Custom Cabinet Conference Session Details
Business Strategies in Changing Markets
Opening General Session CA01: Thursday, February 16, 8:00am-10:45am
Is your founding business model still relevant to your customers? Do you know where your next sales opportunity may come from? This fast-paced session will help you re-engineer old, ineffective ways of doing business and spark your creative muscle to advance in new directions. These business pros use real examples to demonstrate how to redesign your model through a strong understanding of customers, market realities and internal capabilities and strengths; and how to maximize your network in ways you may not have thought of. Not everyone will share their winning concepts—these guys do! Attend and learn to:
• Develop an eye for partnerships with an ROI
• Leverage your position in the industry and with trade groups to find hidden opportunities
• Get low- to no-cost ideas you can use to increase business
Presenters:
Joe Knobbe, President, Cabinet Makers Association
Dave Grulke, Executive Director, Cabinet Makers Association
High Stakes Gambling: Estimating Architectural Woodwork
Opening General Session CA01: Thursday, February 16, 8:00am-10:45am
The thrills and chills of estimating larger architectural woodworking projects- what to look for, what to expect, how to win jobs that you can make money on, and dodge the ones that might put you out of business.
Presenter:
Rick Thaler, President and Owner, OGB Architectural Millwork
From Concept to Drawing To Sold! (1.0 CMA CEU credits)
Session CA11: Thursday, February 16 – 2:45pm-4:00pm
Session CA31: Friday, February 17 – 8:00am-9:15am
Increase your sales and close the deal! Fabricating what you have proposed will become an easier process once you have the essential tools to show your customers what they are purchasing. Two dimensional drawings and 3D renderings lead the way to customers saying "I've got to have it". Learn how to go from simple hand drawing to more refined computer generated photo realistic illustrations and close more deals.
Presenter:
Keith Kreppein, Owner, Olde Saratoga Millwork
Planning for Installation Success (1.0 CMA CEU credits)
Session CA12: Thursday, February 16 – 2:45pm-4:00pm
Session CA32: Friday, February 17 – 8:00am-9:15am
A smooth, efficient installation can make or break the profitability of a job. In this seminar we will discuss ways to ensure that your installers are properly trained and prepared to get the job done right the first time. Take control of what can be one of the more challenging aspects of any cabinet or closet project. You will leave this session having learned to:
• Plan your installation techniques during the design phase of the job
• Follow checklists to ensure that all tools and materials are transported to the job on the first trip
• Develop standard procedures to minimize or eliminate surprises and re-work
Presenter:
David Buchsbaum, President and Owner, Beacon Custom Woodwork, Inc.
Working with Designers & Architects (1.0 CMA CEU credits)
Finding the right members to collaborate with in the design community can be a daunting task. This seminar will delve into identifying appropriate individuals or firms, how to work with them once you find them and how to keep them coming back for more.
You will learn how this topic relates to:
• Finding your market
• Staying in front of your target
• Understanding your role
• Building STRONG relationships
• Working together PROFITABLY
Presenter:
Joe Knobbe, Senior Project Manager, Exclusive Woodworking and President, Cabinet Makers Association
Filling Your Funnel: Get More New Sales Prospects Now! (1.0 CMA CEU credits)
Session CA22: Thursday, February 16 – 4:15pm-5:30pm
Session CA42: Friday, February 17 – 9:30am-10:45am
New customers are the life blood of any business. Dave will walk you through time tested advertising, marketing and sales techniques and systems you can immediately install in your business that will consistently deliver new sales prospects. Through practical, easy to administer methods, you can build and easily maintain your personal, reliable source of fresh, motivated buyers that will continue flowing into your business and onto your radar screen as you need them.
Presenter:
Dave Grulke, President Big Dave's Services & Executive Director of the Cabinet Makers Association