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Editorial

Enrich Your Business to a Significant Degree

by John Clark

The U.S. government has just announced that first quarter 1997 new housing sales are at a record pace, and our industry's position as a major player in home furnishings products is a very good place to be. (That's the good news.) The question for every business in our industry is, will you get a share of this new business or will your competitors make the sale? (That's the bad news.) It's all up to you, because nearly every retailer and designer has virtually unlimited access to product sources to fill almost every window related need. So the real question is, why would you get the business if everyone else has nearly the same resources? The difference between you and your competitors is the same as it was last year and the same as it will be next year: It's you and your staff. Never changes does it? Oh, sometimes a great, creative sale (real huge discount) will spike business or some other "one-time" event occurs that gets great results, but in the ongoing, day-to-day competitive battle are you making steady progress and growth? Today, in almost every business, having the best information is a key ingredient to success. This is very true for product information and technology provides us more information every day. But there is special information that can elevate your chances for success far beyond that of others. This is the information gained from the experience, ideas and creativeness of your peers. Information you can choose to add to your personal data bank of professional knowledge. Way back in 1983 Draperies & Window Coverings started the industry's first seminar program (I think there were 15 seminars), and since that time we have introduced hundreds of sessions, topics and speakers. Some of you have attended many of those sessions over the years. However, thousands of you have not attended any seminars and have never had the benefit of listening to and learning from the very talented faculty that today is presenting information that can change the way you do business. D&WC has a mission to provide the opportunity for you to have the best chance yet to take these programs and elevate your potential for greater success. You may not be familiar with Interior Fashions University (IFU), but you will be. This is a program designed to offer a curriculum of industry seminars that will be available at the Boston Curtain & Drapery Show, the World of Window Coverings[TM], and the upcoming Pacific Home Fashions events. But, in addition, IFU will be visiting you in major cities across the United States to provide the finest education programs available within your local area. We have had so many people tell us they wish all of their staff could take the seminars, but time and travel sometimes is prohibitive. Now the information is coming to you. Interior Fashions University demonstrates D&WC's commitment to continue to be your No. 1 source for information, not only through the pages of our magazine, but in person through this traveling program. You will have a chance to accumulate credits at our all-CEU accredited seminars and earn Associate, Professional and Master degrees, which identify your personal commitment to your career. Those of you who choose to can enrich your technical, creative and business knowledge to a significant "degree." Stay tuned! D&WC has brought you the best shows, the best seminars, the best magazine, the best Web site, and now the best in a new level of regional educational opportunities -- Interior Fashions University. Leadership is in doing.