Minutes Matter at High Point Market (April 17-22)

New Look for High Point!
Minutes Matter has a brand new look for the Spring High Point Market. Be sure to come visit us at the Suites of Market Square (Space G-4029). We will be exhibiting several of our products, including Studio, April 17th - 22nd. A video demonstration will be showing on two 47" LCD Screens and popcorn will be served, so come by and enjoy the show!

(click here to see a larger view)

Recently, The Suites of Market Square underwent a major transformation to add modern conveniences to the vintage appeal of this charming Market destination. While being careful to preserve the unique historic nature of the building, Market Square will feature a welcoming courtyard. The Suites at Market Square will open for the April 2010 Market with a completely new look on the ground and mezzanine floors.
Buyers will find a reconfigured aisle system, new carpet, polished concrete floors within the booths, new signage, and new food service options. There will also be a new corridor leading directly from the Commerce Street entrance to the historic section of the building, making it even easier for buyers to get to the permanent showrooms in Historic Market Square.


Jackie Von Tobel at High Point!
We are so excited that Jackie Von Tobel, the author of The Design Directory of Window Treatments and The Design Directory of Bedding, will be joining us at market this year. Be sure to purchase The Design Directory book series at High Point to receive your autographed copy. Jackie also has several Studio Modules, which allow you to customize her book illustrations within your Studio software.

New Seminar at High Point!
Are you High Point bound for the Spring Market in April? If so, join me for this inspiring FREE seminar entitled It's All About Attitude. The seminar will be held in the IDS seminar room at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 19, 2010. Casey and I both believe that anything is possible. Positive attitudes lead to open doors.

What does attitude really mean – it affects every hour of every day. Improving your attitude could be the single most important thing you do for your business. Happy organized people are optimistic and creative. Frustrated stressed people have a poor attitude and generally have little or no patience with people and, worst of all, creativity can be totally stifled. In this seminar you will see that a change in attitude doesn't just happen by chance.

IDS is located at 164 S Main Street, 8th Floor, High Point, NC 27260. Visit the IDS website for a complete listing of all the seminars being held during the High Point Spring Market.

It's All About Attitude!

Are you High Point bound for the Spring Market in April? If so, join me for this inspiring FREE seminar entitled It's All About Attitude. The seminar will be held in the IDS seminar room at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 19, 2010. Casey and I both believe anything is possible. Positive attitudes lead to open doors.

What does attitude really mean – it affects every hour of every day. Improving your attitude could be the single most important thing you do for your business. Happy organized people are optimistic and creative. Frustrated stressed people have a poor attitude and generally have little or no patience with people and worst of all, creativity can be totally stifled. In this seminar you will see, a change in attitude doesn't just happen by chance.

The IDS offices are located at 164 S Main Street, 8th Floor, High Point, NC 27260. Call the office for a complete listing of all the seminars during the High Point Spring Market (888) 884-4469.

New Studio Release!!! (Wall Templates & Jackie's 4th Module)

Purchase Wall Templates Now!

Want to close more sales? It's a proven fact, illustrating using the "Design In 5" technique is the key to making more and working less! Because your clients are thrilled with the presentation, they'll be compelled to show off their renderings to their co-workers and friends. This makes Studio 3.0 YOUR best marketing tool ever! Haven't tried Studio 3.0 yet? Click here for our 60-day free trial. Our tech support is the best in the industry! So what are you waiting for?

If you own Studio or you're using the trial version, next time you open your program, you will receive a prompt alerting you there is an update available. Once the update is complete, we recommend confirming the latest update was installed; click Options > About MMStudio > (Build 3/2/2010). If you do not receive an update notification, email the office at info@minutesmatter.com for further assistance.

This update is for ALL Studio 3.0 users and contains enhancements as well as two modules:

• NEW Images: Wall Templates (Over 30 Templates)
  
• NEW Images: Jackie Von Tobel Module 4 (Over 260 New Designs)
  
• Workspace|Canvas: Selected actual paper size (i.e., 8 1/2" x 11" or 8 1/2" x 14")
• Printer Margins: Display printer margins under the View Tab > Workspace Options (dotted lines will appear)
  
• Protection: Protect objects from Printing|Exporting using Image Components > Protect from Printing/Exporting
  
• Dimension Tool: When using Dimension Tool, numbers no longer round to nearest 1/4"; dimensions are now exact
  
• Image List: While viewing the Image List, right click on a component to identify a specific shape on the workspace
  
• Updated Images: Several image enhancements
  
• Misc: Miscellaneous program revisions and improvements
  

Remember, even though everyone will be able to see the Wall Templates and Jackie's designs, only those who have purchased these modules will be able to drag those images onto their workspace. It is easy to recognize the Wall Templates and Jackie Von Tobel images as they are the only images that have blue and turquoise text which makes it easy to distinguish them from the other images inside Studio.

Purchase Jackie Von Tobel Module 4
Save even more by purchasing all four modules!

It's here ... Jackie Von Tobel's Module Four is now available! There are over 250 gorgeous new designs for you to customize and use for your clients and they are only 77¢ per design!

If you haven't purchased this module yet, now is the time. Adding images to Studio will allow you to create renderings so much quicker. Remember, all full designs break-apart so you can mix and match to create a unique look. You can even save your unique illustrations to your custom tab or search for a specific design using Studio's search feature. Simply type in the page number and the program will locate the design for you. Module 4 sells for $197. To purchase this module, click HERE to be taken to our online shopping cart.

Purchase The Directory of Window Treatments
Purchase The Directory of Bedding

Jackie's books are the must-have resource for designers and workroom professionals. Both books are beautifully illustrated by Jackie Von Tobel. Each book contains over 1,000 illustrations.

Jackie Von Tobel is an award-winning interior designer with over twenty years of experience and a passion for design. She is a leading authority on soft treatment design and construction and travels extensively teaching at various trade shows, schools, and design centers across the country. Jackie is the author of the groundbreaking book The Design Directory of Window Treatments, and a member of the IFDA, WCAA, and is certified by the WFCP.

Traits of a Great Small Business Owner

Vickie Ayres sent a link to an article written by Steve Strauss on Open Forum hosted by American Express. I have been meaning to check out this forum for some time after seeing numerous TV ads. Their articles are a perfect read for a small business owner.



This article discusses traits that great small business owners have in common. It was hard to pick out my favorite but here are three of them:

3. They are creative: We have all been to the rote business where by the book is de rigueur: ‘You pay for that and I give you this. Don’t expect more because I won’t give more.’ What a bore. What a waste. What a lost opportunity.

Great businesses tap into the creativity of their staff. People are allowed to try out new ideas and be individuals. New programs, policies, ideas, and campaigns are tried. Some work, some don’t. They adapt and move on.

4. They are led by a charismatic entrepreneur: Groups need leaders, and any time you see a successful small business you can bet that there is a driven entrepreneur (or entrepreneurs) at the helm – someone who can enroll people behind a vision, who understands business, someone people like; the rising tide that lifts all boats. (okay, I had to include this one since Casey and I implement so many new ideas every year and somehow manage to get everyone excited as well.)

9. They strive to be the best: These businesses are, not surprisingly, not content to be good. As it is said, “good is the enemy of great.” The best small businesses strive to excel. Maybe they want to create the best strudel in town. Maybe they want to offer exceptional value. Whatever the case, greatness is the goal; mediocrity is not tolerated.

Read entire article by visiting Open Forum.

From the website: OPEN Forum is loaded with tools to help your business make connections, gather insights and get exposure. Much of the site is open to everyone, but to participate and use special features, you'll need to be an American Express OPEN Cardmember.

IDG & IDQ Certification Class at Camp Allen (Navasota, TX)

This photograph was taken during the Minutes Matter Studio Interior Design Graphic (IDG) Certification class at Camp Allen on Friday, March 5th. Most of the attendees had already had a full day on Thursday with the Interior Design QuickBooks & Quoting (IDQ) Certification class. After two intense days of learning, I am sure everyone slept great Friday night.

In the Studio certification class, we started out creating a rendering from scratch and then Designed on a Photograph using the Photo Clip tool to allow draperies to fall behind the sofa. Everyone loved learning that the Custom Index had so many different uses. We discussed the easiest and fastest way to file every item on a computer that pertains to a particular client.

On the spur of the moment, after class on Thursday, I decided to offer a bonus "Computer Class." I was inspired to offer the class after I noticed people were storing lots of items on their Desktop. I concentrated on proper filing and how to add items to their Taskbar. I helped everyone install FireFox and install Add-ons like Favicon. It seems most people experience fewer problems when Firefox is the default browser. A few of my other favorite Add-ons are Wise Stamp, After the Deadline and Evernote. All of us at Minutes Matter have switched to Firefox.


Everyone arrived early, ready and eager to learn how to maximize their use QuickBooks for their business.

Vickie started her class with "The Commandments of Quoting."

Thou Shalt Systematize for Profits
Thou Shalt start with a Group When Quoting
Thou Shalt NOT Edit Original Templates
Thou Shalt do "One a Day"
Thou Shalt Backup

We projected on the wall to make the screen as large as possible.

We have used all of our experiences with the IDG and IDG courses to develop QuickBooks and Studio Coaching programs. All three current Coaching sessions are full, however, we are currently accepting names for all Coaching sessions in the Fall. Signing up for Minutes Matter coaching programs will not only deepen your understanding of computers but will also give you an advanced skill level in accounting and/or graphic design.

Great turnout for Jackie Von Tobel & Studio Webinar

Yesterday we had record attendance for one of our webinars, and were pleased to "see" so many designers interested in learning more about how to use Jackie's designs in Studio. Congratulations to Pamela and Deborah on winning the $50 Minutes Matter Solutions gift certificates. I bet I know what they'll be using them for!

Internet savvy designers are realizing the possibilities of offering their services via email, including mood boards, floor plans, and suggested purchases. Studio makes this very convenient with Photo Clip and Photo Knockout tools built right into the program.

Please visit The Lounge, Studio's interactive Forum where you'll see answers to questions posed by attendees and some examples of elevation renderings and a floor plan for an Internet client's dining room, as well as how to save any designs you've created by mixing and matching components from the JVT modules.
http://www.minutesmatterstudio.com/forum/showthread.php?p=15917#post15917