Next Generation-NOW


Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

Next Generation-NOW to Hold First Online NGN Huddle

Topic to focus on Generation2Generation

Coming off the success of their Las Vegas Market Chatter Over Cocktails, the Next Generation-NOW group has announced it is hosting its first online NGN Huddle on August 22 at 11 a.m. PDT. NGN Huddles are the perfect place for members to learn and grow, straight from their computer.

The first NGN Huddle, Generation2Generation will offer advice from two successful retail stores on how they are handling the generational transition. The skills and knowledge passed from generation to generation can help businesses grow, succeed and thrive—but the transition between generations isn’t always a simple one. Family-business owners from Gates Home Furnishings, Grants Pass, Ore., and Coconis Furniture, South Zanesville, Ohio will be on hand to answer questions provided by the Next Generation-NOW membership. Both stores currently have two generations working side-by-side.

“There is always so much you can learn from talking to others, and this first NGN Huddle will focus on an issue that many of us are dealing with in the industry. Succession of a business isn’t easy. I am excited to share our businesses’ success when it comes to transitioning from generation to generation. My dad transitioned into the business in 1977, and has built a successful business for me to continue,” said Nick Gates. “I know that Coconis Furniture has also had great success at surviving multiple successions over the last 85 years. I have already learned so much from the Coconis family, and I know attendees will too.”

Utilizing the next generation’s tech-savviness, the NGN Huddle will be conducted through Google Hangouts and social media. To attend, members simply create a profile on the Next Generation-NOW social site at social.ngnow.org, log-in and then they can start watching the panel discussion live. To ask questions, members simply post to the Social page’s wall, or Tweet @ngnow on Twitter.

Through community, education and outreach, Next Generation-NOW is an incubator for those new to the industry; informing and encouraging while learning from those who have years of experience to share. It is a hosted community of the National and Western Home Furnishings Association. To sign-up for Next Generation-NOW Social page, visit social.ngnow.org. For more information, visit www.ngnow.org.

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Thursday, August 9th, 2012

Next Generation-NOW Chatter Over Cocktails Brings Generations Together

Mentoring from Kerry Lebensburger, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inspires All 

Next Generation-NOW hosted its Market Chatter Over Cocktails during the Las Vegas Market and saw over 100 attendees there to speed network and listen to the sage advice of industry veteran, Kerry Lebensburger, Ashley Furniture Industries.

Kerry shared his story of coming into the family business in 1969, where he became a buyer over lunch. “A rep came in and told my father, ‘You’re too old to buy contemporary furniture for the store, and I am too old to sell it, let’s have the young kid do it’, and at lunch, I became a buyer,” he said.

He continued to share how every generation thinks they are faced with horrible changes, and when he was a retailer in 1972, he attended a conference put on by Furniture Today and the National Home Furnishings Association called Debut 72. During this conference, attendees were told they had to prepare for the future, because companies like Levitz, Breuners and Ikea were coming on board. From this event, a group called Young Executives was formed to gather the next generation together and create a successful future for the industry. Today, similar challenges are facing the industry and a new group of young executives are gathering to form Next Generation-NOW.

“There were challenges in every generation. You are faced with tremendous challenges, but every generation has to overcome the challenges. The way you overcome challenges, there is both a formal and informal way to do that. The opportunities for this generation are tremendous,” Kerry added. “NGN is on a mission. We are going to try and put 300 next generation retailers in a room at High Point. What we are looking to do is get people that you might have heard of them, but you don’t know how to get a hold of them.”

In parting, Kerry said, “I hope you continue to learn every single day of your lives.”

Next Generation-NOW is a hosted community of the National and Western Home Furnishings Association and is an incubator for those new to the industry—informing and encouraging while learning from those who have years of experience to share. Kerry’s full speech can be seen at http://youtu.be/lG5IQVbPXwA. For more information on Next Generation-NOW, or to sign up online, visit www.ngnow.org.

Interested in sponsoring the next generation of home furnishings professionals? Contact Cindi Williams at cwilliams@whfa.org or (800) 422-3778.

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Thursday, July 19th, 2012

Next Generation-NOW Hosts Chatter Over Cocktails & Best Ideas Breakfast During Summer Las Vegas Market

The Next Generation-NOW group will host two events during the Summer Las Vegas Market: a Best Ideas Breakfast and their Chatter Over Cocktails reception, both on Tuesday, July 31.

The new Best Idea Breakfast will be hosted 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Retailer Resource Center, C-496. Next Generation-NOW members are welcomed to grab a delicious waffle before sitting down at a designated table and discussing what’s working, and not working, with their peers. “The Best Ideas Breakfast will be a great place to sit down with other peers in the industry and discuss the good, the bad and the ugly,” said Next Generation-NOW member, Alex Macias. “The breakfast is a great, informal way to meet new people, share ideas and learn about the various opportunities within Next Generation-NOW.”

The semi-annual Las Vegas “Chatter Over Cocktails” reception will be from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in the One-Six Club on the 16th Floor of Building B. This year’s event will feature “Speed Networking” as well as a special presentation by Kerry Lebensburger, president sales, Ashley Furniture Industries. “Every generation has its challenges, but never has it been more important for our industry to bring together its future leaders,” Lebensburger said. “It is within the power of our young people to create thriving family enterprises that will stand the test of time. As a member of the Young Executives class of 1972, I look forward to the energy and enthusiasm of today’s best and brightest members as they learn, share, and interact within this fabulous organization.”

Throughout Market, NGN members can escape their hectic schedules and take a break in The Social Spot within the Retailer Resource Center, C-496. Designated as NGN’s home base during Markets, The Social Spot will let members tune out while plugging in to the latest in social media and technology.

Next Generation-NOW is a hosted community of the National and Western Home Furnishings Association. To sign-up for Next Generation-NOW, visit http://tinyurl.com/NGNsignup. For more information, visit www.ngnow.org.

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Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Next Generation-NOW to Host Cocktail Reception at Las Vegas Market

Las Vegas, Nev.—The Next Generation-NOW group will host a “Chatter Over Cocktails” reception on Tuesday, August 2 at the Las Vegas Market. The cocktail reception will be from 5-6 p.m. in the One-Six Club on the 16th Floor of Building B.

During the reception, mentors from past generations will be on hand to share their stories and offer advice to the up and coming generation of the home furnishings industry. “Networking and communication are two of the tenants of growth in the furniture industry. Without listening and talking to our peers about current issues, new ideas and even our frustrations, it would be impossible to make any significant strides forward in this industry. This generation not only has its peers to turn to but a sea of individuals from our previous generations,” said Next Generation-NOW Committee Chair, Nick Gates, Gates Home Furnishings. “We have the opportunity at Next Generation-NOW to learn from and network with people who have been through many of the situations we are seeking answers to. Anyone looking for insight to where the furniture industry has been, where it is now and where it’s going is encouraged to attend Next Generation NOW’s ‘Chatter Over Cocktails’ event. There we will have the opportunity to learn, as the future of the furniture industry, from a group of mentors who are eager to extend their expertise and advice.”

Sponsored by FurnitureDealer.net, cocktails and hors d’œuvres will be served as attendees enjoy great conversation and views of the Las Vegas skyline.

Launching during last year’s August Las Vegas Market, the goal of the Next Generation-NOW is to provide professional development, networking and hosted forums and give voice to the unique needs of young furniture professionals through educational and networking events at Markets and industry conferences. The group has successfully hosted numerous networking events during Market and is moving forward on their own website and educational webinars.

RSVP for the Next Generation-NOW event by visiting the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NextGenNow.

Major sponsor for Next Generation-NOW is FurnitureDealer.net.

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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Next Generation Transitions to Next Generation–NOW!

Twenty five years ago, an Olympia, WA furniture dealer was discussing with a factory rep, his concerns of trying to transition his five children into the family furniture business. John McHugh was concerned that the furniture industry was losing the next generation of retailers to “sexier” industries such as computer technologies and financial brokerages.
John’s concern was voiced by numerous other store owners on how difficult it was becoming to convince the upcoming generation that they could have a rewarding career working as a Main Street retailer—it was just going to be long hours and lower pay for the next 10-15 years, with a promise that, “Some day son (daughter), this will all be yours!”

With the assistance of the McHugh family, rep Sam Marks and the Northwest Furniture Retailers Association (now a part of WHFA), Next Generation was created. The premise behind the organization was to assist the sons, daughters and key-managers in becoming the future leaders of their family’s furniture business; that the home furnishings industry was a great career path and owning a retail store could be an avenue to significant financial rewards.

Beginning in 1985, Next Generation began holding annual conferences focusing on the following areas:

•    Peer-to-Peer Networking
While their parents built a network of “industry friends” through conferences, markets and supplier trips (remember those) and regularly counted on their fellow retailers for advice on various business issues unique to furniture retailing, Next Generation provided a conduit for their children to cultivate their own network. Many of the relationships built through Next Generation exist to this day!

•    Management Training
It might be one thing to have a child take over the company, but without the proper skill-set, this transition might not be successful. Next Generation conferences featured management seminars focused on providing business education to keep the company healthy for the third and fourth generations (and beyond).

•    Tax/Succession Strategies
Even with a willing and capable “heir-apparent”, many businesses cannot handle the tax burden of ownership transfer. Tax consultants—experts in succession planning, were regularly on the Next Generation schedule. NG attendees soon learned that a cost-effective business transfer from one generation to the next often takes careful planning and many years of implementation.

•    Inter-Personal Relationships
In many family businesses, Thanksgiving dinner can become a “Board of Directors” meeting. One of the most important aspects of Next Generation was providing speakers that addressed the unique issues of working with family members in the business. Common themes included: Do you bring “in-laws” into the company? What is the patriarch/matriarch’s role when Jr. takes over the helm? How do you structure a company with multiple siblings involved?

Whether part of a natural “business cycle” or a strong real estate market of the past decade, the Next Generation conferences of 25 years ago faded into some very fond memories, but the friendships and business relationships and education are as strong as ever among the participants.

As times have once again changed, and many new up-and-coming professionals are entering the home furnishings business, many of us from the original Next Generation are gathering to create a new group called Next Generation-Now.

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