Does your supplier help your business grow?
What support should installers expect from their suppliers? And how can it help your business grow? Quickslide sales director, Tom Swallow, answers the questions you should be asking.
You’ve likely heard us talk about our new products and investments at Quickslide,” says Tom Swallow, Quickslide’s sales director. “We’ve improved our heritage offering with the launch of our enhanced Legacy VS featuring the new slim midrail, and our investments in automation mean it is already available with the same quick turnaround as our standard sash windows.”
In addressing the current market conditions, Tom says minds should also turn to marketing: “In slower markets, effective marketing is crucial. At Quickslide, we not only focus on our own marketing efforts but also on supporting our partners.
“At the very least, your supplier should provide you with a comprehensive suite of marketing support services, including lead generation, point-of-sale materials, website support, showroom samples, and so on.
“At Quickslide, we go beyond this, supporting our customers throughout the sales journey and helping installers do the same for their customers. Here are just a few of the many ways we do that. Ask yourself, does your supplier do the same?”
Being social
Highlighting the importance of staying up-to-date, Tom encourages installers to leverage social media platforms to stay informed, and more importantly, engaged.
“Follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn to keep up with the latest from us. And make sure as an installer that you are encouraging your customers to follow you too,” he says.
“We’re now offering a new, lower 1.2 U-value for sash windows, and all our sash window outer frames are now fully mechanical jointed as standard. Did you know that? Do your customers? Homeowners now have access to authentic sash windows that offer traditional styling along with the very best in thermal efficiency; something they should be aware of when choosing windows for their property.
“So, share our news and your own on social media. It’s where your customers seek reviews and inspiration and it’s where you need to be with recommendations, and ideally sharing customer stories and photos.”
Bringing fresh ideas
“We continue to explore new ways to support our trade partners,” explains Tom. “Just one example is our recent tour of the UK. Over two months we travelled the length of the country to show our trade partners our products in person, discuss our latest developments and share knowledge and insights.
“This works both ways, as we learn a huge amount from our installers about what works, what doesn’t, and what we need to do next. Then we head back to base to put all that knowledge to good use in our future plans.”
Innovative marketing
Is your website up to date with the latest product developments and information?
“When we launched our enhanced Legacy VS with its new slimmer midrail and refined run-through sash horn, we launched Legacy On-Screen alongside it,” says Tom. “It’s our free-of-charge, all-in-one innovative marketing web tool that integrates seamlessly with our trade partners’ websites to showcase exactly what the new Legacy VS is all about.
“We carry out the updates, which means installers can promote the benefits of Legacy VS instantly without having to do a thing – and this same support will soon extend to our latest development, the Quick-Glide slide and fold door.”
“Above all, we’re here to provide what our trade partners need in order to concentrate on what they do best – installing windows and doors,” continues Tom.
“We’ve launched a new online ordering system, where our partners can get instant prices, personalise quotes with mark-ups, logos and business details, and place orders 24/7. Because we want to make sure our partners can find what they need, when they need it – whether that’s generating new leads, support in turning these into sales, or completing the ordering process as efficiently as possible.
“From the products homeowners want, with the expertise to market them effectively, through to working together to make the sales and ordering process integrated and seamless, at Quickslide we’ve got our trade partners covered.”