Interior Design Professionals Should Seek Solutions, Not Scapegoats
If your business is off in this uncertain economy, blaming others won’t help.
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.