CEU topic: Qualify More Effectively, Estimate Quickly, Get a Commitment Faster

It has been said many times, the one constant is change. That is certainly true in the kitchen
and bath industry today. While our experience helps us design the perfect room for our clients,
it sometimes gets in the way of making necessary changes in our business. I have been in the
industry for over 35 years. It would be safe to say, if we did everything exactly the same as we
did when I started in 1982, we probably would not be in business today. Some changes are
necessary for the survival of the business. Others are to improve benefits you and your
company already offer to your clients.
During this presentation, I will explore some of the changes that we have made in our business
over the years. There will be opportunities for attendees to share their experiences as well.
Each one of us does not need to reinvent the wheel. It is a great experience to be able to share
my ideas about the industry, and hopefully take home some new ideas as well. And as a bonus,
some things don’t change. Let’s take a moment to review those ideas as well.

Learning Objectives:
• Examine the kitchen and bath business
• Implement one or more ideas quickly, to improve business practices
• Shape long term planning
• Build on existing strengths

Speaker: Steve Strauss

Steve Strauss is the president of Direct Kitchen Distributors. Based in Whitehall, Pennsylvania,
DKD has served eastern PA since 1982. Steve has been a part of the family business since the
age of 12 and moved up through, delivery, installation, sales and design. All through high school
and college, he continued working in the business. Over the years, he has been involved with
every facet of the kitchen and bath business, becoming president of the company in 1992, and
later added AKBD certification to his credentials. Steve served as a Board of Directors member
of the BKBG, a national group of kitchen and bath dealers committed to excellence in their
field, from 2007 through 2010. In 2009, with the knowledge gleaned from his expertise in the
kitchen and bath industry, Steve formed a company (Spread Sheet Services, LLC), for the
purpose of designing, creating and maintaining spreadsheets, primarily for use by kitchen and
bath dealers.

5:30 – 6:30 Registration/Social Hour

6:30 – 7:30 Formal Presentation

Kindly register by November 1st in order to guarantee food.

We cannot give refunds due to venue/catering deposits.

Thank you to our sponsors for your support of our chapter and our members!

Sponsored by: ProKitchen, The Tile Shop and Marva