NKBA Live — Brave New Business, Episode 12, drives home the point that it’s a global world, after all. By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

“Resources are at the core of any good designer’s value proposition, and they need be current on trends and innovations, and to know where their resources are,” said Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus Media, on last week’s “Brave New Business” webcast. “Designers will shop all over the world, at trades shows and in markets, and online — especially now. There are challenges for designers and buyers in fulfillment — in lead times, shipping delays, damages — and for brands entering a new country, there are challenges in understanding the culture, distribution, communication, code compliance, how business is done. It can be daunting, and if mistakes made in these areas, it can disrupt the entire supply chain. It’s important to apply intelligent strategies to make this a smooth process.”

This was the jumping-off point and one of the main messages of last week’s “Brave New Business” online forum. Suzie Williford, NKBA’s EVP and Chief Strategy Officer, hosted a particularly timely discussion about how intelligent global trade strategies can help shape business now and in the future. Joining Williford and Miller were Volker Irle, Managing Director of AMK, the German Kitchen Association, and Jeremy Parcels, AKBD, from Christopher’s Kitchen & Bath in Denver.

“The desire to source globally has been important to design professionals for years,” Williford said. “They have made a point of traveling to all corners of the world to find interesting and unusual products and materials.”

The panelists stressed the importance of offering unique products and styles to the market here, ensuring representation of international companies is well-established and available to service and support designers here, and that the mechanics of international brands are correct — for instance, that water lines and drains are in the same places needed for installation in this market.

The panel also discussed the NKBA Global Connect program, some exciting things happening at KBIS 2021, including a German pavilion bringing product lines to North American buyers, and much more.

To watch this episode of Brave New Business on NKBA’s YouTube channel, click here.

This week on Brave New Business, streaming live on Thursday at 2 pm (ET). CEO Bill Darcy hosts a panel about “Getting Back On The Job,” a tactical exploration of the challenges of resuming in-house, onsite remodeling, and doing it safely and efficiently. Panelists include Angie Hicks, Chief Customer Officer at ANGI Home Services and co-founder of Angie’s List; Charlie Silva. President of Silva Brothers Construction and TV personality from “This Old House,” and designer/developer and TV personality John Colaneri, one of the Kitchen Cousins.

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