Market seminars

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 31, 2002

Thurs., April 18

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Seven Sensational Closing Techniques

Philip Gutsell, Gutsell & Associates, shares seven closes you can take back to your store and work immediately. NHFA

10 a.m.

International Buyer Orientation Seminar

IFHC Hamilton 1st Fl., Interhall Meeting Rooms. IHFC

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Making EDI Affordable

Barb Downey, FurnishNet,leads a non-technical discussion of a cost-effective alternative to EDI. NHFA

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

The Real Goal of a Sales Presentation/Customer Profiles/Building Your Referral Base

Brad Huisken, IAS Training, details the different types of customers and what salespeople need to do in order to maximize the selling opportunity. NHFA

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

The Best Dressed Trucks in Town

Joe Lapekas, TruckSkin, LLC tells you how to best utilize the sides of your delivery truck as business. NHFA

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Plan for Success

Ray and Rex Anderson, Anderson Unlimited, will show you the best layouts for small, medium and large furniture stores. NHFA

Fri., April 19

7:00 - 9:00 a.m.

WithIt Probes the Role of Home Furnishings in Today's World

Reservations required, free of charge. IHFC Green Wing, 11th Fl., Club Level, Ballroom A. IHFC, Intellitek, WithIt

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Your Road to Selling Success Re-visited in the 21st Century

John Lawhon, Selling Retail Int'l., teaches the selling insights that can be put into use immediately. NHFA

10 a.m.

International Buyer Orientation Seminar

IFHC Hamilton 1st Fl., Interhall Meeting Rooms. IHFC

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Warehousing Equipment: Knowing the Basics"

David King, Warehouse Design, Inc. discusses the basics of storage and retrieval equipment and warehouse management systems. NHFA

Noon luncheon

The New Consumer & the Future of Retailing

Author, designer and television host Christopher Lowell discusses the changing consumer, the building of an American brand and creating a destination point for the consumer. Book signing to follow.

IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, Club Level, International Ballroom. IHFC

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Stepping Outside of the Box: Why You Need to Do It

Lou Kief, Kief-Walls Group explores how all the rules have been broken in regard to the design of home furnishings. NHFA

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Lead, Manage Coach: The Triple Crown of Driving a Sales Team

Jody Seivert, One By One Companies, discusses how these elements dovetail, differ and distinguish your store as a winning sales organization. NHFA

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Responsibility Accounting and Business Goal Setting

Tom Rhea, FurnService, Inc., shows you how to establish business goals that fosters business success. NHFA

Sat.. April 20

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

An Overview of the Furniture Industry

Jerry Epperson, Mann, Armistead and Epperson, will provide insight into the economic changes ahead and how it will affect our industry. NHFA

10 - 11:30 a.m.

The Drama, Romance and Magic of Interior Lighting

Lighting designer Sergio Orozco will discuss how lighting can be the most powerful design element of the new century. $15 per person. Reservations may be made by calling the IDS at (800) 888-9590, ext. 6122. IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, High Point Rooms A, B and C. IDS

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about GMROI - But Didn't Know Who To Ask"

Brian McCarthy, Profitsystems, Inc., will answer all your questions about GMROI. NHFA

Noon

Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life

Designer Alexandra Stoddard will reveal how small, significant changes you make in your environment, mind and heart, can help you be happier day-by-day. Book signing will follow.

$15 fee includes lunch. Advance registration recommended.

For reservations, mail check to IHFC, Gaye McCraw Outlaw, P.O. Box 828 High Point, N.C. 27262.

IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, Club Level, International Ballroom. IHFC and IFDA, Carolinas Chapter.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Do Your Salespeople Work for You?

John Egger, Profitability Consulting Group, will teach you how to improve the profitability of your salespeople's efforts. NHFA

2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

How To Get Sales Results in Any Economy

Jody Seivert, professional sales trainer, will share specific sales strategies that will help you more fully understand your clients' particular needs $15 per person. Reservations may be made by calling the IDS at (800) 888-9590, ext. 6122. IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, High Point Rooms A, B and C. IDS

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Strategic Merchandising

Bob Handler, Strategic Decisions, shares the keys to a superior performance. NHFA

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Warehouse & Delivery for Competitive Advantage

Consultant Dan Bolger discusses the best ways to efficiently warehouse, prep and deliver your business. NHFA

Sun., April 21

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

How to Manage Your Information Systems

Timothy Trefry, F.R.O.G., Inc. teaches you how to take control of information in your company and use it to make money. NHFA

9 a.m.

7 Steps to Increasing Sales and Net Profits

Euna Williams, of Euna Williams' Today's Home Interiors, asks the question, "Are you happy with your net profits?" Complimentary continental breakfast.

IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, High Point Room. IHFC

10:30 - 11:30

Customer Service as a Function of the Warehouse

Consultant David Duff will discuss ways to maximize the usefulness of your warehouse. NHFA

11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Forecasting the Future

Grace McNamara, well-known publisher and industry speaker, will present news and trends from key international interior fashion shows and markets. $25 per person, includes seminar and lunch. Advance reservations necessary. Reservations may be made by mailing a check or credit card information to IDS, P.O. Box 2396, High Point, N.C. 27261. IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, High Point Rooms A, B and C. IDS

Noon

The Key to Providing Outstanding Customer Service: Evolving from Customer Service to Customer Care

Samantha Kurtz, president, Kurtz & Associates, offers steps to empowering your staff to effectively deal with dissatisfied or disgruntled customers. Complimentary lunch. IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, High Point Room. IHFC

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Building a Winning Sales Team

Joe Milevsky, JRM Sales & Mgmt., Inc., will discuss how to develop proper training for new hires and veterans, creating a positive and profitable selling environment.

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Space Planning - A Blueprint for Success

Consultant William Blake will teach you how to create and maintain a retail environment that will mean increased sales per square foot and more turns from a merchandise mix. NHFA.

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Selling Home Furnishings at Home: Creating a New, Healing Paradigm

Patrick Cloninger, LuMeN-Thinking Communications, will lead a panel discussion on new opportunities to merchandise and sell home furnishings. One model is how the "healing home" can help us learn to cope with current events.

Mon., April 22

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Stop, Look, Listen: As You Cross the 21st Century

Joseph Connolly, Daniel Lynch Sales Com., will teach you how to make the adjustments needed to do business in the 21st century. NHFA

9 a.m.

How to Market to a Wired Clientele

Design Online's Joan Gaulden, FASID, IIDA, reveals secrets to appealing to potential clients via the Internet. Complimentary continental breakfast.

IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, International Ballroom B, CEI approved course. IHFC

10:30 - 11:30 A.M.

The Importance of Direct Mail Mkting: Targeting the Right Customers

TMU, Inc.'s William Haught explains the demographics of developing an effective direct mail campaign and how direct mail can boost your bottom line profits. NHFA

Noon

Windows of Opportunity

Margi Kyle, ASID, IDS, presents "state-of-the-art" ways to sell window treatments and your ideas, from the consultation to window design, through techno presentations.

Complimentary lunch.

IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, International Ballroom B. CEI approved course. Hunter Douglas and Tapestria.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Coaching Your Team to the Goal

Sally Morse, Hunter Douglas, will give you tips, techniques and tools that will assist you in coaching your team to the goal. NHFA 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Cut Through the Clutter & Make That Sale!

Jeff Thompson and Bill Kopald, Kyock & Associates, teaches you how to cut through the clutter and get your customer's attention.

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Lighting For Sales

Monte Lee, Service Lamp Corp., demonstrates lighting designs used by successful retailers and what lighting alternatives are available to control costs and make your sales floor come alive. IHFC

Tues., April 23

9 a.m.

What Do You Want to Be Famous For? Creating Your Market Niche as an Entrepreneur

Angela Moon, president and founder of Moon Interiors and House to Home 48-Hour Move-in , will discuss how to be a visionary by looking at your business plan. Complimentary continental breakfast. IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, Int'l Ballroom B. IHFC

Noon

Home Accents for Today's Style Guide for Spring

Home Accents Today's Editor-in-chief Becky Boswell Smith looks at key style directions by identifying new products at the market. Complimentary lunch. IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, Int'l Ballroom B. IHFC

All NHFA-sponsored programs will be held in the Retailer's Resource Center, IHFC M1210.

Reservations are not required unless otherwise specified.

Lawhon

Lowell

Stoddard

Kurtz

Kyle