Send us a text

Welcome to Season 7 of The Trend Report. This opens with a clear plan and a sharper purpose: weekly episodes that blend deep interviews, fast Hot Takes, and 10‑minute professional wins. We invite listeners to help shape topics, join a new Insider Community, and lean into candid conversations that move workplace design forward.

Head over to sidmeadows.com/podcast to learn more about SpeakPipe.

Want to learn more about the Insider Community? Go to sidmeadows.com/community and use Coupon Code FIRSTIN at checkout to get 50% off through February 28, 2026.

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a text

We're doing things a bit differently today. In an effort to show you practical uses for AI, I've put all of the transcripts from Season 6 in and AI platform called Notebook LM. It then created what it calls "The Deep Dive", a podcast episode with AI voice actors who have a conversation wrapping up this season.

I'm interested to know what you thought about the Notebook LM recording. Did you like it? Did you come up with any ideas while listening to the conversation that you could do in your business?

Resources:

Notebook LM - https://notebooklm.google.com/?original_referer=https:%2F%2Fwww.google.com%23&pli=1

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a text

We explore how design moves beyond aesthetics into systems, platforms, and policies, and how iF Design advances that mission through a global award, a new academy, and a rising sustainability standard. Lisa shares practical examples, from packaging tweaks to AI workflows, that turn intent into measurable impact.

Lisa chats about:

• Her values-led career path linking business and design
• How living abroad shaped her curiosity and critical thinking
• Design as problem-solving across products and systems
• Origins and scale of the iF Design Award
• Why iF is less known in the United States
• How and when to apply for the next award
• What the iF Design Academy teaches leaders
• Business fluency and keeping design in the C-suite
• Practical sustainability across environmental and social impact
• Certifications, category-specific questions, and scoring

Visit ifdesign.com, explore the website, explore it's a great resource. We've indexed all winners since 1954. Even if you're not even thinking about participating or anything else, the content inspiration is exceptional.

Connect with Lisa Gralnek:

Lisa’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagralnek

iF Design - https://ifdesign.com/en/
iF Design Academy - https://ifdesign-academy.com/
Future of XYZ Podcast - https://ifdesign.com/en/podcast-future-of-xyz-by-if-design
iF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/organization-guest/company/ifdesign

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a text

We sit down with Heartwork founder Karen John to explore how travel, Italian design culture, and a love of craft shaped a U.S. manufacturing brand that treats storage as a culture-building tool.

We chat about:

• curiosity, travel, and multidisciplinary Italian design
• why Heartwork chose storage and makes it in the U.S.
• color strategy with Laura Guido-Clark and moving past gray
• quality, customization at scale, and installation simplicity
• enterprise clients, culture through design, and durability
• AI to reduce rework and protect furniture quality
• practical career advice, mentorship, and following energy

Email: Karen at heartwork.com (htwrk.com). Connect on LinkedIn. “If you reach out, mention you heard me on the Trend Report podcast.”

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a text

Adrian Leal returns to discuss practical steps for starting or improving your content strategy and focusing on authenticity and impact rather than perfection.

Resources:

Episode 163 - Content + Thought Leadership with Adrian Leal - https://www.sidmeadows.com/episode163

Jay Shetty
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayshetty/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shettyjay/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jayshetty?lang=en

Vinh Giang
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/askvinh/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinhgiang/?originalSubdomain=au
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@steven/video/7480090733970607382

Tony Robbins
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonyrobbins/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/officialtonyrobbins/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tonyrobbins?lang=en

Jefferson Fisher
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonfisher/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@justaskjefferson?lang=en

Tyler Gardner
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/socialcapofficial/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-gardner-68a713200/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@socialcap?lang=en

Niraj Kapoor
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nirajkapur/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkapur/?originalSubdomain=uk
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NirajKapurSalesCoach/

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a text

Professional development is your responsibility, not your employer's. People who take ownership of their personal growth receive salary increases 2.5 times higher than those who don't actively invest in themselves.

• Professional growth requires personal investment - no one is more invested in your career than you
• Mastery is never "one and done" - continuous improvement requires ongoing learning and application
• Beware of "overconsumption" where you take in too much information without acting on it
• Use a simple 5-step framework to generate forward progress: capture key takeaways, prioritize what matters, break into action steps, schedule time, and find accountability
• What gets scheduled gets done - treat your development time as seriously as client meetings
• "The best investment you'll ever make is in yourself." - Warren Buffett

What's one skill you've been putting off learning? What resource could help you develop it? Most importantly, what action will you take this week to move forward?

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a text

Public sector sales represent a third of the furniture industry's market at approximately $4-6 billion annually, offering recession-proof opportunities with transparent purchasing processes and accessible information for strategic selling approaches.

• Federal government alone spends about $1.4-1.5 billion annually on furniture
• Public sector provides stability during economic downturns and recessions
• Government purchases involve public information that allows strategic preparation
• Current federal trends include agency decentralization and return-to-work mandates
• Federal spending on furniture is up 13% compared to previous year
• Purchase card spending continues to increase with limits potentially rising to $35,000
• New Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) eliminates commercial pricing restrictions
• Federal sales opportunities exist in every market across the country
• State, local, and education markets are roughly three times the size of the federal market

Ready to explore how public sector sales could transform your business? Connect with Michelle Warren on LinkedIn or join Catalyst Consulting's free monthly webinars to learn more about capitalizing on this significant but often overlooked market segment.

Resources:

Link to Webinar - https://youtu.be/2LjWgxAc_OQ

Connect with Michelle Warren:

Catalyst Consulting Group - https://strategic-catalyst.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-warren-47a6888/
Email - Michelle@strategic-catalyst.com

Connect with Ryan Hay:

Catalyst Consulting Group - https://strategic-catalyst.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hay-52506874/?originalSubdomain=ca

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a text

Join Sid as he and Adrian Leal explore how creating authentic content and establishing thought leadership can transform sales success in the office furniture industry. They discuss how content creation builds lasting professional relationships and personal credibility.

• Building relationships matters more than product knowledge in our commoditized industry
• Take the product away from the sale to focus on authentic human connections
• How digital "social proof" influences purchasing decisions before meetings occur
• Creating content establishes you as a subject matter expert in your field
• Use passion topics rather than product features to differentiate yourself
• Why connecting sales strategy with mental health resonates with younger professionals
• The importance of consistency in content creation despite initial fears
• How thought leadership creates opportunities for connecting with the A&D community
• How the confidence gap holds back industry professionals from sharing their expertise
• Build a content "time capsule" that serves both professional goals and personal legacy

Connect with Adrian Leal on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and see his thought leadership content in action.

Resources:

The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga - https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Disliked-Phenomenon-Happiness/dp/1501197274

Connect with Adrian Leal:

Clarus - https://www.clarus.com/
Adrian & Co. - https://adrian-co.salesreach.io/main-page
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-leal-7a025862/Email - info@clarus.com

The Trend Report explores the evolving world of contract interiors, office furniture, and workplace design. From the interior design industry to commercial furniture and the future of work, we share insights, trends, and strategies that keep the office furniture industry and the interior design community informed and inspired.

Connect with Sid:

Home Page: www.sidmeadows.com

Podcast Website: https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast

Sid on LinkedIn
Sid on Instagram
Sid on YouTube

The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/