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Welcome to the Trend Report, your go-to resource for information and insights into the world of contract interiors with a focus on office furniture. Hosted by industry veteran and leader, Sid Meadows, each episode is a thought provoking and informative conversation about the topics and issues that impact the office furniture community. From insightful interviews with renowned industry leaders to in-depth conversations with industry CEO's to those having an impact with emerging technologies and business ideas, the Trend Report delivers an inside look into the ever-changing office furniture industry. Whether you're an architect, interior designer, manufacturer, dealer, or just simply curious about the industry, this podcast is your ultimate guide to staying informed and update on all things contract interiors.
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Send us a text Professional development is your responsibility, not your employer's. People who take ownership of their personal growth receive salary increases 2.5 times higher than those who don't actively invest in themselves. • Professional growth requires personal investment - no one is more invested in your career than you • Mastery is never "one and done" - continuous improvement requires ongoing learning and application • Beware of "overconsumption" where you take in too much informa...
Send us a text Public sector sales represent a third of the furniture industry's market at approximately $4-6 billion annually, offering recession-proof opportunities with transparent purchasing processes and accessible information for strategic selling approaches. • Federal government alone spends about $1.4-1.5 billion annually on furniture • Public sector provides stability during economic downturns and recessions • Government purchases involve public information that allows strategic pre...
Send us a text Join Sid as he and Adrian Leal explore how creating authentic content and establishing thought leadership can transform sales success in the office furniture industry. They discuss how content creation builds lasting professional relationships and personal credibility. • Building relationships matters more than product knowledge in our commoditized industry • Take the product away from the sale to focus on authentic human connections • How digital "social proof" influenc...
Send us a text Kari Anderson, of the Techbox Creative, joins Sid to dive into the complex world of technology in the office furniture industry, exploring challenges, solutions, and future trends that impact every aspect of the business. • Technology should make our work easier, but disconnected systems in the industry force duplicated efforts • Over 3,000 manufacturers use different software that doesn't "talk" to each other throughout the design-to-install process • The "Data Collective" in...
Send us a text We are exploring the power of everyday innovation in business, looking at how small, thoughtful touches can transform customer experiences and create lasting value. Innovation creates new value by transforming ideas, methods, or products into impactful solutionsThe Magic Castle Hotel's "Popsicle Hotline" demonstrates how a simple idea can become a memorable signature experienceChick-fil-A's drive-thru innovations with tablets and dual lanes solved pandemic challenges while enha...
Send us a text Walter Craven created Kabin during lockdown to solve his desperate need for personal space, transforming a cardboard prototype into a revolutionary office product that gives users control over their environment. Kabin is not an acoustic pod but an experience-focused space where users face outward in a throne-like positionThe unique faceted design serves acoustic purposes for both users inside and colleagues outsideWalter's journey from Boston to San Francisco to London was driv...
Send us a text Get ready for a different kind of episode. Rex Miller takes the mic and interviews Sid and three other industry veterans who have united to create The Collaborative Network. This is a game-changing initiative providing structured support programs for small furniture manufacturers. Listen as Rex asks the tough but relevant questions about how this group plans to address the unique challenges of over 3,400 small manufacturers who previously lacked dedicated resources for growth a...
Send us a text Natalie Hartkopf, CEO of Hightower, shares her journey in the furniture industry and how this family-founded business evolved from importing European designs to creating their own award-winning Hightower Studio products while becoming a certified B Corporation. • Natalie started with Hightower around 2003, beginning in Seattle before moving to New York • They shifted from purely importing European designs to manufacturing upholstered pieces in North Carolina • Won Best of NeoC...
Send us a text Ever wondered how to tap into specialized vertical markets that offer substantial growth opportunities? Sara Marberry, a healthcare and senior living design knowledge expert, shares explore the untapped potential these sectors hold for furniture dealers and manufacturers. Listen as she shares her story as well as: Healthcare environments contain diverse spaces including clinical areas, administrative offices, and lobbiesTelehealth is creating demand for acoustically private pod...
Send us a text We make nearly 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day—that's one choice every 1.6 seconds during our waking hours. Each of these decisions has the potential to impact our lives and the lives of those around us in both positive and negative ways. Feel like you've been in a rut? Use some of these tips, tricks, and tactics to help train your brain to see the positive things rather than the negative. • Different decision-making methods include impulsive, intuitive, instincti...
Send us a text Kelly Colón shares her expertise in neurodivergent-friendly design and shows how designing with all brain types in mind can improve spaces for everyone. She challenges the traditional ways our industry approaches built environments, pointing out how standard designs often overlook neurodivergent individuals—and offers practical solutions for creating more inclusive spaces. Listen to learn more about: Executive functioning - it includes skills like planning, problem solving, org...
Send us a text What does it take to thrive in the office furniture industry during these turbulent times? Shelley Rosetta, Principal at Solomon Coyle, brings a wealth of knowledge from her journey from bedroom space-planner to dealership principal to industry consultant. Our conversation reveals how flexibility, operational excellence, and authentic leadership have become non-negotiable qualities for success in 2025. Shelley shares her perspective on why our industry must engage with ed...
Send us a text What happens when you combine cutting-edge technology with the restorative power of nature? Collin Cavote, founder and CEO of Biome, joins us to share how his company is revolutionizing biophilic design with self-sustaining living walls that require almost no maintenance. From the outside, Biome's products look like beautiful living plant walls. But beneath the greenery lies sophisticated technology that's transforming how we bring nature into commercial spaces. Unlike traditio...
Send us a text James Strole, founder of Workspace Resources, shares his journey from bank teller to leader in the office furniture industry, discussing pivotal moments, the importance of customer experience, and the integration of AI in business. Listen as he shares valuable insights into how passion, discipline, and effective systems can lead to success in a rapidly evolving market. We discuss: • James's journey into the office furniture industry from banking • The founding story and ...
Send us a text Doug Shapiro, the VP of Sales at JSI, discusses the evolution of sales in the office furniture industry, emphasizing the importance of listening and asking the right questions to understand client needs better. Learn all about his thoughts on the balance of time management in sales, the role of AI tools, and the necessity of being a resource for clients, all while navigating the hybrid future of work. Listen as he shares: • The journey from product development to s...
Send us a text Experience the transformative power of habits. We're exploring four key practices—exercise, reading, journaling, and celebrating daily wins—that propel personal and professional success and why small, sustainable changes can lead to significant outcomes over time. Join us to: • Explore the impact of habits on personal growth • Learn the 21/90 Rule for building lasting habits • Exercise as a catalyst for physical and mental health • Use reading as a too...
Send us a text Ever felt like life's commitments were pulling you in all different directions? That's exactly where I found myself last year. I was overwhelmed and on the verge of "pod fade." But now, I’m back, rejuvenated and ready to kick off Season 6 of The Trend Report! Join me as I reflect on our journey since 2020, sharing pivotal moments and memorable conversations from Season 5 with industry leaders like Rex Miller, Stacey Sherman, and David Stella. Amid these reflectio...
Send us a text 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 hinder the richness of our interactions. Through real-life examples and practical advice, you'll learn how to craft quest...
Send us a text 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 Canoa's AI Engine, which is redefining product selection with its innovative Canoa Recommendations feature. By tuning in, you'll ...
Send us a text 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 on the seismic shifts in technology and innovation, and the areas that stubbornly resist evolution. We're talking everything f...
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