What if building meaningful relationships could revolutionize your sales strategy? Join me, Sid Meadows, and my guest Marianne Hewitt from SalesStar, as we explore the profound impact of relationship-driven sales in the office furniture industry. In this episode, we highlight the mutual benefits of the "give, give, ask" philosophy, emphasizing the …

What if merging two industry giants could revolutionize an entire market? Join us as we chat with Amy Edington, Product Manager for Commercial at Cyncly, who takes us through the thrilling creation of Cyncly from the merger of 2020 and CompuSoft. Amy paints a vivid picture of how this fusion resulted in a global powerhouse, expanding their offering…

What if your ability to understand your customers could make or break your career? Today, we uncover a transformative experience from over 20 years ago that reshaped my entire approach to business research. Join me as we explore the three critical C's of business research: customers, competitors, and colleagues. This framework, born from a pivotal …

Can technology revolutionize the office furniture industry? Join us on the Trend Report as we explore this question with Katherine D'Zmura Friedman, Co-Founder and CEO of Thumbprint. Katherine shares her innovative vision of transforming the design and specification process for commercial furniture through a groundbreaking cloud-based platform. Get…

Ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of decisions you face each day? I'm here to help you navigate the labyrinth of choices with ease and precision. In our latest 10 to Win segment, I break down decision-making into four digestible steps, ensuring you're equipped to tackle anything from the mundane to the monumental. I'm sharing personal exper…

Have you ever considered the silent tales an office chair might tell if given a voice? This episode welcomes the incomparable Dominic Lawson, a maestro of the podcasting world, to spin an extraordinary yarn where our protagonist is none other than an office chair. He's taking us on a journey through time with the Anderson family, as their business …

Embark with me on a transformative exploration of workplace strategy and design with the insightful David Stella from Cresa Real Estate.. Together, we unravel the complexities of creating office spaces that not only reflect but also enhance company culture and philosophy in our post-COVID reality. This episode is a treasure trove for those seeking …

Stepping into the studio with Susan Pilato of Mantra Inspired Furniture was like opening a treasure chest of wisdom on the enduring value of solid wood furniture. Susan, with her wealth of knowledge and a heart full of passion, peeled back the layers of the commercial furniture world, revealing why a shift back to quality and sustainability isn't j…

Ready to revolutionize your approach in the office furniture industry? I'm here to guide you down the path from being another furniture supplier to becoming a leading solutions provider. Let's challenges the status quo, encouraging a leap from safety into the realm of daring innovation. Also, don't forget the power of collective wisdom—sharing expe…

Do you ever find yourself wondering what happened to that childhood spark, the one that made you curious and bold? Join us as we sit down with Rex Miller to reignite that lost brilliance and tackle the 'kryptonites' that hold us back. We reminisce about youthful passions—my affinity for music and construction—and examine how these interests mold ou…

Discover the transformative power of mindful design as Jen Levisen, director of communications at Mindful Materials, joins us to shed light on the sustainable future of commercial spaces. Our conversation traverses Jen's vibrant journey from the commercial design and office furniture industry to spearheading a global movement for environmentally re…

Unlock the secrets to transformative conversations with my deep dive into the art of the follow-up question. In our latest episode, I share the underrated power of asking the right questions—those that open doors to deeper understanding and connection. We talk about the tendency to default to simple yes-or-no inquiries and how this approach can hin…

Unlock the secrets to transforming every customer interaction into a golden opportunity as Stacy Sherman, a maven of CX excellence, joins us to pick apart the customer experience puzzle. Join our exploration into the integral role of empathy and communication in business, the surge of artificial intelligence in customer experience, and how to marry…

Lance Amato from Canoa and Sid, navigate the transformative currents reshaping the office furniture procurement landscape. Discover how Canoa's browser-based platform is revolutionizing the way design professionals select, specify, and manage office furniture inventories. They delve into the industry's reluctance to embrace new tech and unveil Cano…

Remember the thrill of seeing something evolve from its simple origins to something spectacularly modern? That's the journey I've been on with the office furniture industry for over 30 years. In our 10 to Win series, we're tackling the elephant in the room - driving change in your business. I'm taking you through personal stories and observations o…

Have you ever found yourself at a career crossroads, contemplating a leap into the unknown? That's precisely where Jonathan Johnson stood before he took the helm at Forum Furniture. Listen as Jonathan unfolds the tapestry of his professional odyssey, from a foundation in architecture to the pinnacle of office furniture entrepreneurship. As we chat,…

Get ready to revolutionize the way you think about networking! Learn the key to turning shallow handshakes into deep-rooted partnerships. Say goodbye to the endless business card exchange game and hello to the power of authentic connections. In this episode, we dissect the shortcomings of traditional networking and set the stage for a new era where…

Join me and Rex Miller as we uncover his transformation of a historic ranch into a tranquil retreat and delve into the inception of his cutting-edge software, Genius Spark. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom, where Rex's path from bustling city life to the stewardship of a serene ranch unfolds, offering executives and leaders a novel space …

Celebrating the launch of season five of The Trend Report podcast feels like commemorating a personal milestone, one filled with the voices and stories that have shaped not just the show, but me as well. As I look back at the path traveled, I'm thrilled to bring you recollections from the very first CEO chat with Chris Evanstad, to the heart-warmin…

Ever wondered how a visionary and an integrator can shape the success story of a business? Dianne Murata, the interior designer and founding principal of Kimiko Designs, unravels this intricate balance in our recent podcast episode. Dianne's impressive journey from a funeral home to establishing Kimiko Designs is testament to her determination and …

Can you imagine becoming the best version of yourself, both personally and professionally? How would that impact your life, your career, your relationships? I'm Sid Meadows, your host for the Trend Report Podcast, and I'm here to guide you on a journey of continuous growth, a journey that I embarked on just a few short years ago. From a humble begi…

Join Sid for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation about the evolving role of the independent rep with Jason Levy, a veteran in the office furniture industry. Jason's journey is a compelling tale of resilience and adaptability - from being a culinary student to stepping up to the demands of the family business after his mother's cancer dia…

What would your life look like if you dared to color outside the lines? If you defied norms and embraced your uniqueness? Let's journey together down the path less traveled, challenging the status quo and disrupting norms. This week we're stirring up insightful conversations about the art of nonconformity in business and personal growth. We draw pa…

Ever wondered what the world of contract furniture holds? Our guest today, Aaron Estabrook, the Director of Digital Marketing at OFS reveals it all in a vibrant conversation. Aaron found his path to this industry through an exciting journey that took him from the music business to marketing and advertising, and helped him clinch a role that brings …

Join Sid for a riveting conversation with Sam Richardson, President and CEO of the Identity Group. Sam's journey to the top is an intriguing cocktail of sports, international living, and a deep dive into the paper and print industry. Prepare to be engrossed as he takes us from his time on the college sports field, to the aroma of paper plants in th…

My guest, Alexandra Tseffos, is a return interview for The Trend Report from a couple of years back. The Design POP was just a few months old the last time Alexandra was on the show, and she has grown to over 500 videos on her platform with updated partnerships with other technologies in the industry. The Design POP aims to offer three main points,…

Matthew Negron is the president of Dauphin, a prestigious furniture manufacturer based out of Germany with a focus on ergonomics. Beginning from the position of design engineer and developing his own department, Matthew expanded into project management and catalog build-outs. Matthew speaks to the benefits of "intrapreneurship" and mentorship and h…

One thing that we didn’t really dive into in our last episode is the topic of how to use these technologies in the most effective way to benefit our business. For instance, if we have real-time metrics integrated into our website, we provide our consumers with the convenience of checking our lead times in a time frame that is convenient for them. W…

Artificial Intelligence and its impact on how we do business is something I like to talk about any time I’m given the opportunity. With the way AI is integrating into our everyday life, it is inevitable that we start facing the different ways that it will impact our roles in our industries. When we are faced with a program that interacts and behave…

So many business owners believe that a brand is developed once and that’s what it always is, but in reality, all brands are changing and evolving. This evolution is extremely important because it means that the business is growing. Listen as Anjul and Erin of Thinkspace discuss the brand’s evolution and what it means for the future. Anjul started i…

Byron Morton is the VP and co head of leasing of the Merchandise Mart. The Mart has evolved over the many years that it has been hosting showroom businesses and NeoCon conventions and they are excited to announce new amenities offered by the facility at NeoCon this year. Bringing commercial companies into a space that had mostly been used for showr…

In this episode, I share a discussion that I had with my Coaches Roundtable. Jonathan Howard, Russell Eubanks, Loubna Zarrou, and I speak about an impactful book that solidifies principles in our industry to create a memorable customer experience. A key point for us to remember is that you don’t have to work in hospitality to create a hospitality-g…

Content is all around us, and we are consuming it nearly every second of every day. For those of us who don’t know exactly what content is, it is the concept of sharing original thoughts with a call to action to get consumers to take action in your field of expertise. Creating quality content allows you to leverage your expertise to build trust in …

So much about our growth and development within the industry hinges on the relationships that we build and the mentors that we have. I have had the opportunity to make some wonderful friends within this industry, and the journey that these relationships have provided me is one that I could have never imagined. I share in this solo episode today abo…

The world as we know it has changed so much in the past several years. With the evolution of technology and the curveball of the pandemic, the culture of how our society operates in many industries, including that of commercial interiors, has shifted. And we have to shift with it. In this climate, our industry demands innovation and thinking outsid…

The age of the independent rep is changing. The role that an independent rep played that we were familiar with up to the year 2015 doesn’t really exist anymore. So what does it look like now, in the wave of a digitalized era? Coming from a background at a tech startup, Kurtis Michela was able to bring a new perspective on how to approach, monitor a…

Social media and other digital marketing tools play a significant role in the commercial interiors industry. By developing a key strategy to show up for our audience with authentic content on social media, we can interact with our customers and generate engagement for our businesses. While social media can allow us to show our personality and how w…

Staying ahead of market trends by educating yourself is key to providing an outstanding customer experience and achieving success in the office interiors industry. The future of the dealer in the office furniture industry is evolving in the face of how much technology has integrated itself into our lives post-pandemic. While we can leverage technol…

There is a dirty little secret in the contract interiors industry and it is how much waste our industry contributes to landfills. Over 50% of landfill waste comes from building materials or used furniture from office spaces. 98% of all furniture that is manufactured for contract interiors is destined for a landfill. These are insane statistics that…

We are spending more time than ever on social media and, as business owners, there is an untapped potential that can be unlocked by promoting your business on social media platforms to bring awareness to you and your brand. I got the opportunity to chat with Jonathan Howard this week specifically about Instagram and how it can be such a useful tool…

The pandemic presented the contract interior industry with many challenges as it shifted the way we do business with our clients and end consumers. I had the opportunity to talk with Amanda Schneider of ThinkLab who hit me with a ton of insight on the best ways our businesses can shift to meet the challenges that we are faced with. By developing pe…

When we look at glass manufacturing in commercial business spaces, we often don’t realize the process that happens behind the scenes to bring a beautiful, functional piece of architectural glass into a business or healthcare space. I had an awesome interview with Vipul Bhagat, the COO of Skyline Design glass manufacturing, who shed a fantastic amou…

I'm speaking with the Dopamine Dealer of Linked In - Joshua B. Lee who is well seasoned in online advertising. He currently owns Standout Authority which brings human components back to the face of marketing. They specialize in personal branding and success utilizing LinkedIn Despite the fact that LinkedIn has been in use for over 15 years, current…

One of the things I love most about having a podcast is the amazing connections I make because of it. I met Matt Spaulding of Spaulding Communications at NeoCon this past year and it was because of this podcast. Listen as he shares his story and why thought leadership is so important to building a brand and business that people trust. As with most …

Before Covid happened, there was a major push toward open-concept, collaborative workspaces that increased teamwork and transparency. The problem then became, what do you do when you’re taking an important phone call and need a private space? Enter Pillar Booth, the leading manufacturer of freestanding phone booths designed to create private areas …

What does it truly mean to build a post-Covid company? Chris Smith of KFI Studios is the perfect person to ask. Listen as he shares how he got into the furniture industry and what he’s done with KFI Studios to prepare for the future despite the uncertain present. Chris started his career in the medical supplies industry. He was selling medical supp…

Welcome back to the show Rob Kirkbride. Rob joins me to chat about NeoCon 2022, Fulton Market, industry trends, and most importantly, the new ventures he has started in the past few months. As usual, Rob and I had an amazing conversation full of fantastic insights you won’t want to miss. Rob and I both attended NeoCon this year but he got to experi…

The office furniture industry desperately needs more e-commerce solutions. We need to break down the lines of competition and start collaborating in a way that benefits not only us and our businesses, but also our customers. Both Kurt and Matt of No Mondays are working to do that with their innovative platform and solution. Kurt and Matt both enter…

I cannot believe that we’ve made it to episode 100. In many ways it seems like it has taken forever to reach this point but in others, it was just yesterday that I released that very first episode. Rather than simply share my thoughts on the state of this podcast and the industry, I decided it would be more fun to have Trevor Bloch ask the question…

The greatest gift you can give to yourself, your family, and your friends is your undivided attention. Being present is harder than ever, but so important. Listen as I share my thoughts about why being present is so important and how your brain actually processes all those tasks you’re working on. Being present is NOT simply being in the room with …