The Finishing Touch

Blinds.com Corporate Culture and Why This is a Weird, Wonderful Place to Work

Are you forced to wear pieces of flair at work? Do people make you talk about it? This is not the way to create corporate culture.

Corporate culture is certainly getting a lot of buzz these days, and it's critical to your organization’s success. Sure, it’s nice to be talked about, and having a unique work environment makes for great word-of-mouth (eg, Zappos, Facebook). But that’s not really what makes cool office spaces so instrumental in creating culture. A workplace that reflects the attitudes and ideas of the company collectively makes for happy, energetic, proactive employees.

Many months ago, we decided to start looking for new office space. For several years, we were operating out of two different offices, which made it very difficult for us to get to know each other. Some team members had spoken on the phone over several years, and had never met in person. Each office had its own culture. When we came together for company events, there was a noticeable divide between who worked at which office. It was frustrating at times.

Cut to now. We’re finally under one roof, working together, collaborating and sharing ideas in what we’ve dubbed The Blinds.Complex. Several things have happened to increase people’s outlook and productivity:

1. Everyone had a hand in decorating the space. First, we brought in well-known space planner Scott Strasser, who helped us lay out the area, choose color and give the space personality. Then, every department was allowed to decorate as they saw fit. Customer service chose a superhero theme because they are always coming to customers’ rescues. Sales chose music, because customers’ voices are “music to their ears.” 
   
2. There is a general lift in mood due to everyone’s communal efforts. We are a small business, of about 75 employees, and rely on each other for small things from keeping the kitchen clean, to helping out with an order someone else doesn’t have time for. The entire team has really come together in this new office.
3. CEO Jay promotes a culture of transparency. Now that everyone is together and he has the ability to speak to every employee on a daily basis, that need for transparency has virally spread. It is contagious; it starts from the top.
4. We are a dotcom company. Our new office reflects that. Though there are few of us in Houston, TX, we take pride in being the largest dotcom in the city. One of our conference rooms, nicknamed “The Alley,” is filled with beanbags instead of chairs, and our IT department has a Flux Capacitor of Back to the Future fame hanging on the wall. These are just two of the many small touches that make our office distinctive.

Let’s be clear. Culture does not come from Flux Capacitors and bean bags. Culture is derived from a community that values transparency and the opinions of the entire team. If you work in a law firm, maybe some of these eccentric touches aren’t for you. It’s time to find out what IS you, and implement those things. They might seem like no big deal, but they’re the things that foster imagination and curiosity. And no matter what your profession, imagination and curiosity should be valued at the highest level.

Customer Service Representative Sarah Batalla had this to say about The Blinds.Complex:

“The new office is amazing it is so much more than I expected!  There is a sense of pride that is now present in everyone.  It’s as though the entire company has been reanimated.”

When establishing and building your own culture, remember to focus on what works for you and helps your employees be their most productive. You’ll have a better, stronger team.

 

What's unique about YOUR corporate culture that makes employees excited to come into the office every day? Share them with us!

Order Free Samples Before You Buy Blinds: What’s the Point?

The Internet is a great resource for buying quality products at prices much lower than those found in brick-and-mortar stores, we know that. But can you really get the same in-store experience from an online retailer that? Is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? The team at Blinds.com say “Yes!” Buying online is not only a great option, but a better one when buying your custom blinds. We were the first to give customers free samples before they buy. It’s just one of the ways online retailers like Blinds.com are adding value to the shopping experience and making it easy to shop online. Taking advantage of free samples is a great way to get up close and personal with quality, material and color.

I feel strongly about this, not just because I work here at Blinds.com, but because I’ve been to the big box stores. I’ve experienced the frustration of chasing down a salesperson who knows the floor map of the store, but doesn’t know the first thing about blinds, shades, shutters, and draperies.

What’s truly amazing about the evolution of the Internet is how much customer service and user experience has evolved. Now, you can call us 7 days a week with questions, get advice from certified Design Consultants who will tell you exactly what you need, and get free samples of the products you’re considering in just a few days. Samples come in a beautiful, easy-to-keep packet, filled with useful tips, instructions for how to measure, and unique coupons only available in our sample kit.

Order free samples and see how hassle-free it is to shop online.

Five Questions with… Dixie Dalton, Blinds.com Design Consultant

Dixie is more than just a fantastic Blinds.com team member, she is a barista extraordinaire, a fabulous photographer, and someone whose joy is infectious. Meet Dixie:

1.       In your free time, what do you love to do?

Wow…  Well, since tv and movies don’t exist in the land of Dixie, taking photos and going to concerts would have to be my top two!  I run a photography business out of my home, in addition to working here at Blinds.com….  www.dixieanndalton.com       

2.       If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Well, because I love my dog (Arley Madoc Dalton) so much, and he is so smart, precious, affectionate and spoiled…  I would have to say that I would want to be a German Shorthaired Pointer J  How great it would be able to sleep in the bed, be a vegetarian, only go outside when I wanted to, and have tons of love from all around!

3.       What is your favorite food?

Hmmm…   my favorite food….  Saturday through Thursday I eat extremely healthy so I would say either Salmon or Falafel…   On Fridays, however, I splurge to all extreme, so I would say Chocolate Ice Cream or Italian Cream Cake!!

4.       What are some tips for being a sales representative?

Tips that I would pass on to someone in training on how to be a successful sales representative would be:

a. Product Knowledge is the key…  Learn the products because the less time I have to spend looking something up, the more I can sellJ

b. Asking the Right Questions!

c. Confidence

e. Positive Outlook

f. Setting Goals

5.       What do you love about working for Blinds.com?

a. I love the casual atmosphere (especially with the move to our new office)

b. I love the presence of our CEO Jay Steinfeld, he is usually pretty refreshing to be around and always promotes self worth, improvement and change…  (He even pays for my gym membership)

c. I love my night crew, they are the best!

d. I love my hours (1-9pm CST)

e. I also love the culture and that they give back to the community, and do special things like this interview!

Home Insulation – How Window Treatments Keep Your Home Warm in the Winter

If you think all you need is a Snuggie to keep you warm in the Winter, you are sorely mistaken. Window treatments are an critical part of home insulation. Home insulation is a topic on everybody’s minds these days, but most people don’t really understand their options. There are plenty of super expensive ways to help keep the heat inside your home (aluminum siding, attic insulation), and you should most likely do those things too, especially if you live in colder climates. But window treatments, believe it or not, do a great job of insulating your home. Certain blinds and shades trap expensive heat in, just as they block solar heat in the summer. Plus, there are some new, exciting, and innovative products on the horizon that you’ll want to know about for even better insulation!

First, take stock of what you already have. A good rule of thumb is that shades, which are made from a single piece of material that can’t tilt open and closed, are better insulators because heating and cooling can’t escape through the slats.

There are a few shades that I highly recommend for home insulation:

1. Blinds.com ComforTrack 3/8” Double Cell Blackout Shade: The ComforTrack products at Blinds.com are approved for federal tax credit, meaning that because they are so energy efficient and help reduce energy spending so much, the government is actually going to give you a refund for putting them in your home. They are Energy Star approved. The system consists of side tracks that attach to your window frame with magnets. They have specially fitted end caps which, along with the notched sides of the shade, minimize energy loss. They are available in Light Filtering too, but the Blackout version will provide total light blockage and privacy when you need it.
2. Blinds.com One Day ¾” Single Cell Blackout Shade: This shade will not only be made for you in record time (one day! seriously.) but the cells are lined with mylar. Mylar is a strong but thin polyester that lines the wall of each cell, creating a real and noticeable barrier between you and the frosty outdoor air. If you’ve ever stood by a window that has no covering on a cold day, you know that air can and will seep in through little cracks. This shade will prevent that from happening.
3. Bali DiamondCell 3/8” Midnight Double Cell Blackout Shade: Another great insulating honeycomb shade from one of my fave brands, Bali. This shade comes in more colors than you can imagine.

Join Blinds.com in the Fight Against Homelessness

Every once in awhile, I take a break from the world of window treatments to talk about a great cause. Today is one of those days. We at Blinds.com are BIG supporters of Habitat for Humanity. We donate all blinds sent back to us and extra product to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a resale home improvement store that new Habitat homeowners can buy from at heavily discounted rates.

October 5, 2009 is World Habitat Day, a day for citizens of the world to come together to fight for decent, affordable housing for everyone. As homelessness increases – it is estimated that over 100 million people are homeless – we need to raise awareness of this problem more than ever. If we’re standing idly by, we’re part of the problem.

You can donate to the cause online. It’s easy and safe. Your small donation will make a big difference in the life of someone less fortunate. Take a look at the photos below of the people that need your help:

Diego Manasyan is six years old. He lives his deserted and crumbling Soviet-era building. 

Future Habitat homeowner Linet Gesare Maroko with her son, John. They are pictured in front of the makeshift tent she and her family, including children orphaned by her sister’s death, currently occupy.

Please help out, raise money, and raise awareness for World Habitat Day, October 5, 2009.

Considering Shutters for Your Windows?

We at Blinds.com are obsessed with helping you choose the perfect product. So it’s no wonder that our latest product feature video, Plantation Shutters, is one of our favorites. If you’re wondering who the girl in the video is… well, I’ll give you 3 guesses, but you’ll only need one.

Plantation Shutters really are the Cadillac of window treatments (aside: do people still say that?). We love them because they really, truly increase resale value, and give your home an instant designer boost. Though they can run you thousands of dollars at a big box store, and even more from your local store, if you buy them at Blinds.com, you’ll save literally hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Blinds.com actually offers several lines of fauxwood shutters that are considerably less than real wood, and look fabulous to boot. The Blinds.com Economy Quick Ship Fauxwood Shutter is the least expensive of them all, giving you big-time bang for your buck.

Even if you can’t afford shutters in all your rooms utilize them in rooms that get the most traffic, like living rooms. Also use them in rooms that have street-facing windows for extra curb appeal.

Enough out of me. Watch the video, and let us know what you think!

How to Shop for Blinds Online

Blinds.com is very, very excited about the launch of the newest video in our arsenal, “How to Shop for Window Coverings Online.” Some of you are super savvy, and already know how to shop online for just about everything from window treatments to tires. But believe it or not, not everyone is as comfortable with the idea. There are several reasons why people choose to buy in-store and spend more:

1. Fear that they have measured wrong.

2. Fear that the color they see online will not look the same as it does online.

3. Some people just want to be able to touch and feel a product before purchasing. 

4. Some are afraid of having to measure and install anything, especially custom window treatments.

In an effort to make Blinds.com customers and potential customers feel more confident that the process is fun, easy, and money-saving, we produced the video below, featuring the newest addition to the Blinds.com family, Sunny the Dog. Leave her some love, and let her know whether the video helped YOU feel more secure about buying blinds online.

What is the Difference Between Blinds and Shades?

Really, truly think about it... can you answer this question?

Seems silly, and maybe it doesn’t matter that much in the grand scheme of things. However, there is tons of confusion surrounding these two mundane, everyday terms, and believe it or not, a blind and a shade are not one in the same. When you begin your quest for the perfect window treatment, having this basic knowledge of the differences will allow you to quickly and painlessly navigate to the product you want.

A blinds typically has slats – also known as louvers – that rotate back and forth to control light and privacy. A blind can be completely lowered, yet still allow light to come through. You might sometimes here a shutter referred to as a blind, or plantation blind, because it has louvers, though shutters are usually in their own category.

A shade is generally one piece of material that raises and lowers, but does not have moveable slats. Shades are the preferred insulators.

Blinds used to be the preferred method for people wanting maximum control over light. In recent years, the top down/bottom up option has become more popular. It allows you to lower the top of the shade, letting a lot or a little light in, without giving up your privacy.

The most popular and top-rated blinds are the Blinds.com 2” Fauxwood Blind (over 571 customer reviews, and 4.7/5 rating) and the Blinds.com 2” Deluxe Wood Blind (over 287 reviews, 4.6/5 rating).

Customer mLegreen (see customer submitted photo below) purchased the Deluxe Wood Blind and had this to say:

"I used to work for a window shade manufacturing company and the quality & price for these blinds cannot be beat! We just got new windows and are hoping to sell our house within the next year and a half but we needed shades and these were perfect! They are clean and elegant without breaking the bank - plus we wanted to be able to let the natural light in as much as possible during the day. Couldn't be happier and I WILL be buying more!"

On the flip side, the most purchased and reviewed shades are the Blinds.com 3/8” Light Filtering Cellular Shade (over 430 reviews, 4.6/5 rating) and the Blinds.com 3/8” Double Cell Blackout Cellular Shade. (over 230 reviews, 4.5/6 rating).

Customer Dan121 purchased the 3/8” Blackout shade and said this (his photo below):

"Before I installed my shades it was like trying to sleep with the light on. After it has been great. They look great and they keep the sun and other light out of the room."

Have questions about the differences between blinds and shades? Email, or leave questions below.

P.S. – Follow Blinds.com on Twitter to get ALL your questions answered!

Blinds.com Gives Backpacks & School Supplies to Children in Need

**Plus, why SMB’s should encourage employees to participate in community service together.

We remember what it was like to go back to school. Who didn’t want that perfect backpack, plus every item on the school supply list? When we found out how many children in Houston were without these essentials, we took action. The YMCA of Greater Houston is a hub for helping children. Its fabulous and well-run community centers and programs make it a great place to get involved. Needless to say, we were delighted to learn about Operation Backpack, an organization that collects backpacks, lunchboxes, and school supplies for children in need.

We began by setting up drop-off points at both Blinds.com offices.

 

Within 1 week, we had over 60 FILLED backpacks! Yes, each one was filled with all the supplies on the list. It was time to make the drop, but not before taking a group photo.

 

Sarah, Shannon, Ana, and I piled into the car, backpacks in tow, and made our way to the YMCA Houston on Stella Link. This is an unbelievable new building, with tons of fun activities for kids and parents.

We were greeted by a wonderful volunteer, Marvin.

We were also warmly received by YMCA Houston Executive Director Brandy Perryman (who was one of the coolest names EVER). He helped us carry bags in, posed for pictures with us, and couldn’t wait for Blinds.com to participate in more community programs.

Why This Matters

A recent Watson Wyatt survey suggests that “highly engaged employees miss 20 percent fewer days of work and are almost 80 percent more likely to be top performers. About 75 percent of them exceed or far exceed expectations in their most recent performance review. These workers also tend to be more resilient to, and supportive of, organizational change initiatives.”

Having engaged employees in your organization leads to enhanced performance by the organization as whole. As employees feel more attached to the company’s mission and vision, they begin to feel loyalty. Issues like children’s education enhance attachment to the organization when staff are encouraged to get involved.

When employees participate in community causes as a group, it helps them understand that their performances are directly connected to the company’s performance. By encouraging them to work together in the name of charity, camaraderie is established and professional connectedness develops. Not every business has an extensive bankroll to donate large amounts. Instead of cutting a big check, make an impact through the workplace by getting everyone involved with an ongoing program or special project like Operation Backpack. This requires very little money or time, and makes a real impact.

Watson Wyatt calls these “engagable moments,” and they equal a win-win for the organization, and the community. We encourage you to get your company behind a great cause. It will stimulate everyone’s creativity and drive. You might even have a little fun.

P.S. - Follow Blinds.com on Twitter for more on our commitment to social action.

Designer and Modern Doghouses Fit for Humans

There’s no doubt that we love our pets as much (if not more… sorry kids) than our own children, so it should come as no surprise to you that people will go to great lengths to pamper their precious pups. When I set out to write this post, I had no idea that I would find a staggering number of websites catering to the fake homes of dogs. And let’s face facts here, people. Some of these homes can be purchased for the price of a small or used car. I know it’s appealing to see a little furry creature scurry in and out of a miniature house, and if money was no object I’d surely buy my little Winnie a Cape Cod Cozy Cottage Kennel, which is more like a small mansion than anything resembling a kennel. In the meantime, I think she’s pretty happy sleeping on my New Kids on the Block sleeping bag.

All that being said, these doghouses are ridiculously cute. Especially the ones with draperies. Of course these houses need blinds and draperies. Dogs are people too, you know?

 

First, a little plush leopard house with taffeta drapes. Nice tiebacks.

 

Next we have the Spanish Villa. Notice the light fixtures and Spanish clay tile roofing.

 

No window treatments on this fancy little trailer. Like any good eco-conscious dog, this Westie has his clothes drying in wind.

 

Might be the most spoiled dog in all the world. Her room is nicer than mine.

I like the Danish inspiration on the Cape Cod Cozy Cottage Kennel. The scalloped edge on the roof is a nice touch, as are the outdoor shutters.

 

The creme de la creme of custom designer dog houses. This house has a nice white fence surrounding its little deck. Perfect for lounging. Now check out the inside:

 

Nice draperies with bone-shaped valances. Oh yeah, and AIR CONDITIONING.

What do you think, Winnie?

 

She likes 'em.