Rinda Clinard

IMAX is lucky to have a rep force full of energetic and interesting people. It’s true! Each rep has their own story to tell of what makes them who they are. To help you get to know our sales team a little better, we decided to feature a rep each month right here on our blog.

We would like to introduce you to Rinda Clinard, our May rep of the month!

We’ve asked Rinda a few questions, and posted her answers below. After you get to know her, if you like Rinda as much as we do (and we know you will), be sure to say “hi” in the comments section below the post.

How long have you worked with your sales group?
In-Detail began seventeen years ago and I have been with them since the very first day.

How long have you worked as a sales representative?
Exactly seventeen years because this was my first sales rep job.

Complete the following statement: I LOVE selling IMAX because…
It sells itself — everyone wants to buy it. IMAX is a great value for my customers. The product has a very high perceived value compared to the cost. These days everyone is looking for the best value for their money. Beyond the product, the Customer Service department is one of the best in the industry. Customers know in addition to wonderful product that quick, efficient and friendly service is what sets IMAX apart from others. They make my job so much easier.

Complete the following statement: I got into repping because…
I had been Operations Manager for another sales group for nine years and always thought being a sales rep would be the best career for me. However at the time, I was a single Mom and starting a commission job seemed very scary. When the owners of my sales agency, Georgina Weddell and Kim Pettigrew, offered me a territory with their new company, I was getting married and was in a position where I could take advantage of the opportunity. It has been one of the biggest blessings of my life.

What do you like most about your job?
Working with people is the best part of my job. I’ve made some wonderful friends with the people I work with — vendors, my fellow In-Detail sales associates, and most of all my great customers.

What do you like least about your job?
I don’t enjoy having to do reports and other paperwork. I especially dislike having to deal with the occasional credit issues. But the positives of this career definitely outweigh the negatives.

What is your favorite stress releaser? i.e. At the end of a long road trip, long day, long market or tough sales month?
A glass of a smooth Italian red wine and good conversation with my husband.

You travel on the road and to markets – what is your favorite travel tip that you would like to share?
I like to pack lightly so I always plan ahead for what I will wear each day and make sure things can mix & match… of course, several pairs of cute but mainly comfortable shoes are a must.

Fill in the blanks: When I go to market I always, eat too many salty snacks, but I never drink enough water. I wish I could only eat and drink healthy things at market.

What are some of your best retailers doing to be successful?
Many of my most successful retailers offer ongoing training for their employees. I like to give those retailers a copy of the book “Wooing Customers Back” about how to give great service. Several also plan unique events such as “Ladies Night Out” or special trunk shows. Everyone is working harder to reach their customers through various types of social media.

What are retailers in your area asking for?
They are always looking for value… and that “something” new and different.

What is the funniest or most interesting thing a customer has ever said to you?
I gave this a lot of thought but all of the outrageously funny things a customer has said to me comes from one particular customer but none of them are appropriate for publication on this blog. The things he tells me are definitely TMI (too much information). But that’s the result of developing close relationships with our customers and I wouldn’t trade that at all.

If you could have any position, career or job, what would it be?
Honestly… I’m already doing it.

Name something on your bucket list.
I love to travel and have been fortunate to travel to many places. But I still have Asia & Australia on my “to see” list.

Tell us about your children/family/pets.
Truitt and I have four great children between us – his two daughters, my son and my daughter (who also works in this industry so we get to share this fun). The daughters have wonderful husbands and have given us six amazing (I know – all grandmothers say that but mine really are) grandchildren ranging in ages from 9-13. We enjoy taking family vacations so we can spend time together as a big group. We most recently spent a week on the Florida beaches for spring break. Planning the trips is fun for me and I am always very sad when they are over. That’s why I have to be busy starting to plan the next one, which I think will be Washington DC.

About 60 women recently attended “Ladies Night Out” at Andrews Furniture in Abilene. In-Detail’s Rinda Clinard spoke to the women about 2013 Color Trends, highlighting our IMAX product trends. After a fun filled evening, the ladies were thrilled with the two lamps IMAX donated for door prizes, and our winter promotional bags were a big hit. Thank you to Andrews Furniture for hosting such a great event.

“The new website has already been a huge success,” said Rex Yoakley, IMAX Vice President of Sales. “We’ve had great customer feedback and increased sales since it launched earlier this year. IMAX has always been on the cutting edge of technology in our industry, and we’re excited to provide our customers with an even better online shopping experience.”

The new website offers a clean, easy-to-use navigation, allowing customers to easily browse products on the website or using digital flip-page catalogs. New features include the ability to browse product without logging in, social media product sharing, product image detail zooming and improved product search.

Doug Steffes

IMAX is lucky to have a rep force full of energetic and interesting people. It’s true! Each rep has their own story to tell of what makes them who they are. To help you get to know our sales team a little better, we decided to feature a rep each month right here on our blog.

We would like to introduce you to Doug Steffes, our March rep of the month!

We’ve asked Doug a few questions, and posted his answers below. After you get to know him, if you like Doug as much as we do (and we know you will), be sure to say “hi” in the comments section below the post.

How long have you worked with your sales group?
I started with Ivystone late in 2007. I was originally a member of Bickel Sales out of the Minneapolis Gift Mart. Our showroom was purchased by Ivystone and I subsequently went to work for them.

How long have you worked as a sales representative?
I was hired out of college by a distributor of hair care products in 1983. At that time I worked with Paul Mitchell Systems, Redken, Matrix Essentials, and a host of others. I went to work for Bickel Sales in 1999. So I guess I have been in this business about 14 years.

Complete the following statement: I LOVE selling IMAX because…
What is nice about Imax is it is a company that can be sold in multiple store types. High end gift, furniture stores, interior designer stores, grocery stores. They really have something for just about anybody. I also like the way the company has grown and gotten better every year. By that I mean their customer service, their shipping, their promotions. The introduction of their Repzio app for the iPad has been a major game changer on the road. They really are nice people to be partnered with!

Complete the following statement: I got into repping because…
I always liked being independent. In sales, the money you make is contingent on how hard you want to work.

What do you like most about your job?
The independence that it affords and the people that you deal with. I really have some great customers.

What do you like least about your job?
I’m not real thrilled about staying away from home when I do the markets. But you do what you have to!

What is your favorite stress releaser? i.e. At the end of a long road trip, long day, long market or tough sales month?
In the summer, 18 holes of golf with my sons and grandson. That just can’t be beat! In the winter I like to kick back at home with a nice fire and a good basketball game.

You travel on the road and to markets – what is your favorite travel tip that you would like to share?
Eat right, sleep right, party…but not too hard, and be sure you have comfortable shoes!

Fill in the blanks: When I go to market I always, think I’m going to get a chance to enjoy the city, but I never take the extra days off to do it. I wish I could unwind better.

What are some of your best retailers doing to be successful?
The best ones always look for the promotions. They tend to buy right. They also tend to go to more markets and are always looking at the trends. They find ways to incorporate what they learn into their business. I found out early that if you work the markets and listen to what customers are saying, what vendors are saying, and what the trends are you have a bag full of ammo to take with you on the road.

What are retailers in your area asking for?
They ask for the promotions. They want to know what items or ideas I see working in the market place. Lately they have really liked the vignette pictures that I took in the IMAX showrooms this winter and they are asking me to be sure to send any images I take from High Point. This gives them plenty of merchandising ideas.

What is the funniest or most interesting thing a customer has ever said to you?
When I was in the hair care business, I did have a customer brow beat me about getting a bigger discount once. I pulled the pockets on my trousers inside out and said, “Look, there’s nothing left!” He replied “C’mon, be Santa Clause for once in your life!” We still laugh about that!

If you could have any position, career or job, what would it be?
I coached my three kids in basketball when they were younger. I would love to do that again!

Name something on your bucket list.
I would love to shoot a hole in one!

Tell us about your children/family/pets.
I have been married to Mary Jo for 32 years. We live in Madison, Wisconsin. We have three children — two boys and a girl. I have a 5 year old grandson, an extremely intelligent Golden Retriever, and an incredibly lazy cat. My youngest son attends college and lives at home most of the time. Everyone else lives in Madison so we break bread at least once a week. Life is good!

Tami Durkee of The Pear Tree in Cocoa Village, Florida made a generous donation and was thrilled to win the January 15th drawing in Atlanta for the mermaid “Sirene”.

The Pear Tree considers itself a unique shopping experience with a coastal flair. Unique Gifts & Home Accessories is the tag line, and it’s really an eclectic selection of both. Originally opened in the 1980s, this March will mark Tami’s 10th anniversary as proprietor. During this time, Tami expanded the store, doubling the physical size, and greatly expanded the style and selection of gifts and home décor. Soon “Sirene” will join the store, and they already think of her as their mascot. Her colors and whimsical design will fit right in!

Living in Florida, the Durkees are all too familiar with the effects of hurricanes! “We have lived without power due to hurricanes. We have family members who lost their homes in Andrew. Watching as Sandy came ashore we worried for our friends and vendors in New Jersey amd New York,” said John Durkee. “So when [our salesperson] asked for a donation and said that IMAX was matching it, Tami and I were very happy to contribute.” Just days after Sandy hit, the fishing club to which John Durkee belongs collected numerous supplies, loaded a truck and trailer, and drove them to folks in NJ. Lots of canned food – and manual can openers – lots of blankets and clothing, plus hundreds of gallons of fresh water were distributed to those affected by the storm.

Shannon Turner of Girard Ave Collection in LaJolla, California won the January 31st drawing for the mermaid, “Korrigan”, in Las Vegas. Shannon is eager to continue the fundraising effort at her own store once “Korrigan” comes home.

Girard Ave Collection is a collective of unique home accessories – antique, vintage, some funk, some new – a great mix of everything for the home and garden. LaJolla is a beach town, and so “Korrigan” should feel right at home.

Thank you to all of our customers and friends who have contributed to help the American Red Cross raise funds for the ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

IMAX Wall Décor Captures New Level of Sophistication and Quality

The team at IMAX Worldwide Home has sought to take the entire line to a new level of sophistication in 2013, incorporating high-end design and exceptional quality into every product it sells. Considering wall décor an important form of personal expression – and one of the company’s top selling categories – IMAX is moving in a number of exciting directions this year, including an expanded presence in mirrors, a greater emphasis on transitional designs and more attention to unique materials and superior construction.

“We introduce three major style trends twice a year as well as a variety of mini trends, and wall décor is part of every one,” explains Rex Yoakley, vice-president of sales. This year the major trend is Splash, a design direction meant to capture a “Boho Coastal” feel. “The wall décor features beautiful hand-carved, hand-painted pieces from Indonesia that boast intricate detailing like Boho medallion patterns,” adds senior buyer Pamela Stanton.

After their strong response last year, senior buyer Kendra Harp says the firm’s transitional offerings have been greatly expanded for 2013, along with its presentation of mirrors in an array of sizes and styles. “We strive to offer our customers a sophisticated look enhanced with the value they’re also seeking. We want to make sure they can continue to update their homes with a variety of affordable statement pieces.”

To achieve their impressive breadth of product, IMAX utilizes the talents of a number of artists and publishers both here and abroad, as well as its in-house creative team. “This collaborative effort has been a key to making wall décor such a strong category for us,” the buyers explain.

Quality of construction is another strong point of distinction. “In our hand-painted oil canvas collection – a huge market for us – our labor-intensive process features layers of finish applied to create each piece,” Yoakley explains. “In addition, all of our frames are kiln-dried to ensure no warpage. This guarantees our customers the richer, quality-driven product they desire.”

Wall décor accounts for about 25 percent of the total IMAX presentation, and Yoakley and his team are poised for a strong showing from the category this year. “We ended High Point with a solid performance, and there’s been steady action in reorders. Our customers are doing well with the category and have embraced our new design initiatives.”

For more information, please visit www.imaxcorp.com.

Cindy MacIver

IMAX is lucky to have a rep force full of energetic and interesting people. It’s true! Each rep has their own story to tell of what makes them who they are. To help you get to know our sales team a little better, we decided to feature a rep each month right here on our blog.

We would like to introduce you to Cindy MacIver, our February rep of the month!

We’ve asked Cindy a few questions, and posted her answers below. After you get to know her, if you like Cindy as much as we do (and we know you will), be sure to say “hi” in the comments section below the post.

How long have you worked with your sales group?
I have been with the Bianci group for 10 years and counting.

How long have you worked as a sales representative?
I have been a sales rep for 14 years now. Time flies when you’re having fun!

Complete the following statement: I LOVE selling IMAX because…
… it retails. They do an outstanding job of filling and shipping orders on time. My customers LOVE it!

Complete the following statement: I got into repping because…
… I used to own a home and gift store and then sold it, but I wanted to stay in the industry. I always wanted to rep. Best job ever!

What do you like most about your job?
My customers, they are my friends that I enjoy working with everyday! I love helping them be successful and watching their businesses grow!

What do you like least about your job?
The last day of a show, everybody starts leaving.

What is your favorite stress releaser? i.e. At the end of a long road trip, long day, long market or tough sales month?
Spending time with my grand kids… at Disneyland!

You travel on the road and to markets – what is your favorite travel tip that you would like to share?
Pack light, bring comfortable shoes (love Dansko).

Fill in the blanks: When I go to market I always, look to see what the weather will be like, but I never seem to be prepared when it rains. I wish I could be in two places at once – Atlanta and Dallas in January.

What are some of your best retailers doing to be successful?
Using social media, like Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter… and ordering IMAX!

What are retailers in your area asking for?
Specials! They love our monthly specials. Also, new product and quick shipping, which IMAX does well.

What is the funniest or most interesting thing a customer has ever said to you?
A lot of my customers have mascots at their stores – cats, dogs etc, which I love! I’m a big animal person. The most interesting one had a pet sheep. She brought it to the store every day!

If you could have any position, career or job, what would it be?
My husband asked me that question once and only once. I told him I have it! I could not image myself anywhere else.

Name something on your bucket list.
Travel, anywhere…

Tell us about your children/family/pets.
I have been married for 32 years to my high school sweetheart, have three grown boys, and a dog named Sofie (she is so cute). I also have 3 beautiful grand kids – Colin is four-years-old, Kadence is two-years-old, Tyler is eight months, and a new one is due this summer, Chloe May (right around the Dallas show). We just found out today it’s a girl! I love spoiling them!

You Can Still Help:
If you did not win the first drawing, don’t worry – you can still help! We will be collecting donations through the end of the Las Vegas market (February 1st) for a chance to win the second original mermaid sculpture, “Korrigan”, by yours truly. I have been working at record pace to complete a second sculpture in time for market, and guess what? She’s finished. This piece is very different from the first, and I must say that I think you will love her. She is seated on a table, but can be removed to sit on a countertop or other surface, so she is more versatile to display. Her shimmery painted scales are decorated with intricate drawings remeniscent of henna tattoos, and she leans back, holding a glass orb in her outstretched hand. Very ethereal, in a watery kind of way!

The Vision:
We are continuing to partner with the Red Cross in their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. For every $20 donated, you will receive a chance to win this beautiful original life-sized mermaid sculpture, and IMAX will contribute matching donations. Join us in continuing the support needed by our friends and neighbors affected by the storm.

I hope that if you make it to Las Vegas you will come and see the mermaid. You will find “Korrigan” in our showroom window display, World Market Center A429.

Donate Online: Donate online at www.imaxcorp.com/mermaid/

Donate in the Las Vegas Showroom: Donations are being collected in Las Vegas – World Market Center A429.

Rex Yoakley, Vice President of Sales for IMAX, is very pleased with the addition of the new line. “We are excited to bring in this exclusive group of products – Nancy’s creativity and unique point of view are a great fit for the IMAX product line. Accessory and gift buyers alike will be equally impressed with this collection.”

Gathered elements from years of collecting find new meaning and purpose in Nancy’s distinctive style. By blending objects of old with trends for today, she pushes the boundaries of creating resourceful products for her signature brand.

 ABOUT ELLA ELAINE:

Ella Elaine is the work of artist Nancy Elaine Davis. Influenced by her talented mother, Nancy has been blessed with a joy to dream and imagine. Her most cherished piece of art is a bird painting by her grandmother, Rhoda Ella – her inspiration for the name Ella Elaine. Nancy studied at Abilene Christian University and the University of Hawaii. She and her husband live in McKinney, Texas, where Nancy works out of her studio behind their historic home.

“As our country watched the coverage of Hurricane Sandy, we saw a level of destruction that left thousands of victims – including many IMAX customers and sales reps – in it’s wake,” said Rex Yoakley, Vice President of Sales for IMAX Worldwide Home.

“Massive relief efforts are vital to aid in the rebuilding and will be ongoing for months and years to come. We knew immediately that we wanted to help in some way.”

Donations can be made through the IMAX website or in the showroom located in AmericasMart® Building 2, Showroom 1100. IMAX plans to match the monetary donations raised. The drawing will take place at 3:00 p.m. EST on Monday, January 14, 2013 next to the mermaid’s display window, located on the 11th floor of Building 2 adjacent to the escalators.