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Blog

An important message to furniture hardware distributors who will attend Interzum Guangzhou 2018

2018-03-12T12:14:40+00:00 March 12th, 2018|

If you belong to the industrial sector, and in particular, if you are among the furniture hardware distributors who will attend Interzum Guangzhou 2018: we have something important to tell you that will help you on your trip. A bit of history and context                                  Before getting started, we’d like to give a brief overview of this major international fair for machinery, furniture manufacturing and interior design. This year marks the 41st edition and will include numerous national and international brands, promising huge business opportunities for all attendees. According to last year’s numbers, the number of visitors increased by more than 25%. It’s clear that the global market is growing, along with interest in the production of furniture that is innovative, efficient and attractive. Interzum Guangzhou 2018 is a good barometer to assess our industry and to propose new and more ambitious objectives for our businesses. We all know that a [...]

Did you know that IBMH’s guanxi is a great ally for your hardware imports from China ?

2018-03-11T18:04:19+00:00 March 11th, 2018|

A country’s culture and traditions influence everything, even business. There is a key concept that needs to be understood before beginning any transaction in China: guanxi. In fact, not knowing what this is can cause a business deal with a Chinese company to fail. In order to control all the variables that affect negotiations, you have to work and live in this country… or, simply have IBMH on your team. Did you know that IBMH’s guanxi is a great ally for your hardware imports from China? What is guanxi? There is no literal translation for the word ‘guanxi’. It encompasses different social implications that go beyond the definition of ‘relationship’. Guanxi is the network of contacts that is built over the course of a lifetime. They are the people you can turn to when you need a favor, but also the people to do favors for. People with good guanxi know [...]

Featured product: LED light with sensor for hinges

2018-02-28T12:13:26+00:00 February 28th, 2018|

It’s the details which often convince the final customer how this simple and handy lighting accessory will be a success wherever they place it. We are referring to this LED light with sensor for hinges. Kitchen cabinets or bedroom closets are excellent places to install this accessory. Types of LED light with sensor for hinges These small lights for closets and drawers can come in several forms: Button sensor The LED is attached to the hinge using a screw. When the door is closed, this presses on the hinge sensor and turns off the light. In this way, it stays off as long as the door is shut. Light and movement sensor You can also find LED lights for hinges with sensors that will turn on when they sense light or movement. Complete affordability with the LED light with sensor for hinges This accessory is inexpensive and easy to install. [...]

How to motivate a sales team in furniture hardware distribution

2019-04-10T11:09:28+00:00 February 27th, 2018|

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to say that sales constitute one of the pillars of our company. Sales are what bring in revenue, and that is what allows us to expand, consolidate, make new investments, etc. Still, despite their importance, people often fall short when they need to motivate a sales team in furniture hardware distribution. For that reason, in this post we will go over some of the less obvious—but very important—points to retain your star employees and ensure the whole team performs at their best. Taking care of your team. Just as important as offering good hardware Beyond a good salary and good working conditions, which every company knows need to be taken care of from the get-go, there are several factors that impact the motivation of your sales team. All of these factors are related to how the team feels about the company. 1. The customer [...]

Knowing the customs of Chinese furniture hardware manufacturers and companies will benefit your hardware business

2018-02-26T11:08:13+00:00 February 26th, 2018|

Business in China is evolving at an incredible pace. The hardware industry is learning that, in China, it IS possible to improve the price of products without giving up the desired quality. This “discovery” puts us in a very advantageous spot in the market. After 23 years in this nation, IBMH understands negotiations and the internal workings of Chinese furniture hardware manufacturers and companies. Without a doubt, this Asian giant is opening up to the world. Its companies are adopting recruiting strategies and starting to do business in the Western style. However, the cultural traditions rooted in Confucianism are still very relevant. In fact, if you are a Westerner, no matter how much you have traveled to this continent, the cultures are so different from each other that it’s quite easy to make a mistake in protocols or simply not understand certain attitudes. Chinese furniture hardware manufacturers and companies: boss-employee [...]

IBMH and the multicultural workplace that benefits our clients importing furniture hardware from China

2018-02-25T10:28:29+00:00 February 25th, 2018|

As everyone who has worked with us knows, we are a very diverse team, but also extremely efficient in our processes and results. Today, we want to explain a little about that multicultural workplace that benefits our clients importing furniture hardware from China. The first thing to remember is that it is essential to invest in training on “multicultural teamwork”. It isn’t always easy, but this kind of team is undoubtedly more productive, creative, innovative, and much happier. Of course, you need to know how to manage and lead them. A multicultural workplace that benefits our clients importing furniture hardware from China? If the company knows how to cultivate good international relations with a healthy dose of respect and tolerance, you’ll see the benefits in no time… Cultural consciousness This point is critical in order to avoid misunderstandings. It’s a matter of being conscious of our own ways of thinking [...]

Featured product: Elevating Hinges for Coffee Tables

2018-02-21T12:14:17+00:00 February 21st, 2018|

Thanks to its remarkable success in end-user markets, we continue to offer more ideas within the space-saver furniture hardware product range. Before, it was the telescoping and recessed electrical outlets, and then the fold-out beds, among others. Today, we’ll tackle the living room and discover something new. It’s important to realize that “two in one” pieces aren’t exclusively for small homes anymore. Rather, their convenience and versatility are recognized in all sorts of settings. Elevating Hinges for coffee tables allows us to greatly expand the utility of what might have been “just” a coffee table until now. Elegant and functional Elevating Hinges for Coffee Tables IBMH manages several models in high-quality carbon steel, and this variety makes it easier to assess and decide on the model that best adapts to your business. Our goals will always be to: • Make the most of the highly functional spring system installed in [...]

IBMH Corp is witness to the transformation of the city during Chinese New Year

2018-02-20T10:25:40+00:00 February 20th, 2018|

It’s true that we live here in China, and it’s also true that we are perfectly familiar with Chinese culture, language, and protocols. But it is also true that we have a very unique perspective because we were not born here. So, since IBMH Corp is witness to the transformation of the city during Chinese New Year, we want to make the most of it and share some of its peculiarities with you firsthand. Join us in Guangzhou? Signs of the transformation of the city during Chinese New Year This holiday will no doubt sound familiar to you, because we have been preparing you for it since last October. We warned of how the Chinese New Year would affect your hardware imports. In fact, we hope that, thanks to our foresight and your swift response, you have avoided suffering from any delays. (Unlike your competitors, right?) What happens is that [...]

Ready to include a Millennial in your furniture hardware business?

2018-02-19T11:00:52+00:00 February 19th, 2018|

We don’t know if you are looking to include a Millennial in your furniture hardware business or if you already have, but we encourage you to reflect on it and, of course, prepare yourself for it! This subject is addressed in the 2015 movie “The Intern”. Robert De Niro plays a 70-year-old retiree who starts working as an intern at a company managed by a young entrepreneur (Anne Hathaway). Without giving away any spoilers, it’s interesting to see how two people with such a huge age difference and such atypical roles in our society can come to work together. Although it may seem like fiction, this is starting to happen in the industrial sector. The Millennial generation is climbing to diverse positions in companies. And yes, even executive positions! So, it won’t be surprising in a few years to see ourselves surrounded by young bosses who: • Have a digital [...]

Keys to success at business lunches or dinners in China

2018-02-18T11:00:30+00:00 February 18th, 2018|

At IBMH, daily interactions with Chinese businesspeople have taught us about their culture and values. But if you are planning on starting a commercial relationship in the furniture and door hardware industry, you should know that business isn’t always done in an office. In fact, many business deals are sealed in restaurants. In order to be successful and close a deal with your local partners or providers, you need to understand the protocol you should follow at these business lunches or dinners in China. It is at these business meals that the Chinese manage the concept of mianzi or “face”; in other words, the level of reputation that a person has socially. What to do at a business meal with partners in the furniture and door hardware industry in China Where to sit? Facing these types of business lunches or dinners in China requires a good understanding of protocol, starting [...]

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