At Integrity Blinds & Shutters, our mission is to improve the quality of our customers’ lives while at the same time improving our own quality of life. One way that owner Jeff Brannon lives out that goal is by pursuing opportunities for team building and professional development. “We just think it’s really important to get out and do things together as a team and get to know each other better,” states Jeff. “We like mixing people together, putting a lot of commercial people in with the residential. It’s important for good company culture.”
This past April, we closed our doors to spend two days together as a team in North Carolina. On the first day, our road trip led us to the Whitewater Center in Charlotte. We enjoyed a day filled with fresh air and laughter, connecting with coworkers we don’t get to see on a day-to-day basis.
Our team spent the morning on the Whitewater Center’s outdoor obstacle course, working together to complete a variety of challenges. In addition to providing a change of pace from our normal routines, the activities prompted meaningful conversation and insights among colleagues. Managers and employees discussed topics such as taking initiative, problem solving, and the importance of appreciating all parts of the team. After a morning of creativity and conversation, the afternoon culminated in a thrilling excursion through the Center’s whitewater rapids course.
The following day, the Integrity crew traveled back to Charlotte for the International Window Coverings Expo. This is the largest event dedicated to the window treatment industry, which for Jeff Brannon, offers a vital opportunity for all members of the company. Jeff says, “We feel that it’s really important that everybody in our company gets to get away from their daily routine. IWCE helps our admin people get a new perspective and a better understanding of what they’re a part of.” Jami Duncan, part of our residential ordering department said, “I saw so many different products at IWCE! It really helped me understand how large the world of window coverings is, and it gave me a greater knowledge of the products we sell to our customers.”
Every year, IWCE brings together over a hundred of the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers from around the world. It grants businesses like ours an opportunity to connect face to face with the dealers we collaborate with on a regular basis. Over the course of the day, our team interacted with representatives from manufacturers such as Alta Window Fashions, one of the world’s leading producers of custom window treatments, and Somfy, a prominent provider of motorization and smart home solutions.
Another of our favorite booths to visit each year is hosted by Mermet, our neighbors based right here in South Carolina. Not only did our team gain valuable insights into the latest sun control options available, but we also enjoyed the variety of fun photo opportunities, including having our caricatures drawn by local artist, Joel Kweskin. We were excited to hear that our friends at Mermet were voted Best in Show at this year’s expo!
One of Integrity’s core values is to never stop improving, which aligns well with IWCE! The expo provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about advancements in the industry – developments that we can then offer our customers. For instance, in 2022, Integrity was introduced to SecurShade, which produces window treatments designed to provide safety during school campus emergencies. In a crisis situation, these shades rapidly lower with the touch of a button and can alert necessary authorities. Thanks to last year’s expo, our commercial team now offers this innovative product to South Carolina’s local school districts. Unsurprisingly, SecurShade was named Best Safety Solution at IWCE 2023!
It is unusual for a company to bring its entire team to IWCE, so Integrity’s large group does not go unnoticed! For the past two years, Window Fashion Vision, the premier window coverings magazine, has featured our company in their spring editions.
Looking back on our team outings in April, Commercial Division Manager Alex Munoz noted, “The overall opportunity that both days provided, for us to interact outside of the office, allowed us to strengthen our relationships. I very much feel it was well worth the time and resources that it took to make this happen!” Investing in our whole team in turn equips us to improve our customers’ experience – a mission that Integrity will continue to strive toward every day.
