So how do you communicate with customers without taking the focus off your core business? You use powerful tools. The internet has brought forth so many game changing phone options, we’d be crazy not to use them. In the not so distant past you’d have to spend upwards of $10,000 to have a professional sounding automated phone system, now it’s fast, easy, and economical. Here are just some advantages of switching from a traditional analog phone system from the old phone company to a new internet based phone system:

1. Customers can find you anywhere, and they like that. Most internet phone systems come with apps, call forwarding, email forwarding, text alerts, and other tricks to get calls to you no matter where you are. On an old system, you have to be at the office to know who is calling.
2. Menus allow customers to get where they want to be. As long as you actually answer the phone, the customer usually appreciates being able to quickly get where he wants to go.
3. More tools allow you to customize the user experience. You can choose from almost limitless options to make phone calls land in the appropriate spot. No matter the size of your company and goal of customer service, you can customize your user experience.
4. Lower costs for interstate and international calls. Distance doesn’t bother the internet as much as it does the phone company. You can save substantial amounts of money by switching.
5. Analytics allow you to see call volumes, times, and help you plan for the future of your customer service experience.

The FSC certification program is designed to protect our earth against deforestation. In a nutshell, it’s an organization that manages the impacts of using our forests to manufacture products wood. They make sure the long term stability and sustainability of wood are maintained. They track and certify the wood all the way through the process to ensure that the wood is being used responsibly.

So why would you want to be FSC certified?

1. Many big projects now require it, especially government, and those with “green conscience” owners or contractors.
2. You might get a warm fuzzy knowing you’re doing your part to protect the environment.
3. You get a little name recognition, you can put the logo on your web site and tell everyone.
4. If your customers are environmentally conscious, you may have an advantage over those who are not.

Trying to collect money as a cabinet maker in the woodworking industry is not the best position to be in.  Have you struggled keeping up with the changing rules and regulations for liens?  Are you tired of waiting in line to collect the money you have earned, only to find out that the money has all been taken by the others in the front of the line?  Keeping up on the lien rules just might save you cash flow that may have gone down the tube.    When Utah House Bill 260 went into effect on Aug. 1, 2011, some of the rules and processes for filing mechanics liens were changed.   Here is a brief snapshot of some of the high points of the changes that took place:

1.  A new category of liens has been created (Preconstruction Services)

2.  Notice of retention for preconstruction services

• When  construction is started a “Notice of Retention” must be filed with the SCR within 20 days of beginning work to     reserve the right to later file a mechanics lien

• Failure to file a Notice of Retention generally results in a complete loss of rights

3.  A preliminary notice is almost always required

4.  Lien priority Clarifications

• The changes have made it more favorable to the lien claimant by changing the date relating back to the date when the construction first began

5.  Restriction on waiving lien rights

• Utah will prohibit lien waivers before payment

To read about the new rules and regulations in more depth see the following links:

I used to think that cleanliness in a cabinet door shop was just a result of me being overly tidy and obsessive toward things being in order. After this little incident I have recognized the need for strict cleanliness all around. If there would have been a pile of sawdust next to this bad boy I would have had a wake up call from the fire dept. letting me know that the business I have been putting my heart and soul into was instantly a pile of ashes. For some reason the water leaked enough to get the power cord wet and the picture pretty much sums up what happened from there. The moral to the story is that it is imperative that we are clean and tidy in the woodworking industry. It’s not just something the overachievers do!

This first set shows the contrast between two alder doors, the first one is hand sanded, and the second is machine sanded. These pictures were taken from the top corner of the comparison doors.

corners remain sharp, splintering appears

radius is consistent up into the corners

This next set illustrates the same doors at 4″ from the top

Hand sanded: radius is sharp at 4”, fuzz remains

Flap wheel machine sanded: radius is consistent at 4”

Hand sanded: radius is over sanded (rounded off) at 12”

Machine sanded: radius is consistent at 12”

Hand sanded: Panel has cross grain from accidental slip

Example of flaking finish due to sharp edges (not our doors)

The results were very subtle at quick glance, but after a close look, we saw huge differences, ones that matter. In short, we were blown away with the difference, and purchased a Quickwood flap wheel sander. Here is some footage (not ours): Flap wheel sander for custom cabinet doors

Custom cabinet doors come it so many varieties, and it’s interesting to see which profiles are the most popular. Some might surprise you, they did me. Keeping up on what people are wanting is a good way to stay on top of the game. Here is what our system shows are the most popular profiles, first up, the arch styles…

1. To give more than we take. By making this decision, it lets us give information. We think transparency is good, and giving is better. We want our customers (and whomever else) to benefit from our knowledge, however minuscule it might be.
2. It’s a great way for us to informally stay connected to our customers. We love talking to our customers, but there just isn’t enough time to get out there and visit every single one. This way, we can talk to you, and if you so choose, you can talk back (via comments or email).
3. Share cool things that we come across. Sometimes we come across something we think will help, and we want to share the wealth! We’ve always said that our customers’ success is our success, so we have a vested interest in making you successful. If we find something cool, we want you to at least know about it.
4. To build trust. We want to sell lots and lots of custom cabinet doors and cabinet box components. To do that, we have to convince our customers what we already know ourselves: we are experts and damn good at what we do! Hopefully by writing down our bits of expertise and sharing it with the world, we’ll sell more custom cabinet doors!
5. To learn from our customers. Our business is strongest when we listen to our customers. Our point of view is not the only one, and we know it. As you can see below, there is a comments section. We want hear from you when you have something to say! Tell us what you like and what you’d like even better!
6. To have fun! Let’s face it, the world doesn’t revolve around cabinetry. We’re not always going to post about this industry, sometimes it will be about business in general, and every once in awhile it’ll be about something completely off the wall, and that’s fun.