The 2 largest international glass trade shows have been cancelled for 2020. GlassTec which is usually held every 2 years in Düsseldorf was postponed until June 2021. This was followed by GlassBuild America cancelling the 2020 show planned for Las Vegas, which will now be returning to Atlanta in 2021. Given the global uncertainty and significant travel restrictions in place relating to Covid-19, this was not unexpected. Many large exhibitors had indicated they would not have attended even if the events had gone ahead.
With the biggest events on the calendar disappearing – how can you ensure your business is staying ahead of the game?
Use this time and money for improving your business
Many of you will have budgeted to attend these events. Now that's no longer possible, you could be researching the best options available to your business to get to the next level. Most major business decisions will involve a level of internet research. While face-to-face options are limited, review what business decisions you can move forward with. Take the time to consider what's holding your glass business back. Is it bottlenecks? Staff limitations? Slow processes or old technology? Perhaps it’s not knowing where you should be putting your resources. Ideally, you want a solution that addresses as many of these issues as possible.
Look for leverage
Sometimes you just need to get past the tipping point to see significant benefits on the other side. Glass software is an example of a tool that can help throughout your business. Giving your staff the tools to quote quickly and accurately leads to winning more jobs. Accurate business data and reporting can tell you which jobs are the most profitable and the ones you want to chase. A system like Smart-Toolbox that helps you quote, schedule, order, invoice, report and manage can transform your glass business.
Talk to your peers
Success leaves clues and the most successful glass businesses are likely doing more than a few things well. If you’re considering the next steps for your business, talking to some of your peers can give you relevant insight from people that have already been through the same process. Talking to your direct competitors may not be the right approach but getting advice from your local glass association or talking to a respected company in a nearby location can help you make the best decisions.
Online events, industry publications and blogs
Some of the activity planned for the major tradeshows is shifting to the virtual space with online events. The NGA is running GlassBuild Online throughout September and USGlass are running a virtual event called GlassCon Global VE - Glass Expo VE on September 9-10. Have a look at how you can get involved.
Glass specific publications will be focused on areas that are relevant to you and your business and help you keep on top of industry trends, new technology and ideas. Blogs (like this one) which only publish articles for glaziers are a good source for relevant information.
We were looking forward to seeing many of you at the trade shows and demonstrating the latest features of Smart-Toolbox, Smart-Glass and Smart-Glazier. We’ll hopefully see you next year when the shows return. If you’d like a personal tour of our glass software and a demonstration of what it can do for your business, email us at info@smart-builder.com or click the button below.