Shashi, the president-elect of the International Federation of Interior Designers/Architects (IFI), hopes her organization can help establish the “intrinsic value and relevance” of the design profession.

“In every nation, there is a question of how seriously interior design is taken by the public,” said Shashi, who’s organization represents  70 member groups and 65,000 interior design professionals in 45 countries. “Too often design is confused with architecture and decorating.”

I spoke with her recently in preparation for my presentation next week at IFI’s World Interior Design Congress in Dubai, U.A.E.

I present a program entitled “Supersize Your Success! 8 Steps to Peak Profits in Challenging Economic Times” on Monday, than serve as emcee at the event for the next two days.

Shashi pointed out how the economic slowdown continues to take its toll on design professionals the world over.

“Designers in many countries are hard-pressed to sustain their business,” said Shashi, a design professional for more than 20 years and the former chair of the interior design program at Parsons.

A few days ago I wrote how she landed the client — and a $60,000 design fee — for designing the interior of his new 11,000 square foot home with seven bedrooms.

She met the client through his business partner, who happened to be her boyfriend at the time. Therein lies the problem.

Since she broke off their relationship, the ex-boyfriend has made her life miserable.  He has repeatedly raised doubts about her skills and criticized her in other ways to the client, his business partner, and urged him to replace her with another designer.

I didn’t have any easy answers for the designer, but hundreds of you did. Here’s a random sampling of your ideas:

I empathise…
The same thing happened with me, although it was my ex who recommended me to the client but it turned out very personal and a bit uncomfortable.

To secure the deal and prove herself a great designer in her own right she needs to prove her self, she’s already got a foot in the door hasn’t she, so she has nothing to lose if she gains back to clients confidence by designing and project managing 1 room for free..

I often do this then make back the money on the rest of the house. She can then show her skills and professionalism and move on from the difficulties with the boyfriend… I’d fight to keep the deal!!

Kind Regards,
Nikki Austin

Austin John Interiors
Spalding
Lincolnshire UK

XXXXX

In reading your email regarding the “new to return to the business” designer’s problem with an ex-boyfriend, etc., I think she should be very straight forward and confident with her client selling herself as the correct choice (if in fact she has the ability to fulfill the client’s needs for his new home). 

 Also, has she already received a retainer from this client?  That certainly affects her final decision, unless the retainer is tucked safely away and remains untouched.  She needs to be confident, and straight to the point regarding any issues between them. She needs to assure him that he has made the right decision to go with her. 

Unfortunately, too many times, if the designer does not have the respect of her client, Murphy’s Law will take place and the project will be a nightmare for her as well as her client.  This is especially true in situations where her boyfriend (whether current or an “x”) has recommended her. 

She needs to truly analyze the client and project and, if necessary, walk away from this one if she has serious doubts.
 
Nancy B. Cosentino
Island Interiors, Inc.
Dandridge, TN  

XXXXX

I do have two (2) solutions for your designer…and she should do both of them.
 
First, since she was a designer four years ago, she has satisfied clients.  She needs to ask them for written testimony to show her new client the quality of her work and service.

She could tell her prior clients that she is starting up again and she needs to update her portfolio.  PLUS, she offers them 1-2 hours of her time to do this….Then she has 3-4 possible clients to add to her restart of business.   Also, she will have more self confidence when she speaks to her prior clients and knows how they love her.

 
Second,  since the new client has 11k sq. ft.house and $60,000 design fee she should hire an assistant (Independent Contractor, that way when the project is over she won’t have to let the person go and pay unemployment!! I did that and I am speaking from experience…

However, now I still use the same assistant when I have work for her and she is not on my payroll) that can help her with the follow up and days when her confidence is low or doubting herself she will have someone to lean on…and when things get on overwhelm, she has a person that will back her…AND make her look more professional..to her client and x-boy friend…The x is only trying to sabotage her…

Advise her she needs practices some “positive” self talk every day!!!  She will do GREAT!!  

Michelle Eaton, ASID
Gold River, CA.

XXXXX

To answer your question about the client, exboyfriend and a problem, I would simply assure the client that business is business and if he is feeling confused about her work let her offer some referrals and show him some of the past work that she has done.  Slandering a person is always petty and makes the person doing the slandering look small. 

The client should see what he is doing because of the breakup.  If she was qualified enough to hire her before the breakup she is still qualified after. 

If the client still has doubts let the job go because it is going to be a headache right through the whole process and that is not fun no matter how much money is at stake. I hope this helps.
 
Margaret Brower
New York, NY

XXXXX

She needs to convince the client of her worth!  Make a case for herself and her value.  This will be good practice and she can hone those skills.  
 
Pamela Hatcher
DAVIS DESIGNS
Newburyport, MA

XXXXX

Isn’t this a legal issue – If the design fee retainer contract has already been signed then she would just need to endure the ‘harassment’ of her ex, continue to reassure her client and be extra vigilant in staying on top of deadlines, deliveries, installs and expenses. Slander, Libel, Defamation of Character all come to mind.

I suggest she contact an attorney and request he stop discussing her business with his partner. If she is able to handle the job and has excellent skills, business practices and references the client should be able to feel confident in an excellent design plan executed on time and on schedule per the contract.

However, if the business partner/client took her on as a ‘favor’ to his partner (her boyfriend) then this could just be a convenient excuse he is using to back out. From his point of view I’m sure his ‘decorating project’ isn’t worth losing his business partner over.

The contract and the actions of the designer will really be the only way to convince and reassure the client that the job will be completed to his satisfaction regardless of the opinion of the ex-boyfriend. As stated she broke off the relationship – I’m sure he is bitter and seeking some revenge.

 Christina Van Blake
Decor by Design Inspired Interiors
Dover, NH

XXXXX

 I would explain to the client the situation completely.  He is probably already aware they broke up and there may hard feelings on her ex boyfriends part.)

Explain that the relationship has ended but she has the utmost respect to him by transitioning into this job in a completely and totally professional way and that he should be confident that the job will be completed on time and with his best interest in mind.

Though in this situation the client may feel a loyalty to his business partner and this unfortunately may be the reason he is questioning her ability, the situation needs to be discussed immediately so she can move forward.

I would also ask her client “his” thoughts, breaking down that awkwardness he may be holding in. If indeed he feels he can’t work with her because of his relationship with his business partner, she should collect a partial feel for what she has put into the job thus far and move on.

Best, J. Cabrera
WWW.CLSTUDIOINC.COM
Florida

XXXXX

 Maybe she needs to get comfortable w/walking away.  I believe if you can do this in your head, it frees one up to take charge of a situation based on confidence, not fear. 

 Fear of losing a fee always seems to lead to poor decisions, probably because fear is set up as the stronger energy.  So once she is ready to let go, call the client and ask him why he hired her in the first place.  Was it because of the ex-connection, or because of her expertise. 

If she can recall her first meeting, she can restate what she understood was the reason for being hired and verify if that still holds true w/the client.  If she finds a lot of doubt coming her way from the client, I really recommend walking away, because that $60,000 might turn into a nightmare if the client becomes difficult and blames her for anything that doesn’t satisfy him. 

  I know walking can sound scary, but being “needy” sends a terrible unspoken message. 

Kathleen Beres Interiors
Santa Fe, NM

XXXXX

I think she should sit down with the client and discuss the situation. I think she should offer to cancel the contract and refund any deposits, less her time for what she has already done. If there is this much angst at the beginning od the job, it certainly won’t get any better.

I would also suggest writing a stern letter or visiting with her ex and telling him to stop being a jerk, or legal action will ensue. I have tried to work with clients who weren’t happy in the beginning and it hasn’t worked out well. Good luck – there are more ideal clients out there for her. 

Erica Kalkofen
Winter Park, CO

XXXXX

Send him my name and info! Just kidding
She needs to call him into her office and separate the two happenings as they do not relate to each other one is personal and the other is professional. Explain to the guy what a great firm and vision she has for him and would hope he can see the bigger picture

Phil Norman
Torrance, CA.

XXXXX

In regard to your client’s issue, she should address the problem, head on, before she proceeds with the project. She should sit down with the client and explain that the ex-boyfriend was not happy about the break-up and that she is concerned that he may not be presenting her in the most positive light.

 Explain how important it is that the client feel totally confident about his decision to hire her, before they proceed with the project. She should ask if, at this point, he has any concerns that they can discuss. Then ask, if it would help him feel reassured about his decision, if he spoke to some of her other previous clients.

I know this is uncomfortable to do, but otherwise she is going to wind up addressing these issues throughout the entire project.

Best Regards,

Heather Higgins, ASID, NYCID
Higgins Design Studio, LLC
New York NY

Fred Berns provides sales and marketing training and coaching to interior design professionals worldwide.

I don’t have one. Do you?

She landed a client and a $60,000 design fee for designing the interior of his new 11,000 square foot home with seven bedrooms . The project,  her first one  since she relaunched her business after four years as a stay-at-home single mom, is scheduled to begin in January.

She met the client through his business partner, who happened to be her boyfriend at the time. Therein lies the problem.

Since she broke off their relationship, the ex-boyfriend has made her life miserable.  He has repeatedly raised doubts about her skills and criticized her in other ways to the client, his business partner, and urged him to replace her with another designer.

As a result, the designer reports, her client has become uncertain and confused.

Suggestions, anyone, about what she can — or should — do?

Madeline Lester thinks not.

Madeline, ex-president of the International Federation of Interior Architects and Designers(IFI), believes that inadequate communication skills is among the biggest challenges facing design professionals today.

“Too many designers can’t articulate the process,” Madeline, an Australian designer with 35 years experience with residential, commercial and retail clients, says. “Then they submit their bill for 50 or 60 hours, and the client doesn’t understand what they’re paying for.

Madeline contends that design professionals must be far more “strategic” in how they present themselves and their projects.

“How we interpret our work is greater than the end product,” she points out. “It’s not enough to show color boards and sample boards. We need to show and explain the process we go through.”

Madeline, who is on the program with me as a speaker at the IFI conference in Dubai Nov. 9-15, also believes that designers in this challenging economy must do a better job of communicating what makes them different and unique.

She notes that one outcome of the “very tough time” facing design firms worldwide is that principals at larger firms are handling more mundane tasks.

“You see senior managers doing the work themselves–working at the drawing boards and computers and managing projects from start to finish,” she says.

IFI (http://www.ifiworld.org)  is an organization representing 70 member groups and 65,000 interior design professionals in 45 countries.

Fred Berns provides business skills training and coaching to design professionals around the world.

You could spend lots of time and money promoting your interior design credentials.

But why?

Why not acquire a collection of all the forms you’ll need to sell yourself economically, in half the time.

You can get that collection, at HALF PRICE, if you act fast.

The Big Splash, Little Cash Marketing Materials Manual, a collection of the most effective marketing forms used by design professionals, will be released, in both print and downloadable formats, in December. The price will be $39.97.

But you can get your copy for $19.97 if you’re one of the first 54 persons to place an order. Only 54 copies will be available for the pre-publication price of $19.97.

Here, in one easy-to-use manual, are samples and examples of outstanding articles, news releases, cover letters, follow up notes, website bios, social networking profiles, design service lists, voicemail messages, letters to prospective corporate partners, “only” statements — and a whole lot more.

All you’ll need to do is adapt those forms for your purposes.

Why “reinvent the wheel” with your marketing materials? You can simply plug your information into the done-for-you forms in this collection.

Thinking of raising your fees? Follow the rate hike letter in the manual.

Need more testimonials and referrals? The client feedback form will help you get them.

Want to promote your interior consultation services? Check out samples of website wording to use.

Want to promote a seminar or class? Use the design course description in the manual as your guide.

If you want to make a major marketing impact for a minimal investment of time and money, you’ll want the Big Splash Manual.

For more information, and to order the Big Splash, Little Cash Marketing Materials Manual at the $19.97 pre- publication price click here:
http://www.fredberns.com/marketingmanual

Fred Berns is among the biggest names in the business of interior design.

It’s yours.

You’re not doing a good enough job of telling others how good you are. You’re your own best-kept secret.

This is a bad time for that.

The most financially-successful design professionals today are not necessarily the best designers.

They’re not necessarily the ones with the most experience, affiliations or design degrees.

The most financially-successful design professionals are the ones who are the best personal promoters. Maybe that’s not right, or fair. But it’s fact.

The designers, architects, decorators, stagers, kitchen and bath specialists, retailers and others who are thriving this year are doing the best job of personal salesmanship.

They’re the ones who realize that, first and foremost, they’re not selling furniture, fabrics or flooring in this economy.

They realize that, first and foremost, they’re selling themselves.

It’s never been easier to get elsewhere the design services and products that you sell. But there’s one thing that prospects can’t get elsewhere: You.

Don’t just tell me you offer nice cabinets and countertops, and fixtures and finishes. I know that.

Tell me why I should buy them from you.

Tell me that you’re the ONLY design professional in your area offering such a wide selection of window treatments, or the only one with clients worldwide, or the only one working with five national restaurant chains.

“Our biggest challenge worldwide as designers is getting respect,” Shashi Caan told me recently. Shashi is president-elect of the International Federation of Interior Designers/Architects, the group I’m speaking to next month in Dubai.

Respect comes when people recognize your value.

And that can’t happen without your help in educating them about your value.

Ten tips on how to make the Personal Sale:

Establish Your Expertise. Write articles for, and present seminars to those you seek to influence.

Create Credibility. Publish your ideas on a blog, ezine and website, and share them on social networking sites.

Expand Your Brand. Add a personal marketing message to your voicemail and email, and to invoices, contracts, and other business forms.

Present Yourself with Polish. Master eye contact and body language. How you deliver your message means as much as the message itself.

Communicate with Confidence. Accentuate the positive about yourself and your services. Avoid such credibility-killing phrases as: “It’s only my opinion…”

Tout Your Team. Discuss your collective experience and capabilities.

Become a Media “Mouthpiece.” Offer yourself as an interview source on design for print and on-line outlets.

Be Clear. Make it easy for others to understand your services, and your value.

Be Bold. Have the courage of your convictions as you promote your design style, philosphy and rates.

Be Unique. Dare to be different. Promote yourself in ways your competitors don’t.

Fred Berns is a sales and marketing trainer who works with interior design professionals and industry partners worldwide.

Jeanette, who owns Kidspace Interiors (www.kidspaceinteriors.com) in Lakewood Ranch, FL. , reported taking “several pages of notes” during the recent tele-seminar entitled: Big Splash, Little Cash: Low Cost, No Cost Kickbutt Marketing in Challenging Economic Times.

Here’s the checklist she created so she can put the ideas into action: 

1. Create and Communicate
____ “Only” Statement with USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
____ Voice Mail message
____ Email signature
____ Website -  multiple places
____ Business card
____ Social network
____ Bio
____ Brochure
2. Create Credibility, Establish Expertise
____ Press Releases
 ____ Pecede with phone call
 ____ Follow up to see if received
____ Write articles
 ____ Include “about author” paragraph at the end
____ Speaking engagements or presentations
 ____ Groups or organizations that speakers
 ____ As a consultant
 ____ Teach adult ed classes
____ Blog or eZine
3. Add Wow! To Website
____ USP and only added
____ Include tip sheets
____ Links to articles
____ Call for action
____ Photos
 ____with captions
 ____ large photos / small areas
____ Google Analytics
____ About Us
 ____ Why buy from me?
 ____ What makes me special?
 ____ Not a chronological look back
____ Not static!!
4. Social Networking
____ LinkedIn - Participation
 ____ Join Groups
 ____ Discussions
 ____ Polls
 ____ Q & A
 ____ Post discounts / package deals
 ____ Include URL and USP
 ____ Recommend and get recommendations
5. Miscellaneous:  Things You Can Do by Yourself
____ Send faxes  – email gets lost, faxes do not
____ Promote team — contractors, installers, etc.
____ Smile & dial – first thing in the morning
 ____Check in with past clients
____ Focus group luncheon or “I Need Your Help”
 ____ Letter of recommendation
 ____ Letter of introduction
____ Letter to the editor (trade magazines)
____ Create media contact list
____ Follow-up letters (to prospective clients who did not hire you)
____ Clients
 ____ Check-in letters
 ____ Check-in email
 ____ Evaluation and feedback form
 ____ Ask for referrals
____ Marketing internships – ask local colleges for help with marketing, offer internship
____ Build a “herd” – add to database
____ Offer free reports
____ Reach out to vendors – what can you do for them?
____ Gift yourself – gift cards or gift certificates
Process – steps to follow
____ Offer short / onsite consultations
____ Find out what hurts  and  offer remedies
____ Write article  and  post on website
____ Select title for presentation / consultation
____ Write press release and send
____ Prep course or presentation
____ Teach adult ed class
____ Ask questions @ consult to get them past 1st visit
____ Copy article to local newspaper
____ Approach “sugar daddy” for joint venture (i.e., reps – use their line—in return they promote you)
____ Blog
____ Book

Fred Berns is a noted coach, trainer and author in the interior design industry

Here’s a note from an interior designer in Calgary, AB. — and my response to him:
Hi Fred,

I enjoyed your Big Splash, Little Cash teleseminar today…always a good investment of time.

I am finding it a struggle lately to stay positive and remain focused….so your nuggets of information are always welcome and are spot on.
 
Notwithstanding the fact that I totally concur with your ideas, I still am struggling to remain positive and am having a real hard time keeping ‘up’…..I even had a vacation last week and while I enjoyed it I have come back to work and feel that no matter what I do it is not making a difference to sales.

We have adopted lots of your ideas and they are good, so its not for lack of trying….Your Winston Churchill quote is good in that it says to Never Give up…I do have tenacity and drive…However, I feel I need to hear another ‘overcomer’ story……

Was there ever a time in your career when you felt low and could not see results of your efforts, and because of that it was difficult to remain positive, and then some thing you did or some thing that happened turned things around?

 
Hi, _____,

If misery loves company, be assured that your colleagues around the world feel your pain and share your frustration. Design professionals from Dallas to Dubai are struggling with the glacial pace of this economic recovery.

I commend you for your “tenacity and drive,” both valuable tools in times like this. In any times, for that matter.

This is, after all, a test — a test of our resolve, our persistence and our courage. Too many design professionals are failing the test, giving up and getting out now that the going is tough.

Pass that test — as you must and as you will — and you’ll emerge leaner, meaner and much more prepared than your competitors for the better times that lie ahead.

I laughed when you asked if ever there’s been a time in my career when I felt low and could not see results of my efforts, and because of that it found it difficult to remain positive.

I laughed because I face that challenge in so many ways, on so many days. So does every entrepreneur, every business owner, every successful professional in every field.

It’s times like these we have to dig deep, realize that we’ve faced and surmounted challenging times before and will again.

Recent challenges in my own business have me “talking to myself” (reciting affirmations when I awake and before I go to sleep such as “I have no time for worry, no time for regret, no time for fear” and “I’m an Inner Winner who is positive in my perspective”).

And those challenges have changed my reading habits. Time that used to be spent reviewing the newspaper is now being spent on books like Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles” and on “Success” Magazine.

It’s always darkest before the dawn, _____. Know that the sun will shine on our industry again soon, and that, when it does, we will be stronger and wiser and better able to cope the next time adversity confronts us.

I’ve heard it said that life’s challenges and setbacks are the “measure of a man.”

Knowing you as I do, I am certain you can — and you will–measure up.

all the best to you, _____!

Fred

Some of the low cost, no cost marketing tips we covered in the tele-seminar entitled Big Splash, Little Cash: Low Cost, No Cost Kick-Butt Marketing in Challenging Economic Times: 

+ Create a Killer Commercial.  Including “only” (”I am the only designer in my area who…”) adds magic to your marketing message.

+ Use Free Publicity. News releases and articles get you quoted and promoted in the media.

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+ Speak Up. Seminars, workshops and classes work wonders.

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+ Add “Wow!” to Your Website.

Make it timely, topical and interactive.

+ Make Your “Net” Work. голова болит секс Face to face first. Social sites(especially LinkedIn) second.

+ Partner in Your Promotion. Buddy up with vendors, suppliers, and others with deeper databases–and pockets –than yours.

+ Build Your Base. голова болит секс There’s strength in numbers. Build yours by offering a free report in return for contact info.

+ Get Your Foot in Their Door. Whet their appetites with an “introductory program” — and then upsell them to your other services.

For a transcript of the Big Splash, Little Cash program, click here: https://fbbbd.infusionsoft.com/cart/?product_id=100

Fred Berns is a design industry coach, trainer and speaker.

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This is your last chance to register to participate in, or download a FREE program that will absolutely, positively transform your business and career in the months ahead.

Now’s the time to sign up, if you haven’t already done so, to take part in, or download Tuesday’s tele-seminar called: Big Splash, Little Cash: Low Cost, No Cost Kickbutt Marketing in Challenging Economic Times.

Listen in, or download this program, and you’ll learn low cost, no cost marketing steps you can take to dramaticlaly increase your design business this Fall.

The program, brought to you by Blind, Corners & Curves, the nation’s foremost supplier of fully operable blinds for specialty shaped windows, will teach you millon dollar marketing on a shoestring budget.

The Big Splash, Little Cash

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tele-seminar is set for Tues., Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. – noon, Eastern time (10 a.m. Central, 9 a.m. Mountain, 8 a.m. Pacific).

You won’t have to leave your home, office or showroom to get tune into the tele-seminar, and get moneysaving marketing ideas. Or, you can order and listen to the program at your leisure.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to make a  maximum marketing impact for a minimal investment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your design business and career on track – on the FAST track toward better clients, bigger contracts and greater profits.

Don’t miss this opportunity to tune into, or download the  Big Splash, Little Cash tele-seminar.

For information and registration: http://fredberns.com/BigSplashProgram/.

Why? Because they struggle with the idea of marketing. They choose not to promote themselves.

Show me a talented design professional who doesn’t market herself, and I’ll show you ten others with half her talent earning twice her income.

The reason?

They promote themselves. She doesn’t.

If you want to boost your profits, you need to boost your marketing.

You can make a maximum marketing impact for a minimal investment of time and money.

Step one: sign up NOW –not tomorrow or next week — to participate in or download the Sept. 29 tele-seminar entitled Big Splash, Little Cash.

Details here: http://fredberns.com/BigSplashProgram/

Fred Berns is one of America’s foremost experts on the business of interior design;

Is your website wimpy?

If so, it will disqualify, rather than qualify you for bigger projects and better clients.

Now you can save 50% off the price of an audio program on how to generate more buzz and more profits from your website — or, create a new one.

Now through Wed., Oct. 7, pay only $12.95 for the CD or the audio download of the program 21 Keys to a Killer Website.

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This one hour audio program gives you the steps you need to create a “knock their socks off” website.

You know there’s no more powerful marketing strategy than an effective website. That’s why you invested all that time and money in developing and polishing and promoting yours.

So, why isn’t it getting more traffic? Why isn’t it bringing in more business? Why isn’t it working?

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Fred Berns is a sales and marketing coach and trainer for interior design professionals.

That business truth is important to remember next time you’re tempted to cut back on marketing.

Too many interior design professionals have succumbed to that temptation in recent months as a way to curb expenses in an uncertain economy.

Bad idea. REAL bad idea.

Now is no time to reduce your on-line and print presence, or to lessen your exposure to potential customers.

Now is no time to play Hide and Seek: forcing prospects to seek, as you run off and hide.

Prospects won’t hire you unless they know you.
They won’t know you unless they find you.
They won’t find you unless you market yourself.

Are you serious about building — or rebuilding–your design business in these challenging times?

If so, stop obsessing about saving money, and start focusing on making it.

Promote yourself with pizazz this Fall.

Use marketing strategies that will help you differentiate yourself, establish your expertise and create credibility within your target market.

Your articles and columns can help you do that. So can live presentations. So can appearances on local TV stations, and a blog or ezine, and a killer website.

Fred Berns is an interior design industry business coach and trainer.

In addition, I’ll be a featured speaker at INDEX, the Middle East’s largest interiors trade show, also in November in Dubai.

How design professionals can thrive, rather than merely survive these challenging times will be the topic of my presentation on Nov. 9 for IFI.

IFI http://www.ifiworld.org is an organization representing 70 member groups and 65,000 interior designers in 45 countries.

I’ll then serve as MC at the biannual IFI Design Congress, which will include exhibitions, competitions, student workshops and master classes.

I’ll present two seminars on boosting sales in a down economy later in the week at INDEX,http://www.indexexhibition.com/.

INDEX last year attracted 30,000 trade visitors and industry professionals from around the world.

I’ll offer personal coaching and mentor group sessions, and make my books and audio programs available at both the IFI and INDEX events.

This will mark my second appearance in two years before design professionals assembled in Dubai.

I spoke in 2008 to Middle East design pros and industry partners at a conference of the Association of Professional Interior Designers. http://apid.ae/

For more information about IFI 2009 Dubai: http://ifi2009dubai.org/about-IFI09-Dubai.htm

If so, that may have nothing to do with your design skills. It may have everything to do with your marketing skills.

That’s why it’s so important for you to tune in to, or download the Sept. 29 tele-seminar called Big Splash, Little Cash: Low Cost, No Cost Kickbutt Marketing in Challenging Economic Times.

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The tele-seminar, or the audio download, are FREE TO THE FIRST 127 PEOPLE WHO SIGN UP.

The fee for those who register after that is $50.

My tele-Seminar, brought to you by Blind, Corners and Curves, the nation’s foremost supplier of fully operable blinds for specialty shaped windows, will show you to make a maximum marketing impact for a minimal investment.

That’s a critical skill at a time when it’s never been easier to buy elsewhere the interior design services and products you sell.

Prospects have more options and are more picky than ever. Profit margins are shrinking.

The good news is that a few low cost, no cost marketing steps can help you double your design business.

A couple of inexpensive promotion strategies can get you better clients and bigger projects.

I can and will teach you million dollar marketing on a shoestring budget when you tune into, or download the Sept. 29? Big Splash, Little Cash tele-seminar. подготовка добровольцев из среды лиц оказывающих сексуальные услуги

For more information and registration details, click here:
http://fredberns.com/BigSplashProgram/

Their own.

As some large design firms downsize in this uncertain economy, many of their former employees are going into business for themselves.

That topic came up yesterday in my conversation with Lisa Connor, the vice president of programs at the Georgia chapter of NKBA. I’m presenting my “Methods of the Masters” program to that chapter in Atlanta on Oct. 15.

Lisa said that a number of local designers in her area have chosen to go it alone in the aftermath of recent layoffs.

Which brings up a theme that I’ll speak and write about quite a bit this Fall: we’re ALL in business for ourselves.

We’re ALL self employed.

Whether you work for a company, or run your own, you should — and you MUST — think of yourself as the ultimate decisionmaker.

It doesn’t matter who signs your paycheck. You are, and always have been, and always will be in charge of your own destiny.

If you’ve been laid off, or downsized or “fired,”, don’t take offense. Take responsibility.

You are the CEO, the CFO, and the sales and marketing director of your own personal corporation.

Want to meet your new boss?

Easy! Just look in the mirror. And while you’re doing so, recite these words: “What is to be, is up to me.”

Fred Berns is a leading trainer, coach and speaker in the interior design industry.

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That’s the strategy that worked for some luxury car dealers, according to Jack Canfield.

The question: how can it work for design professionals?

Canfield, the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, relates how some Lexus dealers adopted the proactive approach during the last recession.

Faced with slumping showroom traffic, they began showing up with the newest models at events and locations frequented by potential Lexus buyers.

The dealers visited area country clubs, marinas, parties in exclusive neighborhoods and other locales frequented by movers and shakers. The dealers invited those they met to test drive the models parked outside — and many did.

The result, according to Canfield: their Lexus sales shot up 65 per cent.

If it worked for them, could it work for you? What kind of “Lexus” could you introduce at a high end networking event that would convince prospects to buy from you?

I don’t have an easy answer here, but I can say this: it would take something more — much more — than photos, or fabric samples or carpet swatches.

Suggestions, anyone?

Fred Berns teaches sales and marketing strategies to interior design professionals around the world.

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You have a choice, you know. As the economy slowly recovers, it will be as easy to attain one as the other.

All you’ll have to do is put your mind to it…and decide.

In the past, too many design professionals made that decision without even realizing it.

They chose to lose.

They chose to charge too little. And to give away their time and expertise. And to work with low budget clients. And to cave into price objections.

They chose to struggle, rather than succeed.

They have every right to make that choice, of course. So do you.

Just understand, that if you choose to think impoverished thoughts, you get impoverished results.

If, on the other hand, you practice prosperity thinking, abundance flows into your design business and career.

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If so, choose now to:

+ seek higher end clients, and charge high end fees

+ convert single sales to long term relationships

+ avoid prospects who can’t afford you

+ focus as much on making money as saving it

+ make the most valuable use of your time

+ delegate tasks that don’t generate income

+ bill for all your time, all the time

+ present your prices with pride, not apologies

 Fred Berns is the nation’s foremost trainer and coach for interior design professionals

Now, in a still-shaky economy, as you try to make up for lost sales and income.

Now, when clients are still so cautious and big projects still so scarce.

Now, as competition rises and profit margins fall.

The good news is that a few simple, very inexpensive marketing strategies can help you DOUBLE your design business.

You’ll learn those strategies in a remarkable tele-seminar on Tues., Sept. 29 called: BIG SPLASH, LITTLE CASH: Low Cost,No Cost Kickbutt Marketing in Challenging Economic Times.

*The tele-seminar, or the audio download, is FREE TO THE FIRST 127 PEOPLE WHO SIGN UP. The fee for those who register after that is $50.

My tele-seminar, brought to you by Blinds, Corners and Curves, the nation’s foremost supplier of fully operable blinds for specialty shaped windows, will teach you million dollar marketing on a shoestring budget.

Tune in to, or download the program, and you’ll discover how a couple of cost-free promotion steps can get you better clients and bigger projects this Fall.

And find out how promoting yourself for pennies can help you substantially pump up your profits by year’s end.

Give me 57 minutes of your time on Tues., Sept. 29 – or whenever you listen to your audio download.

I’ll give YOU low cost, no cost marketing strategies that will absolutely, positively transform your business and career in the months ahead.

Remember, your tele-seminar registration, or free audio download, is FREE if you’re among the first 127 people to sign up.

For more information and registration details, click here:
http://fredberns.com/BigSplashProgram/

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If you’re facing financial challenges this summer, it’s not the economy’s fault.

Nor should you blame your clients.

Or your competitors.

Or the Internet.
Or big box stores.
Or Dolly Decorator.
Or your contractors.
Or the weather.

Everybody’s got challenges. Get over yours.

I’ve heard too many designers, window fashion professionals, kitchen and bath specialists, showroom managers and others at my presentations this year play the Blame Game.

They’ve cited everything from the Recession to bad luck to their vendors and suppliers as reasons for their disappointing sales.

I’m not buying it.

If you’re facing financial challenges, this is no time for a pity party. It’s time for a planning party.

Stop whining. Start winning.

What’s not working?

When you’re in a slump, troubleshooting questions can get you out of it.

Are you not…

+ thinking big enough?
+ working with the right clients?
+ differentiating yourself?
+ managing your time well?
+ charging enough?
+ marketing enough?
+ asking upselling questions?
+ asking for referrals?
+ hiring the right people?

Seek answers to those troubleshooting questions.

List your five major sales and marketing obstacles, and turn to colleagues, coaches, and even clients for advice on how to overcome  them.

Create a recovery plan with timelines and deadlines.

Success happens by choice, not chance. Choose to bounce back, and you will.

Fred Berns is an award-winning trainer and coach in the interior design industry.