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August 30, 2018
Setting standards for innovations to come
It appears that the future of windows and doors will involve the confluence of technologies that previously have had little to do with fenestration products. Some examples of improved fenestration functionality being conceptually introduced around the industry involve automatic operation of fenestration products, as well as integrated security, locking and alarm systems. There are also plans for...
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August 30, 2018
As WDDA’s associate director of industry and member engagement, I have the opportunity to visit window and door dealers across the country and learn about their businesses, their challenges and their needs.
With several states and showrooms behind me, I’ve come across some common challenges and concerns facing retail window and door dealers. I’m also learning what dealers...
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August 30, 2018
The 10 commandments of home show success
When we take time to plan for the future, we set ourselves up to get a leg up on our competition. There are a few places in the home retail sales business where future planning can save big bucks. Home shows are one of them.
Home shows can be a great source of leads, can help increase local brand awareness with both homeowners and fellow home professionals, and can even be a source of camaraderie...
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August 30, 2018
Written limited warranties and energy performance
Written limited warranties are exceptionally good tools for defining the expectations of buyers and sellers regarding a product up-front. However, manufacturers and sellers should be aware that, despite the express terms and limitations of the written warranty, in other words, representations or statements concerning a product which are made outside the confines of the warranty (e.g. product...
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August 7, 2018
Top window installation mistakes
Example of an installation mistake in a building under construction in which flashing is only at the head and jambs. (Image by Kaitlyn Rinka.)
Installation is the determining factor of whether the performance designed into a window is realized in actual service. Even the best-designed and thoroughly tested product can fail if improperly installed.
Experience shows that there are avoidable...
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August 7, 2018
One path to success is trial and error
Editor’s Note: As part of a series of online learning opportunities for window and door dealers, Madeleine MacRae and The Window & Door Dealers Alliance will host a brand new webinar next Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. EST. Click here to watch a video preview of the webinar, Systems Make Sales: How to Grow Your Sales Team and Help Them Make More Sales, and ...
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August 7, 2018
Preventative maintenance makes (dollars and) sense
One of the most glaring issues I see among manufacturers in our industry is the lack of consistent, thorough preventative maintenance programs. We’ve all heard some variation of the phrase, “I can’t let maintenance have the machine; we have windows to make!” This view that maintenance gets in the way of production is more common than most of us would like to admit. But the...
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August 7, 2018
Gearing up for the networking event of the year
SEPTEMBER 13
Encore at Wynn | Las Vegas
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*
8:00-8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Introductions and Icebreaker
9:00-10:15 a.m.
Keynote: Build Depth and Create a Succession Plan in 8 Steps
10:15-10:45 a.m.
Networking Break
10:45-11:30 a.m.
Dealer to Dealer Discussion: Workforce Development
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m....
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June 14, 2018
Three tips for keeping customers at the center of the sale
Save the Date: September 13Encore at Wynn | Las Vegas
Join WDDA for live training and networking opportunities
Dealers: Don’t miss the opportunity to build on the principles and foundations discussed here by joining your peers and business growth strategists live on September 13 in Las Vegas. Hosted by the WDDA, Window & Door Dealer Day provides an opportunity for owners and top...
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June 14, 2018
How dealers can get comfortable with the new tech-focused reality of doing business
Our company interacts regularly with scores of window and door dealers all over the U.S. and Canada, and we’ve found there are two main “camps” of dealers. The first are those with the motto “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” These are good people who have run an honest business for 20-40 years with paper folders, phone calls and a wealth of...
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