Crossing Over: From Designer to Dealmaker with Alison Kulisek

Introducing The Design Pop with Alexandra Tseffos!: I'm your host, Alexandra Tseffos, and welcome to The Design Pop! I'm here to help you build a design career that you love by learning and understanding perspectives from within our industry. Whether you're a furniture enthusiast or just curious about growing and learning more to apply to your own career. I'm glad you're here. Through my journey as a designer and trainer in the design community, discovered the importance of understanding dealer processes to effectively train and understand designers. Along the way, I noticed a common craving among designers for community, partnership, and validation. Now self-employed, I aim to raise awareness about frequently asked questions in the design community and explore topics such as the future of design, better collaboration between designers and salespeople or manufacturer reps, and what flexibility means to a designer. Join me as we harness the power of the design community to explore thes by The Design Pop

2 min listen

The Best Place to Start: Welcome to the very first episode of The Design Pop! So...where should I start? In this inaugural episode, I take a moment to reflect on my design career and share the valuable lessons I've learned along the way. As I delve into the topic of success, I ponder which skills have truly contributed to my achievements. For instance, could it be that figure skating, a passion nurtured by my Mom, has played a role in my current career path? Join me as I delve into the importance of identifying our unique strengths as designers, and how leveraging these strengths can pave the way for success in our businesses. In today's episode, we'll explore the crucial role of self-awareness in design, and how recognizing our strengths can lead to creating meaningful and impactful work. by The Design Pop

28 min listen

Under Pressure: Navigating Stress as a Dealer Designer: Let's talk stress. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the complex stress landscape that dealer designers confront daily. From relentless requests for deliverables, quick deadlines, exhaustive email chains, and unending creative demands - we examine how these tasks can grind you down. This balancing act between projects and people strains not just the mind and body, but also begins to cross over into every facet of life and business. So, what's the greatest source of your work-related stress? How do you counteract this daily pressure? Join me as we navigate these questions and consider solutions for managing and mitigating the stresses that many dealer designers are facing daily. by The Design Pop

36 min listen

Get to the Table | Jill Stewart, Office Revolution: On this episode of The Design Pop, I sit down with the brilliant Jill Stewart, VP of Business Strategy at Office Revolution. Together, we dive into Jill's journey, starting as a dealer designer to leading a diverse team of designers and workplace professionals today. Jill breaks down what she's learned on this journey and how embracing change just might be the most important skill we can learn in today's fast-moving, tech-enabled, world. We also explore the power of a design team and how to unleash their potential. Jill emphasizes the significance of recognizing and respecting the work of dealer designers, and how their unique ability to connect with people can help elevate your organization. Tune in to this episode to discover how to "get to the table" and take your career to the next level. by The Design Pop

34 min listen

LIVE from CET Experience with Stefan Persson, CEO at Configura: CET Experience is Configura's annual user community conference. This year, CETx was in Scottsdale, Arizona and The Design Pop Podcast was lucky enough to get to speak to, interview, and mingle with the attendees of this incredible event. In fact, we were excited to get some time with a very special guest, Stefan Persson, Chief Executive Officer at Configura (maker of CET Commercial Interiors software). In this episode, Stefan walks us through his unique path to Configura and the exciting new changes coming to the CET program, such as integrating AI, updating the user interface, and releasing other new exciting features. Tune in to hear his insights on Configura's origins, values, and exciting plans ahead. by The Design Pop

39 min listen

The Ancillary Dilemma: Who Calls the Shots?: In today's episode, we're going deep into a surprisingly hot topic in the world of the dealer designer. Should the reins of ancillary decisions be in the hands of designers, salespeople, a specialist, A&D, manufacturer’s rep… all of them? To help break down this debate, we welcome two very special guests, Jodi Sorenson (Director of Furniture Design at Agile Interiors) and Abby Leopold (Principal at CH411). We discuss how ancillary has become more complex, the differences between specification & selection, and explore ideas on how dealerships can enhance the ancillary process as the demand for ancillary grows. Plus, we glean findings from a survey put out by The Design POP, revealing how dealerships approach ancillary, with some eye-opening feedback. Join us for a comprehensive look into the evolving realm of ancillary furniture and how this topic just might make or break your dealer design team. by The Design Pop

67 min listen

Making the Leap: Pivoting from Physical to Digital Design: While at AIA’s Women's Leadership Summit, there were references to the fact that women were leaving the profession between graduating and becoming licensed. When I asked where they were going, a common response was: Interior Design and UX. Kari Anderson has spent 3 decades in the industry, mostly at dealerships, and has always been fascinated by technology. I met her as an early adopter of CET in 2009. In 2018, she made a shift and was re-educated as a UX designer. This episode explores her journey personally and professionally as she applied her existing interior design experience to a new function of design. by The Design Pop

55 min listen

Dealer Designers Can Dent the Universe | Josh Collins, Atmosphere Commercial Interiors: Today, we chat with Josh Collins, Design Director at Atmosphere Commercial Interiors. In this episode, we discover how Josh's experience working in A&D and data analysis led him to prioritize design and embrace the challenges of the dealership industry, realizing the immense potential for dealer designers to make a lasting impact on the world of work environments. We also explore the transformative effects of the pandemic on redefining work and consider how dealer designers can shape the future, leaving their mark on the universe of design. by The Design Pop

54 min listen

Crafting Expectations: A Designer Parent's Guide | Ellen Gerovac, BSI: In today's episode, Alexandra interviews Ellen Gerovac, VP of Design at BSI-Milwaukee and Mother of 4 children. Together, they discuss their experiences becoming parents while building design careers, including overcoming early misconceptions about motherhood in the industry. Ellen shares advice on setting boundaries between work and home life, being creative about managing workload, and involving kids in your design passion. Alexandra and Ellen offer clear advice for managing your mental health as a Mom, emphasizing clear communication, asking for help when needed, and maintaining balance during stressful seasons of life. As you'll hear, this conversation aims to empower designers to advocate for their needs while bringing their best selves to their families and their work. by The Design Pop

60 min listen

The Dealer Stress Index | Rob Langejans, AlwaysStrategic: In Part 2 of our designer stress series, I team up with esteemed communication coach and AlwaysStrategic founder, Rob Langejans, as we explore the findings from our Dealer Designer Stress Assessment. With his extensive expertise in Architecture, Engineering & Construction, and Contract Furniture, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. Tune in as we go further on the topic of managing stress, enhancing workplace satisfaction, and improving communication techniques, by The Design Pop

38 min listen

Squeaky Wheels Get Promoted: Taking Initiative in Your Design Career: Recorded LIVE from the CET Experience, Alexandra sits down with Julia Machado, Director of Design at Price Modern. Together, they explore Julia's transformative journey from a production designer to a leader in management. Their discussion delves into the evolution of her leadership skills, the criticality of maintaining work-life balance, and the art of empowering teams while fostering specialization. A significant part of their conversation revolves around the industry's ambiguous career paths and how professionals can proactively navigate and advance their design careers. Julia shares her valuable insights, providing perspectives from both an individual contributor and a managerial standpoint, offering a comprehensive view of the potential trajectories of a design career within a dealer organization. And make sure to stay tuned for the last few minutes of today's episode, as we look ahead to our next episode, in by The Design Pop

63 min listen

Skin in the Game: Part 1 of Exploring Design Incentives: As projects get more complex, dealer designers juggle more responsibilities - and as more responsibilities grow, so too does dealer designer compensation, right? RIGHT?! Well, apparently, not always… In this first episode of our two-part series, we dive into the complexities of dealer designer compensation and incentives. Join us with consultant Shelley Rosetta from Solomon Coyle, who helps shed light on why, despite rising pay, 80% of designers are leaving for better opportunities. Together, we tackle how Dealer Principals can better retain and motivate talent by aligning compensation with skills, setting clear KPIs, and offering more than just monetary rewards. Expect insights on transparency, training, and recognition in part 1 of today’s episode, setting the stage for more in-depth discussions and survey data in part two. Stay tuned! by The Design Pop

27 min listen

Embracing the Unknowns: My First Year Podcasting: Can you believe it's been a whole year of podcasting already? Crazy! As a new podcaster, 2023 has been a fun and surprising journey. For instance, my kiddos now call this podcast, "mama’s show" and my hairstylist mentioned she “digs the sound of my voice.” It’s a little startling to know so many folks are listening, both inside and outside our industry. Even though I’m still adjusting to this new reality, I’ve loved strengthening old connections and making new friends through this podcast journey. Looking ahead into 2024, I hope to bring more leadership perspectives to the table and chat about topics that impact the life of a dealer designer, like the role of incentives, career advancement, work-life balance, and so much more. I hope you enjoy this episode and take time this holiday season and unplug. Thank you for joining me on this journey and I look forward to sharing more with you in the new year, so stay tuned! by The Design Pop

28 min listen

Part 2 of Exploring Design Incentives: In the second installment of our series, we delve deeper into the actual practices of dealer design incentives. Join us as we speak with Brent Matthews, President of Price Modern, who explains the rationale behind introducing designer incentives in their organization. We'll also engage with two design leaders who take distinctly different approaches to incentives. Joining us are Julia Machado, a familiar voice on The Design Pop, who collaborated with Brent on these incentives, and Kim Melka from Duet Resource Group, bringing a fresh perspective. To cap off the episode, I'll break down the findings from our online survey about design incentives used by both manufacturers and dealers. This episode is packed with real-world insights that are sure to enlighten you. by The Design Pop

61 min listen

Crossing Over: From Designer to Dealmaker with Alison Kulisek: Are you thinking of "crossing over?" On this episode, we welcome Alison Kulisek, a designer-turned-salesperson who has experienced multiple "crossover" events in her design industry career. Alison is currently an Account Executive at MDC Interior Solutions and today she'll share her path from dealer designer to sales, discussing the stresses and challenges of both roles. This episode offers a deep dive into the diverse career trajectories within the design field, exploring the essential skills required to excel in both design and sales roles. Highlighting the significance of embracing risks and innovation, our discussion underscores the necessity of adaptability and courage to distinguish oneself in the ever-evolving design industry. by The Design Pop

55 min listen

Pivoting with Purpose: Despite starting his design career in his 30s, Paul Riches has become a distinguished leader at MillerKnoll. Captured during a conversation between long-time industry friends at the CET Experience, Paul traces his winding path to design. From deciding against law school to touring with a heavy metal band, his journey demonstrates how saying "yes" can unlock unforeseen opportunities. Now a celebrated technological trailblazer, Paul helped push early dealer design software to the limits. He shares valuable insights on innovation, client expectations around speed-to-market, and why designers shouldn't fear AI. Tune in to discover Paul's unconventional trajectory and perspective on technology transforming the workplace. by The Design Pop

63 min listen

Flipping the Traditional Dealer Script with Laura Boone: On today's episode, Laura Boone, co-founder and principal of turnerboone, shares the unique business model and company culture that drives their success. During our chat, Laura discusses prioritizing highly skilled account managers (who have design backgrounds) over traditional commission-based sales, emphasizing hiring for culture fit and developing leaders internally. Laura also highlights embracing remote work for top talent, prioritizing customer experience, and staying open to industry evolution. Her insights offer a glimpse into an innovative dealership structure centered on service excellence and employee satisfaction. by The Design Pop

53 min listen

The Power of YOU: Designing Your Personal Brand for Growth with Aaron Estabrook, OFS: In today’s episode, we sit down with Aaron Estabrook, Director of Digital Marketing and Media Strategy at OFS, who shares compelling insights on building a personal brand that resonates and stands out in a crowded market. Together, they explore the impact of personal branding on career advancement, the psychological barriers professionals face, and practical strategies for overcoming them. Aaron offers actionable advice on how individuals can express their unique values and skills, enhancing visibility and connections within their industry. This episode is an essential listen for anyone eager to elevate their professional profile and forge meaningful connections in the design world. Whether you're an emerging designer or a seasoned professional, you'll find valuable lessons in building a brand that truly represents who you are and attracts the opportunities you seek. by The Design Pop

75 min listen

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Crossing Over: From Designer to Dealmaker with Alison Kulisek

Crossing Over: From Designer to Dealmaker with Alison Kulisek

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