Shows
The Design PopHard Truths and Real Talk with Wesley Edmonds of OFSIn this candid conversation, Alexandra chats with Wesley Edmonds, Director of Workplace at OFS, about the challenges and opportunities for women in design. They tackle the evolving role of dealer designers, the gender gap in leadership, and how sponsorship can fuel career growth.With personal stories, industry insights, and plenty of laughter, they explore the disconnect between A&D and dealer designers, the need to break down silos, and why empowering all designers—regardless of title—matters. Plus, they get real about juggling careers and motherhood in a fast-paced, male-dominated industry.Honest, funny, and full of a...2025-03-1947 minThe Design PopThriving in an AI Era: Why Remarkability Wins with Shawn KanungoJoin Alexandra Tseffos as she chats with innovation strategist Shawn Kanungo about how AI is shaking up the commercial interiors industry. After crossing paths at CET Experience, where Shawn delivered a keynote that got everyone thinking, they dive into what it really means to be "remarkable" in an AI-powered world. From lessons in cross-industry innovation to the future of furniture specification, this conversation will challenge how you see technology’s role in design. Whether you’re all-in on AI or still a little skeptical, Shawn’s take on embracing disruption "without losing the human touch" is one you won’t want t...2025-02-1042 min
The Design PopLIVE at CET Experience with Rob Kirkbride of officeinsight magazineOn this episode, I sit down with Rob Kirkbride (Editor in Chief of officeinsight magazine), a true legend in commercial furniture journalism. Rob’s seen it all—from covering “just office furniture” in the early days to witnessing the incredible changes shaping our industry today. Recorded LIVE from the CET Experience in October, we dive into some seriously interesting stuff, like how AI is shaking up design and journalism, why in-person workplace connections are more important than ever, and what it’s like to have toured almost every furniture factory out there. Rob also shares his thoughts on mentorship, the future...2025-01-2131 minThe Design PopMilestones and Progress, Starting 2025 with PurposeThe Design Pop starts the new year with a reflective and forward-looking episode. Alexandra takes you on a journey through the milestones of the past year while sharing her vision for the year ahead. Discover how experiences from 2024 are shaping bold new initiatives, inspiring personal growth, and fostering deeper connections in the design community. Tune in to be inspired, refocus your goals, and gear up for an impactful 2025!Listen to Trisha Harp's episodeListen to The Design Pop LIVE from CETxContact The Design Pop about Teknion's trainingThe Design Pop...2025-01-1711 minThe Design PopRebuilding After the Storm: A Story of Resilience with Trisha HarpIn this candid conversation, Trisha Harp from Young Office shares her incredible story of resilience in the wake of Hurricane damage to their Asheville location. She walks through the devastating impact of the hurricane, how her team rallied together, and the unexpected silver linings of rebuilding their showroom from scratch. From navigating disaster recovery to sharing insights about her career journey through working for a dealer and manufacturer, Trisha offers a powerful look at adaptability, teamwork, and finding opportunities in challenging moments. The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)Connect w...2024-12-1651 minThe Design PopThe Art of the Proposal with Erick Gama of BOSJoin us as we chat with Erick Gama, a strategic RFP specialist at BOS in Chicago, about his unique journey in the design world. From his college days studying interior design to becoming an integral part of a specialized response team, Erick shares how he carved out his career path. He opens up about the challenges of working on RFPs, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his advice for emerging designers eager to make their mark. Erick’s story is a testament to the power of teamwork, personal growth, and staying open to unexpected opportunities in the...2024-11-2527 min
The Design PopLIVE at CET Experience with Lance Amato of CANOAIn this episode of The Design Pop, host Alexandra chats with Lance Amato, Head of Customer Experience at CANOA, live from CET Experience. Together, they explore how design technology is changing the commercial furniture industry, especially for dealer designers. Lance opens up on his journey from architecture and design to tech, admitting he once underestimated the complexity of dealer designers' work. They discuss CANOA’s bottom-up tech adoption, new SIF file integration, and how AI enhances (not replaces) the design process. It’s a conversation about bridging gaps, improving data access, and making tools work better for everyone in desi...2024-10-3132 min
The Design PopLIVE at CET Experience with Aaron Okkema and Erin Corrill of Configura I'm at CET Experience this week, meeting with designers and hugging friends, new and old - this is one happy place! This morning, Configura hit the stage with some exciting updates, and though you might’ve missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! In this episode, I sit down with two very special guests: Aaron Okkema (Global Head of Interiors at Configura) and Erin Corrill (Global Head of User Community at Configura). Together, we discuss what's happening at this year's show, what's new at Configura, and what might be on the horizon for the commercial interiors industry. 2024-10-0929 minThe Design PopAI in Design: Friend, Foe, or Just a Fancy Tool?Are you using AI without even realizing it? In this episode, Alexandra takes a fun dive into how AI is shaking up the design world. She’s joined by Kari Anderson, founder of Techbox Collective, Scott Loomis from Steelcase, and Felipe Teixeira of Encodec to chat about how AI is being used in real design projects. They break down the perks, the pitfalls, and what we need to watch out for as AI becomes a bigger part of our creative process. From ditching boring tasks to unlocking new levels of creativity, they explore how AI shapes the future of de...2024-10-031h 03The Design PopJet Lagged and Inspired: From NeoCon + Design Days, to Greece, and BeyondIn this episode, Alexandra Tseffos takes a moment to reflect and reconnect after a whirlwind month. She shares stories from a recent journey to Greece, exploring her heritage and creating memorable family experiences. From historic landmarks to unique family dynamics, Alexandra's travel tales reveal deeper connections to her life's purpose.She also dives into her experiences at NeoCon and Design Days and how reconnecting with others creates true moments of gratitude and curiosity. Tune in for a heartfelt blend of personal stories and professional insights that underscore the importance of human connection and discovery.To...2024-07-1121 minThe Design PopLess Noise, More Flow: What drives rep-designer collaboration?What truly drives collaboration between sales reps and designers? Today, we cut through the noise to explore how technology and simplified processes can foster better partnerships.Join us as we hear from industry experts Lindsey Shepherd, owner of Full Circle, and Tom Caterino, principal at Contract Sources in Boston, as they share how they use technology and unique approaches to communication to create harmonious and impactful relationships that deliver real results for their businesses and people.But wait, there’s more! Alexandra also examines survey results from the North American Independent Rep Council (NAIRC), hosted by...2024-06-0748 min
Imagine a PlaceBuilding a People-First Culture + A Check-In with Alexandra TseffosIn this episode, host Doug Shapiro shares some insights on corporate culture that came from a recent encounter. He also checks in with The Design POP podcast host, Alexandra Tseffos. Alexandra shares some learnings from her recent virtual event POP into Excellence. Subscribe to The DesignPop podcast
Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.2024-06-0716 minThe Design PopThe Power of YOU: Designing Your Personal Brand for Growth with Aaron Estabrook, OFSIn today’s episode, we sit down with Aaron Estabrook, Director of Digital Marketing and Media Strategy at OFS, who shares compelling insights on building a personal brand that resonates and stands out in a crowded market. Together, they explore the impact of personal branding on career advancement, the psychological barriers professionals face, and practical strategies for overcoming them. Aaron offers actionable advice on how individuals can express their unique values and skills, enhancing visibility and connections within their industry. This episode is an essential listen for anyone eager to elevate their professional profile and forge meaningful connections in th...2024-05-061h 15The Design PopCrossing Over: From Designer to Dealmaker with Alison KulisekAre you thinking of "crossing over?" On this episode, we welcome Alison Kulisek, a designer-turned-salesperson who has experienced multiple "crossover" events in her design industry career. Alison is currently an Account Executive at MDC Interior Solutions and today she'll share her path from dealer designer to sales, discussing the stresses and challenges of both roles.This episode offers a deep dive into the diverse career trajectories within the design field, exploring the essential skills required to excel in both design and sales roles. Highlighting the significance of embracing risks and innovation, our discussion underscores the ne...2024-04-1555 minThe Design PopFlipping the Traditional Dealer Script with Laura BooneOn today's episode, Laura Boone, co-founder and principal of turnerboone, shares the unique business model and company culture that drives their success. During our chat, Laura discusses prioritizing highly skilled account managers (who have design backgrounds) over traditional commission-based sales, emphasizing hiring for culture fit and developing leaders internally. Laura also highlights embracing remote work for top talent, prioritizing customer experience, and staying open to industry evolution. Her insights offer a glimpse into an innovative dealership structure centered on service excellence and employee satisfaction.The Design Pop is an Imagine a Place Production (presented by OFS)2024-03-1153 minThe Design PopPivoting with PurposeDespite starting his design career in his 30s, Paul Riches has become a distinguished leader at MillerKnoll. Captured during a conversation between long-time industry friends at the CET Experience, Paul traces his winding path to design. From deciding against law school to touring with a heavy metal band, his journey demonstrates how saying "yes" can unlock unforeseen opportunities.Now a celebrated technological trailblazer, Paul helped push early dealer design software to the limits. He shares valuable insights on innovation, client expectations around speed-to-market, and why designers shouldn't fear AI. Tune in to discover Paul's unconventional trajectory and...2024-02-191h 03The Design PopPart 2 of Exploring Design IncentivesIn the second installment of our series, we delve deeper into the actual practices of dealer design incentives.Join us as we speak with Brent Matthews, President of Price Modern, who explains the rationale behind introducing designer incentives in their organization.We'll also engage with two design leaders who take distinctly different approaches to incentives. Joining us are Julia Machado, a familiar voice on The Design Pop, who collaborated with Brent on these incentives, and Kim Melka from Duet Resource Group, bringing a fresh perspective.To cap off the episode, I'll break down...2024-01-221h 01The Design PopSkin in the Game: Part 1 of Exploring Design IncentivesAs projects get more complex, dealer designers juggle more responsibilities - and as more responsibilities grow, so too does dealer designer compensation, right? RIGHT?! Well, apparently, not always…In this first episode of our two-part series, we dive into the complexities of dealer designer compensation and incentives. Join us with consultant Shelley Rosetta from Solomon Coyle, who helps shed light on why, despite rising pay, 80% of designers are leaving for better opportunities. Together, we tackle how Dealer Principals can better retain and motivate talent by aligning compensation with skills, setting clear KPIs, and offering more than just mo...2024-01-1527 minThe Design PopEmbracing the Unknowns: My First Year PodcastingCan you believe it's been a whole year of podcasting already? Crazy! As a new podcaster, 2023 has been a fun and surprising journey. For instance, my kiddos now call this podcast, "mama’s show" and my hairstylist mentioned she “digs the sound of my voice.” It’s a little startling to know so many folks are listening, both inside and outside our industry. Even though I’m still adjusting to this new reality, I’ve loved strengthening old connections and making new friends through this podcast journey.Looking ahead into 2024, I hope to bring more leadership perspectives to the table...2023-12-1827 minThe Design PopSqueaky Wheels Get Promoted: Taking Initiative in Your Design CareerRecorded LIVE from the CET Experience, Alexandra sits down with Julia Machado, Director of Design at Price Modern. Together, they explore Julia's transformative journey from a production designer to a leader in management. Their discussion delves into the evolution of her leadership skills, the criticality of maintaining work-life balance, and the art of empowering teams while fostering specialization. A significant part of their conversation revolves around the industry's ambiguous career paths and how professionals can proactively navigate and advance their design careers. Julia shares her valuable insights, providing perspectives from both an individual contributor and a managerial standpoint, offering a...2023-11-271h 03The Design PopLIVE from CET Experience with Stefan Persson, CEO at ConfiguraCET Experience is Configura's annual user community conference. This year, CETx was in Scottsdale, Arizona and The Design Pop Podcast was lucky enough to get to speak to, interview, and mingle with the attendees of this incredible event. In fact, we were excited to get some time with a very special guest, Stefan Persson, Chief Executive Officer at Configura (maker of CET Commercial Interiors software). In this episode, Stefan walks us through his unique path to Configura and the exciting new changes coming to the CET program, such as integrating AI, updating the user interface, and releasing o...2023-10-1739 minImagine a PlaceChecking in with Alexandra Tseffos, Host of The Design PopWe are a few months in to The Design Pop joining the Imagine a Place network and it's been a major success. This is in part due to Alexandra's willingness to stay nimble and reactive with content. Her goal is to provide perspective even without definitive answers, and focusing on technology convergence and its impact.Alexandra's website—The Design Pop—has grown into an education and training ecosystem with courses, searchable manufacturer videos, and opportunities for community contributions. She plans to add new relevant content while revisiting existing content for freshness.Listen to The Design Pop...2023-10-0418 min
The Trend ReportThe Design POP and More with Alexandra TseffosMy guest, Alexandra Tseffos, is a return interview for The Trend Report from a couple of years back. The Design POP was just a few months old the last time Alexandra was on the show, and she has grown to over 500 videos on her platform with updated partnerships with other technologies in the industry. The Design POP aims to offer three main points, to have content that is searchable, provide professional development for designers, and provide sales courses for CET. Having searchable content allows users to find resources or courses on specific topics, bringing better utilization of p...2023-07-3135 minThe Trend ReportThe Design POP and More with Alexandra TseffosSend us a textMy guest, Alexandra Tseffos, is a return interview for The Trend Report from a couple of years back. The Design POP was just a few months old the last time Alexandra was on the show, and she has grown to over 500 videos on her platform with updated partnerships with other technologies in the industry. The Design POP aims to offer three main points, to have content that is searchable, provide professional development for designers, and provide sales courses for CET. Having searchable content allows users to find resources or courses on s...2023-07-3135 minThe Design PopIntroducing The Design Pop with Alexandra Tseffos!I'm your host, Alexandra Tseffos, and welcome to The Design Pop! I'm here to help you build a design career that you love by learning and understanding perspectives from within our industry. Whether you're a furniture enthusiast or just curious about growing and learning more to apply to your own career. I'm glad you're here.Through my journey as a designer and trainer in the design community, discovered the importance of understanding dealer processes to effectively train and understand designers. Along the way, I noticed a common craving among designers for community, partnership, and validation. Now self-employed...2023-03-2902 minImagine a PlaceHave you hugged a dealer designer lately? | Alexandra Tseffos, Design PopToday, you’ll hear from Alexandra Tseffos, an entrepreneur and coach who has built two separate businesses helping dealers and manufacturers blend the delicate worlds of design, technology, and sales. Those businesses, Silent T Consulting and Design Pop are quickly being recognized as the gold standard for both CET training and community building in contract furniture design.In this episode, we go deep into the industry role that is near and dear to her heart – the dealer designer, a role often critically misunderstood and possibly...underappreciated. Click here to get your FREE copy of the Imagin...2022-11-2129 minThe Trend ReportDeveloping Powerful Communication Skills with LeAnn PashinaWhen you communicate effectively you increase your earning potential by up to 50%. Did you know that? Neither did LeAnn Pashina until she started implementing her communications research and training in her own career. Listen in to hear all about her journey and why she’s passionate about developing powerful communication skills. She’s been in sales for most of her career and what she realized was that when she started investing in her personal development, she started earning more. Not just any personal development though. Specifically, the more she became interested in public speaking and increa...2021-09-1339 minThe Trend ReportDeveloping Powerful Communication Skills with LeAnn PashinaSend us a textWhen you communicate effectively you increase your earning potential by up to 50%. Did you know that? Neither did LeAnn Pashina until she started implementing her communications research and training in her own career. Listen in to hear all about her journey and why she’s passionate about developing powerful communication skills. She’s been in sales for most of her career and what she realized was that when she started investing in her personal development, she started earning more. Not just any personal development though. Specifically, the more she became...2021-09-1339 minThe Trend ReportNew Ideas, New Brand + More with Alexandra TseffosAlexandra Tseffos has spent the majority of her career focused on design. After experiencing life on the other side of the table, she realized that in order to succeed in today’s market, companies need to bring design and sales together. Listen as we chat about this dynamic and more. She first spent several years with various companies as a designer. Then CBRE created a new role with her in mind and with a focus on bringing design conversations into the salesroom. To say that this experience was eye opening is an understatement. She has now...2021-08-1645 minThe Trend ReportNew Ideas, New Brand + More with Alexandra TseffosSend us a textAlexandra Tseffos has spent the majority of her career focused on design. After experiencing life on the other side of the table, she realized that in order to succeed in today’s market, companies need to bring design and sales together. Listen as we chat about this dynamic and more. She first spent several years with various companies as a designer. Then CBRE created a new role with her in mind and with a focus on bringing design conversations into the salesroom. To say that this experience was eye opening is an...2021-08-1645 min
Design Nerds AnonymousInnovating the Furniture Spec ProcessIn this episode, ThinkLab explores opportunities for process innovation around furniture with Alexandra Tseffos, founder of Silent T Consulting.
Be sure to follow our guest speaker Alexandra Tseffos on LinkedIn.
Want to join big thinking happening in the design industry? Become a ThinkLab Insider today by visiting: https://info.thinklab.design/insider-program
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.2020-11-1315 min