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Attracting and landing millennial clients
Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesWhether as employees or clients, millennials have a reputation for being difficult to work with. I doubt that many millennials regard themselves that way, however. As a group, they tend to be very social and sociable, team- and group-oriented, and purposeful.
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Luxury spending is on the rise
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesEncouraged by improving economic conditions at home and abroad, wealthy Americans have increased their spending on luxury items. Sales of luxury homes and goods, as well as expenditures for luxury experiences — such as vacations, cruises, spas and resorts — have risen in recent months.
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Project management: A key component to successful design
Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesIf you are a seasoned professional interior designer — someone who has been working in the design industry for 20 years or more — you are probably running your own business or a principal in a large firm. Your daily routines are less about doing design and more about project management.
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Remodelers optimistic growth trend will continue
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesRemodeling activity is strong and is likely to continue that way for the rest of the year. Although somewhat uneven across sectors, the industry on the whole experienced positive growth in the third quarter, and demand for services remains high.
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Millennial homebuyers can’t get a break
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsAt last, the large influx of millennials into the housing market has arrived. Unfortunately, the housing market at present isn't ready for them. As with the cost of education and post-recession job prospects, the nation's largest age cohort find themselves yet again thwarted by ill timing.
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Diversify to grow your revenues
Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesInterior design business activity has improved in recent months. My wish for you is that you have a prosperous final quarter as we enter the fall design season. However, many designers are not benefitting from the increase in demand, or they may be getting more business but are not realizing the revenues or profits they had hoped for at the beginning of the year. If you are one of them, it may be time to think about diversifying your revenue strategy.
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How office environments may affect decision‑making
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesOffice designers are familiar with the body of knowledge demonstrating how the design of office environments can influence key employee behaviors that impact business performance and earnings. Studies have shown that design choices can affect employee productivity, communication and knowledge sharing, creativity and innovation, and overall sense of job satisfaction and well-being, as well as rates of illness, absenteeism and retention.
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‘Fixer Upper’ leaves behind booming remodeling industry
Kate Hessong Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesEven if you aren't an HGTV superfan, you've probably heard of the network's most famous couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines. For the past five years, they've taken over the remodeling world with their hit show "Fixer Upper," flipping houses around the greater Waco, Texas, area. Their remodeling business and stores are responsible for attracting 40,000 tourists per week to the town.
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Keys to a powerful partnership with interior designers
Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesWhat's the best way for companies to increase sales to leading interior designers? Help them help themselves. Manufacturers, showrooms, local retailers, independent sales reps and others looking to boost their business with designers should help them build their businesses. They should partner with them, providing guidance on how the designers can differentiate themselves, promote their expertise and build their database.
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Keepers accelerating pace of remodeling activity
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesBenefiting from low-rate mortgages and rising home values, more Americans who traditionally would be in the market to buy up are choosing to remain in their current homes. Many are taking advantage of the increase in equity to take out home loans to pay for upgrades and repairs.
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