Map data ©2012 Google, Sanborn. Inset image property of Chute Gerdeman.

I was recently honored with the opportunity to be a presenter at last week’s European Store Design Summit in Wiesbaden, Germany. While I was there I had the chance to venture the streets of the nearby city of Frankfurt. As I strolled along the ladenstrasse (a typical German shopping street), I was stopped in my tracks by an impressive architectural glass facade with a gaping funnel that shot through the five-level building, offering a keyhole glimpse of the sky beyond. Wow…very cool! I had to investigate further.

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Image property of Chute Gerdeman

In 2014, millennials will become the largest generation on the planet. Unlike the generations that came before them, millennials are truly a worldwide phenomenon. They’re more diverse than any previous cohort and have global reach, thanks to the Internet. Multi-cultural is the norm for this bunch.

They are confident, self-expressive and upbeat. Raised hearing “You can be anything you want to be,” and “You can do it!” from their baby boomer parents, they’re optimistic but not foolish. In fact, they’re very much realists. (You can thank gen X for that element of wisdom!)

Brands matter greatly to this group. They take time choosing their personal favorites, landing on brands that align with their attitudes, beliefs and even personal quirks. Luxury or commodity, they’re a fickle bunch but, believe me, you want to make the cut.

While millennials may not have the deepest pockets or strongest cash flow, they topple other generations in terms of influence. They have high expectations and are full of opinions. They say their piece and say it loudly; more importantly, others actually listen. For those looking to sell to them, it would be wise to consider what they have to say.

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Images property of Chute Gerdeman

The Chute Gerdeman team had the distinct privilege of contributing to this year’s Veterans Day parade here in Columbus. We were selected to design and install new banners that honor all branches of our military service at Franklin County’s Veterans Memorial. Any day is the perfect day to honor our servicemen and women, and Friday was a particularly beautiful day for a parade! Thank you to all our veterans!

Image property of Chute Gerdeman

Handwritten thank you cards…do you remember them? Handwritten anything for that matter? In times when tech rules, it seems as though personal touches have all but disappeared. Lately, though, I’ve noticed the thoughtful gesture popping up in unexpected places, which I hope means written thank yous are making a comeback.

Image property of Chute Gerdeman

I was recently shopping at Coach for my niece’s sweet sixteen birthday. I spent some time with the salesperson in search of the perfect gift. She was genuine in her demeanor and asked me about my niece’s interests so she could recommend the right bag for her. After sharing a little, Mallorey suggested the Kristin Hobo bag. My niece loved it, and a few days later I received a thoughtful handwritten note in the mail—from the salesperson! The message was personalized and included details from our conversation. She noted,  “It was such a joy meeting you and helping you.” Meeting me, not selling me? Wow, now this is excellent customer service! Read more…