In the latest episode of the Trend Report, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of James Stroll, founder of Workspace Resources, and explore the evolving landscape of the office furniture industry. With over two decades of experience, James offers invaluable insights into the keys to growing a successful business, the importance of customer experience, and how technology is shaping the future of the sector. James ' story is one of passion and resilience, from his humble beginnings as a bank teller to becoming a titan in office solutions.

The Trend Report, Episode 152

Starting in October 1995, James Stroll ventured into the office furniture industry without prior knowledge but quickly discovered a passion for it. With only a 10 by 10 room and a noisy air conditioning unit, he laid the foundation for what would become Workspace Resources. His vision was clear: fill the gap between aligned dealers, who catered to large projects, and non-aligned dealers, who served smaller ones. He id...

Lead Yourself First: The Key to Personal Leadership Growth

I remember the day I got the opportunity to be promoted to a leadership position, Director of Global Accounts.  I was 30 and was not ready, but my bosses saw something in me and encouraged me to take this important step forward in my career, and I never looked back. 

As I later learned, I had been a leader, just not a leader of people (or manager), as some people call it.  And that’s when it hit me, you don’t have to have a title to be a leader.  As I’ve moved forward in my career, I’ve made many mistakes and learned many lessons, some of them painful - as I’m sure most of you can relate.  However, one of the most important things I learned is that I am responsible for myself and my actions, and I can only control how I respond and learn to move forward.  I can’t change anyone.  The only person I can change is me! 

This is when I really leaned into professional development and growth.  And, I’d admit, I’m a junkie.  I love l...

In today's fast-paced business environment, connecting with clients and understanding their needs has never been more crucial. As we explore this vital theme in our recent podcast episode with Doug Shapiro, Vice President of Sales at JSI, it becomes evident that fostering genuine relationships is at the heart of modern sales techniques. People have often described sales as a "dark side," but Doug sheds light on how the profession has evolved into something much more profound. Rather than mere persuasion, today's sales approach focuses on meaningful engagement and understanding.

The Trend Report, Episode 151

The conversation starts with Doug sharing his journey into the office furniture industry, a career spanning over two decades. He highlights the significance of connecting with seasoned professionals who remain enthusiastic about their work even after many years. This notion resonates throughout the episode, as Doug emphasizes that success in sales is not solely about numbers but a...

Understanding The Power of AI:  Tips for practical use of AI in your business

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a long way since its early beginnings, evolving into a force that is reshaping industries and everyday life. From its humble beginnings to today’s advanced tools, AI continues to surprise us with its capability to solve complex problems and improve our daily tasks.

The History of AI

The journey of AI began in the 1950s, when pioneers like Alan Turing, a British mathematician, logician, and pioneer in computer science whose work laid the foundation for modern computing and the conceptual framework of artificial intelligence;  and John McCarthy, who was an influential American computer scientist often referred to as the “father of artificial intelligence.” He is best known for coining the term "Artificial Intelligence" and organizing the Dartmouth Conference in 1956, which is widely regarded as the seminal event that formally launched AI as a research field and introduce...

One beautiful Sunday afternoon in December, I decided to take a hike.  I hiked over five miles through a nature reserve near my house. Yes, I know a hike in December sounds crazy, but I live in Texas, and that's one of the benefits of living here, especially in the fall and early winter.  I'm not sure you'll find me on this same hike in late August.  

As I was hiking, I turned the corner and saw this image of this path before me. This got me thinking about our industry and reflecting on how it is changing and the challenges we are facing. So many times in life and business, we take the path forged by others and laid out for us. This path tells us exactly where and what to do, like the path I hiked that day.   

In our industry, especially today, with all the changes we have faced over the past few years, it's time for us to forge a new path.  It's time for us to do things differently. It's time to get off the paved road in front of us, be creative, and come up with new ideas, produc...

In today’s episode, we delve into the transformative power of habits, focusing on four key practices that can propel you toward success. With the pace of modern life, it’s easy to lose sight of how our daily actions affect our long-term goals. However, cultivating the right habits can significantly impact both your personal and professional lives. We explore the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of building habits that stick. 

The Trend Report Podcast - Episode 150

The first habit we discussed was exercise. While many understand the importance of physical health, consistent implementation is often lacking. My journey began with simple walks, which evolved into a rewarding daily physical movement practice. Studies show that even modest amounts of exercise can lead to significant improvements in mental well-being and productivity. Finding a routine that fits your lifestyle doesn’t have to be a chore; simplicity often leads to long-term compliance. Especially in times of stress, prioritizing physica...

As I was researching for this blog, I discovered that I’ve written about Networking on three previous occasions.  In 2019 was titled, “Stop Networking,” in 2020 it was “Networking The New Way,” and in 2021 it was “In-Person Events Are Back, Now What?”  

It's interesting that I’ve written about one topic so much, and here I go again, so it must be an important topic.  Back in 2020, I offered a free online training course about “Networking The New Way.”  Now, given I’m writing about this topic again, I’m wondering if I should dust it off, give it an update and do it again.  It's definitely something to think about for this year.  Regardless, hopefully, this blog will help you achieve your networking goals as we move forward in 2025.

At its core, networking is interacting with others to develop new contacts, and maybe, just maybe, we can generate some business.  However, I think it goes much deeper than that.  To me, networking is about meeting people and developing meaningful connectio...

The latest episode of The Trend Report offers an insightful look into the journey of Sid Meadows, the host, as he navigates the ups and downs of the office furniture industry while reflecting on significant life changes. Overcoming obstacles and confronting personal challenges, this episode dives deep into the concept of resilience. Sid starts by highlighting the achievements from Season 5 of the podcast, discussing the learning moments and growth through the 19 episodes shared. From engaging interviews to exploring key industry insights, it becomes clear that even amidst challenges, there was an abundance of wisdom shared with the audience.

The Trend Report, Episode 149

However, what set the stage for this episode is the candid discussion on "podfade"—a phenomenon many creators experience where the enthusiasm for producing content dwindles. Sid openly expresses the overwhelm that led to his temporary hiatus, stressing the importance of mental well-being and self-care. Encouraging li...

Becoming the best version of yourself, both personally and professionally, is a journey that requires continuous growth and development. This was the central theme in a recent episode of the Trend Report Podcast where Sid Meadows, a certified professional coach and a veteran of the office furniture industry, shared his insights on personal, professional, and industry growth.

Sid Meadows embarked on his journey of continuous growth a few years ago when he started a coach certification program. From a humble beginning to now being a certified professional coach and a veteran of the office furniture industry, his journey has been all about growth and development. Sid emphasized that the journey of growth is not about your boss or your company doing it for you. It's about you doing the work necessary to reach your goals. It's about you taking control of your own destiny.

The Trend Report, Episode 128

One of the core areas of growth Sid discussed is personal development. This transcends ...

In our recent podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Dianne Murata, an interior designer and founding principal of Kimiko Designs. Dianne shared her journey almost working in a funeral home to starting Kimio Designs then establishing Kimiko Green, a testament to her determination and innovative approach.

Dianne's mission is to bring sustainability to the furniture industry, a task as inspiring as it is admirable. The conversation highlighted the power of recognizing individual capabilities and the unique culture of the furniture industry. She spoke about how acknowledging the individual strengths of her team members has been a cornerstone in shaping Kimiko Green's success story.

The Trend Report, Episode 129

One of the standout features of Kimiko Green is its thriving remote work culture. Dianne shared insightful details on how she built this culture with intention. Her business partner, Ginger, and she take on the roles of a visionary and an integrator respectively. Their ...