NEWS | Round-up
Our climate change champion Richard Hagan, managing director of Crystal Doors, outlines his best money-saving tips in order to stay ahead as the economic challenges get set to bite
Savvy business WARRIORS REQUIRED
AS WE approach the end of the year, I always reflect on my achievements by writing two lists – one for successes this year and one for the challenges that lay ahead. Unlike year-end accounts that only tell a financial story, these lists tell me about the purpose of my business and what I really want to achieve for myself, others and the planet. This year, the list of challenges looks overwhelming. Rampant energy prices, inflation, interest rates and supply chain issues are already significantly impacting the kitchen industry and will continue to do so well into 2023, possibly beyond. Like many of you reading this, my challenges are to address every aspect of my business’s financial sustainability in this new normal. The climate emergency, of course, is still the biggest challenge facing all of us, but luckily financial sustainability and climate action are two sides of the same coin. The measures I have taken at Crystal Doors to champion climate action now double as a blueprint for survival. Energy-efficient machinery, LED lighting, solar panels and electric vehicles were already sound investments, but now, with energy prices through the roof, they are even more important.
Climate
leadership is not just about being an eco-warrior, it’s about
being a savvy business warrior full-stop
When I was appointed to several national committees for climate action this year, it wasn’t because of my ‘eco-warrior’ spirit (as I initially assumed), but because of the cost savings and return on investment I have achieved in the process. I have learned that climate leadership is not just about being an eco-warrior, it’s about being a savvy business warrior full-stop.
Our ability as small businesses to come together as a family and adapt rapidly in the face of adversity is our super-power. Remember, your team around you is one of
your greatest strengths, so here are my take-away actions for finding ways to save money next year: 1. Write a list of successes this year and challenges expected next year;
2. Outline any actions that may reduce your costs, improve profits or sales;
3. Discuss with your managers and most experienced employees, asking for their ideas;
4. Engage with all employees to get their honest feedback;
5. Write a financial plan to action projects taking into account cost, benefit, timelines, who and how;
6. Talk often with your employees, offering empathy and understanding;
7. Set team and individual targets, have open discussion meetings and regularly report progress.
10 KBSA CONFERENCE ROUND-UP
KBSA Conference a ‘success’ with a record number of attendees
THE KBSA hosted a record number of attendees at its Kitchen and Bathroom Conference after a two-year Covid break. The conference was held at the Belfry Hotel
in the West Midlands on September 27-28 under the theme of “Engaging Minds – Empowering Success” and had a variety of speakers from the housing industry, the metaverse, and performance psychology. KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert said: “After two years
of lockdown-enforced
absence, it was great to be back and experience the benefits of coming together. The past five years have been incredible for the KBSA, with a 60% increase in retail membership and a fivefold increase in members’ funds, together with a move into our own office premises at the beginning of the year. “This year’s conference provided the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate these achievements, and welcome non-members to
KBB industry must keep its sustainability message simple, Quooker boss tells delegates
THE KITCHEN and bathroom industry needs to simplify its communication on sustain- ability if it is to make a real impact, says Quooker UK managing director Stephen Johnson.
Speaking at the KBSA Kitchen and Bathroom Conference 2022, Johnson said the industry could and should use sustainability to gain a business advantage. “For me that’s talking more about simple and easily understood things,” he said. “We need to talk about specifying appliances that save energy, save water and therefore save money. We have to talk more in terms of the benefits to the customer because, for me, when I’ve invested in sustainable products, I know that even though there may be a higher upfront cost, ultimately they will save me money in the longer term. “But I don’t think that as an industry we explain to customers well enough how being sustainable will actually save them money. If we can do that, it presents a really significant sales tool as well.”
Johnson was taking part in a panel discussion at the conference, held at The Belfry hotel in the Midlands.
During the discussion retailer Diane Berry from Diane Berry Kitchens in Manchester said that, as a small business, she endeavours to be as sustainable as possible, but it’s the
longevity of her projects that has the most impact. “We try to do the small things as saving a penny saves a pound. So all of our paper is recycled, all the cardboard that comes off the kitchens is too, as is the polystyrene and all the wood. We’re in the process of
trying to reduce the paper we use, we’ve got car chargers on the side of the
studio and we’ve got heat recovery in the showroom. We don’t use or promote the use of gas in the products we sell and we try and sell the best-rated appliances.
“But the most important thing is that I sell high-quality kitchens – so they’re fitted well and they’ll last for years. Any kitchens we remove, we resell through Used Kitchen Exchange and this longevity is what makes us sustainable.” However, for Tony Robson from Day True in London, who also took part in the discussion, said a wider effort must be made. “It’s a shame that legislation might drive it in the end because it shouldn’t need to,” he said. “But it’s important that something drives it, because there’s an apathy. There needs to be more education, more responsibility from everyone.” Keith Myers from The Myers Touch in
Winchester said he thinks legislation could help in forcing change. “New-build houses are often fitted with poor quality kitchens compared with the price of the property and they get ripped out when the owner moves in,” he said.
· November 2022
experience the strength that comes from being part of a collective voice.
“Our theme of “Engaging Minds – Empowering Success”, was explored well by the speakers, ensuring that attendees were able to take away knowledge and actions that will benefit their businesses.”
During the conference, it was announced that Malcolm Scott, Swift commercial director, had been promoted from KBSA corporate chair to retail and corporate membership director.
Climate
Champion Change
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