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There are many trite and overused phrases people -- and companies -- use to sound as if they are responsive to the needs of customers or the industry they serve. "We keep an ear to the ground" and "We have a finger on the pulse of . . ." are two that quickly come to mind. What they are trying to say is: "We listen." But do they? Just saying it doesn't make it so. People often spend more time telling us what they're going to do, than actually doing it. The proof is in what gets done.
Associate Publisher Carolyn Silberman has been updating and formalizing a continuing tradition at Draperies & Window Coverings -- our advisory council. This outstanding group of individuals acts as sounding board and conduit. As sounding board, it provides us regular feedback on issues and articles in the pages of the magazine. As conduit, it extends our alliances and two-way communications even further into the various and growing market segments that have become the window coverings and home fashions industry.
Our advisory council comprises manufacturers of window coverings, hardware and accessories, fabric and wall coverings; fabricators; retailers; designers; and educators. We welcome their input. Let me introduce them to you:
Miriam Feinseth, director of advertising and communications, Hunter Douglas Window Fashions; Richard Boyle, vice president, merchandising, Levolor Home Fashions, Inc.; Tom Marusak, president, Comfortex Corp.; John Vrielink, president, BTX Window Automation, Inc.; Scott Fawcett, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Springs Window Fashions Division; Tom Robinson, Lafayette Venetian Blind, Inc.; Hal Spalter, vice president of sales and marketing, Rockland Industries; William O'Connor, president, Outlook Window Fashions; Larry Lariviere, owner, Larry's Custom Windows and president of the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA); and Karla J. Nielson, Allied ASID, WCAA, and assistant professor of design at Brigham Young University as well as one of our regular columnists.
D&WC has always been open to ideas and new directions.
Reader surveys we've conducted have proved enlightening and right on target.
We also are easy to get ahold of by mail, telephone and e-mail. While not every suggestion
can or should be implemented, the proof is in what has been done: more than 15 years of product
information, design ideas, industry news, workroom how-to's, management strategies and
professional profiles. For years Nike has been urging us to "Just do it."
By strengthening and maintaining our industry synergy, we'd like to look ahead and ask,
"What's next?"
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