NEWS | Round-up
VIEWPOINT Ease access to
industry training Richard Hibbert, the KBSA national chair and owner of KSL Sudbury, in Suffolk, talks about how training needs be easier for retailers to access
Industry training still lacks a cohesive strategy and delivery
mechanism
TRAINING, EDUCATION and recruitment, three areas of business that are essential for KBB retailers but often difficult to get right. Traditionally manufacturers have provided the majority of the product training required. In the current climate it is possible to access this training online. The rapid uptake of new technologies in the light of the Covid pandemic, has enabled designers looking to advance their skills to enjoy many more training opportunities, without having to travel. From seminars, webinars, on-demand classes, trade shows and product training to marketing tutorials, educational videos, books and trade publications, there are a wealth of opportunities for learning available. The KBSA has also taken advantage of improvements in technology and will launch a training portal before the end of the year. This will provide quick and easy access to online training from KBSA corporate members. Access to the portal provides retailers with an essential resource that keeps them up to date with the latest product innovations, and links to resources that will help them sell the benefits of appliances to customers Designers have to wear many hats and are required to have skills outside of their product knowledge and their
design
skillset. These include client care, project management and sales and are usually accessed via an external training provider or from an in-house training
scheme.It pays to find a KBB specific provider for this training, one that understands the dynamics of the unique customer and designer relationship. There is no doubting the benefits that training brings to individuals and businesses and many within the sector are continually championing for improvements. However, it remains an area that still lacks a cohesive strategy and delivery mechanism, making it difficult for professionals to link training to a clear path of qualification. Collectively the industry is trying to address this, creating a clearer path for those entering the industry with the aim of educating the professionals of tomorrow, providing continuous development and setting standards.
The KBSA, has been at the forefront of developments in training and education for many years. Currently the association is actively involved in and supports the qualifications provided by training bodies; Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (Fiesta), and The Kitchen Education Trust (TKET). Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain,
there’s always something new to learn, so fostering a continual commitment to learning and tapping into the resources offered by the KBSA can keep designers ahead of the game.
10
KBB retailers plagued with ‘diabolical’ supply issues
KBB RETAILERS have told kbbreview of the supply chain issues they have been battling against since March, which include communication, delayed orders, and extra delivery charges. Darren Taylor, managing director of Searle
and Taylor in Winchester, in his opinion piece ‘Stuck in the middle with you,’ (
kbbreview.com, November 3) talks about how he is still waiting for an appliance that was ordered before lockdown. He said: “I am also fed up with hearing the phrase, or more likely the excuse, that ‘we are all in the same boat’. Wrong! We are all in the same storm but in very different boats.
While the corporates are powering
through in their huge liners, I feel like I am left bobbing about in my dinghy’.”
David Moore of Moore by Design in Hersham,
Surrey, contacted kbbreview to say he has been forced to order appliances months in advance, but he is reaching his credit limit with the company. It means that he will either have to pay for orders he doesn’t need yet or risk the orders not arriving on time.
Richard Hibbert, owner of KSL in Sudbury, Suffolk, and KBSA national chair, has seen a similar issue with shortages as people are being told to order as soon as possible, even if the items are not needed for several months. He believes that this has created shortages,
with orders required for November trying to come in at the same time as those for 2021. Hibbert
explained on the award-winning
kbbreview podcast: “The supply chain is a difficult one because the supply is short. People are being told to order as soon as possible and take it into stock and pay for it. That started the second wave of shortages. Because we have people who don’t need things for January to March ordering and having it delivered in October and November, it means that people who need things in November (and couldn’t afford to buy it straight away) don’t have the product.”
Joanne Mcquillan, creative designer at Roman Kitchens in Rayleigh, Essex, described her experience with suppliers as “diabolical”. She said on the kbbreview podcast: “We’ve had a horrific time, as I am aware, many other companies have with supply. It has been diabolical. Some companies have been absolutely outstanding and cannot do enough for us, which has been fantastic, and we have dealt with those companies for 30 years.” Shehryar Khan from Sheraton Interiors in
Twickenham sees an issue with how suppliers have handled the situation. He said on the kbbreview podcast: “My issue is not that there is a supply chain issue. My concern is about the way the suppliers have managed it.”
Bristan chief executive resigns
DARIUS PADLER has resigned from Bristan Group and current chief financial officer Ken Ellis will take on the role of CEO in the interim. Padler will take up another CEO position with a company closer to his home in Germany at the end of this year. He has been with US-owned Masco, parent company of Bristan, for over 20 years. Ellis has been with the Bristan Group for 22 years. He said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with such an admired leader as Darius. During this time, the business has gone from strength to strength, gaining market share with our three brands – Bristan, Heritage and Cascade. We all wish Darius the very best for the future. “We remain focused on keeping business flowing for our customers and continuing to deliver customer-inspired products and services.”
· December 2020
Photo:
Freepik.com
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