BIG BIRTHDAY BASH (PART 1)

[Karan]:  We had the most brilliant and amazing day yesterday.  As you are probably already aware, IKD is celebrating its 18th birthday tomorrow, and we're hosting the Big Birthday Party Bash at our place - all are welcome, and we hope to see YOU there.

However, we thought it would be a good idea to host a pre-launch event for some of our all time favourite and most local customers, so that if we had any teething problems we could iron them out before our guests of honour arrive tomorrow: always best to hit your snags with a sympathetic audience, don't you think?  A pre-launch event would also serve as a huge personal "THANK YOU!" from Ian and I, for the many years of loyal custom and support we have received from these lovely, lovely existing VIP customers. And so out went the personal invitations.  And then we waited.  As we hadn't asked for a RSVP, we had no idea who would accept and who wouldn't.  It was a bit high risk as we could have been drumming our fingers on the table listening to the deafening silence, however...

From the moment we decided upon a date to launch the showroom fully to the public - it was Thursday 1st April, I remember it clearly - business has been brisk, to say the least.  Now, I'm not complaining that business has been brisk, I'm well aware there are plenty of people willing to trade places with us, but it has meant the showroom has been designed and installed during weekends only, and the odd evening after work.  This has proved to be a challenging and delicate balancing act, particularly when you consider Ian and I have two very young children, as well as a brisk business.  We have met ourselves coming back on many, many occasions.

We worked on the showroom until 2.30am Saturday morning, went home, got a couple of hours sleep and were up again with the kids at 5.30am.  Ian threw some water on his face and completed a basic set of ablutions, before dashing back off down to the showroom to polish and tidy - promising himself faithfully that he'd pop back home to shower, shave and change, once the preparations had been completed.  None of us involved really believed we'd see a soul until mid-morning at the earliest - there'd be plenty of time for Ian to shower, shave and change.  Or so we thought.

At 9.55am three of our dearest and kindest customers (friends really) stepped through the doors, at which point IKD became the official venue for the Mutual Appreciation Society as people just kept stepping through the door until it was time to go home and rest our weary feet and voice boxes.  Ian never did shower, change or shave, and no one seemed to care.  Everyone who stepped through the doors just seemed to be delighted to hear good, positive news about a strong thriving local family business, and Ian's attire or facial hair status seemed irrelevant.  Of course his embarrassment and predicament was hilarious to those of us who know how particular he can be, but it didn't detract from the joy he has given people - or the value he has added to their homes over the years!

Yesterday was a complete pleasure and education for me too.  I have an almost encyclopedic memory for who our customers are, what work we've completed for them, when and where etc, but I hardly ever get to meet them - I'm always lurking in the background.  It's not unreasonable for me to suggest that I know some of our customers almost as well as Ian does, but I'd walk past them in the street, not having the foggiest who they are. Well, yesterday I was introduced to a great many of them, and it was such a joy to finally put faces to a names - I loved it. 

And so now we await tomorrow with much anticipation.  Some of our VIP existing customers who couldn't make it yesterday have promised to attend tomorrow, but tomorrow is all about the new people who have been invited by leaflet, Facebook, Twitter, The Best of Kettering, and word-of-mouth, and Ian and I are beside ourselves with excitement.  Who are these new people?  What will they think to our brand new kitchen showroom?  Will they become our friends like so many in the past have done?  And, more importantly, will Ian be showered, shaved and changed this time?  Why not come and find out, click here for more information including a map and directions - we'd love to meet you.

THE SIX PHASES OF A PROJECT

[Karan]:  They say - whoever "they" are - that there are six phases to a project, and as we're only 16 days away from our Big Birthday Bash to celebrate 18 years of trading, I'm beginning to agree.  I had not heard of the Six Phases before last week, when one of our Twitter Followers was kind enough to send a Tweet listing them, but I'm amused to see the extent to which they pan out.  Here are the Six Phases of a Project:

1) ENTHUSIASM: Well, I can definitely agree with this one wholeheartedly and, in truth, Ian and I are both still hugely enthusiastic about our new kitchen showroom, and the celebrations surrounding its launch.  We're really excited about catching up with all of our VIP existing customers, some of which we perhaps haven't seen in a while, as well as meeting new people we may be able to help in the future.  Some of our VIP existing customers go way, way, WAY back to the beginnings of IKD in 1992, so it'll be our pleasure to pour them a glass of wine as we chat. 

Even though our enthusiasm is still high, that does not mean we haven't gone through deep, dark bouts of...

2) DISILLUSIONMENT: We've all been there.  You think up something exciting to do, ie: a party, a wedding, a night out with the girls/boys and it all seems like a good idea at the time.  Then things start to go awry and you start hearing yourself saying "whose bloody stupid idea was this anyway?!", only to realise it was yours!  I uttered these immortal words last weekend when Ian and I were working late - again! - putting the finishing touches to the showroom.  The odd thing didn't go according to plan and I threw my toys out of the pram demanding to know whose idea it was to open a new kitchen showroom during a Bank Holiday weekend, following weeks of school summer holidays.  Ian quietly reminded me it was, in fact, my idea.  So I shut the hell up after that and continued with what I was doing.

3) PANIC:  We're not there yet, but I do accept that we might be, the closer we get to the launch date and time.  Ian and I share the philosophy of proper preparation prevents a poor performance, and we always plan for the worst and hope for the best.  Whilst it's sometimes tempting to believe that life and/or the universe is out to get you when things go wrong, you just have to do the best you can in every given moment, as it sets you up to be in the best possible position for the next moment.  Panic is a waste of energy and thinking and reaction time - but feel free to remind me of this when and if you see me running around like my hair's on fire on the morning of the launch!

4) SEARCH FOR THE GUILTY:  If something has gone wrong, or someone hasn't fulfilled a promise, then it's probably a wiser use of energy and resources to overcome the problem.  There's always after the project to rip someone a new one!  Seemples.

5) PUNISHMENT OF THE INNOCENT:  As this is considered a humorous (?) list, I'll let this point pass as I don't agree with it at all.  It is true though, sadly.  I've seen it happen many times in previous workplaces, and it stinks.  Rest assured that IKD neither operates nor condones this crap; we prefer carrots to sticks.

6) PRAISE & HONOURS FOR THE NON-PARTICIPANTS:  How true is THIS?!  There's always someone - with very sharp elbows - pushing themselves forward for a share of the limelight - they know no shame.  Best to pity the fools, for theirs is an insecure existence, riding on the backs of the true achievers.  I once knew a woman who systematically married her way up into a life of money, global travel and success by association, discarding the spent husbands as she aged: she now attends her (current) husband's award ceremonies as though she'd been there through the early and lean years.  I often wonder who she's going to marry next.

It's therefore hugely important to us to ensure that the truly deserving receive their thanks and high praise and, in respect of the kitchen showroom opening, Ian and I are very clear about who has supported us above and beyond the call of duty; and equally, who hasn't.  I will write a Big Thank You Blog following the Big Birthday Bash so everyone can see who has been the most marvellous of eggs, how and why.  Watch this space....

WITTERING: A LOVE STORY

[Karan]:  I have been catching up on Twitter today, having been working on the showroom with Ian all day yesterday, and I noticed a Tweet from @ScarlettaMedia that said: "At the beach at Wittering glorious feels like summer! Well just for 1 day..." @ScarlettaMedia was kind enough to Tweet a Twitpic of the beach just for me, and then the envy just overtook me! 

You see, it all started way back in June 1989 when I first met Ian.  Ian and his family had been holidaying in the little village of Wittering since he was a boy, and he took me there shortly after we met; and a love story began; in more ways than one.  The Witterings (ie: East and West Wittering) are about 8 miles south of our equally beloved Chichester, and are kind of quaint but, above all, they're quiet!  Ian and I try very hard to get down there as often as possible for a "Wittering Fix" because it's so calm and beautiful.  We also have family who live down that way, and it's always a blast when we get together - which is never often enough or for long enough for our liking.

We have camped many, many times in Scotts Holiday Village in either a static caravan or - dammit! - under canvas with the bugs and critters, but it's always been fun and glorious.  We have hijacked West Wittering beach en masse for extended family days and BBQ's many, many times.  We've had the kids' lips turn blue when the sea wasn't quite as warm as we'd have liked.  We've had family members (you know who you are) running into the sea - fully made-up - but in their bra and knickers, as they'd forgotten their swimsuit.  I've fallen asleep sunbathing on the beach and woken up like a rock lobster, but only on the one side as no one thought to, at least, turn me over!  We've hiked all the way around East Head (about 2 miles of sand dunes) in flip flops, but it's all worth it because West Wittering beach is stunning, and on a glorious sunny day, you could be anywhere else in the world.

As you may have gathered by now, Ian and I love - LOVE - Wittering, and we have successfully brainwashed our children into appreciating the glory that is West Wittering beach.  Can you tell that I'm ever so slightly jealous that @ScarlettaMedia is there, and I - regrettably - am not.  Once our new kitchen showroom has been officially launched and opened to the public however, we shall make a point of returning to recharge our batteries, before too long!  Brace yourself Chichester, we're on our way....

THE MIGHTY OAK TREE

[Karan]:  I read the most amazing tweet on Twitter yesterday that had the most profound effect on me.  I'd had a really bad day as a small business owner, and had been buffeted repeatedly by events that were outside of my control, and were becoming distinctly more dramatic than they really needed to be. 

By the end of the day I was understandably weary and wondering if life wouldn't just be simpler if I stacked shelves at Tesco - my friend's father had found it to be a hugely rewarding experience once he'd retired from a high-powered banking position: no politics, no stress, great fun.

And then along came Twitter with this simple proverb that I had never heard before: the mighty oak tree was once just a nut that held its ground.  And that, my friends, is all it took to strenghten my resolve and stand before you today, as a nut standing her ground.

Stop sniggering at the back!

HOW BIZARRE, HOW BIZARRE!

[Karan]:  A very strange thing occurred yesterday, which I eluded to on Facebook and Twitter, but didn't really do it full justice.

It all started back in February 2010 when Mrs G of Norwich found us on Google, and enquired upon a bathroom for her mother-in-law, Mrs D, who lived in Kettering.  As Mrs D is a widow of a sensitive disposition, and didn't want a train of salesy types traipsing through her house, her daughter-in-law agreed to play rear gunner and devise a short list of likely bathroom supplying candidates; of which IKD were the only name on the list, we later found out.  IKD duly designed and installed Mrs D's new bathroom and all was well; Mrs D was delighted and IKD had a brand new Kettering customer, so we were delighted too.

Then, on Monday 10 May, Mrs B contacted us.  Mrs B lives across the road from Mrs D, had seen the bathroom we had installed there, and now wanted a very similar design and finish herself.  This was great news, but not necessarily a rare occurrence, as IKD have a high word-of-mouth recommendation rate; it's how we generate at least 90% of our work.  Over the last couple of weeks, Ian has been composing Mrs B's bathroom design and quotation, and was awaiting her return from holiday for her feedback.

In the meantime, Mrs W contacted us about the possibility of designing a bespoke master bedroom suite, suitable for a wheelchair user.  We learnt that Mrs W had found our details in Yellow Pages [note to self: not everyone is online], and had found it impossible to find anyone capable - or willing - to build custom-made low level wardrobes.  Until she found us, of course.  We have found in our years of trading that too many customers are told what they can have by some of our competitors, who do not have carpentry or joinery backgrounds.  This gives IKD a distinct advantage because Ian is a carpenter joiner by trade, and so has the apprenticeship training and experience to either customise or custom build anything that the customer requires.  We're able to ask our customers what they would like, rather than tell them what they can have.

Shortly after my phone call with Mrs W about her bespoke bedroom, Mrs D contacted Ian again, asking if he could now quote her for a kitchen refurbishment; which he duly did.  We're certainly very thankful to have been found on Google by Mrs D's daughter-in-law in Norwich, because we are now blessed with a loyal and returning customer we might not otherwise have met.

The bizarre thing about these events is that they all occur in the same street.  We know Mrs D and Mrs B are neighbours, but so too is Mrs W.  More than that; Mrs D lives at number 46, Mrs B lives at number 47 and Mrs W, who is unaware of our involvement with the other two ladies, lives at number 48.  And even more than that, Mrs D wants a kitchen, Mrs W wants a bedroom and Mrs B wants a bathroom - and they all accepted our quotations on the same day - yesterday!  Isn't life weird sometimes?

NETWORKING A-GO-GO!

[Karan]:  Naturally, I'm quite a shy person.  That sound you just heard was of my friend's ribs pinging with merriment in response to that statement.  No, really, I am quite shy, and can find meeting new people a bit of a challenge - it certainly can take me out of my comfort zone.  But this is starting to change.

In a previous life I worked for a motorsport company and would regularly stand up in front of a room full of people and espouse the virtues of our sport, team and sponsors etc, but it was all so huge and corporate.  Ian had a theory that I became someone else whilst wearing the team kit; reverting back to my true self once home.  And he may have been right. 

Meeting new IKD Customers was initially much harder because it's the start of a much longer relationship and, oftentimes, even friendship.  Working in someone's home, and designing them a room they will live with for a very long time, is a big responsibility, and so we like to get to know our Customers as well as possible.  This involves a lot of time, discussion and listening, but it really bears fruit because the Customer always gets what they want, and we acquire another glowing testimonial.  But not only that....

As you are probably already aware, IKD have been trading since 1992, and we now have a very large Customer database, of which we are very proud.  What we have found in our (almost) eighteen years of business is that it can surprise you who knows who; it's a small world - and this is where networking comes into its own.  From a commercial sense, if you have one satisfied customer who recommends you to all of their friends, who recommend you to their friends etc, you have enough work to keep you busy and to grow a business.  This works in the negative sense just as well, where you can find yourself out of business in a hurry thanks to the ire of dissatisfied Customers.  Ian and I are always mindful of this trusim: a satisfied Customer will recommend you to five friends, but a dissatisfied ex-customer will disparage you to anyone within earshot.  You know it's true.

Nowadays, it's all networking a-go-go with other small business owners, but not necessarily to sell more kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms (although we do, and that's great), but more for support, advice and development.  With Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin making connections with new people (you would never have met otherwise) so much easier, the pool of support and information is infinate.  The new connections I have made since Christmas have changed my thought processes, marketing strategy and general outlook on life, so I have therefore decided not to participate in shyness any longer.  From now on I will attend every networking event that'll have me, and strike up conversations all over the place because, one way or another, it's good for business!

PLEASE VOTE FOR...WHO YOU WANT TO!

[Karan]:  I'm fed up with everyone telling me how to vote, and in particular that I should vote Labour! 

By everyone I'm referring to some of those I follow on Facebook and Twitter, some of whom are in the public eye and should know better than try to influence people by using their elevated public position.  There is of course one quick, easy and painless solution to my problem - I have stopped following the culprits, but it's the principle that has got my goat - who the hell do they think they are?!

As we're in the midst of a general election I can just about tolerate weeks of party political activists urging me to vote their way as opposed the evils that await me if I dare vote the other; it's their job.  But I draw the line at feeble TV personalities and D-list celebrities Tweetpic-ing who they have in their helicopter whilst on the campaign trail over the weekend!  Champagne socialists should definately be doomed to Room 101 if you ask me, they're a scourge.

Can I just ask a question to the celebs who repeatedly insist I vote Labour?  If Labour were truly the great saviours of the universe you believe them to be, why are you taking every opportunity to influence me?  Surely their greatness would be obvious, and you'd be confident of a landslide majority on Thursday?  But you're not confident of a landslide majority are you; you're not even confident of coming in as Her Majesty's Opposition, are you?  Why should you when Labour have taken us into an illegal war, failed repeatedly to supply our troops with even the basic equipment to keep them alive - and don't get me started on the NHS, education, immigration and the economy! 

And before you ask, please do not assume to know who I am voting for, as I am not a dyed-in-the-wool anything.  You may be surprised to know who I have supported in past elections, but at the end of the day, who I vote for is none of your business, and who you vote for is none of my business. 

My only concern is that people should vote.  Like I said in an earlier blog entry not so long ago, people have died and continue to die for the privilege of democracy.  The Suffragettes battled like hell to win the right for women to vote, and were routinely imprisoned for their efforts.  Many died on hunger strike and Emily Wilding Davison threw herself under the King's horse so that women would eventually be permitted the vote; it wasn't always our entitlement.  I therefore believe that we all have a duty to vote with our consciences - what if everyone shrugged their shoulders?

Decisions are made by those who show up!  Please vote on Thursday.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BLOG!

Hello and welcome to the brand new IKD Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms blog, we hope you find all that is about to follow as fascinating as we do. We really do love our kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms - but we love en suites, cloakrooms, home offices and utility rooms just as much.

We began in September 1992 and, following a strict policy of constant reinvestment and continuous improvement, have built IKD into a strong and respected design and installation company, who trade almost entirely upon reputation and the word-of-mouth recommendations of our entirely satisfied customers.

IKD Kitchens Bedrooms and Bathrooms is family-run business based in Kettering, Northamptonshire with Ian and Karan Dennis at the helm. Please feel free to add your own blog comments here, email us, join our Facebook group or contact us via Twitter - we'd love to hear from you!