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| Dealer Testimonials |
Our success relies on your success. We are proud to support our dealers and encourage growth through our partnerships. Greatfans
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 Motorization involves intricate systems and you really need professional help when you're working with such expensive products. Jan's Draperies, West Fargo ND
36 years of experience, hard-earned referrals and personalized customer service helped Jan Patterson of Jan’s Draperies in
West Fargo, ND., land a job consisting of over 80 Hunter Douglas® Duette® Architella™ Honeycomb Shades.
Despite the downturn of the economy, Patterson is still able to find profitable sales. “I’m very honest with people. I try to be very reliable, too,” Patterson explains. “If there is ever a problem with a job, I find a solution immediately.”
A majority of Patterson’s referrals are by word-of-mouth. A strong networking relationship through a local contractor and the distribution of Hunter Douglas’ Designing Windows consumer magazines, customized with Jan’s Draperies business information, secure prospective sales. She’s found that from every 10 books distributed; approximately 7 leads are gained and 5 jobs are sold and placed with her fabricator, Warren Steven Window Fashions.
She keeps extra copies of her Designing Windows magazines with her at all times. “I’m always looking for opportunities – whether it’s meeting people or noticing a remodel project – residential or commercial,” Patterson explains.
With the large job, 27 of those 80 shades were motorized – which doubled the profit on the sale. Patterson didn’t have any prior experience working with motorization – but with the help of Warren Steven Window Fashions, the job was fabricated and installed perfectly. Bob Golling, Customer Service Representative;
Jim Holter, Sales Representative; and
John Hoglund, Motorization Specialist, assisted in putting an accurate bid together. Patterson was then able to establish a price fair for her and the customer.
Being a few hours away from her fabricator, Patterson normally relies on her son, David, to install the final job. This time was a little different. Patterson called on Warren Steven Window Fashions to activate and secure the motorized shades properly. “Motorization involves intricate systems and you really need professional help when you’re working with such expensive products,” Patterson says. “John and Bob were very knowledgeable.”
The Steps Toward Success - Greatfans, St. Paul, MN.
 After a recent sales audit, it's apparent that Hunter Douglas thinks Greatfans is doing everything right - and WSWF agrees. Hunter Douglas gave Greatfans an overall rating of, 'Excellent.' When you walk into the store, you understand why. Hunter Douglas was impressed with the updated product displays.
Evaluating Each Foot
Sales representative, Roberta Mann, and WSWF Director of Sales, Linda Mestnik, evaluated Greatfans' sales floor a year ago. "We learned about the 'Last 3-Feet' from Joe Jankowski of Hunter Douglas. The exercise helps a retailer determine their sales per retail square foot by the different product groups they carry," Mestnik explains.
Once Greatfans realized the profitability of Hunter Douglas window fashions, they took advantage of display promotions that were offered. One trick Greatfans' associates, Nick Curtis and Lannie Gustafson learned: Quality over quantity. In some instances, 2-3 discontinued displays were replaced with one new, larger display; better showcasing the beauty and quality of Hunter Douglas window fashions.
Taking Baby Steps
In addition to the new displays, Greatfans also invested in backlighting. "The new bulbs show off the Alustra® Collection and the color of our Pirouette® display much better," Curtis explains.
Gustafson and Curtis were creative, placing a bold Silhouette® window shading from the Matisse® Collection in the big, front window of the store. Instead of placing a Skyline™ Gliding Window Panel in a display module - they opted for the room divider application, flaunting its versatility. In addition to new displays, they freshened up the store with new paint and tried out a new floor layout, moving their front desk - opening up the sales space.
Knowledge Is Key
During Hunter Douglas' store audit; notes were also made regarding the sales associates' exceptional product knowledge. Curtis and Gustafson give some of the credit to WSWF training seminars.
"The Certified Professional Installers (CPI) training was excellent - I feel a lot more confident at the installation. The Elements seminar was also helpful in seeing new perspectives on selling and upgrading the products our customers are buying," Curtis says.
Success In Numbers
Speaking of product upgrades, Greatfans has been offering Top-Down, Bottom-Up, UltraGlide® and LiteRise® list system upgrades to their customers for free.
Greatfans was one of the first participants in WSWF, 'Ad Club,' a tag-ad program. They signed on for a 5-month ad campaign in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and a 4-month ad campaign in the Mpls. St. Paul Magazine with ads featuring the Alustra Collection.
Ads in the Pioneer Press featured Hunter Douglas promotions and gave participating dealers the opportunity to offer free lift system upgrades on Duette® Honeycomb Shades. Greatfans realized a 100% sales growth during the promotional periods vs. the same time periods last year.
All the Right Steps
"They are a perfect dealer for a sales rep to have. They do all the right things - they're willing to participate in the five drivers of success and they trust us to make the right recommendations to better their business," Mann says.
"They embraced the concept of the 'Last 3-Feet,' beautifully," Mestnik says. "We highly commend them for freshening the displays and the store layout decisions they've made; it's more shoppable and they've used the facts we gave them to boost their sales."
If you'd like to do the 'Last 3-Feet,' exercise in your store, we'd be happy to help gather your facts. Ask your sales representative for more information.
Inspire Clients with Drapery Displays - KML Design Studio, Woodbury, MN.
 It's important to make the most of the space you have in a showroom.
KML Design Studio in Woodbury, Minn., did just that when preparing the studio for their Grand Opening last March.
Owned by Kootenia Homes, KML Design Studio was added to complement the custom home building business by offering full interior design services to their clients.
With only one window in the studio, the designers wanted to dress it properly to fit the studio's warm, rich atmosphere while displaying as much as they could.
Emily Zupan, Interior Designer, admitted she was new to using a drapery workroom, but working with Warren Steven Window Fashions was a breeze.
"They were very patient with me; I had a lot of questions and they were quick to respond with quotes or adjustments," Zupan says. "We know we can count on them to get things done correctly and on time."
Using only two fabrics, Zupan and Leah Kovar, Senior Designer, sketched four contrasting drapery panel styles.
They found it is easy to see the unique possibilities by simply alternating the fabric placement on each panel. Hunter Douglas® Country Woods® wood blinds accent the custom treatments they chose perfectly.
Not only do they use Warren Steven's services in their studio, but also in the model homes they decorate. Stationary drapery panels, top treatments, throw pillows and chair cushions constructed by Warren Steven help tie together the sophisticated room designs they create.
KML Designers also assist clients with Hunter Douglas window treatments. Zupan said the customer service team is also very helpful with her specific questions before she places online orders or quotes.
"You plug the details in and the system alerts you if specific options aren't available with the shade size you need. It s goof-proof!" Zupan says.
Ask your sales representative for more information about online ordering or for assistance with the drapery workroom.
Extreme Makeover: Showroom Edition - Budget Blinds, Burnsville, MN.
Congratulations to Budget Blinds of Burnsville! They were recently named one of the Top 10 showrooms in the country by Hunter Douglas through the showroom makeover contest.
Before the makeover, Budget Blinds worked with clients primarily through in-home consultations. Their headquarters housed warehouse and office space.
"We wanted to form an image perspective and demonstrate to our customers that we make investments in our company. Now, they can view an entire product line and get explanations - which is hard to do with an in-home consultation," Tom Cotton, owner of Budget Blinds, explains.
Lee Edlund, sales representative, and Warren Steven's Marketing Director, Rachel Rice, helped Cotton with the showroom design. The results were immediate.
"I can count many jobs that started as an in-home consultations and then followed up with a showroom visit. It [the showroom] secures the sale," he says.
In addition to Hunter Douglas displays, Cotton ordered displays for the Above It All program. "It's nice to see all the styles in one place. It gives them a reality; it does so much more than looking at a photo," he says.
If you are interested in creating or remodeling a showroom, ask your sales representative for help. We are happy to assist with modulars and display samples.
Top Off Your Sales with Extra Profits - Draperies & Blinds Specialists, Mesquite, NV.
 If you're looking for an easy way to add profit on to your sales, Above It All is for you!
"It's like making instant coffee it's ready to go! Georgia Baranowski insists.
Her husband, Roger, adds, "It's one of the easiest window treatments to install."
"Yes, as soon as you put it up, it's beautiful," Georgia says.
The Baranowski's work together in their shop, Draperies & Blinds Specialists, in Mesquite, Nevada. After sewing and constructing custom treatments herself for over 20 years, Georgia decided to stop and try the Above It All program from Warren Steven.
"The kit presents all the different samples and fabrics to my customers very well," Georgia says.
Above It All is an easy-to-use program designed with simplicity in mind. Each kit includes:
- Reference Guide with color photos and price grids
- 6 RM COCO fabric books
- 2 easy-to-carry tote bags
Valances, cornices and side panels can be an effortless add-on sale to any hard window treatment. Just encourage your customer to finish off a look or add an extra touch of style in their home.
Roger and Georgia did a complete wall display of the top treatments available in the Above It All program. "They want to buy what they see," she explains.
Which may be why the Above It All program sells in their store.
"One gentleman came into our store looking to completely re-do the cheap blinds in his home. He saw our Above It All displays and fell in love with it; he picked out the fabrics and purchased cornices to go over all his replacement blinds," Georgia says.
Above It All top treatments are constructed in Warren Steven's custom drapery workroom, so when the Baranowski's customer wanted pillows, cushions and table runners to coordinate with his cornices it was possible!
"The top treatments are top quality. We've used other groups but I would have to say Warren Steven s workroom has the best quality of anybody," Georgia says.
Ask your sales representative about the Above It All program and adding profits on to your hard window sales. |
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