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 ...

In this compelling episode, we explore the unique journey of Jason Levy, an industry veteran who has made his mark in the office furniture industry. Levy's story is one of resilience and adaptability. From his early days as a culinary student to stepping up to the demands of his family business after his mother's cancer diagnosis, his path is a testament to his ability to evolve and thrive.

One of the critical aspects Levy brings to light is the shifting landscape of the business world. The changes in the industry, especially amidst the pandemic, have forced businesses to innovate and adapt. This shift, however, is not a challenge for Levy. Instead, he views it as an opportunity to get creative with his marketing strategies.

Levy’s marketing approach stands out in its originality and effectiveness. From using cupcakes and donuts to engaging his audience digitally, his strategies are both inventive and refreshing. These unconventional methods reflect Levy's belief in building sincere ...

Why being outside benefits you, your team and your organization

Recently we held a company offsite meeting for a couple of days.  It was the perfect opportunity to come together and discuss our new structure,  strategy, products and our plans for 2024.  The problem with the meeting was that our entire customer-facing team was away from their desk, and their daily work, which meant that emails, quotes, orders and other tasks were stacking up and we’d have to pull a few long days to catch up.

Just after lunch on our final day together, I could see the stress on their faces as I asked everyone to close their computers so we could begin to wrap up our meeting.  The stress of not responding to email, not getting quotes out and more was draining the energy from the room and our meeting.  Something had to be done.  I had to change this - for the better.  

I stood up and asked everyone to join me on a walk outside.  Even though, at the time, it was over 100 degrees in Texas that day, they a...

In our recent podcast episode, #127, we ventured into the fascinating world of nonconformity in both business and personal growth. Host Sid Meadows, a seasoned business strategist, navigated us through thought-provoking conversations about the power of daring to color outside the lines. This article expands on the insights shared in that episode, touching on key aspects that underline the impact of challenging the status quo and embracing uniqueness.

The discussion starts out with a comparison that connects our childhood coloring books with adult conformity. As children, we were taught to color within the lines, which was a silent nudge towards adhering to norms. However, as we transition into adulthood, this lesson inadvertently follows us, shaping our decision-making processes in both our personal and professional lives. Sid encourages us to ponder on a critical question: "What if we decided to break free from these invisible lines?"

This episode highlighted the significance of ste...

The 3-C’s of Business Research 

Why understanding your customers, competitors and colleagues is critical to your success

I remember it like it was yesterday, but it was 20 years ago.  I was sitting at the conference table with the company’s leadership and several representatives from the customer.  We were meeting so they could share with us why we had been awarded their project.  This was a first for me and I was excited to learn why we had won.  I was anticipating they would say things like, you were the low price, you have the better products, your overall package fit our needs the best.

However, what they shared stopped me in my tracks, could this really be a driver in why we were successful?  You see, this project started when a bid landed on my desk and as I looked through it, my initial thought was “this is impossible, we’ll never win.”  But that was my job, to take the impossible and make it a reality.  So I started my 6-month quest, with an amazing team working alongside me...