Kevin, Why Have You Worked at Classic So Long? “C”ing is Believing!
May 19th, 2016
5 COMMENTS
Kevin Carty, VP Classic Exhibits
After Nearly 22 Years
July will mark my 22nd year at Classic. I often hear, “Wow, that is a long time by today’s standards to be with the same company.” Or I am asked, “What is it that keeps you there for so long?” The answer is easy.
This past weekend I was on a getaway with my daughter — a Daddy/Daughter Camp Weekend with a group of dads and their daughters. While there, a couple of the Dad’s asked me about my tenure at Classic. Then on Monday in a meeting with Mel, he put the exact words to my feelings. It involves the 4 C’s — Culture, Continuity, Capabilities, and Customers. Those four words encapsulate not only my feelings about our organization, but also what we hear from our wonderful distributors.
Culture is king. Each year, at Shared Knowledge University (SKU), we devote 30-45 minutes to a post-training Q&A. Everyone gathers in a circle on the Production floor and talks about their experience, what they learned, any surprises, constructive criticism, etc. Each time, we are humbled by their comments regarding Classic Exhibits.
In a nutshell, they tell us that Classic is exactly who we say we are. No artifice. No pretense. No corporate b.s. What they see in person is exactly who we say we are in visits, in our blog, and at industry events.
Culture defines our family of employees and our great family of distributors. It’s “Who Classic is” in the exhibit industry and each day inside of this building. Yes, we summarize our values into a handy formula: Shared Innovation + Shared Knowledge + Shared Responsibility = Shared Success. However, a values statement is useless unless it permeates your culture. Don’t get me wrong. We’re not perfect, and we stumble. But the “Shared” philosophy serves as a touchstone. It reminds us of what we strive to be as a company.
Continuity is the 2016 version of “predictability.” No one gets an “atta boy” for continuity, but creating consistency in your production, sales, marketing, and human resource processes wins hearts and minds over time. At the end of the day, neither a customer nor an employee should ever be surprised by your answers or your actions.
Continuity also speaks to the great group of people I get to work with. Folks don’t believe me when I share with them that most of our employees have been with Classic for 5-15 years — aside from new hires as we grow. Same can be said about our loyal distributors who have been with the Classic Family for years and years.
Capabilities make what I do every day fun. I told one of the dads this weekend, “I love walking into a different business each day.” On my way to my office, I pass by our Setup Area, which is like a walking by a candy store to me. Our Production, Design, and Customer Service staffs work together to create the next great exhibit or design or process. It’s almost embarrassing at times when I find myself saying “I did not know we could do that.” Frankly, I would shrivel up into a ball after a week of doing the same thing 8-10 hours a day. That’s not a job I’d want.
Customers. Sounds like a cliché, but Reid, Jen, Mel, and I have said for years that “When given the choice, we would rather work with friends than with a customer on the other end of the phone.” And in large part, we have succeeded. We made a decision about ten years ago not add a distributor for sales volume alone. Don’t get me wrong, we all need that. We are a business… BUT, in order for our culture to thrive internally and externally, we realize that, once again, Culture is King. We would much rather work with friends. So when choosing distributors we ask ourselves, “Are these folks who share our business values?” And, we have been extraordinarily blessed in this regard. I think we have the best network in the business! Which is easy for me to say because so many of them are my friends.
Each year, as we roll through spring, head towards summer and my work anniversary, I find myself reflecting more and more on my job. For some people, that reflection is geared towards “How much longer do I have to do this before I retire?” But for me I find myself saying, “How much longer to I GET to do this before I am forced to retire.” A long time. The reason is simple: the 4 C’s — Culture, Continuity, Capabilities, and Customers. That’s what makes Classic Exhibits my home away from home.
Oh… Two more “C’s”…Costco Cookies! Someone keeps us in full supply around here.
Hope you all have a great weekend ahead.
–Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
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The Trade Show Show Podcasts
May 13th, 2016
COMMENTS
20 Exhibit Industry Influencers
Last month, I had the good fortune of meeting Todd Youngblood while attending the E2MA Red Diamond Congress (RDC) in Orlando. Todd runs The Trade Show Show, a podcast series about the exhibit industry. The RDC was fertile ground for Todd, since the event attracts trade show managers, suppliers, show organizers, builders, exhibitor-appointed contractors, etc. Basically, anyone with a vested/financial interest in the trade show biz.
Todd conducted 20 interviews on topics that should matter to trade show groupies (like you and me). Interviewees included:
Justin Hersch, Group Delphi- Lisa Apolinski, 3 Dog Write
- Penn Arthur, Inhance Digital
- April Hurley, The Expo Group
- David Mihalik, ELITeXPO
- Skip Cox, Exhibit Surveys
- Jim Wurm, Exhibit & Event Marketers Association (E2MA)
- Richard Maples, Shepard Exposition Services
- Chris Griffin, TS Crew & Trade Show Supply
- And 10 more industry influencers
I encourage you to listen to one, two, or all twenty podcasts. Listening to a podcast may make you a little smarter unlike watching that Seinfeld episode for the 37th time. Mouthing the dialogue does not make you a savant. I don’t care what your cousin told you. 🙂
The mission of The Trade Show Show is to dramatically enhance Enterprise-Wide Engagement and sales growth by educating industry insiders regarding the people, organizations, technologies, and innovations driving progress and continuous improvement. In other words, get more ROI from the most effective sales tool there is: face-to-face business conversation. The show’s host, Todd Youngblood, has a genetic “need to know more.” This fundamental curiosity enables guests to articulate the heart of the value their knowledge and insights have for listeners.
–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite
**********************************************
Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.
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Price Changes in Exhibit Design Search
May 6th, 2016
COMMENTS
It’s May… and there doesn’t appear to be any slowdown in designs, quotes, and orders. So thanks as always.
Effective today, you will see modest price changes in EDS. Yes, the dreaded price increase. No one likes them, but they are a reality. I have taken a deep dive the past two months reviewing our pricing and costing. Basically, evaluating material increases, general labor, and overhead costs over the past four years (since our last selective price adjustment). In doing so, we have bumped prices on most kits.
Most are very modest. In the 5 percent range. Which is not bad considering it’s been anywhere from four to eight years since we’ve raised prices, depending on the product. Others are higher such as Quadro, counters, and workstations. Several product lines remain the same — On the Move Furniture, Intro kits, and the new Gravitee One-Step Modular System.
We will honor any existing quotes for 60 days from the quote date. In addition, we will be flexible on any quotes you’ve given your clients via EDS. Quotes going forward will reflect the new prices.
If there are questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Classic Project Manager, Mel, or me.
In the meantime, stay tuned. I know Mel will be making a big EDS announcement. I’m positive you’ll love the new additions. Look for a summer promotion beginning in about two weeks on all inlines.
Hope you have a great weekend with you families. Thanks again for the great start to May and a terrific 2016.
–Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
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Design Monday and Mike Swartout
May 1st, 2016
COMMENTS
Relentless Discipline
If you read Kevin’s moving tribute to Mike Swartout last week, you know how much he meant to the Classic Family. What you may not know is how much he sweated over Design Monday. No one was more devoted to ensuring Design Monday was creative, professional, and on-time than Mike. His insistence that we never miss a week was an internal driving force that pushed us to be amazing on an unforgiving deadline.
That said… it didn’t start out that way. When we launched Design Monday in 2005, Mike had concerns. He agreed that far too many distributors saw Classic as a basic portable-modular manufacturer, which he felt was unfair and just plain wrong. Our design portfolio was substantial, our production capabilities impressive, and he wanted the Classic distributor network to know that.
After we sent the first Design Monday, Mike said to me, “So what will we do in six to eight months when we’ve exhausted the best of the best?” “Mike,” I said, “we’ll never exhaust our design talents. Your department in tandem with our distributors will push us to innovate. Yes, we may not always get it right, but no one will ever out-design us again.” True to form, he accepted that challenge and by doing so, he pushed his fellow designers, our project managers, and mostly Production to be a better company.
Two weeks ago, Mike’s health was failing quickly, and there was a chance he would need to go to a hospital. He called to let us know. Not long after, I got an email from Mike. He wanted to know what we were planning to do about Design Monday. He was determined to the very end, never to miss a week as long as it was on his watch. And we didn’t.
Mike, my friend, this week is for you. Thank you for propelling Classic Exhibits to new heights and for reminding us that creativity and discipline go hand-in-hand. I’m a better person, and Classic is a better company because of you.
RSMGC Donation Fund
Many have asked how they can help. Janet, Mike’s wife, has requested that donations be make to the Randy Smith Memorial Fund. Several years ago, the Randy assisted the Swartout’s with medical expenses at a time when it was most needed. Please click this link — http://www.e2ma.org/donations — and select the Mike Swartout RSMGC Donation Fund. Thank you very much!
–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite
**********************************************
Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.
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