Conference Wrap-Up

Noosa, Queensland put on its best winter weather for KBDi’s National Conference on August 3, 2013.  Members from across the nation gathered at the Outrigger Resort, and while the weather and Noosa-vibe had everyone ultra relaxed, the Conference content soon sparked enthusiasm in to the delegates.

The program commenced with a keynote address from KBDi Life Member and multi-award winning designer, Loris Pullen CKD, CBD Au.  Loris began her career in the kitchen industry in 1977, and amused the delegates with tales of the politically incorrect environment in which she had to work.  Whilst the younger generation of designers gasped in horror at Loris’s anecdotes, others chuckled along in recognition of her trials.  With her passion for training evident, and a strong commitment to improving the professionalism of designers, Loris’s contribution to the industry we know today was certainly an inspiration to all.

Rex Hirst CKD Au led the next session, and his “Conversation with a Purpose” addressed the principles of sales and business that we all need to be reminded of, no matter how long we’ve been in the game.  Rex shared with his audience the fundamental goal of his own successful business:  he said, ‘It is to create a situation with every client, wherein the client can look back in two or so years and be able to say, “I’m glad I saw those people”’.  Rex went on to say that ‘it should never be about money – it should be about your client’s and your satisfaction’.  When we love what we do, our passion will be contagious, and with ‘happy clients, the money takes care of itself’. 

With a renewed respect for the history and progress of the kitchen and bathroom industry, instigated by Loris, and some serious business motivation from Rex, Conference delegates settled in for some design inspiration from multi-award winner Mike Cleaver, founder and principal of Clever Design.  Mike has gained a national reputation for his niche in sustainable, contemporary and innovative design, and enthusiastically shared the principles of environmentally sensitive design.  He emphasized the importance of holistic design and interconnecting spaces, and showed the enthralled audience how he uses digitized design to facilitate effective communication with clients, consultants and builders and trades alike.

Whilst Ron Redman is perhaps best known in the industry as Blum Australia’s Business Development Manager, he wore a different hat as he presented the third session:  “Work/Life Balance”.  Ron bravely shared the challenges he’s faced in his own life, as he put forward a unique perspective to the limiting and successful behaviours that impact upon our lives every day.  Many in the audience could relate to Ron’s tales, and appreciated his insights into the strategies we can use to identify sabotaging behaviour and correct the course upon which we are travelling.  Ron’s favourite saying left us all with food for thought:  he said ‘We all have the gift of hindsight, it’s how we choose to use it that makes the difference’.

After a hearty lunch in the resort’s picturesque restaurant, Conference delegates were again re-energized for an enthusiastic round table discussion about “where we will be in 2016”.   A panel of industry professionals led the open floor discussion, with Brett Warden (Austaron), Simon Hodgson (Direct Representation), US Kitchen Designer Sandi Perlman and Royston Wilson (Royston Wilson Design) sharing their perspectives on the future of the industry.  The contributions from delegates were flowing, and could have gone on for hours had the time permitted.  The resounding message was clear, however – we have some incredible design talent in this country, and need to shake loose our insecurities on the world stage.  Australia’s finest designers are indeed global leaders, and we should all be holding our heads high and branding ourselves with confidence.

 

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