Winning business opportunities can be difficult for any startup, but the Ideoli team has quickly learned some keys to success. When pitching new clients or working with existing ones to expand our relationship, we focus on the following five tactics: 1. Be Transparent — Know What You Can And Can’t Deliver: We pride ourselves on sourcing and creating awesome furnishings, fixtures and lighting, and we’re not afraid to show off our capabilities. At the same time, we’re realistic and know that we can’t always deliver what a client wants, whether it be because of time, cost or some other constraint. We’re always transparent with clients about what we can and can’t deliver, and that helps us close deals where everyone ends up happy. 2. Be Innovative: Creativity is key to our success. If a client can dream it, then we can create it. But if a client isn’t exactly sure what they need, or if we think there’s a way to improve upon their initial plans, we’re more than happy to join the brainstorming process early on. We have an international team with the engineering, design and marketing capacity to continually come up with creative designs and figure out unique solutions to make projects work. 3. We Do What We Say: Our word is our bond, so we take what we say very seriously. If we say we’re going to do something for a client, then we do whatever we can to get it done. Simple as that! And in the event that something goes wrong or there’s a slight change of plans, we’re honest and quick to inform clients. Doing so helps us win new opportunities and strengthen client trust. 4. Be Exceptional: From jumping on a 15-hour flight to grab a beer with our clients, to traveling to the other side of the world to help oversee an installation project, we do whatever it takes to wow clients. We don’t want to just do the bare minimum for clients; we aim to be exceptional! 5. Make It Impossible To Say No: We’re confident we can help clients invigorate their spaces and deliver value to their businesses. So if a potential customer seems hesitant to strike a deal with us, we’re willing to pull out all the stops to ensure they’re as comfortable and confident as we are about working together. Following these tactics significantly improves the odds that we’ll not only win more opportunities but also create stronger relationships with clients and delight them with our work.
To be the best we can be for clients, we operate our business knowing we can, and should, be anywhere and everywhere we can find high-quality employees, partners and locations that inspire us around the world. Specifically, three ways Ideoli has become an instant international business include having: 1. Employees in 10 Countries: Ideoli operates as a lean startup, but that hasn’t stopped us from finding employees and associates around the world who add unique talents and perspectives to our team. We work with talent across the globe in countries as varied as Argentina, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, the US and Vietnam. 2. Clients in 10+ Countries: We love when clients are as passionate as we are about invigorating their spaces, and that has quickly led us to work with clients in over ten countries. We experience the world’s most populated cities, and even the most rural villages, while on the quest to build an incredible client base. In one year, the founders of Ideoli flew a combined 500,000 miles around the world, crisscrossing each-other several times. 3. Products Installed in 30+ Countries: Our best work happens when we are in front of our partners, in person, working together. That mindset has led us to install products in over 30 countries and seeing the world the way we have has positioned us to reach even higher. Ideoli has quickly gone global, and we’re excited to expand our footprint with more employees, suppliers, clients and other partners around the world.
As much as we pride ourselves on the efficiency of our global operations, sometimes companies, including Ideoli, experience delays transporting freight because of some factors beyond most people’s control. Since we also pride ourselves on being honest with clients, we want to share some of these setbacks, which you might also face when dealing with freight. Some examples of hinderances include: 1. Tariffs: Traffic isn’t just a problem on Southern California freeways or Manhattan city streets. The US has recently had backlogs at ports of entry due to companies trying to get shipments into the US before tariffs increase. Large ports such as those in Savannah, GA and Long Beach, CA hit record cargo highs in 2018, which contributed to delays in getting shipments to their final destinations. 2. Government Shutdowns: When the US government shuts down, the resulting shortage of government workers causes freight delays. For example, Ideoli recently had a shipment arrive at the Port of Long Beach that then needed to get delivered by truck to St. Louis. Yet because of the government shutdown that lasted for most of January 2019, fewer government employees were working at checkpoints along the route, thereby delaying delivery by approximately two weeks. 3. Weather: Even when weather forecasts are accurate, it’s difficult to get around the fact that storms can slow down shipments and throw off schedules across supply chains. For example, a freight company had to reroute a shipment for one of our clients due to a series of hurricanes rocking the southern US. Along the way, the freight company accidentally damaged the shipments, but we worked hard to quickly remedy the situation. We sent our top personnel for the job to visit the client’s warehouse, assess the damaged shipments, test all of the products on site and replace defective ones. 4. Worker Shortages: In addition to temporary shortages caused by government shutdowns, prolonged shortages in labor pools also cause delays. For instance, the US faces a gap between the supply and demand for truck drivers needed to move freight across the country. The American Trucking Association estimates a shortage of over 50,000 truck drivers as of 2017, and this factor has been at play for the past several years. If the shortage worsens or other areas of the supply chain face worker shortages, freight could be further delayed. Even though there are some factors beyond most companies’ control, it’s important to maintain clear lines of communication and set delivery expectations accordingly. Doing so can help clients adjust accordingly, rather than getting frustrated and confused about why their orders are delayed.
From restauranteurs in California to distribution experts in Southeast Asia, we work with a variety of partners. Working together is usually a great process for all of us, but it goes especially well when we find these types of partners: 1. Those Who Value Their Vendors: Vendors shouldn’t be commoditized. We prioritize forming deep relationships with our vendors to ensure we maintain our level of quality, value, timeliness and innovation. Whether our partner uses Ideoli as a sole vendor or wants us to work in conjunction with other vendors, we love working with partners who value strong relationships, as it tends to lead to better results. 2. Those Who Trust Our Expertise: When working with partners, they often come with their own expertise such as in distribution or commercial real estate, and we value their insights. Likewise, we love working with partners who trust our expertise based on what they decided to work with us for, whether it’s designing custom fixtures that make a retail interior pop or adding LED lighting to a restaurant to help them showcase their food. We have a lot of varied experience from our work around the world, and we’re happy to share it with our partners. 3. Those Who Collaborate With Us: While we have significant expertise, we don’t want our work to be a one-way street. We love working with partners who collaborate with us to come up with creative designs and solutions to help them reach their goals. When we’re collaborative, we can usually better deliver what our partners want because they have more of a voice in the process. We have a variety of partners we work with around the world, and we always want those relationships to run smoothly. Keeping these qualities in mind helps us deliver the best outcomes for our partners. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
The Ideoli team loves the challenge of finding new clients and starting new projects, and we’re fortunate to have had great success in this pursuit. However, the fact is that sometimes we lose an opportunity. We want to share the reasons why so that we can work better with potential clients and so that other startups can gain insight on some obstacles they may face such as: 1. Poor Communication From The Field: In all relationships, communication is key. As an international business with clients and partners around the world, we need to ensure that we maintain clear, consistent communication with everyone to keep all of our projects and opportunities on track. But if we have poor communication with a supplier on an issue such as production time or cost, then we won’t be able to clearly communicate that to potential clients and could miss out on an opportunity. That’s why we prioritize being open and honest with everyone we work with. 2. Pricing Pressures From Inferior Products: While our unique and diversified partner relationships help us create customized furnishings, fixtures and lighting at competitive costs, we won’t comprise on quality to deliver bottom-of-the-barrel pricing. Sometimes that means we lose an opportunity to a manufacturer with inferior products, but we’re okay with that because we know we deliver exceptional products at an exceptional value for clients. 3. Unrealistic Requests on Timeline: As much as we try to be efficient throughout our production and delivery processes, there’s only so much we can control. If a potential client wants something delivered on an ultra-tight timeline that doesn’t account for factors such as shipping large items across the Pacific Ocean, then there’s nothing we can do about it. If we lose those opportunities, we know there will be other opportunities where a client’s business needs align with our processes and timelines. 4. Not the Right Fit: You can’t please everyone, and sometimes an opportunity just isn’t the right fit for us or the potential client. We’re not perfect, and we don’t expect our clients to be either, but we want to work with people who align with our positive values and passion for quality. If it’s not the right fit up front, sometimes it’s better to pass on an opportunity rather than getting into a project where no one ends up happy. Instead, we’ll save that energy to focus on other opportunities that are a better fit. At Ideoli, we’re realistic: we can’t win every opportunity, but at least we know what some of those roadblocks might be. More importantly, we won’t change who we are to get around them.
As an international business working with clients and partners in an increasing number of countries around the world, we’re conscious of the risk of currency fluctuations. If left unmanaged, changes in value between currencies affect pricing accuracy. In that case, either we end up paying more than anticipated to our suppliers, our suppliers end up taking an unexpected discount or our clients end up paying more—none of which are good situations. Fortunately, we’ve learned a few ways to better handle currency fluctuations that other businesses can apply to their own international transactions: 1. Provide Shorter Quotation Time Periods: When a business lets a quote sit valid for long periods of time, they increase currency risk. Suppose an Ideoli order includes components from Thailand that currently cost ?317,500 Thai Baht. In US Dollars, that would cost approximately $10,000. Yet if the project took one year and US currency fell by 10% in comparison to Thai currency over that time, that would mean the same order would cost $11,000 in the end. If the original quote of $10,000 was still valid the whole year, the client might not even realize they’re getting a deal while ideoli would be left paying the extra $1,000 to the supplier. To avoid this happening to your business, use shorter quotation time periods to decrease the time in which currencies might fluctuate and leave you holding the bag. If quotes were only valid for one month, for example, you could provide more accurate pricing. 2. Request Payment Immediately When An Order Is Placed: Upfront payments can work to everyone’s advantage when they decrease currency risk. As shown in the example above, international transactions with long periods between project start and end dates can affect pricing accuracy. If the client agrees to pay in full at whatever currency exchange rates are in effect at the end of the project, they could end up paying more. Or if the client pays at the end based on an earlier quote, the seller might have to eat the extra cost, thereby limiting the opportunity for them to provide savings to clients in other areas. Yet if clients pay immediately when an order is placed, businesses can then immediately pay suppliers to lock in pricing at current currency rates. 3. Look At Market Fluctuation Patterns: While it’s not easy to predict market swings (leave that to foreign exchange traders), businesses can look at past currency fluctuations to identify patterns. For example, if two currencies tend to wildly fluctuate in value against each other month-to-month, then it’s even more important to request payment immediately when an order is placed and to provider shorter quotation time periods. On the contrary, if two currencies have been relatively stable, then perhaps your business can better tolerate currency risk for certain international transactions. Currency fluctuations don’t have to derail your work with global clients. Take steps to mitigate currency risk so you can then focus on delivering value for customers.
As a connected company with partners located in all parts of the world, Ideoli’s team needs to stay sharp when crisscrossing the planet. But traveling through different time zones can throw your internal clock out of sync and leave you with that dreaded feeling of being jetlagged. Fortunately, we’ve picked up some tips along the way to keep jet lag at bay: 1. Lay Off the Coffee: It may sound counterintuitive, but if you want to stay fresh, skip having coffee or other caffeine sources until you adjust to the new time zone. Even if it’s early in the day at your destination, your body might feel like it’s nighttime, so a morning cup of joe will only mix you up further. “When I go to an international market, I’m often only there for 36-48 hours, and then I’m back on a plane. So I stay away from coffee even though I feel like I need it. Your biological clock doesn’t know and coffee is not a good mix, so I try to stay away from coffee when I’m traveling,” says George Stroumboulis, CEO and Co-Founder of Ideoli. 2. Stay Comfortable to Minimize Travel Stress: International travel can be exciting, nerve-wracking, disconcerting or a combination of a whole host of emotions. But if you want to beat jet lag, try to stay relatively even-keeled and comfortable so that you don’t become restless. Stress, or even just the potential for stress, can cause sleeplessness, notes the National Sleep Foundation. So from our experience, we suggest tips such as bringing your own food and drink on planes. (You can purchase beverages after going through airport security.) Consuming items you’re used to, and on your own schedule, helps you avoid putting your body through more change. Similarly, packing a hygiene kit, such as a toothbrush and change of clothes, can help you feel fresh and comfortable, all of which limits the stress of a long trip. 3. Sleep Before Your Trip: It sounds simple, but it’s true: getting quality sleep before your flight can minimize the effects of jet lag. Similar to the adage for soon-to-be parents of “sleep before the baby’s born, because you won’t sleep after,” sleeping before your trip can make adjusting to a new time zone a bit more manageable. As travel company Skyscanner notes in its guide to beating jet lag, travelers often don’t sleep much before their flights, whether it’s due to pre-trip excitement or purposeful sleep deprivation to encourage sleeping on a plane.
We’re entrepreneurs. We know taking risks and meeting new challenges is all part of the business. But at Ideoli, we also know that everything we learn today is going to have an impact on how far we progress tomorrow. How we use that knowledge is going to allow us to take even more risks, meet even more challenges and achieve even more success. That’s why we took some time to reflect back on lessons learned in 2017; because we’re determined to make 2018 even better. Here are some of the key lessons the Ideoli team—from Co-Founders to Brand and Product Invigorators to Applications Engineer—said they learned last year: Things may take longer than expected but they will get done. Always keep the customers’ vision up front and center. Everyone has something important to contribute. Take pride in your workand customers will recognize your efforts. The customer is always right. Period. Of course, just as important as what the Ideoli team thinks is what our partners think. Asking for their input, listening to their suggestions and comparing notes only helps us learn more and progress even further. Reflecting on all we accomplished in 2017 has helped Ideoli get 2018 off to a great start.
It’s true that Ideoli Co-Founders George Stroumboulis and Chris Hartswick travel around the globe, visiting country after country to connect with our partners, and check on production runs and client installations. But they also spend plenty of time in the United States, visiting state after state and city after city, making connections and ensuring projects are running smoothly. And, of course, they never fail to get invigorated by the many cultures and people they encounter along the way. New York City, perhaps the greatest city in the world, just happens to be the city where Ideoli was founded. So, it’s no secret it’s one of George’s and Chris’s favorite places. And, who can blame them? Manhattan has a rich history and a diverse population that melds a variety of exciting cultures. One of the original 13 colonies and states of the United States, New York state was the site of one of the first major battles of the Revolutionary War and several of the nation’s forefathers were born here. In the 19th century, New York City– once the capital of the U.S.– was one of the primary ports of call for immigrants arriving in the US, with the iconic Statue of Liberty welcoming them to our country. Today, the state’s gross economic product exceeds that of most of the countries around the world. Even after suffering the deadly terrorist attack of 9/11, New York City is still the center of this country’s economy, and remains the world’s financial and cultural leader, setting popular trends in fashion, art and food. Speaking of food, George and Chris never pass up the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of sampling the city’s wonderful food and drink, which are available on every city block. It’s what keeps them invigorated throughout the year. Here is a list of the top five things they suggest you eat and drink while in New York City: 1. Pizza From family-owned pizzerias that have been around for decades to hipster artisanal pizza restaurants, the pizza they serve in New York City cannot be duplicated anywhere (except maybe in Italy). Try a slice from John’s of Bleecker Street or Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, which has a number of locations. 2. Bagels The city’s other iconic food is bagels. Some say it’s because of the water, but whatever it is, New York City bagels are the best anywhere. For a real treat, try one with lox and scallion cream cheese from Russ & Daughters on East Houston Street. 3. Street Meat (Hot Dogs) When you’re hungry for lunch, just stop at one of the many corner street eateries or street vendors to grab a hot dog for a quick, affordable and satisfying meal. Choose from toppings such as traditional sauerkraut (available at most hot dog stands) to more specialty varieties at these eateries: Gray’s Papaya (2090 Broadway), Crif Dogs(113 St. Marks Place) and Schaller’s Stube (1652 Second Avenues). 4. Acai Bowls If you’re looking for healthier options for breakfast, lunch or a snack, or if juicing is more your thing, then look no further than an acai bowl, one of the city’s latest food trends. It’s basically a thick, rich smoothie that can be topped with any combination of foods, including oatmeal, fruit or peanut butter. 5. Manhattan (Drink) For a cocktail that truly embodies the essence of New York City, you have to try a Manhattan. Rumored to have been created by a bartender at the famed Manhattan Club in the late 1870s, this cocktail is seeing a bit of a revival lately. And why not? It’s classic and sophisticated, and blends whiskey (or bourbon) with sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters. Here’s to New York City! George and Chris are continually inspired and invigorated by the many different people they meet and the cuisines and cultures they discover in New York City– a place they’re proud to call home.
Ideoli co-founders George and Chris recognize that traveling the world to connect one-on-one with our partners and check on production runs and client installations is one of the best parts of their jobs. They never tire of the incredible opportunities they have to explore other countries and never fail to get invigorated by the cultures and people they encounter. One of their recent places to visit is Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Since the mid-17th century, Stockholm has been the cultural and historical center of the country. It is the country’s largest city and its second largest port. Built on a series of islands, each section boasts its own distinct character. Gamla Stan, the old town, has architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries. Östermalm is the wealthier section, and in Norrmalm you’ll find the city’s business and shopping districts. Beautiful parks and museums are located in Djurgården while Södermalm will appeal to the more fashionable and bohemian set. A mixture of old bridges and modern overpasses connect the islands to the districts on the mainlands of Upland and Södermanland. From architecture to furniture, Swedes are known for their distinct modern, functional style and examples can be found throughout Stockholm. Visit any of the more than 80 museums, including the National Museum’s design section, and you’ll find examples of art and other treasures. As you walk around Stockholm, take in the city’s breathtaking architecture. Much of it has remained intact since the country has not been at war in centuries. In Stockholm, you’ll also find many places to enjoy a good meal, including Asian fusion and fine-dining restaurants, kebab pizza joints and restaurants that specialize in traditional Swedish cuisine, known as husmans kost. George and Chris did not pass up on the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of sampling the city’s wonderful food and drink. Along with the folks they met, it’s what kept them invigorated throughout their visit. Here is a list of the top 5 things they suggest you should eat and drink in Stockholm: 1. Ostkaka This simple yet delicious cheesecake is an extremely popular dessert. Made with milk, eggs, sugar and almonds, it is served with the country’s famed Ligonberry jam. 2. Swedish Meatballs Swedish Meatballs are thought of as the quintessential Swedish dish and are usually made with a mixture of beef and pork. They can also be made of other meats and are served with a flavorful gravy, potatoes (often mashed), a bowl of lingonberries and pickled cucumbers. 3. Gravad Lax Raw salmon that has been cured in sugar, salt and dill for a number of days, this is less salty and sweeter than smoked salmon. The dish is often served with boiled yellow potatoes along with a tangy sweet mustard and dill sauce (hovmästarsås). 4. Kanelbulle (cinnamon buns) Cinnamon buns are one of Sweden’s most beloved foods and you can find them in every café, bakery and food store throughout Stockholm . Made from leavened bread dough that is lightly sweetened (known as vetebröd), they can be flavored with such popular Swedish spices as cardamom, saffron and vanilla. 5. Coffee The perfect accompaniment to Kanelbulle is a cup of Swedish coffee. In fact, there is a tradition in Stockhom known as fika, where people sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee while enjoying something sweet. The coffee found in local cafes is stronger than American but not as potent as an Italian espresso. George and Chris are continually inspired and invigorated by the people they meet and the many different cuisines and cultures they get to discover in places such as Stockholm, Sweden. Traveling around the world allows them to connect with Ideoli’s partners and clients while strengthening and building upon the important relationships they have established.
For Ideoli co-founders George and Chris, traveling the world is an important component of their jobs. It’s how they nurture relationships with partners and clients and stay connected, all while overseeing production runs and client installations. An added bonus: Experiencing different cultures never fails to get them inspired and invigorated by the places they visit and the people they meet. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is one of those places that have had a significant cultural impact on George and Chris.Centrally located in the Peninsular Malaysia, the city was founded in 1857 by 87 Chinese tin miners and became the state capital in 1880. Due to its rapid growth in industry and population, today, the city is a thriving metropolis. It is a melting pot of cultures and traditions; a perfect blend of old and new. Malays, Chinese and Indians are the three dominant ethnicities that make up the majority of the city’s population. Kuala Lumpur is a mix of modern and traditional architecture, including glass-and-concrete skyscrapers, ancient mosques, Chinese shop-houses (business on the ground floor; family’s living space above), huts and Malay stilt ‘kampungs’ or villages. The city’s commercial hub is known as the Golden Triangle and boasts two of the world’s tallest buildings: Petronas Twin Towers, designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli and Kuala Lumpur Tower, a broadcasting and telecommunications site. Kuala Lumpur is the center of the peninsula’s transportation system, with major roads, rail lines and international airport. To help offset the city’s problem with traffic congestion, a public transit system was developed in 1996. Popular tourist attractions include the National Art Gallery, the National Library of Malaysia, the National Theatre, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the more contemporary National Mosque and the old Sultan’s Mosque. National parks, a zoo and an aquarium, as well as a number of sports arenas, are all found in this flourishing city. Co-founders George and Chris were also happy to discover that finding delicious, ethnic food and drink in Kuala Lumpur is not very difficult. In fact, street food can be found on nearly every corner of the city. Here is their list of the top five things to eat and drink in Kuala Lumpur: 1. Nasi Lemak Considered the national dish of Malaysia, this fragrant rice dish is also a favorite for breakfast. Its translation is ‘fatty rice.’ The rice is steamed and cooked in coconut milk and served with fried anchovies, sambal (spicy sauce), slices of cucumber, boiled egg and fried ground nuts. The whole thing is then wrapped in a banana leaf, which makes it perfect for an on-the-go meal. 2. Roti Canai Another breakfast favorite, this flatbread is twirled and then grilled. It’s usually served with curry and dhal for dipping; but this dish has many variations, including roti telur, which has an egg inside of it and aka roti pisang, which is made with bananas. 3. Brown Sugar Appam Appam is a fermented rice batter pancake. You can have it plain with just coconut milk but why would you when you could have brown sugar appam? In this dish, coconut milk and brown sugar are mixed into the appam batter, which is then swirled in the pan as it cooks. The result is fluffy edges with sides that are brittle. The best part is the brown sugar is purposely left in chunks so a burst of sweetness melts in your mouth with every bite. 4. Rendang This dish is a favorite of Malaysians and people around the world; it was voted by readers of CNN International as the number-one dish in World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods. The most popular version of this spicy, slow-cooked dish has beef as its main ingredient although chicken and mutton are also popular. Often served during religious festivals. 5. Teh Tarik Made of black tea, sugar and condensed milk, Malaysia’s national drink is a favorite during breakfast and supper, but people will drink it at any time during the day. Created by Indian Muslim immigrants, Teh Tarik means ‘pulled tea,’ which refers to the process of pouring the mixture back and forth between two pitchers. This produces a thick, rich, foamy drink. The iced version is known as ‘teh ais,’ which simply means iced tea. As they continue to visit cities and countries such as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, George and Chris are continually inspired and invigorated by the people they meet and the unique cuisines and cultures they get to discover. Connecting with Ideoli’s partners and clients offers them unlimited opportunities to strengthen and build relationships.
At Ideoli, we believe in the importance of going above and beyond for our clients. Company co-founders George and Chris never fail to go that extra mile when it comes to ensuring our clients have what they need – even if it means crisscrossing the world numerous times within a couple of months. Let us explain. We had just recently completed a very intense round of manufacturing for a number of high-profile clients. Since they all needed quality fixture, lighting and furnishing products before the onset of the holiday season, we were going to have to figure out how to manage multiple production runs, across multiple factories, in multiple countries. Oh, and did we mention this all had to happen at the same time? Sounds impossible—but not for Ideoli. George and Chris stepped up to the challenge of overseeing the production of these very large orders. For a period of two months, these guys took turns hopping on a plane and flying off to Asia every week. Yes, that’s correct. Every week one of them headed to Asia to work with the team at a production facility. Of course, Ideoli has a team of skilled professionals and a solid manufacturing foundation but the Ideoli co-founders wanted to personally make sure every detail was carried out, every specification was met, and every product perfectly packed for shipping to clients’ locations across the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Was it hectic? Yes. But George and Chris are the first to admit it was well worth it. Not only were they able to meet the intense deadlines of their clients and distribution partners, they got some pretty impressive air miles and quality foot massages for their efforts, too. Doing what it takes to keep clients and distribution partners satisfied and our company growing is one more way Ideoli goes above and beyond.