Issue 1 sets the tone for the goal of this new publication which links the cabinet making, design and building communities together. Packed with stories, great reads, industry profiles, hints and tips, technical updates and industry news – each issue of Connect magazine aims to inspire collaboration and communication.

The launch issue is also the annual Awards Issue and inside we celebrate the winners from the recent ACFA Industry Awards and KBDi Design Awards. Take a look through our full wrap up of all the category and major winners.

On the cover: an incredible project from INDETAIL in conjunction with INDETAIL PROJECTS. The Vinesmith Urban Cellar Door project is located in Melbourne’s CBD and provides a cellar door experience as well as providing a multi-faceted space for wine tasting, retail activities and elegant dining. It is a masterful commercial space that exemplifies the best of the cabinet making and design industries with its innovation and meticulous craftsmanship.

Also in this issue, bring yourself up to date with the latest on the hot topic of Livable Design and best practices within the residential interior design sector. Plus, we look into the sometimes-tricky topic of Succession Planning and discover that it’s never too early to be thinking about transition.

Take a deep dive into the world of small apartment design and learn how to maximise every available centimetre thanks to clever design application and the latest in space-saving fittings and fixtures.

The people of our industry, and their passion and commitment, are the backbone of what pushes us to excel. In the first issue we meet furniture designer Nathan Day and learn more about his background and passion for the work he does, and KBDI Australian Kitchen Design of the Year 2024, Sarah Nolen from Birdblack Design.

Add in plenty of inspiration with product updates and international show reports and you’ll discover an amazing launch issue.

For more information and to read Issue 1 online visit https://connectmagazine.com.au/

Each issue of Connect Magazine is packed with valuable editorial content, special features, and advertorial sections that cover a broad spectrum of topics essential to our industry, including:

NEWS: Stay updated with the latest developments and must-know updates.

INNOVATION: Discover new technologies, products, and techniques driving industry advancements.

DESIGN & TRENDS: Keep informed about the latest design trends influencing the interiors industry.

SKILLS/EDUCATION: Explore essential skills and the various pathways to gain and enhance them.

SAFETY: Access information and industry-led initiatives to ensure a safe working environment.

SUSTAINABILITY: Learn about challenges and innovative solutions in sustainable design, materials, and manufacturing.

SHOWCASE: See outstanding projects, workmanship, and the people shaping the future.

HR, IR & EMPLOYMENT: Get insights into human resources and employment matters, including workplace legislation updates and best workforce management practices.

Connect Magazine is more than just a publication; it’s a powerful tool for staying ahead in our industry. Connect Magazine has you covered whether you’re looking to stay informed on current trends, discover new innovations, or ensure your business complies with the latest legislation.

By subscribing to Connect Magazine, you’ll gain access to a wealth of knowledge that can help your business thrive. Each issue is crafted to bring you the most relevant and up-to-date information, ensuring that you are always in the know. Plus, this is your direct line to the latest industry insights.

Connect Magazine will be available both as a physical copy and as a digital publication. The magazine is complimentary. If you wish to receive a copy, please subscribe via the details below ahead of the first edition being released in November 2024.

Connect Magazine also offers a unique platform for advertising, giving your brand visibility among industry professionals who value quality and innovation. Align your brand with cutting-edge content and connect with potential clients and partners in our sector. Email: advertising@connectmagazine.com.au

Don’t miss out on this invaluable resource – subscribe today and be a part of the exciting journey with Connect Magazine. You must be subscribed by 23rd Oct 2024 to receive the first edition as a physical print.

For more information visit connectmagazine.com.au/

This was her 8th visit to the show and she found plenty of inspiration around every corner!

The international community attended en masse which gave the city an electric feeling, although it did make for some crowded stands and showrooms, and much standing around in long queues. It was good to see attendee numbers rising from 2022 figures which were impacted due to the effects of the pandemic and the limitations of Russian and Chinese attendees to travel.

Exhibitor numbers were lower this year, down to 1950 from 2175 in 2022, but a new approach to stand design and layout made for a more interesting way to travel around the show. The EuroCucina and International Bathroom Exhibition halls were moved closer to the main entrance which was a very welcome change.

The Milan Design Districts were again buzzing with installations, interesting events, conceptual art and events aplenty. The addition of a new Design District – Alpha – further expanded the offering outside the fairgrounds.

The kitchen displays saw a deep dive into what it means to be “at home” with all major design houses expressing their interpretation of the theme. There was a huge focus on the idea of convivial living, where thoughtful and emotive design enhances the lived experience. Organic shapes abound with designs that highlight nature and invite the outdoors in. We harked back to the past with many nods to nostalgia and comfort. Colour and metallics played their part in the design story, as did a sense of the unexpected – gestures that surprised and delighted for textural or sensory engagement.

In the bathroom space, it was all about “wellness” in a deeper sense – taking it to the next level. With timeless concepts bringing a sense of refined luxury, we played with nostalgic themes that took inspiration from simpler times. Nature – natural forms, natural materials, natural shapes – was prevalent in the bathroom space to bring a sense of peace and calm to underscore the idea of relaxation and wellness. Plenty of customisation and personalisation meant that the bathroom could be designed as a space that functioned uniquely for the needs of the user.

The appliance halls were packed with products that focussed solely on the user experience, and how design and technology could contribute. Featuring plenty of user-drive innovation, appliances that provided precise cooking, high performance and automated controls were featured across the majority of stands. Integrated functionality was of high importance, with extraction technology being pushed as far as it can go to deliver a powerful performance.

To download the full report as well as all our previous reports (for free!) visit thekitchenandbathroomblog.com.au/publications/

Advanced automation helps to simplify complex processes and reduce manual tasks, with state-of-the-art features ensuring accurate task management. Its seamless integration with your existing business tools and platforms ensures a cohesive and integrated workflow across all your business operations.

Ayrmont ARMS is precise; facilitating efficient order management and tracking, streamlining supplier communication and enabling accurate and comprehensive quotations. With detailed project management and scheduling, you will enjoy clear communication with all trades and contractors.

Ayrmont ARMS is delivered set up for your business. The Ayrmont ARMS team works with you to invest in your competence in using the system, and they remain available for ongoing support and helpdesk assistance.

There is also a huge knowledge base of How-to videos which describe step-by-step how to undertake the majority of tasks.

But the biggest game-changer for Ayrmont ARMS is the pricing structure.

Simply pay a once-off implementation fee then your licence fee per month. There are no limits on users, no restrictions on projects, no constraints on the number of quotes you can generate. This is a significant point of difference to other CRM systems in the market.

As a business owner, it’s vital to have access to accurate information on business data and insights and it’s here that Ayrmont ARMS shows the true strength of its set up. You can quickly and easily access detailed customer profiles, track interactions and leverage this data to enhance customer relationships. Enjoy enhanced profitability with precise price calculations and accurate quoting, with a system that is tailored to the unique challenges faced by kitchen and bathroom renovators and manufacturers.

Experience the power of Ayrmont ARMS with a one-on-one demonstration, interactive online webinar or face-to-face meeting and discover how the CRM will revolutionise your renovation business.

Check out the range of resources and read real-life success stories from those in the industry on the website or download the Ayrmont ARMS CRM datasheet for more details.

For more information visit https://ayrmont.com.au/

Arymont ARMS
https://ayrmont.com.au/
BLOG: https://ayrmont.com.au/news/

A major pain point for many manufacturers is the quotation process – it’s often time-consuming with a high margin for error, and all too often involves a high degree of guesswork.

The Ayrmont ARMS CRM works from a created library of pre-loaded templates – everything that goes into making a carcass is included in the template. Then individualised items such as doors, drawer boxes, labour and factory overheads are added. This creates a library of products from which the manufacturer can call across the template and the system automatically calculates (or recalculates) the price.

This saves time as the same cabinet does not need to be newly created every time a new cabinet size is required.

Product pricing is pre-loaded into the system so, if a price increase is received from a supplier, the price only needs to be updated in the pricing area and every single product template created will automatically be updated. Almost every template can be duplicated and then adjusted, meaning you don’t have to start from scratch each time.

Because the clever people at Ayrmont understand that time is limited, the ARMS CRM is set up for you so the QTool (the quoting module) is ready to use straight away. Simply drag and drop the cabinets you need to include in your quotation and the pricing will be automatically calculated. Then orders can be added for extras such as handles, accessories or trades.

The cost of the Ayrmont ARMS CRM is deliberately set up to be user-friendly and cost-effective with a one-off implementation and fee then a monthly licence fee. The main difference between Ayrmont ARMS and other similar systems is Ayrmont has no limits on users, templates, projects or quotations so you won’t find an exponential jump in pricing if you need to add in any of these areas.

The set-up process is highly individualised, so the system is set up for your business, in the way that works for you. The Ayrmont ARMS CRM is backed by locally-based ongoing support personnel for help with troubleshooting or any issues. In addition, users are provided with plenty of helpful videos with step-by-step instructions on how to use the system and helpful tips to increase your knowledge base.

Ayrmont is currently running a special offer with a discount on its usual implementation costs. Please reach out for more information.

For more information visit https://ayrmont.com.au/

Arymont ARMS
https://ayrmont.com.au/
BLOG: https://ayrmont.com.au/news/

The Mentors of Design is a consultancy service which provides a range of services to homeowners, businesses and other designers worldwide. One of the most important is Shopping Assistance as it is a service that can be provided remotely.

Michele and Leonardo have lived and worked in Milan for many years and know the city intimately. They thrive on making new relationships with designers in other countries and enjoy learning about new cultures and visions. Their Shopping Assistance consultancy was developed, above all, to allow them to search for pieces for unique design opportunities that enhance domestic spaces and beyond.

“Today, more than ever, Milan is a city full of opportunities and it is easy to access if you know how to get around. Within a relatively limited space you will find a concentration of designer furniture, lighting, home décor shops and art galleries that are truly unique. It is our goal to open these spaces to designers and homeowners around the world,” they say.

The Shopping Assistance service is there to support the international designer to curate the best design response for their client. Michele and Leonardo bring their understanding of design and architecture to ensure their expertise enhances each project. They can assist in making purchases by being on the spot to locate the perfect piece, provide advice on what to buy (and, sometimes, what not to buy), they will listen to your design brief and your client’s needs, and provide in-depth knowledge of the furniture and interiors sector. They can conduct research and provide local knowledge that adds value to your project.

The Mentors of Design apply their professional gaze to each project and can assist with unbiased opinion and advice that supports the needs of a designer located overseas. Their connections within the Milan design world span from furniture and accessories to home décor elements and works of art. In addition to his other qualifications, Leonardo also has specific skills as an Art Advisor and Art Consultant.

Michele and Leonardo personally oversee the purchase of each piece and will look after the entire process, from negotiating discounts to order management, from logistics to shipping and tracking.

If you will be in Milan for the upcoming Salone del Mobile.Milano in April please reach out to schedule a “design day” with The Mentors of Design. “Milan has its own specific soul and hidden beauty,” say Michele and Leonardo. “The insights provided by local experts can make a big difference in the success of a project”. Or, reach out to The Mentors of Design to discuss your upcoming project.

Michele and Leonardo can be reached at info@thementorsofdesign.com

Nover Constructions Pty Ltd commenced business in 1954 operating from the rear of a small cottage in Putney, in suburban Sydney. There were two partners originally, Norm Overmeyer and Ken Cowley. Norm was a civil engineer and Ken a chartered accountant, Company secretary of Dreyfuss & Co, wool buyers. The name Nover is derived from Norm’s name.

The company was established as a civil engineering contractor undertaking a variety of building and engineering contracts around the city of Sydney.

An important part of this early period was the securing of a contract to lay gas pipes for Sydney’s early supplies of what was then known as “towns gas”. Over time the company also became involved in the refurbishment of apartment blocks, mainly in the city. As Norm focused on the construction side of the business, Ken, through earlier contacts in the wool broking business, was being offered a variety of products by several Japanese Trading Houses. It was uncommon to import product from Japan in the late fifties and sixties.

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However, some of the products offered were of such quality and price that the partners commenced importing small quantities of product, mainly focused on the building industry. Items such as compressed air lines, as used by jack hammers, truck tyres, decorative plywood and laminates.

As time passed interest in prefinished plywoods for use in cabinet and internal house door construction developed, and this led to the establishment of a business to manufacture hollow core cabinet doors, comprising a 2” x 1” timber frame with prefinished ply cut to size and glued over to create a light and stable door panel.

This business was originally called Associated Credit Builders Pty Ltd but subsequently changed its name to Austel Industries Pty Ltd.

The 1980’s saw major changes for the group. The kitchen business was deemed to compete with Nover and the family decided to sell. The purchasers were R N Jones and Co who operated a kitchen business in Queensland under the name of Transpac. This left the family focused on Nover, a branch was opened at Bateman’s Bay then closed and moved to Nowra then finally to Wollongong. Another of Ken and Ailsa’s children, Lynn, joined the family business in 1984.

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Formica laminate and Coronite board had become Nover’s leading brands as the business became more specific to the kitchen industry which was still evolving quickly. Colours and finishes were changing regularly and wood grain finishes on board were coming into their own, changing forever laminates place in the kitchen and furniture industry.

Ken and Ailsa travelled widely, constantly visiting trade shows in Europe and the United States. Over the next few years more branches were established, Tuggerah, Penrith, Revesby (Condell Park) and Port Macquarie all opened their doors. These were followed by Orange and Wagga Wagga.

The company’s product range had greatly expanded and became a complete supply solution to kitchen manufacturers and shopfitters. Pionite laminate from the USA was now Nover’s leading brand of laminate.

1994 saw the “official” retirement of Ken Cowley as managing director and the appointment of Stephen, although Ken remained active in the business for some time after that. Following Ken’s death in November 2000, Stephen was appointed Chairman of the group.

In January 2003 a small joinery supplies distribution business, Bettaform, was purchased in Bundaberg. 2003 also saw the purchase of Cabinet Hardware Supplies in Queensland adding branches at Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Virginia and the Gold Coast, as well as the purchase of Eastern Joinery Supplies in Bayswater, Melbourne.

Nover’s four Sydney locations were consolidated into one location at Eastern Creek in Western Sydney, in 2004. Jump forward to 2024, Nover continues to support local businesses with its branch network, employing local people. Nover’s product offer continues to evolve with a focus on the cabinetmaking and joinery industries, with a range
of exclusive brands including, Krome drawer systems and cabinet hardware, Fenix NTM, Evostone solid surface, Platinum appliances, sink and tapware, DesignerSplash splashbacks and Peka storage systems.

For more information, visit nover.com.au

Clause 58 – Audiometric Testing was introduced under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017 following an extensive period of public consultation throughout 2022 and applies to all businesses who require workers to frequently use hearing protection as a control measure for noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

For new workers, a baseline hearing test must be completed within three months of commencing their employment with follow up monitoring hearing tests required at least every two years during their employment.

For all workers, a follow-up monitoring hearing test is required at least every two years during their employment.

Employers are responsible for organising and paying for hearing tests for their workers – an appointment can be made at any audiology clinic and no doctor’s referral is required. The results of all hearing tests should be shared immediately with employees and the documentation kept confidentially in a secure location and provided to the employee when they finish their employment.

The hearing tests establish a base line which allows for the early detection of hearing loss and enables measures to be put in place to prevent further hearing loss. It also helps businesses assess the effectiveness of workplace noise controls.

Employers should identify and assess noise sources within their workplace to determine if there is a risk of hearing loss to workers and apply risk controls which eliminate or minimise the risk of hearing loss.

ACFA has a range of resources for members to help navigate this new legislation which are available through the member portal or by contacting membership@acfa.net.au or by talking to one of ACFA’s Workplace Advice Team Members on 1300 342 248.

For more information visit acfa.net.au/

This includes training and education for your workforce. Your response will involve regular conversations with workers about behaviour, being clear with staff about what to do if they experience or witness unlawful behaviour, and clear messages from the owners of the business that this unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated.

The positive duty will operate concurrently with existing duties in work health and safety (WHS) laws, which require employers and PCBUs to provide a safe working environment.

If you haven’t taken proactive steps to discharge your ‘Positive Duty’ by 12th December and you have an incident in your workplace, you could be exposed to an investigation by the regulators leading to reputational and financial damage.

Employer Webinar

ACFA has created a pre-recorded webcast customised for employers, with a specific focus on aiding business owners and managers in comprehending sexual harassment, positive duty requirements, and the essential steps for compliance.

This free resource is available to ACFA Members Only, and can be downloaded now from the ACFA Member Portal.

Employee Training

ACFA’s Workplace Advice Team has also created an Employee Sexual Harassment Training Webcast exclusive for ACFA Members to use within their business.

The information included in the webcast will cover a variety of topics including;

• What is sexual harassment? Bystander training including who are bystanders, bystander action and scenario-based video
• Complaint handling procedures
• Online Sexual Harassment Training Video (external) with completion certificate offered
• Support Services that employees can access

The training webcast will not only provide information to employees on their responsibilities but will assist you in meeting your positive duty requirements.

*The webcast is available on the member resources portal under the webinars tab for a small fee.

ACFA members have access to a dedicated Sexual Harassment Tab which provides guides, fact sheets, infographics plus much more to assist members on their responsibilities.

If you have any questions regarding your positive duty obligations, please do not hesitate to contact the ACFA workplace advice team at membership@acfa.net.au .

This comprehensive report not only outlines the pivotal roles of architects, designers, and specifiers in ensuring the success of this emerging business model but also explores its escalating trend both locally and internationally as a sustainable living solution.

The Build-to-Rent (BTR) property sector is a growing market in Australia. This new category of housing is geared toward offering high-quality rental stock that has been specifically designed and constructed for that purpose, giving Australian renters another housing option with better security and services.

“Design plays an integral role in elevating the living experience, optimising space utilisation, and providing long-term value.”

Australia’s housing market has long struggled with underlying problems driving unaffordability and limited supply. Over the past ten years, home ownership has decreased by five percentage points while housing prices have skyrocketed in relation to income. Two-thirds of prospective homebuyers find home ownership to be beyond their current means.

As it gains popularity, this new housing model presents significant opportunities for architects, designers and builders. Design plays an integral role in elevating the living experience, optimising space utilisation, and providing long-term value. To differentiate their offerings, developers are looking for creative, high-quality design solutions that will attract and retain tenants.

The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute notes that a key factor in the BTR model is that property managers are offering long-term rental services to customers rather than seeing themselves as property ‘owners’. With the long lease terms provided by BTR properties, tenants can enjoy the benefits of living in a neighbourhood long term, including seeing their children go to local schools, keeping domestic animals as pets, and building meaningful connections to the community.

Discover the advantages of Build-to-Rent properties and learn how Hettich’s hardware solutions contribute to the positive experience and sustainability of BTR projects in Hettich’s downloadable whitepaper.

For more information visit designwithhettich.au

Daniel has 20+ years’ experience as a Cabinet Maker/Joiner, including being a Managing Director of his own company, gaining him valuable insights into various aspects of business. Daniel has also studied programming and software development to enhance his skills in the digital area showcasing his dedication to staying updated with digital advancements.

Daniel will be undertaking further studies to be trained as a qualified Workplace Trainer and Assessor for future apprentices within the cabinetmaking industry, which aligns with ACFA’s commitment to enhancing workplace training in Victoria.

Over the coming months, Daniel will embark on a series of visits to connect with many of our valued members.

During these visits, he will not only introduce himself to members but also present the diverse range of benefits that ACFA offers to potential future members.

Daniel is thrilled to be part of the team and is looking forward to meeting all ACFA members and helping in any way he can.

ACFA is thrilled to welcome Daniel to its team, bringing his wealth of expertise in both business development and the cabinet making industry. His enthusiasm along with his knowledge and experience will contribute to ACFA’s success and growth.

For more information on ACFA, visit acfa.net.au

Graham’s distinguished career in the building industry started when he left school, joining HIA in the late 1990s after taking on a technical role. He went on to represent HIA on a wide range of committees including state advisory councils and building code and standards committees.

In 2018 he was appointed Managing Director, a role he now hands over to Jocelyn Martin as the new HIA Managing Director.

‘HIA has offered me so many opportunities and great scope to learn,’ said Graham. ‘We have extraordinarily good teams at HIA. It’s a fantastic association; it really is a family.’

From early in his career, Graham recognised that mentoring the next generation of apprentices and trades was a key step in maintaining the professionalism of the industry. ‘The industry relies on the passing of information backwards and forwards,’ he said. ‘I had help from well-respected and knowledgeable people when I was younger, and so I’ve tried to pass on what I know to others.’

With a diverse career path, Jocelyn Martin steps into the HIA Managing Director’s role with a wealth of experience having worked for HIA since 2014. ‘What attracted me to HIA was the strong sense of advocacy,’ she reveals. ‘After working in the education sector, this was a familiar space to be in. But it was a lovely surprise to see how we capture member views and develop policy. This aspect of the Association is so important.’

Jocelyn’s focus will be on maintaining engagement across the various sectors within the housing and building industries to ensure HIA continues to meet the needs of the residential building industry.

‘We need to ensure we are developing policies and approaches to advocacy that hit the mark and benefit the sector as a whole,’ she says. ‘We also want to understand the pain points in business so we can better support our members and help them to reduce their risks.’

Furthermore, Jocelyn intends to ensure HIA plays a central role in innovating, responding to trends and influences, and supporting connections and relationships within the industry. ‘If we can maintain our reputation as a respected and influential authority, and appeal to new generations and a broader component of the industry, I will be very satisfied.’

For more information visit hia.com.au/

This position was reached over the last few weeks when the majority of the large machinery exhibitors withdrew from the show. These machinery companies represent a large and important part of the exhibition footprint, attracting many attendees to the show to negotiate and buy new equipment. The AWISA Board met to discuss this matter and reached the view that the only option was to cancel the show.

The primary reason these companies have withdrawn from the show is the ongoing uncertainty around getting approval for the requirements needed to fix and operate their large and heavy woodworking machines. As this uncertainty remained unresolved in August, the machinery exhibitors, who needed to order machinery and displays now for the July 2024 show, were left with no option but to withdraw. Their decisions have been clear and resolute.

The board’s view is that the AWISA show, in its current format, is dependent on the participation of the large machinery companies and the processes for the safe display and operation of the advanced machinery entering our market needs to be worked through before the exhibition can move forward.

The excitement and anticipation from the whole industry towards the AWISA 2024 show was very pleasing and made this decision a difficult one to make.

As to the future, the AWISA Board is of the view that that there is a need for an Australian-based trade show for the industry. The Board is scheduled to meet to consider this matter over the coming months, but we expect any final decision regarding the future of the show will take some time to resolve as we will need to seek input from our members and the industry.

As we always like to say, social media is (as the name suggests) SOCIAL. So, it’s important to remember that the content you produce and share should be representative of this social context. This means you’ll want a mix of content – not just sales content all of the time.

Whether your business is B2B or B2C you’ll want to make sure your social media feed is filled with a mix of curated content that speaks to the passions, and pain points, of your customer. And, particularly if you are a serviced-based business, it’s even more important to focus on the what, where, how and why of your offering.

It’s important to make the distinction between an advertising medium and social medium, and create a variety of content that suits the overall message you are wanting to convey. Remember that social media is simply one aspect of your overall marketing plan, so your messaging should be on-point and in line with all your other marketing activity (this includes your website).

So, with this in mind, here are our Top 5 pieces of content you can produce to engage with, and ultimately win over, your audience:

1. You and your team

In marketing we often look for that unique selling point that separates your business from your competitors. And, especially for service-based businesses, this unique aspect is often you and your team. So, celebrate their experience, knowledge and insights by celebrating them online. Introduce new team members, share team member anniversaries, celebrate birthdays, showcase team building events, and allow your team members to shine. Make a personal connection with your customer by helping them get to know you and your team in depth.

2. About Us/Did you know?

Be informative and educational about your business, share your history, let people know when and why the business was established, and celebrate your brand. Every business has a story so let people know about yours – share the passion behind the business, celebrate any business wins, and let people see a little bit of the “behind-the-scenes” action that keeps your business functioning.

3. Client testimonials

Particularly for service-based industries, client referrals are a key aspect of gaining new business so testimonials become a very powerful part of your marketing strategy. Your current clients are your best advocates so use them as ambassadors for your business. Make sure you have a good strategy in place to ask for reviews and testimonials to keep this information flowing.

4. Tips & Tricks

You are an expert in your business and your industry so make sure you showcase this by sharing helpful tips and tricks with your audience. This could be super-simple ideas that your audience can implement or helpful, educational information about how your product or service works, ways to avoid pitfalls relevant to your industry or general advice about what to do (or not do).

5. Inspiration/Motivation

We know social media is an escape mechanism so engage with your audience by providing them with some inspiration and motivation. This could be a great quote you found, inspiration from nature, a great client story, an interesting challenge you overcame, your connection to a cause you believe in, a colour scheme you love or any content that’s relevant to your business or industry that you found appealing.

Above all – know your audience and speak to them in language and images that engage with their passion and that are true to your brand identity. Mix it up – no-one likes to be told the same thing over and over again! And, make sure you have a solid strategy behind your social media content. We recommend using a planning calendar and social media scheduling tool to plan out your content and ensure you are posting regularly and at the optimal times.

Happy posting! And if you need help with managing your social media platforms or you want to upskill your staff to give your social presence an edge, reach out!

For more information visit houseofsocial.com.au/

Creating a social media strategy is an essential step in ensuring the success of your social media program. Without a strategy that clearly outlines your goals, objectives and KPIs, you’ll be floundering in the dark.

So, here are our top tips for putting together a cohesive strategy that will allow your business to set and met your objectives and provide you with a guide that will drive your content creation.

1. Have an end-game in mind

Overall, you need to be clear on what you want to achieve from your social media channels. Know what success looks like for your business and set goals that are specific to your business framework. If you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, it will be impossible for you to set out the steps you need to take in order to get there.

Examples of end-game goals include increasing brand awareness, growing your database, generating sales, expanding your audience network, drive more traffic to your website – or a combination of all these.

2. Competitor analysis

The start of even the most basic marketing plan is a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. Technology today gives you the chance to look at what your competitors are doing and analyse ways you can set yourself apart. There are a variety of third-party competitor analysis tools which allow you to gain insights from their activity.

It’s important you stick to your business principals and not be swayed by what you see your competitors doing. The idea isn’t to copy – rather the goal is to seek ways to differentiate your business from the others and optimise your strategy for the benefit of your business.

3. Know your Audience

This isn’t a new concept but you’d be surprised how many businesses aren’t able to clearly articulate their target audience or ideal client. And this leads to muddled marketing messages and, more often than not, disappointment in marketing campaigns.

There are a number of analytical tools you can use to learn more about your audience and find out if you are attracting the right clientele. Analytics tools can be attached to your website and all your social media channels to provide valuable insights into who is engaging with you, how, when, why and where.

4. Content creation

Any social media strategy will focus on content – and most of your energy will be devoted to working out what to post, when to post, which channels to use, what times and days work best, and how to produce engaging content.

If your brand is highly visual then we recommend developing a compelling visual theme which should be in keeping with your businesses brand. Different platforms will utilise your content in a variety of ways so it’s important to think about how your visual theme can be applied across each platform.

Carefully consider the type of content you will post and when. We highly recommend the use of a scheduling program which allows you to pre-plan and load posts ready to go live at critical times. A social media calendar also allows you to look at a week-by-week or month-by-month overview to check the spread of posts and the types of posts.

5. The magic of Metrics

As with any marketing campaign, your social media strategy should be governed by data so you need to focus on the metrics that matter. “Likes” are sometimes referred to as vanity metrics because they don’t really tell you much about your true audience.

Rather than focussing on how many “likes” a post received, it’s better to analyse the reach (how many people saw your post), clicks (did they click on the link you provided?), and engagement (did they comment or share your post?). It’s also best practice to analyse the difference between your paid posts and your organic posts as this will help provide direction for your paid advertising programs.

6. Analyse and Assess

This step is critical in any social media plan – you must look at the results of your posts to see what is working and what isn’t. This, in turn, allows you to look at ways you can improve your posts or capitalise on something that has really resonated with your audience.

Also, it’s vital to understand if you’re not hitting the mark. If your engaged audience is not your target audience you’ll need to pivot and re-work your content to suit. Or maybe you should consider targeting the engaged audience with a special offer or personalised product?

Analysis will also let you know which campaigns were most successful and this also allows you to “test the market” with a few versions of one campaign to see which one is having the most impact. Then you can fine-tune your advertising investment accordingly.

There’s no doubt the social media landscape is a dynamic environment and platforms like to keep us on our toes by changing their algorithms regularly. But with this handful of simple steps, you can build a social media strategy that allows you to react to changes and ensure you’re maximising your return on investment.

And, if you’d like help with your social media strategy or social media management, reach out today. For more information visit houseofsocial.com.au/contact-us/

If you’re offering advice to your customers, you need to make sure you’re covered. If you provide advice to your customers – like how to set out a kitchen or bathroom – a mistake or misunderstanding around the information you give could see you facing a legal claim.

Doesn’t my Public Liability (PL) Insurance cover this?

If you charge fees for your service and advice, most public liability policies will exclude claims for injury or damage arising from a breach of your professional duty.

How is a Professional Indemnity (PI) claim triggered?

A public liability claim can only be initiated if there is third-party injury or property damage. A professional indemnity claim, however, can be instigated by a financial loss to your client or a third-party contractor as a consequence of an error or omission considered to be a breach of your professional duties.

KBDi have worked closely with their insurance partners, CMIB, to tailor a combined Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance Policy that best reflects the services carried out by kitchen, bathroom and interior designers. And they’ve leveraged their group buying power to negotiate a hard-to-beat rate, with premiums starting from just $690.

Click here to learn more and get a no-obligation quote today.

At a time when renovators and new home builders are increasingly seeking assurance about their project, the technology’s ability to communicate concepts is a valuable service. “Designers and builders have identified the value of Lifesize Plans and are including a walk-through experience as part of their home design and build packages,” says Lifesize Plans CEO Chris Ghaleb.

Lifesize Plans is the Australian owner of the world’s first patented real scale walk-through technology, which it is using to help reduce renovation regret for Australians planning a new home build or renovation.

The company’s real-scale project walkthrough experience gives home-owners further opportunity to refine their dream designs with their architect, design professional or builder and gain a better understanding of their new home.

Lifesize Plans’ projection of a site’s complete layout on a 1:1 scale gives all stakeholders the opportunity to walk through designs together prior to building, making it a game-changer for home-owners by improving the design for better building and delivery of purposeful spaces.

Tapping further into its customer service value proposition is Lifesize Plans’ soon to be launched Extended Reality (XR) experience, developed with Virtual Reality leaders Envision VR, which will blend the digital and physical worlds to add a new interactive, immersive XR experience to its suite of services, complementing its current space visualisation and 3D design modelling in real-time.

The Lifesize Plans Sydney flagship showroom is complemented by sites in Brisbane and Perth in Australia, and internationally, the first international franchise in Southern France. All sites provide a glimpse of what is yet to come with international expansion plans already underway in USA, Egypt, Dubai, Ireland, and the Philippines.

For more information visit lifesizeplans.com/

No-one needs a crystal ball to let them know that the past affluent years in the renovation sector are coming to an end as the world opens back up and our customers choose overseas travel instead of building or renovation work, or as the cost of living pressures and limitations to borrowing capacity cause potential clients to delay or cancel renovation plans.

But it’s not all bad news.

No matter what industry you are in, one certainty is that the market won’t always be buoyant. It’s normal for business to go up and down, and for there to be challenging times so it’s crucial for your survival that you are able to adapt.

However, history has shown us that businesses – particularly those in the service industries – that strategically invest in marketing during downturns can gain a competitive edge and emerge stronger than ever. Here are some key reasons why:

• Maintain brand visibility: While your competitors may be scaling back, continuing to market your products or services ensures that your brand remains visible to your target audience. By staying top-of-mind, you ensure your share of what business is available and increase the likelihood of capturing customer attention and loyalty when the market bounces back.
• Identify new opportunities: Downtimes can present an opportunity to re-evaluate your marketing strategy and explore new avenues for growth. Analyse customer needs, trends, and emerging markets to identify any untapped segments or areas where your offerings can address unique challenges. Adapt your messaging and approach to resonate with these evolving customer demands.
• Nurture customer relationships: During challenging times, customer loyalty becomes paramount. Engage with your existing customer base through targeted digital marketing, personalised communication, and value-added content. Show empathy, address their pain points, and offer solutions that demonstrate your commitment to their success. By nurturing these relationships, you can strengthen customer loyalty and increase customer retention rates.
• Focus on digital channels: As more people rely on digital platforms for work, communication, and entertainment, leveraging digital marketing becomes essential. Optimise your online presence, engage with your audience through social media, develop thought leadership content, and explore digital advertising channels. Digital marketing offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and precise targeting options that can yield significant results even during challenging times.
• Embrace innovation and creativity: Down times often inspire innovation and creativity. Use this opportunity to think outside the box and develop unique marketing initiatives that capture attention and differentiate your brand. Explore collaborations, strategic partnerships, or experiential marketing approaches that align with your brand values and resonate with your audience.

Remember, every downturn eventually comes to an end. By staying proactive and maintaining your marketing efforts during these challenging periods, you position your business for future growth and success. Marketing is an investment in your business and maintaining (or even increasing) your marketing during down times ensures you will remain front of mind when circumstances change.

The key to the success of any digital marketing is a strong strategy that sets the foundations of what you will do, why you will do it, how you will achieve your goals, when elements of the plan will be implemented and how you will measure success.

Strategies need to change and adapt to a changing business (and world) landscape so if your digital marketing strategy is in need of a refresh – let’s chat. House of Social offers a range of marketing packages that can help refresh your brand and/or provide you with a strong strategy for you to implement in your business.

For more information visit houseofsocial.com.au/

Mentor Sessions

These new Design Mentor and Business Mentor sessions give designers an opportunity to get real advice from industry experts.

Design Mentor
You’ll be supported by qualified designers who have extensive experience in private practice. Get your questions ready and a Design Mentor will get you on track to succeed.

Business Mentor
Review your Business Plan with a business health-check or start a Business Plan guided by a Business Mentor.

Find out more here >>>

Kitchen & Bathroom Design Pathway Course

A short accredited course – Design Custom Cabinetry for Interior Spaces – can be completed as a stand alone course or as a Pathway into the Certificate IV in Kitchen and Bathroom Design with credit for work completed and fees paid. This course is a perfect place to start on your kitchen and bathroom design journey.

• Flexible online study with support from expert trainers.
• Nationally accredited short course (3 units of competency)

Certificate IV in Kitchen & Bathroom Design

For designers working in residential kitchens and bathrooms this course is a must. It is the industry benchmark for professional designers.

• Flexible online study, with support from expert trainers
• Choose to study either part time or fast track your course with full time study
• ​This is the only specialist qualification in Australia for professionals designing residential kitchens and bathrooms
• Nationally accredited qualification (MSF40318)

Mid-year registrations for kitchen and bathroom design accredited courses are now open. See the full list of short courses here >>>

For more information visit designertraining.edu.au/

The new website features a clean and modern design, intuitive navigation, and a wealth of resources and information to help the market better understand HVG’s diverse brands and unique product portfolio.

The new website was developed with Architects, Designers, Trades and Homeowners in mind, and HVG worked closely with a team of designers and developers to create a site that is both beautiful and functional. From the home page to the inner pages, the new site is designed to be easy to navigate, with quick and easy access to the key information  customers need.

“We’re thrilled to launch our new website and share it with our customers, partners, and the public,” said Mark Thomson, GM of HVG Decorative Building Products. “We believe that this new website will be a valuable resource for our key markets, with the goal to be informative, inspirational and showcase our fantastic product offer, we believe we’ve succeeded in doing just that. “

The new website also features a number of enhancements designed to improve the user experience, including:

• Order samples across all brands in one cart and dedicated samples platform.
• Improved search functionality, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Search by application, brand, colour or even industry.
• Project profiles from partners and industry focused products to help navigate the multiple surface solutions.
• A resources and news section, featuring the latest brochures, technical data, news and inspiration.
• HVG’s stance and commitment to sustainability and how we work with our partners on common goals.
• One website to home the company’s complete portfolio – Wilsonart, SmartStyle, Homapal, Zenolite, SmartPanel & DIBOND – no need to navigate across three platforms.

Changing the way the industry searches for surface solutions starts here. For more information visit hvgbuilding.com.au.

1. Be on top of scheduling

It sounds basic, but this is an essential task of every successful business. Scheduling is a skill set that many business owners don’t have but last-minute scheduling or closing your eyes and hoping for the best is not going to lead to a happy customer or a well-executed renovation project.

When you plan in advance and schedule correctly, the job starts on time, everyone knows where they need to be (and when), materials and supplies are ordered in advance and are available when needed, the customer is kept informed and everyone is happy.

The number one rule with renovations is to start on time and finish on time – and it’s here that effective scheduling is the key.

If you are working with contractors, it’s recommended to use a scheduling tool that allows you complete visibility across calendars, projects and tasks, and across the whole team. A CRM such as Ayrmont ARMS gives you the control you need to ensure the renovation runs smoothly. Nothing, in your customer’s eyes, says “confidence” more than a schedule they can understand, trades who turn up on time and know what they are doing, and a stress-free renovation.

2. Get accurate with your quoting

Too many busy designers or business managers do not take the time to create accurate quotes that truly reflect the costs of the renovation project. And customers, naturally, are not impressed when you have to go back to them for more money throughout the project.

Yes, accurate quoting takes time but the benefits are plenty – earn your customer’s trust, provide the correct pricing, and accurately measure your true profitability.

Many business owners are still using tools such as Excel to generate quotes and, while this can sometimes be effective, it’s not a system that “talks” to your other business systems so there is still a manual process involved. With a CRM system, you have tools to generate accurate quotations, better visibility of costs and outgoings, better relationships with suppliers, more effective management of sales staff (and commissions) and the ability to generate reports that allow you to see across the whole business, rather than just at one job.

Ayrmont ARMS keeps all this documentation in one location, helping business owners stay in control of material prices and ensure updated costings that produce accurate quotations.

3. Take control of variations

Once a renovation project starts, life can get very busy and you likely have a number of tasks all being juggled at once. It’s rare these days for a renovation project to go through without at least one variation but, when you are busy, it’s easy to think that you’ll get to it later or you rely on a verbal conversation with the client about what needs to change, or be added.

This is a sure-fire way to create misunderstandings and arguments at the end when it comes to final payments. All requests for variations should be fully documented with a quote and an acceptance (signed) and a solid variation workflow created. This is a fundamental part of controlling the costs of the project and ensuring you can still make a profit.

Using a CRM allows you to keep all documentation, discussions, agreements and decisions in one location and you can quickly, and accurately, produce figures that show the updated profit/loss of a project. This system also helps prevent costly mistakes or misunderstandings with staff who are managing schedules or ordering materials as the updates are automatically made on a system that everyone has access to.

4. Keep costings updated

Every day seems to bring an update from suppliers on the costs of their products and materials – and it’s almost always an increase in pricing. To ensure the profitability of your business, you must also ensure that these increases are reflected accurately in your quotations to customers. Too often, costing updates from suppliers are pushed aside and this leads to smaller and smaller margins until they are changed in the system.

Ayrmont ARMS allows you to easily input new price lists and will automatically allocate the updated pricing to any active, but not finalised, quotations. This gives business owners the confidence of profitability in every project and helps alleviate the risk of losing money on a project.

5. Make sure you collect your final payments

For some reason, it’s this final step that seems to trip up so much renovation business owners. That final payment is vital as it means the job is complete, the client is happy and the business can move on. Too many businesses see projects run over time at the end of the process with small (usually avoidable) installation or maintenance issues that you just can’t seem to get resolved. The longer this goes on, the unhappier the customer and the less likely it is that you can secure that final payment without a long, drawn out battle.

As the business owner, the buck stops with you but the good news is that, when well-managed right from the start, renovation projects can move seamlessly through the schedule and be completed on time, meaning your final payment is easy to collect.

Really, what all these steps come down to is being on top of the process from the very beginning through to the very end. As a business owner, you are doing yourself a disservice by not using the technology available to automate many of these processes and allow you to do what you do best – which is running a successful renovations business.

Ayrmont ARMS provides you with powerful tools that support your efforts and actions as a business owner. It gives you control of many business processes that don’t have to be manual and take away the risk of human error. But this system also gives you better relationships with your employees, your contractors, your suppliers and your customers by ensuring everyone knows what everyone else is doing. So, can you really risk running your business without Ayrmont ARMS? Why not get the right tools for the job?

For more information visit https://ayrmont.com.au/

With “neo-ecology” as the overarching central theme, the leading international trade fair for furniture production and interior design is establishing a new focus and drawing attention to its future-oriented innovative strength. After the digital interzum @home edition in 2021, the industry event will finally take place again as a live experience in Cologne’s exhibition halls.

Playing a proactive role: the innovative strength of the supplier industry

Changes in our living and working environments have arguably rarely been felt as keenly as they are today. The coronavirus pandemic and its consequences, climate change and rising energy prices are presenting us with enormous challenges. Megatrends such as increasing digitalisation and individualisation and, in particular, the growing need for greater sustainability are also influencing the way we live and work.

But what will tomorrow’s living spaces look like? How will furniture and interiors need to be designed in the future? Koelnmesse, the organiser of Interzum, expects approximately 1,400 companies from around 60 countries to present their groundbreaking new products, technical innovations and revolutionary material solutions to a global audience at the world’s largest and most important industry event.  It’s here that the supplier industry demonstrates the full scope of its capacity for innovation and in doing so plays a decisive and proactive role in shaping the change.

Overarching central theme – neo-ecology: fresh inspiration for the interior design world

In keeping with its slogan, “Shaping the change. Go create conscious living spaces”, Interzum invites participants and visitors to find new answers to current and future design questions. In 2023, the leading international trade fair will focus on sustainability, climate protection and resource efficiency through its overarching central theme of “neo-ecology”, because these topics are of decisive importance to the development of future-oriented innovations. With sustainable products and manufacturing processes, many companies in the supplier industry are already fulfilling their social responsibilities. By placing an even greater emphasis on sustainable practices and discussing the issues, Interzum will continue to drive the conversation forward so that new solutions can be developed together.

Hybrid trade fair experience offers inspiration galore

In order to present brand-new solutions to an international audience, the upcoming Interzum will combine the benefits of a traditional in-person trade fair with those of a digital event. Interzum @home in 2021 was successful in laying the foundation for this approach. In 2023, international exhibitors and experts will shine a light on the trade fair’s familiar themed segments, both on-site in Cologne and in the digital space. Function & Components is dedicated to fittings, locks and built-in furniture parts as well as lighting and lighting systems, Materials & Nature revolves around pioneering materials and manufacturing techniques, while Textile & Machinery showcases the most important innovations in mattress production and upholstery materials such as fabrics and leather and explores how they fit into the concept of a circular economy.

Interzum’s “Shaping the change” philosophy and the overarching central theme of “neo-ecology” will also be taken up in 2023’s wide-ranging event programme. Themed special events – the interzum Trend Forums – will highlight the creativity and flexibility of the furniture supplier industry in responding to the challenges of our time. The latest furniture and interior design sector topics will be presented to an international trade audience with reference to key trends. With the Product Stage and the Trend Stage, Interzum offers additional opportunities for exhibitor and product presentations as well as a platform for addressing market-specific and design-related issues of the future.

Whether your target group includes decision makers from the manufacturing sector, architects, designers, contract furnishers or product developers, the range of inspiration to be found at Interzum offers added value for them all. The customary strong on-site showcase and programme will be enhanced with attractive digital offerings, providing a unique platform on which to present forward-looking developments.

For more information visit interzum.com/en/

Higher levels of satisfaction among customers lead to an increase in referral business. And all business owners know that good communication, and managing expectations is the only way to guarantee a satisfied customer.

The Ayrmont ARMS system offers automated and more frequent communication with customers without increasing the manual workload of staff. It allows you to produce clearly defined agreements, quotations, and variations. Onsite issues can be quickly identified, logged, forwarded to customers, and allocated to a specific contractor or staff member, ensuring that nothing is left to fall through the cracks or be forgotten.

For your business to thrive, it must be profitable. Profitable businesses are established through clear systems and procedures, with good oversight across all aspects of the business. With Ayrmont ARMS, management has total visibility of the entire business within one application. There is no need to open multiple folders, documents, or spreadsheets in multiple locations, using different systems to have instant access to information.

You also have complete control over product pricing and can quickly upload pricing changes, which are automatically applied to open quotations. Trade invoices are automatically checked against the work order in the Ayrmont ARMS system and will only be paid if they match. This also ensures variations are priced correctly and professionally and cannot be overlooked or forgotten as they must match with a tradesperson’s invoice.

Management can, at any time, produce dynamic profit reports for an instant overview of the current financial situation. This is particularly important in today’s landscape of price increases from suppliers, material shortages and rising cost of living challenges.

It stands to reason that an efficient systems-driven business is successful and profitable. With Arymont ARMS, business automation drives efficiency and productivity, reducing manual processes and human error.

In addition, as a business owner, you have complete control over all aspects, including the check measure process and can quickly see how long a check measurer takes to complete this task. Invoices for progress payments and other work can be generated automatically once specific milestones are completed. Project schedules can be tracked to ensure timelines and deadlines are being met, and none are exceeding their completion dates.

For more information visit https://ayrmont.com.au/

We asked the experts at House of Social for their take on this new technology and whether it is likely to have an impact in our industry. Here’s what they said:

ChatGPT stands for Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer and it works on a predictability model that allows it to combine words and phrases in a meaningful way. It has been touted as a “solution” to paying copywriters so we thought we’d take a look into this technology to see if it really might take over our jobs one day.

First, let’s start with what you need to be aware of. Once you sign up and go through the verification process, you’ll hit a landing page on which there are a number of disclaimers. While ChatGPT claims capabilities around remembering what the user has asked previously, allowing the user to provide corrections and being able to decline inappropriate requests, it’s important to note that the item at the very top of the “Limitations” list is “may occasionally generate incorrect information”. Other limitations include “may occasionally produce harmful instructions or biased content” which we find a bit concerning.

By far the most pertinent limitation is that Chat GPT only has limited knowledge of world and events after 2021. Which means, of course, that if you are needing articles on current events or newsworthy items you’ll be out of luck.

So, let’s look at how ChatGPT performed when asked to produce less date-specific content. We started easy by asking it to generate a social media caption for a café. Here’s what it came up with: “Savor the moments, one sip at a time 🍵 Come visit us and treat yourself to a delicious cup of coffee or tea in a cozy ambiance 💖 #CafeVibes #CoffeeLovers #CozyCorner”

As far as captions go it’s fairly boring and innocuous but the first thing to note is that it only produces content in American spellings, so you will still need to manually go through the text and change it to Australian.

The second thing we noticed is that it uses a lot of words to say not very much of anything specific. This is the main challenge with this type of technology – in order to be able to produce content on a wide range of topics, it has to keep most of the content very generic. And this isn’t great for social media where you want your caption to grab immediate attention and engage with your audience.

We then thought we’d try a general article subject. We asked ChatGPT to tell us “how can I make the most of a small bathroom space?”.

Again, the article featured American spellings and it also automatically uses American terminology such as remodel instead of renovate. So, another manual process is needed to check for correct word usage.

In terms of the actual content – well, it wasn’t incorrect but that’s about as positive as we can be about the results. The actual answer was incredibly generic and when another team member asked the same question the content was practically identical (see screen shots above). Yes, the ChatGPT did produce different words for the second result but the answer was nothing new or original.

This is important because Google has been quick to respond to this new technology and has announced that it is building AI that can detect this type of generic response and will treat it similarly to plagiarised content. So, the real benefits may quickly be limited if Google starts demoting this type of “duplicate” content.

While ChatGPT might be really useful for research, for example, we feel it would still be necessary to have someone with the relevant skills and knowledge to take that research and turn it into something that is relevant for a specific business. You will also need someone with an understanding of spelling and grammar to be able to pick up on what needs tweaking and be able to effect the changes required.

You will also need someone who understands your industry and your business to be able to add in the pieces of content that turn the caption or article or website copy into something that’s unique for your business.

So, our verdict: even allowing for the fact that we are always going to view this type of AI with a negative viewpoint, it’s not a system that we see as a current threat to the copywriting arm of our business. The technology might be capable of learning but it will be difficult for it to detect nuance or absorb specific facts about particular businesses in order to produce copy that is an accurate reflection of that business.

If you’d like to talk all things Social Media – visit houseofsocial.com.au/contact-us/

Most kitchen and bathroom renovation businesses would typically use a combination of programs such as Excel for spreadsheets, Word for documentation and correspondence, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox for document storage, Google Workspace/Outlook for emails, Evernote/Slack or similar for task management and internal communication, Survey Monkey for feedback and many others.

Because none of these programs communicate with each other, it’s impossible for the business owner or departmental management to have a clear overview of the business without consulting numerous sources of information. This can lead to miscommunications, lack of efficiency, double bookings, confusion among staff and – most importantly – dissatisfaction in customers.

Ayrmont ARMS is the only system that provides workable solutions to overcome these disconnection issues as all functions are managed inside the ARMS management system. A manager’s dashboard can give instant oversight of their business in real-time; for example, the instant a sale is made, it will appear on their dashboard. The full system is available on their desktop PC and remotely on mobile and tablets.

ARMS is much more than just a CRM system. It can manage Marketing, Calendars, Leads, Opportunities, Quotes, Sales, Designer activity, Check measure activity, Project scheduling, Variations, Tasks, Tickets, SMS Messaging, Invoices, Emails, Management input parameters, and Management reports – all within the one system.

For business owners, this ability to have a top-level view of the business at any point, together with the ability to drill down into the details of each job, or each staff member, is an invaluable part of creating and running a successful business. If you are looking for a system that provides you with more control, more oversight and creates success within your business, then check out the Ayrmont ARMS system today.

For more information visit https://ayrmont.com.au/

In the renovation “real world”, we know of the hidden dangers that can undermine your business success and we understand the value of design in creating solutions to customer’s problems. But it can be very difficult to get the consumer to see, and appreciate, the difference between a true renovation company and a handyman offering makeover services.

That’s why the Ayrmont ARMS CRM was created. Designed by experienced members of the renovation industry, the Arymont ARMS CRM seeks to make true renovation businesses more profitable and more highly regarded, by addressing the five key “make-or-break” areas of any business.

1. Final Payments

If you are consistently struggling to collect final payments on your renovation jobs this is going to put your business under a lot of pressure. Renovation businesses are complex and involve juggling and managing many aspects of the renovation process from trades and materials to delivery and installation.

As a business owner, it’s essential that you are on top of all these areas. If your team is failing to finish tasks on time or the quality of the installation is poor, or it’s perceived that you are not delivering on the designer’s promises, then the customer will lose confidence in your business and be reluctant to make the final progress payment.

They way to solve this problem before it becomes a problem is to have strong leadership and strong systems that ensure issues do not develop.

Ayrmont ARMS manages scheduling, trade work orders, documentation, sign offs at each stage, maintenance, quotations, variations, and so much more to ensure that you, as a business owner, have a bird’s eye view of every project your business undertakes.

2. Accurate quoting

You simply cannot run a professional business if you do not have an accurate quoting system in place. Accurate quoting not only gains your customers trust (because there are fewer changes needed as the project unfolds and no surprises for your customer) but also because you can precisely measure your true profitability.

Programs such as Excel allow you to create spreadsheets and add up costs but they are not designed to look at complex data as sub-sections of a whole so you won’t be seeing an accurate view of each project as it pertains to your whole business.

A CRM system such as Ayrmont ARMS provides a range of business tools that assist you to generate accurate quotations as well as manage back-office costs, supplier and material costs and so much more.

3. Scheduling

Scheduling is a task that makes most business owners shudder and it’s not surprising given how complex and challenging this job can be. But it’s no surprise that the success of a renovation project will always come back to the accuracy of the scheduling.

There is nothing worse in your customer’s eyes than a delayed start date, trades not arriving when needed (or all arriving at once!), haphazard deliveries and lack of communication.

When working with contractors, using a scheduling tool that gives you visibility across calendars, projects and tasks across the entire team is essential. Ayrmont ARMS not only provides this ability but also automates SMS and email reminders complete with work orders to ensure your schedule runs without a hiccup.

4. Variations

Variations are inevitable in most renovations. Sometimes these arise because of unforeseen issues (from the designer, during the check measure, noted by the site manager or raised by the customer themselves) and sometimes they are needed because the customer has changed their mind.

No matter the reason, variations must be carefully and accurately documented to outline exactly what has been agreed to and any adjustments to the original quotation that occur as a result. As a business owner, you also need to have a solid variation workflow in place to ensure the variation is precisely noted.

The Arymont ARMS CRM allows you to clearly document variations within the project, translate this across to the materials ordering section, and make amendments to the scheduling calendar as needed. You can note requests from the customer and store variation approvals within the system so all documentation is kept in one secure location.

5. Product costings

There is no way your business can quote accurately if you don’t know how much your materials are costing you. And, particularly at the moment, supplier pricing can almost be a daily update. Not having your product costings updated in your systems can result in critical loss of margin as well as a red face as you have to advise your customer that the price you quoted them was not correct.

Ayrmont ARMS stores all your supplier price lists and can be updated as changes are advised. In this way, you can be assured you are always quoting from the most recent price lists but also offer accurate pricing to your customer at the same time as being confident in your margins and profit.

For more information visit www.ayrmont.com.au

It’s said that information is knowledge, and instant access to information is one of the main challenges listed by kitchen and bathroom business owners across the country. But it’s not only access to the information that makes the difference, it’s also having the ability to assess and understand the data to ensure the business owner is making informed decisions and gaining a clear view of how the business is performing.

Ayrmont ARMS CRM provides Qube Reports – a fantastic feature that allows for unlimited reports to be generated from the back-end data. Because all the data is stored within the CRM itself, it saves you the time and hassle of having to check spreadsheets or documents stored in the cloud which don’t interact or cross-check information.

A wide range of reports can be generated including designer commissions (either costing or post-check measure results), profit reports, management reports, KPIs, sales history, sales-to-date and more. This powerful reporting provides business owners with the ability to see and compare different sectors of their business which, in turn, means more effective decision making and allows for more accurate future-planning.

For example, as soon as a quotation is completed, the CRM will calculate the commission payable to the designer and determine the gross profit for the project. Or, you may wish to check up on the number of days that elapse from the original meeting until the sale is complete; or the number of days for a quote to be drawn up and sent out. All this – and so much more – is instantly available within the ARMS CRM.

“I’ve never been so in control of projects” Ayrmont ARMS project scheduler

Resource Management is another area often quoted by kitchen and bathroom business owners as being a huge challenge. Mismanagement of resources often leads to delays in securing final payments and being able to close off a project. Double booking trades or trades not turning up on the correct day/time is a known issue within the industry.

The Ayrmont ARMS CRM can prevent many of these issues as it provides you with full control and visibility of every project and their current status. You can quickly and easily see which projects are scheduled for the coming month and the schedule will show which trades are booked and for when. Any overlaps are clearly communicated using a warning system to allow you time to rectify the double booking.

Save time by using the Ayrmont ARMS automated SMS system and watch your communication with customers become a breeze. In addition to communicating the schedule and advising of booked work, the ARMS CRM keeps customers informed of any onsite issues or outstanding tasks to be completed via an email system that can also include relevant images.

Timely, relevant and useful communication with customers is vital to ensure projects run smoothly and the Ayrmont ARMS CRM combines a range of tools that actively assist business owners to keep customers happy and ensure high levels of repeat business and referrals.

For more information visit https://ayrmont.com.au/

The importance of managing schedules for projects cannot be understated. In terms of business performance, mishandled scheduling can account for time wastage, budget blow outs and frustration for your clients. If you are a renovator, you’ll love the functionality and preciseness of the ARMS system.

ARMS allows you to quickly and easily check which projects have been scheduled and you can specify a time frame – for example this week, this month or the year to date. This overview is essential to allow for proper business planning and scheduling management to ensure smooth operation of all your renovation projects.

In terms of resource management, ARMS allows you to review which resources have been allocated to which projects. You’ll have a “bird’s eye” view across your entire workflow allowing you to quickly and easily locate possible double bookings (a red square will alert you to a possible duplication).

Another valuable resource in the ARMS CRM is the ability to control and monitor any site issues with a Tickets module. This module not only allows you to keep your customers in the loop but, as a business owner, you can track any tickets loaded and ensure the site issue is managed and resolved without anything falling through the cracks.

You retain full control of your workforce with automated SMS messages sent to your trades to remind them of upcoming tasks and provide them with further information so they can manage their schedules. In a world where trades not turning up is a huge issue for many homeowners, ARMS assists you to provide a higher quality service to your clients which, in turn, makes for a happier customer who is more willing to provide a referral.

Your site supervisors will be kept in the loop with a daily run sheet that lets them know which tasks are due to be undertaken on a daily basis.

Every aspect of the ARMS CRM from Ayrmont Technologies is designed to provide industry-specific business efficiencies that allow you as the business owner to have more control over your business processes and manage your workforce more productively and more profitably. ARMS helps you provide excellent customer service and build that all-important trust with your customer.

One of client’s electricians said, “The reminder SMS messages are the best thing we ever introduced”.

ARMS can be customised to suit the specific needs of your business. For more information visit www.ayrmont.com.au

Developed by Australians for the Australian market, ARMS provides increased efficiency, productivity and profitability for kitchen and bathroom companies by providing a business process automation platform. ARMS automates most standard business activities and includes a comprehensive quoting system; a commission calculator based on either profit or contract value; project and task management; project scheduling; trade and resource management; ticketing and SMS.

Features include automated supplier orders, trade work orders and customer invoicing, plus it integrates with XERO and other accounting applications.

The renovation industry is dynamic, fast-paced, and can be difficult to control. Today’s renovation businesses are looking for solutions that are focussed on improving cash-flow in a way that is relevant for our new digital economy. ARMS not only provides a solution to better manage your business but is actively set up to help businesses become more profitable and more efficient.

Renovation companies typically report lack of efficiency, errors in quoting, and struggles with project management as being pressure points in their business. ARMS delivers solutions to these common issues as well as helps businesses be more professional in their organisation and communication with clients.

ARMS compiles documents, plans, elevations, and other historical information in one easy-to-access location. Use your desktop, mobile or tablet to see your customers and your business all in one place.

CRM modules include sales; marketing; leads; calendar; meetings; and appointments, as well as multiple operational and sensitive management reports. By centralising the management of all these systems in one place, ARMS reduces time and costs as well as making your business processes simpler, faster and better, with fewer errors.

We know homeowners are looking for businesses they can trust who can deliver what is promised within the agreed timeframe. ARMS gives you the tools to upgrade your manual processes to a foolproof system for managing your customer’s expectations and ensures an error-free renovation process.

The end result is happier customers who will gladly provide testimonials and referrals, more satisfied tradespeople and site managers, a well-managed renovation that does not blow out the budget or the timeline, and happier designers and sales people who are confident their creations will come to fruition as planned.

Arymont’s ARMS CRM is based around the three pillars of simplicity, trust and flexibility. It keeps procedures simple for business owners, employers and sub-contractors via clever processes and efficiencies. As an aid to deliver great customer service and elevate your professionalism, ARMS builds trust with your customer and enhances transparent communication. Incredibly flexible, ARMS can be customised to suit the specifics of your business needs.

“The CRM has allowed us to cut down on printing/scanning/filing of paperwork by around 80%, as all correspondence/invoicing/receipts/documentation/quotes etc relating to a customer are stored on their account and can be accessed by all staff (in the office or remotely) eliminating our previous reliance on customer binders and all customer information needing to be printed.” – Ayrmont customer.

For more information visit www.ayrmont.com.au