The office furniture industry stands at a critical juncture as we navigate through the challenges of 2025. In a recent conversation with Shelley Rosetta, Principal at Solomon Coyle, we explored the evolving landscape of dealerships, leadership approaches, and innovative strategies for sustained growth in an uncertain market.

The Trend Report, Episode 154

Shelley's journey into the industry began with a childhood passion for space planning her bedroom, which eventually led to formal training in interior design. Her career path took her from design to sales leadership, dealership ownership, and eventually to consulting with Solomon Coyle. This trajectory highlights an important reality of our industry – there are numerous career paths available beyond what students are typically exposed to in design or business programs. As Shelley noted, "They don't really mention that you can be a rep, you can go work at a dealership, you can be at SolomonCoyle. There are just so many different avenu...

🎨 Color Outside the Lines

As kids, we were all taught to color inside the lines. That was the goal, right? Stay within the boundaries, follow the rules, and make something neat and tidy. That training served a purpose—developing fine motor skills and focus—but it also started planting something deeper: the need to conform.

And if you didn’t color inside the lines? You probably got a few funny looks or side comments from parents, teachers, and even friends. Eventually, most of us figured out how to stay inside those lines.

Fast-forward to adulthood, and guess what? We’re still doing it. Adult coloring books are everywhere—detailed, intricate, and yes, relaxing. I’ll admit, I’ve tried a few myself (no shame here 😊).

But when we step back, coloring inside the lines is more than just an art activity—it’s symbolic of how we operate in life and work.

Why Do We Conform? 🤔

Conforming is safe. It’s easy. It keeps the peace.

But here’s the thing—it doesn’t challenge anything. It doesn’t c...

In our first CEO Chat of Season 6 of The Trend Report, Collin Cavote of BIOME joins me to discuss Bridging Nature and Technology: How Biome is Revolutionizing Biophilic Design in Workspaces

In an era where the call for sustainable, healthy workspaces grows louder by the day, innovative companies like Biome are answering with groundbreaking solutions that merge technology with nature. Founded by Colin Cavote, this Oakland-based company has spent a decade perfecting what they call the intersection of technology, plants, and landscaping – creating modular, self-sustaining living walls that bring the benefits of nature indoors without the traditional maintenance headaches.

The conventional living wall has long been problematic for commercial spaces. Typically, they're construction projects requiring reinforced walls, plumbing, custom lighting, and ongoing maintenance contracts that can cost hundreds of dollars monthly. The result is often beautiful but impractical – impressive lobby cent...

Unlocking Business Innovation with a One-Day Charette

Design Thinking: A Framework for Business Breakthroughs

Design Thinking isn’t just for designers—it’s a powerful, people-centered approach to solving business problems. At its core, Design Thinking encourages teams to understand user needs deeply, challenge assumptions, and creatively generate solutions. It’s iterative, collaborative, and ultimately practical.

Why is it important? Because traditional problem-solving often gets stuck in old patterns. Design Thinking flips the script by encouraging empathy, experimentation, and rapid learning. Businesses that adopt this mindset are better equipped to adapt to change, improve internal processes, and deliver better customer experiences.

Example:
Let’s say a company is struggling with a clunky ordering process for dealers. Using Design Thinking, they engage their team to deeply understand pain points, brainstorm wildly creative solutions, test a few ideas quickly, and land on a stream...

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...