Behind the Surface

Pro Tips for Shop Process Improvement

In this Behind the Surface podcast, Ed Young of Fabricator’s Business Coach joins Nancy Busch to discuss strategies for process improvements in the shop. Ed will identify value-added and nonvalue-added activities and discuss the TIM WOODS approach, a methodology that can reduce process waste and costs while enhancing productivity. Tune in to discover the eight ways you can recapture 10% of your capacity.

Tracking Your Machines’ ROI

Recent years have shown steady growth in revenue, enabling many shop owners to invest in new machinery or expand their staff in order to keep up with demand. But when a downturn looms, how do you maintain a positive trajectory? In this Behind the Surface podcast, Tim Saddoris, president of Grand Onyx, joins Nancy Busch to discuss how to get the most from machinery and the employees who operate them.  
Tim will focus on the people and the process in these three steps:  
Having the right staff in the correct position 
Creating a competition  
Documenting the process 
Hint: if you’re not first, you’re last.  

A Colorful Conversation with Mark Woodman

Did you know color trends start in development as much as 10 years before they hit the marketplace? In this Behind the Surface podcast episode, Mark Woodman, CMG, a passionate designer, trend-spotter, and consultant for Corian Design, joins Nancy Busch to discuss color and design trends in the decorative surfacing industry.
Together they will discuss:
The importance of light, dark and neutral
A rearview on how the pandemic affected the color trends
Return to nature design trend; increase in popularity of stained wood for cabinetry
Finish and Texture
Popularity of textures
Mixing and matching colors and texture
Using trends to help your customers choose materials
Asking key questions to steer your customers in the right direction
The dos and don’ts of stocking colors
 

Industry Outlook: A Fab’s Perspective

Are you wondering what the industry holds for your business this year? In this Behind the Surface podcast episode, Ed Young of Fabricator’s Business Coach joins Nancy Busch to discuss the 2023 Industry Outlook from a fabricator’s perspective. Tune in to hear what expert and fabricator Ed Young sees trending across the country and gather insights on what to do to ensure your success.
Discussion will include:
Insights by geographic area:
Some areas are seeing slow down
Some areas are still as busy as ever
Predictions by market segment:
Residential
Commercial
Medial field
Define your focus
2024 Sneak Peek: Which markets stay hot and which will turn cold?
Pro Tips: If your shop is busy right now, learn what you can do with as little as 30 minutes each week to work on your business and get ahead of potential problems. Hint: Train for a marathon, not a sprint!

A Sales Rep Clinic

Do you need to train your salespeople in the art of selling specifically for the surface fabrication business? Are you struggling to find the time to provide the comprehensive training necessary to develop your team's skills? Join Justin Shaw from Stone Fabricator Elite and Behind the Surface host Nancy Busch for A Sales Rep Clinic Introduction. Learn how this eight-part webinar series can help you navigate the sales process more efficiently, engage better with potential customers and close more deals.

Industry Outlook: A Supply Chain Perspective

In this episode of Behind the Surface, Matthew Bodoff, Business Development Manager at Ineos Composites, and Chris Anderson, Business Development Manager at US Silica, discuss quartz supply from a raw material supplier’s perspective.
The pandemic and the winter storms of 2021 affected the supply chain, and where does that leave us today? Listen in to better understand the current reality, forecast, and how providing your input can help the future development of the category.

How the Top Fabricators are Planning for Turbulent Times

How are you planning for an economic downturn? Will you be taking an offensive or defensive approach? In this episode of the Behind the Surface podcast, Ed Young of Fabricator’s Business Coach and Justin Shaw from Stone Fabricator Elite join Nancy Busch to discuss effective business strategies to survive what challenges your business may be facing in these turbulent times.

Installing Profitability® Series Episode 15: Coaching for Performance

How do you use good delegation to inspire your team? How do you set expectations and timelines with your power players?
Listen in to this episode of the Installing Profitability® podcast as Eric Tryon coaches you through:
The power of good delegation: How to accomplish more by inspiring others
Creating clarity: Expectations, rules of engagement and timelines
Identifying your power players and your opportunities
Learn more about delegation, expectation and more in this episode of ISFA’s podcast. After listening, attend the workshop on December 14 at 2 PM ET, during which Eric will share how to coach for performance.

Installing Profitability® Series Episode 14: Annual Strategic Planning

The Installing Profitability® Series features Eric Tryon and is brought to you by your friends at BACA Systems. This episode will discuss Annual Strategic Planning.
Working on the business compared to in the business
Year in review: evaluating wins & losses
Identifying the next big opportunity
Creating team focus and game plans
After listening, attend the workshop on November 9 at 2 PM ET, during which Eric will dive into annual strategic planning. Go to ISFAnow.org to register.

Installing Profitability® Series Episode 13: Commercial Channel Success

The Installing Profitability® Series features Eric Tryon and is brought to you by your friends at BACA Systems. This episode will discuss Commercial Channel Success. 
Commercial & Residential Projects: Apples & Oranges
Get educated and learn the game
Financial Capacities & Impact
Estimating & Personnel 
After listening, attend the workshop on October 12 at 2 PM ET. Go to ISFAnow.org to register.