in closets until the house was sold, or those that did buy took a month or more to finalize the designs. I am happy to see this Sales Cycle dropping to 2 months now. We are finding that when people are calling, they are ready to buy and only take a week or two to finalize the designs. This is a good sign, and I believe it will continue, unless something scares us, like a terrorist attack, a shortage of …
I am looking forward to the rest of 2010, and believe that there is pent up demand. It is now up to us to work hard to tell our story and gain market share.
April 09, 2010
Good Decisions?
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
Writing these emails with a Positive angle had another positive…One of the product lines we have offered from day one are closet systems. A little over 5 years ago, a trade publication started serving our industry called CLOSETS Magazine. In February of 2008 they did a story on us about How to work with Builders. Yesterday, the Managing Editor came out to our showroom because she read through these emails that we now have a new 8,300 sf showroom. It is an honor to be featured, but it is also confirmation that some of the decisions we have made over the years have been good decisions.
In these tough times, the decisions we make will be felt faster and harder, whether they be good decisions are bad decisions. We all need feedback from those we work with whether we are on the right path, or if we need to change course. The magazine is just one indicator, but we will see if we get any feedback that will help us make good decisions in the future.
Writing these emails with a Positive angle had another positive…One of the product lines we have offered from day one are closet systems. A little over 5 years ago, a trade publication started serving our industry called CLOSETS Magazine. In February of 2008 they did a story on us about How to work with Builders. Yesterday, the Managing Editor came out to our showroom because she read through these emails that we now have a new 8,300 sf showroom. It is an honor to be featured, but it is also confirmation that some of the decisions we have made over the years have been good decisions.
In these tough times, the decisions we make will be felt faster and harder, whether they be good decisions are bad decisions. We all need feedback from those we work with whether we are on the right path, or if we need to change course. The magazine is just one indicator, but we will see if we get any feedback that will help us make good decisions in the future.
April 06, 2010
Family Fun
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
My family started a new “tradition” about a year ago, “Challenges”. Well really it is my mother who started these Challenges. We’ve had a Cookie Cook Off, then we had a Pasta Challenge, and this past Easter, while many of you had a fancy Easter meal, with ham and sweet potatoes, the Coleman Family had a Sandwich Challenge.
My goal was to get more votes than my mother, and I am happy to say that I beat her, came in 3rd place with my niece Sadie. The winning sandwich that won was my sister and her kids, an Ice Cream Sandwich. We all ran around the kitchen making our sandwiches, then we all ate the various entries, and then voted. The top three finishers were awarded a bowling trophy that my Mom bought at a garage sale. Fun was had by all.
I guess the positive message here is what can we all do to create an opportunity of sharing fun moments, whether they be at home with family, or at work? I know of another family who once a month they have Backwards Day. They eat a dinner for breakfast and a breakfast for dinner. What can you do?
My family started a new “tradition” about a year ago, “Challenges”. Well really it is my mother who started these Challenges. We’ve had a Cookie Cook Off, then we had a Pasta Challenge, and this past Easter, while many of you had a fancy Easter meal, with ham and sweet potatoes, the Coleman Family had a Sandwich Challenge.
My goal was to get more votes than my mother, and I am happy to say that I beat her, came in 3rd place with my niece Sadie. The winning sandwich that won was my sister and her kids, an Ice Cream Sandwich. We all ran around the kitchen making our sandwiches, then we all ate the various entries, and then voted. The top three finishers were awarded a bowling trophy that my Mom bought at a garage sale. Fun was had by all.
I guess the positive message here is what can we all do to create an opportunity of sharing fun moments, whether they be at home with family, or at work? I know of another family who once a month they have Backwards Day. They eat a dinner for breakfast and a breakfast for dinner. What can you do?
April 05, 2010
Liking My Family
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
Being able to spend time with family and friends. Oh, and the fact that I like them. Not everyone is so lucky.
Being able to spend time with family and friends. Oh, and the fact that I like them. Not everyone is so lucky.
April 03, 2010
Confirmation
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
Today is very simple, we had a past client come in today to pick something up, and they said it not once, but twice, that they were very happy with our service. It is nice to know that how you decide to “do business” is appreciated. Hoppy Easter!
Today is very simple, we had a past client come in today to pick something up, and they said it not once, but twice, that they were very happy with our service. It is nice to know that how you decide to “do business” is appreciated. Hoppy Easter!
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