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Designer Connection - May 2023
BKBG’s Designer Connection is written exclusively to benefit members of the BKBG Designer Alliance. Connection relates trends, profiles a designer, offers product updates and shares professional development opportunities. Most importantly, Connection is another tool to bring the BKBG design community together, to share best and successful practices and to enable you to build your network of peers who face the same challenges and opportunities that you must address daily. We welcome your comments, input and suggestions for improvement. Post your comments on the Design Alliance TEAMS platform or send them to BKBG Director of Membership and Engagement Jennifer Swenson.
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Connect Emotionally With Customers | |
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A paradigm shifting byproduct of the Internet and social media age is the ability of customers to have a better understanding of how products perform before they buy them. A recent study showed that homeowners will spend from 4 to 11 months researching a renovation project before construction begins. During that time, they will go to Houzz, Pinterest, Yelp, Consumer Reports, magazines, trade publications and social media sites to better understand the scope of their project, but also to obtain feedback from others who have traveled down the same path.
The buying paradigm has changed, necessitating new approaches to selling in the showroom. One of the major shifts is focus. Customers do not come to showrooms to buy products, nor are they generally interested in features and benefits. They come to the showroom for help with their project and most showroom projects involve creating new kitchens, bathrooms, closets or other rooms in the home. They don’t necessarily care about the number of finishes. They want to know will their new kitchen that you help create deliver the dream-like experience that they have read about? The distinctive competency and competitive advantage kitchen and bath showrooms have is the ability to exceed customer’s experiential expectations because you know which product combinations can deliver the best experiences. No Internet site or order-taking showroom can match that capability. Because so many products are similar in look, touch and feel, the only way you can truly distinguish your offering is to provide customers with emotional fulfillment.
Most showroom sales professionals and owners know that brand names are rare in kitchens and baths. How many customers enter your showroom and request a specific brand of cabinetry? Even the impact of known brands on purchasing decision is waning because customers can easily research the performance capabilities of products they never heard of before. Emotional connections are made by capturing your customer’s hearts, not by the fact that a full overlay cabinet may make it easier to store bulky items.
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Designer Spotlight: The Classic Cabinetry Team – Winner Best Use of Space 2022 Design Contest | |
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A charming 1950s mountain cottage presented a unique design challenge to the Designers at Classic Cabinetry in Chattanooga, TN. Their goal was to not only maximize the functionality of a small kitchen, but also bring a classic yet transitional aesthetic to the space. The project was further challenged by the fact that there was an almost 5-inch drop in elevation from one corner of the kitchen to the other, so special accommodations were needed in the design and installation to ensure that the cabinetry and countertops were level and the aesthetic provided a pleasing vibe.
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The former laundry closet was reimagined into a hidden laundry area that doubles as a bar when closed, demonstrating another way to maximize the use of a small space. The choice of Medallion Cabinetry door style, finish, and hardware were an unconventional combination, creating a mix of modern lines and old country charm, simultaneously bringing the kitchen to the present day whilst harkening back to its charming 1950s roots.
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Enter the 2023 BKBG Design Contest | |
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The goal of the BKBG Designer Alliance Design Contest is to recognize the outstanding skill and talent of Designer Alliance members. Our initial effort exceeded all expectations with more than 50 entries submitted to the inaugural effort in 2022. We’ve capitalized on the lessons of experience to improve the 2023 Design Contest.
The first major change makes it easier for everyone to participate. You can submit entries starting on January 1 through July 31, 2023. This will allow designers as soon as they finish a project to submit it for recognition. It’s an on-demand, real-time opportunity.
The second change is the addition of a new category – best showroom design. Other awards will be presented for:
- Best Overall Kitchen
- Best Overall Bathroom
- Best Other Space
- Best Showroom Design
- People’s Choice (voted on by 2023 BKBG Conference Attendees)
Winners receive a $500 gift card and the recognition of their peers and industry as an award-winning designer – priceless.
Click here to access the entry forms.
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Act Now to Reserve for 2020 Training – May 24 Intermediate Class | |
Procrastination Assassination | |
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There is a reason that the opposite of play is work. And sometimes when the work is more taxing and challenging most of us are likely to put off projects that need to get done. Why do something now that you can put off to last minute? A primary reason why we procrastinate, writes Heidi Grant Halvorson, is that we lack confidence. We are afraid we will screw it up. She notes that there are two ways to look at any task. You perform it to garner benefit whether that is to impress a customer, a boss or to stand out from a crowd. Alternatively, you take a defensive posture and perform a task in order to avoid losing something. Think of regular exercise. You do it to prevent your body and fitness from going to hell. Halvorsen suggests that you can overcome the fear of failure by considering the consequences of not performing the task at all. Is that worse than failing?
Another reason we procrastinate is that we’re not in the mood. The reason you don’t make those 10 cold calls on builders every day is not because there is a block on your phone. You just don’t feel like picking up the phone (fear of failure, they won’t take your call, you’ll get rejected, etc.). Halvorson believes that the reason we don’t pursue certain tasks such as cold calling is because emotionally we aren’t motivated to do so. It does not make a lot of sense, “yet on some level you need to be committed to what you are doing – you need to want to see the project finished…” The point is you don’t need to feel like doing something to get it done. You have to take Nike’s advice. Just do it.
The third reason we procrastinate is that the task at hand is difficult, boring or simply not pleasant. We tend to fool ourselves that we will rely on willpower to achieve a goal. Willpower is limited and unreliable. Halverson advises using an if-then planning technique. It works like this. You not only decide what you need to do to complete a task, you also determine where and when you will start and finish the project. Halverson states that if-then planning reduces the need to rely on willpower because you already decided when and where you will begin. She points out that using this technique increases goal attainment and productivity by more than 200 to 300% on average.
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Register for the Designer Alliance peer group call on Wednesday, May 17. Peer group calls are an open forum to connect with other designers and discuss topics you choose. These quarterly get togethers are only available through BKBG and the only opportunity to pick the brains of best-in-class designers from across the U.S. We will start with a discussion of how to get your work published in trade journals and other mediums. We also will address current market conditions, challenges, and best practices and then provide time for you to ask questions and obtain guidance for your most pressing challenges. Register here.
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A Limited Number of NKBA Badges Are Available | |
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BKBG has partnered with NKBA to offer Designer Alliance members continuing professional development and skill set enhancement opportunities through the NKBA Specialty Badge Program.
Specialty Badges are the NKBA’s latest concept in professional development. This new micro-credentialing program is a form of personalized learning that recognizes and displays the acquired knowledge of our members across all segments of the kitchen and bath industry. It affords our members the ability to stay current with the latest information in this ever-changing industry.
BKBG is offering a limited number of badges at a discounted price of $65/badge. Any designer who is a member of both BKBG Designer Alliance and NKBA, can take advantage of this professional development opportunity.
Once registered, you will receive a number of emails from NKBA including the study guide for your course. You will have 90 days to complete the exam and will then be eligible to register for an additional course while supplies last. You will receive a Specialty Badge Certificate upon passing the exam.
The courses will go fast so please register today.
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Waypoint New Product Introductions
Waypoint launched new products this week that include painted mist on all painted door styles and cherry amber finishes on all cherry door styles. Other new introductions include the 330S Shaker door style with slab drawer front for most maple and painted finishes, the 460F raised panel door style with five-piece raised panel drawer front available for all maple and painted finishes, new accessories and expanded SKU offerings. For more information, contact your Waypoint rep.
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Hardware Resources Introduces the Walker Collection | |
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Elements by Hardware Resources released a new decorative hardware collection, Walker. Simplistic yet striking, the Walker collection adds a balanced look to any space with long, clean lines and a comfortable, ergonomic grip. Four standard pull lengths are offered in two widths 3/4" (Walker 1) and 1/2" (Walker 2) to satisfy all design aesthetics. Two sizes of a square knob and a 12" appliance handle round out the offering, all available in five trending finishes.
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Hafele's New Storage Solutions
The newest additions to the TAG Hardware Symphony line – the single-bar Solo and double-bar Duet– represent the most economical and flexible options in an already stellar product range. Stylishly built, the Solo and Duet can find a home anywhere and store practically anything – from jewelry and make-up to dog leashes, keys and jackets.
The Symphony range offers a wide array of hooks, holders and storage accessories to suit almost any need. From coat hooks to shoe hooks, pencil holders and paper trays – Symphony turns ordinary, everyday things into a functional art display. The new Jewelry Hook is perfect for keeping rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces within easy reach of exactly where they are needed.
Solo and Duet vertical mounts are now available in matt nickel, matt aluminum, slate gray, matt gold and black finishes with faux leather horizontal bars in winter, oyster and pewter colors in 13 1/2”, 23”, 35” and 47” widths.
Explore the larger Symphony Wall Organizer from Häfele product range here.
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Bath & Kitchen Business Group
Tom Cohn
Executive Vice President
301-799-7401
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