IKD KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS

RISE OF THE INDEPENDENT RETAILERS

2011-07-05T11:20:00.000+01:00

Mary Portas - champion of the local independent retailer, broadcaster and general marketing guru - tweeted this this morning...

"To all Indie shops. The future has to be built on superb customer service, specialism and a great shopping experience. Embrace retail."

As usual, Mary's timing is perfect as Moben Kitchens, Kitchens Direct, Dolphin Bathrooms and Sharps Bedrooms are all reportedly going into administration. This comes as no surprise to Ian and I, as we have had more than our fair share of experience with these companies, which contributed to how IKD came to be. We believed - way back in 1992 - that there was a huge gap in the market for individual, personalised customer service built on trust, respect, honest pricing and a killer after sales service. We were horrified with the glamorous sales promises, cheap over-priced products and dreadful, non-existent after sales care.

Of course the "sheds" (i.e.: B&Q, Wickes, Moben, Dolphin etc) left us standing in terms of showroom square footage, staffing and national advertising, but we continued to plug away, relentlessly building something solid on rock, rather than on the shifting sands of endless false promises.

In our experience, and from the experiences of our many - many - disgruntled ex-shed conversions, the sheds threw money at advertising, but not on the customer's sales and service experience, or - unforgivably - the end product. This was never sustainable.

We're also aware that high pressure sales were a common tactic, which again, offers only a short term gain at best. With high pressure sales, you may hector the business from the customer this time, but follow that up with poor sales, service and products, and do you suppose they're ever going to come back to you? Do you suppose they're ever going to recommend you you to anyone else? No, in fact they're going to slowly destroy your reputation by telling their friends and family about their bad experiences and the poor value for money they received. There's an old, old adage that says: a satisfied customer will tell 5 people that they're happy, but a dissatisfied customer will tell 15 that they're unhappy!

Repeat business and recommendations from elated customers has been a significant factor in how IKD has been able to thrive through the leaner times. Don't get me wrong, we're still unable (and unwilling) to compete on the showroom square footage front, and we remain a small local independent retailer, but - dammit - you will receive no greater personalised service from anywhere else.

We're small and mighty, like the atom!

We fully support Mary Portas' campaign to help local independent firms thrive; after all, small businesses are the backbone of this country and the economy. Personalised service, specialism and great customer experiences should always have been the way of the world, but now the sheds are dying one by one (and taking their automated service, manned by their cheap, inexperienced and disengaged workforce with them), I believe we have a great opportunity to see the rise - and rise - of the independents.

INTEGRATED DISHWASHER SALE!

2011-06-29T12:53:00.000+01:00

We have a couple of amazing dishwashers on very special offer at the moment, but it's whilst stocks last, so if you want one, you best call Karan on (01536) 415280 to reserve yours now. Ready? Here goes...

This superb 60cm integrated dishwasher from Rangemaster offers 12 place settings and 7 wash programmes. It has an efficiency rating of AAA for energy, wash performance and drying and has a 52 decibel noise level. This unit is designed to be completely hidden behind a furniture door and will require a cold water feed and a waste outlet.

Here's the summary of goodies:

12 place settings, 7 programmes, Quick wash programme, Delicate programme, Pre-rinse, LED control panel, Time remaining indicator, Delay timer, Rinse aid indicator, Salt level indicator, Height adjustable top basket, Cutlery basket, Adjustable racking, Anti-food devices, Noise level 52 dB, Energy consumption 1.05 Kwh, Water consumption 15 litres, Energy rating A, Wash performance A, Drying performance A, Dimensions: H820 x W600 x D580mm

Normal RRP: £452, but your exclusive IKD Special Offer Price is just £225!

Or, if that's too big, how about this little beauty...

This super fantastic 45cm integrated dishwasher from Rangemaster offers 9 place settings and 6 wash programmes. It has an efficiency rating of AAA for energy, wash performance and drying and has a 54 decibel noise level. This unit is designed to be completely hidden behind a furniture door and will require a cold water feed and a waste outlet.

Here's a list of the goodies:

9 place settings, 6 programmes, Quick wash programme, Delicate programme, Pre-rinse, LED control panel, Time remaining indicator, Delay timer, Rinse aid indicator, Salt level indicator, Height adjustable top basket, Cutlery basket, Adjustable racking, Anti-food device, Noise level 54 dB, Energy consumption 0.8 Kwh, Water consumption 15 litres, Energy rating A, Wash performance A, Drying performance A, Dimensions: H820 x W450 x D580mm

Normal RRP: £401.52, but your exclusive IKD Special Offer Price is just £199!

All prices include VAT, but exclude delivery and installation. All products subject to availability - stocks are limited, so get your socks on if you want one!

Call Karan on (01536) 415280 right now!

WHAT MAKES 100%?

2011-06-22T10:30:00.000+01:00

My friend Jon, emailed this to me this morning and I thought it would make you smile too...

What makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? Have you ever been asked to give more than 100%? How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathmathical formula that may help you answer these questions: If

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is representated as

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 & 26, then...

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T

2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

...and look how far ass kissing will take you...

A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G

1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So we can conclude with mathematical certainty, that whilst HARDWORK and KNOWLEDGE will get you close, and ATTITUDE will get you there - it's BULLSHIT and ASS KISSING that'll take you over the top!

At least we now know why some people are where they are!

S-BOX: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

2011-06-16T11:47:00.000+01:00

The S-Box™ is a revolutionary new concept for the kitchen and the home.

Simple to operate and cleverly creating new space in the surface of any worktop or cabinet, the S-Box™ collection provides a range of useful items that can be hidden from view, and presented only when needed with the touch of a finger.

No electrics, no gas struts… no hassle!

S-Box: Key Box Top & Collar - Stainless Steel £280

S-Box: Knife Box Top & Collar (excl. knives) - Stainless Steel £304

S-Box: Power Box (3 Sockets) Top & Collar - Stainless Steel £265

S-Box: iPod Dock Box Top & Collar (excl. iPod) - Stainless Steel £345

S-Box: Power Box (2 Sockets + 2 USB) Top & Collar - Stainless Steel £305

S-Box: Spice Box Top & Collar (incls Jars) - Stainless Steel £280

This first S-Box™ range is a practical and stylish way to increase the storage space in your Kitchen and with a carefully selected range of products and contents to suit every taste, enables your kitchen to look clean, clutter-free and well presented.

Maximising otherwise wasted space towards the rear of the cabinet or within the voids in a kitchen island, S-Boxes™ can be easily installed and add value and innovation to any kitchen design.

Described as the most innovative development the kitchen market has seen since the soft-close drawer, the S-Box™ is set to become the next must-have accessory in every household and it's available with an IKD Kitchens' kitchen refurbishment - just ask during your free no obligation home design consultation with Ian.

Prices include VAT, but exclude delivery or installation.

IT COULDN'T BE DONE

2011-06-15T11:26:00.000+01:00

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,

But, he with a chuckle replied

That "maybe it couldn’t" but he would be one

Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin on his face.

If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;

At least no one has done it";

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,

And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,

Without any doubting or quiddit,

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,

There are thousands to prophesy failure;

There are thousands to point out to you one by one,

The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,

Just take off your coat and go to it;

Just start to sing as you tackle the thing

That "couldn’t be done," and you’ll do it.

By Edgar Albert Guest

ROK TEX Contour Sink Collection

2011-05-11T10:47:00.000+01:00

Astracast ROK TEX Contour Sink Collection
Volcanic Black Slate Effect

Introducing the outstanding new ROK TEX Contour Sink Collection by Astracast, for customers who expect more.

ROK TEX is an industry first, pioneering new granite ROK material. The surface is textured which gives the sink a beautiful contemporary slate effect. In addition, metallic particles are added during the manufacturing process, giving the sink a glisten, which is intensified under light.

As well as its stunning good looks, ROK TEX sinks benefit from A LIFETIME GUARANTEE.

Features & Benefits:

> Spacious main bowl in 1.0 sink, which is ideal for washing large non-dishwasher items such as grill trays and woks.

> Recessed drainer, which is ideal for minimising spills.

> Complimentary range of accessories are available, which include a bowl grid, a colander (suitable for the 1.5 bowl only) and a chopping/drainer board.

> ROK Metallic Volcano Black finish

> Available in 1.0 or 1.5 bowl variants.

> 20 Year Guarantee.

In addition to the impressive Features & Benefits, you will also be interested to learn that all ROK TEX sinks are resistant to the following:

Thermal Shock: Can withstand repeated cycles of hot and cold water without effect.

Scratches: Withstands everyday knocks and bumps without chipping or marking. The finish of the sink will remain for the lifetime of the product.

Chemicals: Due to its innovative molecular structure, ROK TEX is resistant to all commonly used household chemicals.

Stains: Even the worst stains, such as red wine and beetroot, can be wiped away easily with a cloth.

Water & Light: ROK TEX sinks will not discolour in direct sunlight or water, or whiten over time.

The price for the Contour 1.0 bowl, including VAT: £490

The price for the Contour 1.5 bowl, including VAT: £540

We would be equally delighted to include this sink in your new kitchen design and refurbishment, or as a stand alone supply only product for our trade and DIY customers. Call Karan now on (01536) 415280, or pop into our kitchen showroom to discuss this stunning new product in more detail.

GOD BLESS THE CARCASS!

2011-05-09T14:04:00.000+01:00

Poor old kitchen carcasses, they don't get any of the glamour or the glory, but they are truly the keystone for any kitchen.

Ask yourself this: if you go to the trouble of having your new kitchen designed and installed - perhaps with expensive granite worktops, a gorgeous new sink and lots of super whizzy gadgets - but you've scrimped on cheap and nasty carcasses: what happens when those cheap and nasty carcasses fall apart? Which they will. The worktop, sink and gadets have all got to be taken out, so that you can do it properly next time. Hmmm, sounds fun.

We don't mess about with cheap and nasty. Even our Rapide+ budget kitchens range has 15mm carcasses as standard, that come with a 5 year warranty, so you will always have peace of mind. Ordinarily however, IKD only deal with 18mm+ carcasses, simply because we believe your house will fall down before they will - they are seriously that strong and robust.

For those of you interested enough in kitchen carcasses, we thought you might like to have a look at our standard carcass specification. Bespoke carcasses (i.e.: solid oak etc) are available, but the majority of kitchen refurbishments for family homes enjoy these benefits...

> 18mm melamine face chipboard

> All visible edges lipped.

> 90° clip-on hinges on all units except 900 x 900 corner base which uses a 180° hinge and splay units, which are supplied with a special 30° hinge.

> 720mm & 900mm wall units supplied with 2 shelves, one only in 575mm wall units.

> Fastfit cam and pins and wooden dowels for easy assembly

> Centre rails in all double module units

> Available in drawer line or high line options

> Fully adjustable legs on all base units

> Fully adjustable all metal wall hanging brackets

>18mm backs on all base units and 8mm backs on wall units and tall units.

> Carcasses are fully colour co-ordinated

> Extensive range of sizes

> Special sizes available

> Metal shelf supports

> 42mm back recess on all base units and 34mm recess on tall units.

> All units can be supplied boxed in flat pack form or supplied rigid

> All products available on a 6 working day lead time

> Continuous plinths in 2940mm lengths available for all finishes

> 12 colours of carcass finish

> Available with metal sided or full extension soft close drawers

> Soft close hinge attachment available as accessory

> All base carcasses 720mm high plus 150mm legs

> Tall units available in 1825mm, 1970mm or 2150mm heights as standard

> Dressers available in 1065mm, 1210mm or 1390mm heights as standard

IKD also provide a full design and supply only service for trade and DIY, so please contact Karan on (01536) 415280 with your sales enquiry; we'd be delighted to help you.

REPAIRABLE WORKTOPS

2011-03-15T13:22:00.000Z

Many people believe granite worktops are the ultimate kitchen worktop surface available, but they'd not necessarily be right.

Don't get me wrong, compared to laminate, it's as tough as old boots, but it's not entirely indestructible. Wine, lemon, vinegar will all eat granite for breakfast. Granite can also be chipped and scratched if you're determined or unlucky enough.

Of course you can put a hot saucepan down on granite, whereas it would utterly destroy a laminate top. So what can you do if you want a worktop more durable, but cheaper, than granite? How would you like a repairable worktop? I'm guessing a lot of people with children have just started paying a lot more attention to this article.

The answer is Apollo® Slab Tech worktop, and at IKD Kitchens we can supply and install all of the Apollo® Slab Tech 30mm Solid Surfaces, as they are simply a superior product with an exceptional after sales and care service.

Apollo® Slab Tech is a revolutionary new 30mm solid surface worktop, and is a unique product in today’s luxury worktop market, having all the attributes of solid surface along with the highly desirable appearance of quartz.

> Solid 30mm - no underframe

> Easy to install - no sealing required

> Seamless joints using revolutionary new glue

> Appearance of quartz

> Ideal for high traffic areas such as the kitchen

> Homogenous and non porous

> Mold & mildew resistant

> Tough stains can be buffed away

> Accidental damage can be repaired

> Ideal for worktops, vanity tops or cladding

> Option of integrated solid surface sinks

> FIRA approved, BS6222 Part 3 1999 for durability

> 10 year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty

To view the entire range of Apollo Slab Tech surfaces, please come and visit our kitchen showroom, or call Karan on 01536 415280 to book your free no obligation home design consultation, and we'll bring the samples to you!

Why pay for granite that will chip when you can spend less and have a repairable surface? It's your call...

WALK AROUND WICKSTEAD

2011-02-02T11:50:00.001Z

Ian with the Mayor, pledging our
support for the Make A Difference
Walk at Wickstead Park

The pocket dynamo that is our Mayor of Kettering, Councillor Shirley Lynch, is inviting us all to join her on the Make A Difference Walk on Sunday 6 March 2011, in aid of the Kettering & District Prostate Cancer Support Group and the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service.

The Mayor is walking 26 miles around Wickstead Park (in high heel shoes no less), to raise funds for these two wonderful and deserving local charities, and would love to meet you during the adventure.

Wickstead Park, as always, has been magnificent by offering their grounds for the walk and will mark out the route, and I'm sure the Mayor has organised some truly spectacular weather for the event. Well, she is a kind of get-things-done kinda woman, so I wouldn't doubt the spectacular weather prediction!

You are invited to assemble in the clearly marked area from 10am, whilst the walk itself commences at 11am; the entrance fee is £3 per person. To register and/or purchase your tickets, please call (01536) 534272 - or just show up on the day. It's just what you need before you tuck into your Sunday roast, and you'll be making a difference for the Kettering & District Prostate Cancer Support Group AND the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service.

Both charities truly deserve our support; a customer and great friend of IKD Kitchens had her life saved THREE times by the air ambulance, following a road traffic accident, as the medics on board just would not quit - they are exceptional people, doing an exceptional job and we need them.

If you're unable to make Sunday 6 March at Wickstead Park, but would still like to make a donation to the charities, please make cheques payable to "The Mayor's Charity" and post them to The Mayor's Secretary, Bowling Green Road, Kettering, NN15 7QX, and know that every penny will make a difference.

Thank you

Ian & Karan xx

BECAUSE YOU'RE WORTH IT!

2011-01-17T11:24:00.000Z

This is our Customer Care Policy - we mean it and we mean business!

THE IKD MISSION STATEMENT...

IKD will endeavour to provide the highest standard of products and services to all of our Clients, from the initial point of contact through to the completion of the project, and beyond.

We will continue to recognise that every Client has their individual aspirations, and will listen to establish what it is they want, rather than tell them what they can have.

All Customers will be treated courteously with honesty and respect, with a view to establishing a close working relationship, based on trust.

IKD will remain committed to the principle of continuous improvement and will invest in the best training, equipment and materials to ensure that every potential is fulfilled.

We will work strenuously to ensure that budgets and timescales are adhered to, whilst every effort will be made to enhance our work by clearing up after ourselves and leaving the premises in (at least) a similar level of cleanliness and order.

Our quotations and invoices will continue to be clearly written and comprehensive in detail, with any administrative queries being handled effectively and professionally.

Any after sales queries or problems will be dealt with as quickly, fairly and efficiently as possible. IKD wish to enjoy the continued pride we have in our after sales customer care.

IKD will endeavour to recommend or co-ordinate only fully qualified and highly experienced third parties (i.e.: electricians, Gas Safe registered gas installers, plasterers etc) wherever possible. We have no interest in jeopardising our own hard-earned reputation on questionable (sub-contracted) tradesmen.

It is the long held ambition of IKD to be the benchmark by which our competitors are judged - and to continue trading for a generation, upon our good reputation alone

Please read what our Customers have said about us : testimonials

NEW GADGET ALERT!

2011-01-07T12:13:00.001Z

We're very pleased to introduce our new - and competitively priced - gadget; the PowerPod, the worktop powerpoint solution, complete with a USB charging facility. This is completely ideal for all kitchens, offices and even bedrooms!

Bomb to the bottom of the article if you want the price, but for those of you who want some more information, here goes:

> The PowerPod has two USB sockets, which makes it ideal for charging iPods and mobile phones.

> It has three 13 amp power sockets

> It is splashproof: IP54 protection.

> Unlike other designs on the market, the PowerPod hides away when not in use and retracts whilst appliances are still plugged in - ideal for modern streamlined homes. This flexible approach ensures your kitchen can maintain its sleek and refined lines.

> It has a slimline profile, so you need only cut a 92mm hole in the worksurface to install it - and it can be retro-fitted if your kitchen, office or bedroom surfaces are already installed.

> There's an illuminated on/off switch, complete with fuse protection.

> The height above the surface measures 331mm, width 100mm.

> Modern, durable and hygenic aluminium casing.

> Comes complete with a 3 pin plug and 1.5 metres of cable. This means you need only cut a 92mm hole & plug the PowerPod into a standard domestic plug socket (within 1.5 metres of the Pod, obviously) - there is no Part P requirement with this unit.

We're about to install one in our kitchen showroom, so please feel free to come and take a look. Now, I will amaze you with the price .... ready? ...

£99

> Price includes VAT, but excludes delivery or installation.

> Next working day delivery to a mainland UK address is £15.

> Please enquire if you'd like a quotation for your PowerPod to be professioanlly installed.

> If you're trade, please ask us about the discount that will apply to you.

> Call Karan now on (01536) 415280 to order yours today - we have two deliveries a week, so no delay!

TIME JUGGLER

2010-12-16T11:02:00.000Z

[Karan]: I was asked yesterday how, as a mother of two very young children, and a business owner, did I manage my time: how did I get everything done?

I would hasten to point out that the question could have been equally asked of Ian, as a father of two young children and a business owner; as the dilemma is ours together and not mine alone. Ian struggles as much as I do to make and find quality time with the children, whilst also focusing on our ambitions for the business. Needless to say it's far from easy.

My answer to Claire's question yesterday began with me telling her I've given up on the crazy sleep habit I had become accustomed to prior to having children, and prior to our business really moving up a gear, and beginning to grow significantly.

I then explained that, as I'm more productive in the morning, that I will get up as early as necessary to complete important tasks before "The Stuff of Days" kicks in. By getting up early and before everyone else, I am able to apply concentrated effort for 90 minutes (2 hours maximum) - without interruption or distraction - and get a whole lot more done, as it really focuses the mind. If you follow the principle that work will expand to fill the time available, you have to limit the time available with deadlines; and then stick to them!

I have learnt many new and more effective ways of working this year, thanks in no small part to Nigel Botterill, but one of my favourite methods is the following. If you have a task to complete in e.g.: seven days, ask yourself this: if I had to complete this task in four days, or I would die, could it be done? If the answer is "yes, but I'd have to work really hard, rescheduled this, postpone that and not watch TV for four days" well then, do it! Nigel doesn't do flowery, but this method really works. And remember, there's no point cheating, as you're only cheating yourself. Push yourself harder and you'll be amazed by the outcome.

The more routine and not-so-important tasks of the day can then be completed amongst "The Stuff of Days" like impromptu telephone calls and meetings etc. I tend to leave the easier and not so brain-draining matters for the afternoon, when my energy levels are beginning to wane. I do tend to have a second wind after the kids have gone to bed, but if I'm going to be up, about and productive early next day, there's no point burning the midnight oil. But I do, as the routine and domestic stuff takes time too.

Claire and I swapped notes about how our houses aren't as clean as we'd like them, how in an ideal world we'd like more food in the fridge and who had the tallest pile of ironing. At the moment Claire and I seem to be trading the same stuff, because with only one of us each, not everything gets done; we're prioritising on a day-to-day basis. Throw in Christmas and we're both running around like our hair's on fire. It can't all be done. There are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week, and unless we're going to be cloned for Christmas, something's gotta give.

Consider the VALUE of one of your working hours. You can probably work out your hourly rate easily enough, but what value has it for you? I attended a BNI meeting recently where a self-employed book keeper stood up and presented a case study: in essence, she had earned her client £10,000. How? By paying his book keeper £120 for keeping his books (funnily enough) and completing his quarterly VAT return, the client was able to dedicate his time to doing what he did best; sales and marketing. As a result he was free to be in the right place at the right time to handle a sales enquiry that eventually became a £10,000 sale. Would Claire's and my time be better spent growing our businesses and paying another entrepreneur to conquer the south face of our ironing piles, or ensuring we're not knee deep in dust when we get home?

Of course there is the expense of hiring someone to clean, iron and book-keep for you, but is it a false economy not to? What else could you be doing, whilst this is being done for you? Could these services be effectively earning you money, whilst assisting the growth of your business? These are questions I am going to ask myself early in the New Year, as we have big plans for 2011 - which is going to take a lot of my time and energy - and I'm not going to allow pesky laundry to sabotage them!

SCRABBLE'S LIFE LESSONS

2010-12-09T12:00:00.000Z

My name is Karan and I love playing Scrabble. They say the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem, although I don't see this as a problem; it's only some other people who think I'm uncool; but their opinion of me is none of my business, is it?

I generally play online, as it allows me to play with far flung friends and family, in addition to random strangers who may, or may not, become regular Scrabble buddies. I love words (you may have noticed) and I love the challenge, whilst keeping my brain and vocabulary well exercised. It's not as cool as being plugged into an Xbox 360 I grant you, but I don't care, as I'm learning new words all the time.

Recently I was involved in two games simultaneously, which were nearing the end, and both results were looking bleak for me. In fact, I was certain I'd lose these games, as I had a single low scoring tile left in both games, and absolutely no opportunity on the board to place them well and win. It crossed my mind fleetingly to forfeit both games, to save time, but my opponents both had their penultimate turns to take, before my seemingly inevitable loss.

Following the dictum "Don't quit. Ever. Do. Not. Quit", I decided to play on, hoping my opponents would hit the "Forfeit" icon themselves - in error if nothing else - stranger things have happened at sea. And this is where Scrabble taught me a life lesson: as both opponents laid down their penultimate tiles they created an opportunity for me. I now had somewhere to put my single low scoring tiles, which was basically at the end of the words they had just created. Both single low scoring tiles landed on Double Word Score squares, which meant that I won both games, unexpectedly and from nowhere, by one single point, and within minutes of each other. I laughed.

What I took from this bizarrely timed experience is this: in business you can never second guess what your opponents and competitors are going to do; in some ways it's none of your business what they do - you have to play your own game with confidence, until the end. Don't quit. Ever. Do. Not. Quit. Your opponents may make mistakes and create opportunity for you. They may even be successful and create opportunity for you; you never can tell. All that you can do is be patient, persevere, and actually be around to pounce on the possibilities when they eventually present themselves. I'd have lost these games if I had quit, but I always had a chance (that led to eventual triumph) whilst I was still in the game. Losing is not inevitable and you always have to play to win despite the odds.

If anyone fancies a game of Scrabble with me, please let me know via our Facebook page as I'll play anyone - but I'm obviously going to play to the death and would expect you to, too! May the best uncool Scrabble geek win!

SHOWING MY AGE!

2010-12-08T11:24:00.003Z

[Karan]: Our daughter, Mia (aged 7), thinks dinosaurs roamed the earth when I was at school, and once asked me what we used before cars were invented, when I was little. I kid you not. It's a bloody good job you can't sell kids on eBay, is all I can say! Cheeky little Minx.

I am keen to point out that I wasn't born in the Mesozoic, or any other prehistoric era for that matter, but I am a child of the 1970's; which is feeling more and more like the Mesozoic era the older I get. To make matters worse, I saw an online article recently celebrating all the "must have" toys of my bygone age, and Mia took pity on me as though I was neglected as a child or something. What I have tried to explain to Mia is that SIMON was our version of her Nintendo DS, and I was thrilled when I got it for Christmas in 1978: my parents may have lived to regret their repetitively noisy present choice, but I most certainly didn't.

Another of my all time greatest presents was the Stylophone. Now, as a mother of two rampant and rambunctious children, I can only assume that my parents were clinically insane to have given this to me in 1976 - what were they thinking?! Have you heard the God awful noise this contraption creates? For those of you denied the special privilege of having heard the special tunes created by a tame Stylophone, I can only describe it as sounding like a bag of cats being slammed against a wall. But I loved it as it allowed me to be "creative" - along with my banging wooden spoons on pots, pans and my brother!

My deepest regret, the one thing I always wanted but never got was the Raleigh Chopper bike, complete with a gear lever. My friend Simon Hodge had a red one and I coveted it unashamedly, but I was bought a girlie Flyer instead (no, I hadn't heard of one until then either) - a brown one at that - BROWN?! No nine year-old child asks for a brown bike, and you should see the groovy haircut I had at the time when photographed on said brown bike. No, I'm not showing you. The Raleigh Chopper was the epitome of a bike, it was the ultimate - you were somebody if you had a Chopper - everyone was your friend, mostly so they could get a ride on your bike. I didn't get any requests to ride my brown Flyer [sniff].

May I also take this opportunity to register my utter disgust that when the Chopper was relaunched a few years ago it was sans gear lever - how could they do that?! I know why they did that; on Health 'n' Safety grounds, but we children of the 70's survived, and there's nothing (much) wrong with us...I heard that!

My brother and I were not in the least bit neglected at Christmas, whatever Mia may think; we had great Christmas', where our parents went all out for a wonderful day, with great food, mountains of presents and our family around us. Our parents subjected themselves to hours, days, weeks and months of Stylophonic Greensleeves, because that's what parents do at Christmas, isn't it? It's in the children's charter that they are required, by law, to be noisy and rampant on Christmas Day, so that their parents are fraught and exhausted husks by nightfall.

Stand by your beds fellow parents, the day is almost upon us. This is where our own parents laugh at the memories of how we used to be, and delight in the deliciousness of karma, as our ears ring from the cacophony and our last nerve strains to hold out: I'm looking forward to it already. Good luck people and please remember me fondly.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

2010-12-02T12:17:00.000Z

[Karan]: And no, I don't mean Christmas. Of course it is Christmas soon, (however hard I try and deny it), but what I mean is: it's that time of year when [gasp] it snows!

It never ceases to amaze me how this country comes grinding to a standstill at the first glimpse of snow. Already we have had news reporters dispatched to Hemel Hempstead so they can crouch in the snow to show us how deep it is. Already three major airports have closed, with no news as to when they might re-open, whilst disappointing thousands of travellers. I've still to hear the AA advise us only to travel if it's important, but I'm sure that little nugget is on it's way soon. Politicians have been "braving it into Westminster" to ensure our stocks of salt are adequate to keep the country moving, whilst my TV is now covered in muesli at the nonsense of it all.

I'm now sitting here, having threaded my way carefully into work this morning because the roads are icy, and fully anticipating having to collect my daughter from school before lunch, because the current snow flurry is expected to drift and the school must close! How in God's name do they cope in Alaska, Russia and Norway - let's find out and copy what they do, because I'm pretty sure their schools don't close, their trains still run and their airports remain open, always.

We have a serious obsession with the weather in this country, but whatever the weather may throw at us, it leaves us bemused and often times, scuppered with the wrong kind of rainfall (!) or leaves on the line. In summer the very same news reporters were crouching next to a melting road surface, whilst the rest of us were unable to refresh our scorched patches of earth due to a hosepipe ban. It's the current snow that really amuses me. If we lived in Barbados, snow would be a genuine surprise, but we don't and it shouldn't be. Have you noticed that the phrase "global warming" is always substituted at this time of year for "climate change". Climate change my arse, it's winter, it snows; we just all need to be grown ups and learn how to adapt better, rather than be caught out by what we know is coming.

I saw a television programme earlier this week about the snow, road gritting and the likelihood that the UK will run out of salt before spring arrives. A comment was also made that to import the salt we need is very expensive "at this time of year". Hmmm, okay, well what can we learn from this? Well, in the UK it snows in winter. We experience winter weather from November to February EVERY YEAR, so why not buy/import salt in June when it's cheaper, hello?!

As for melting road surfaces, I'll leave that for the engineers to work out, but perhaps they could observe how the roads in Arizona and Melbourne survive their searing temperatures. There is a solution to every problem, and we in the UK need to respond better to what happens to us, rather than react. And can the media please stop whipping these issues into more than they really are or need to be; it's only snow: keep calm and carry on!

That is all.

FATAL SALES FAIL

2010-11-12T12:43:00.005Z

Loss or Opportunity?

[Karan]: I've had an interesting couple of days in which I have experienced two completely different attitudes towards exactly the same problem, and I'm now ruminating about the likely outcome of each.

We have been a customer of a local supplier, who I shall refer only to as Tired Incorporated, since we began trading in 1992; a very long time ago. You might consider us a very loyal customer of Tired Inc after all these years, and we used to place quite a bit of business their way, as they were friendly, dynamic and helpful. They might not always have been the cheapest supplier of their stuff, but they were pleasant to trade with and we always try to stay as local as we can.

On Tuesday I had a sales enquiry for a widget, and referred to Tired Incorporated's price list, which was still dated July 2007 despite repeated requests for the revised editions. I thought I'd have another go and spoke directly with the new Sales Manager whose response was: "...every time we try to publish a new brochure, a manufacturer or two will change their stock and/or prices, rendering the brochure out-of-date and inaccurate, so we just [infrequently] email you the changes". Hmmm, okay, fair enough point about the pricing etc, but what are the likes of IKD to do when trying to find the price and availablility of a widget? The answer was: "...give us a call". Hmmm, okay, but what if I need a price outside of your hours of business? Well, we can all guess the answer to that, can't we?

On Wednesday Ian and I went to a trade exhibition, where we were introduced to a new supplier of widgets, who now represent direct competition to Tired Incorporated. During our discussions, their Divisional Sales Director offered us a very large and heavy duty ring binder, full of professionally printed loose leaf pages, complete with all relevent stock, price and discount codes and product specifications etc. It was explained to us that "...every time we try to publish a new brochure, a manufacturer or two will change their stock and/or prices, rendering the brochure out-of-date and inaccurate, so we created this in addition to offering you live online stock levels and a 24 hour online ordering facility". Hmmm, now we're talking! Obviously as stock, price and discount codes change in the future, Extraordinary Inc. will update the binder pages accordingly, but will also email us the changes as a fail safe catch all, ensuring that we are fully equipped with all of the latest developments to help us sell their products!

The online stock level checker and 24 hour ordering facility is just brilliant, and obviously affords us bang up-to-date information and greater ordering flexibility than ever before, from this section of the industry. So who with me can now predict the future for poor old Tired Incorporated? They've allowed themselves to be defeated by an easily surmountable problem; all it would take is a little ingenuity and willingness because, let's face it, a heavy duty ring binder with loose leaf pages is not rocket science, is it? There may be costs incurred to activate this solution, but how much sales revenue are they loosing because they haven't - this is a false economy!

Tired Incorporated, and others I could mention who operate like them, would do well to remember that their customers, like IKD, are having to work extra hard in this climate to succeed, and are unlikely to work even harder than that, and unnecessarily so, when a better, faster, cheaper and more accurate alternative is available from their competitor(s). My advice to Tired Incorporated is the same as it continues to be for ourselves, and something we are constantly mindful of: adapt or die, because if you're not growing your business, your business is shrinking - as a wise man (aka Nigel Botterill) once told me.

FOR THE FALLEN

2010-11-11T07:53:00.000Z

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.

There is music in the midst of desolation

And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

They mingle not with laughing comrades again;

They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;

They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

By Laurence Binyon

PREMIUM DELUXE DADDY HEARING

2010-11-08T06:58:00.000Z

[Karan]: NOTE TO SELF: If you ever come back in the next life, be sure to order yourself the Premium Deluxe version of Daddy Hearing, which will enable you to sleep through almost everything, but particularly your young son having a restless night. Premium Deluxe Daddy Hearing will almost always result in someone else getting up to tend to the infant, so that you may ping open your eyelids and scratch yourself in the morning, whilst feeling fresh as a daisy.

How do men do this? I say men but only sleep with the one, but my friends all have the same experience with Daddy Hearing; which is how I feel qualified to use the term men, plural. It's so bloody infuriating and exhausting.

On a primal level I can understand how hunter-gatherer man needed his sleep to go and kill a brace of wild boar for dinner, whilst stay-at-home woman could sleep when the baby did during the day (HAH! - this never happens by the way). So if we assume all of that to be true (thousands of years later!), can someone please explain to me how Himself can sleep soundly through James' restless night, but will spring out of bed like a scalded cat should someone dare walk past the house and give the car a - silent - sideways glance? What does this say to you?

All joking aside, Ian has actually slept through an earthquake. Obviously we live in England so our experience of an earthquake is very different to those in parts of America or Japan etc, but they're still worth waking up for don't you think? I'm not talking about tremors; even I'd sleep through one of those, I'm talking about the one a little while ago originating from Lincolnshire that shook the whole house. And Himself slept on, thinking I was winding him up when I woke him especially.

Ian's defence for all of this is that he's tired, a point I don't dispute; but it sort of implies that I'm not. So perhaps it's just a Mummy Thing, perhaps I'm just programmed to hear the baby so that Himself can go a hunting and a gathering at Wickes and Machine Mart. Perhaps it's just another in the long, long list of Mummy-Only priviliges; like taking the direct hit when the little darlings vomit so as to protect the carpet, which you know you're only going to have to clean if you don't! Having another shower, or showers, is always preferable at stupid O'clock. Oh the joys.

This picture is not of Ian (or James) by the way and whilst tempted as I may be; if this rather lovely specimen of hunter-gatherer sleeps through crying babies too, there seems little point in me upgrading.

NOT A MOMENT TO LOSE!

2010-11-01T09:45:00.000Z

[Karan]: The 1st November already?! Are you sure? This time in a few short weeks we're going to be staring down the barrel of a New Year, and enjoying all of the wonderful opportunities it's going to afford us.

But what of 2010, have you achieved all that you had planned to achieve this year? Well there's still time for you to finish strong - or stronger still - what are you waiting for? There's not a moment to lose!

From my personal perspective, I cannot believe what Ian and I have achieved this year, so far - it's certainly more than we'd planned on 1st January that's for sure. Earlier this year - April in fact - I wrote out a one year plan, detailing what I wanted to happen in each given month leading up to April 2011. I reviewed this plan regularly to ensure we kept ourselves on track and, although some objectives were not completed exactly when I had anticipated them to be completed, they were nevertheless completed.

I last reviewed this plan at the beginning of October, and was delighted to have found all of our objectives crossed off, but it wasn't until I was talking about this to a friend recently that I'd realised my cardinal sin: I hadn't replaced the list! Where was my one year plan to October 2011? Was I really going to be resting on my laurels from now on?

We still have seven realistically productive weeks left of 2010, and so much can be achieved in that time, so this is me giving myself a massive - and very public! - kick up the arse for being complacent, whilst also setting myself new targets for the remainder of 2010, the New Year and to infinity - and beyond! Have definately been watching too many Toy Story movies!

LAST CHANCE TO BUY

2010-10-22T12:06:00.000+01:00

This DID NOT fall off the back of a lorry! I know you're going to think it did, but it most certainly didn't - it's just an amazing bargain is all. The only problem is, is that there are only a small number left, so if you want one, you best get your skates on.

This is a Reginox single bowl stainless steel sink, and it can be yours - including waste, overflow fittings and VAT - for £50!

It is not nicked, it will be in perfect condition and full working order, with all of the manufacturer warranty and guarantees you'd expect from IKD.

This is perfect for first time buyers, property developers, landlords, builders, DIYers and those on a budget.

Generally speaking we have a couple of deliveries a week in respect of lead times, but I can't even guarantee that I can sell you one; Reginox have made only a certain amount amount available at this ridiculous price and it's going to be a bun fight over who gets them first.

Please let me know of your interest and I will do all I can to obtain one for you. I can't stress this enough: this really is your last chance to buy this sink for £50.

PS: Ask me about taps!

Price does not include delivery or installation & is seriously subject to availability

GRUMBLE ALERT!

2010-10-19T14:35:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: I'm going to have a grumble. I've worked for it, I've earned it and nobody's going to stop me! Are you ready? Here goes:

What exactly is the fascination with misery? How is it allowed to pervade almost every aspect of our lives? The reason I ask is manifold. I stopped tuning into EastEnders over ten years ago because watching people arguing, fighting and screaming and each other doesn't entertain me. I can't bear X Factor for all the (fake) tears and the supposedly broken dreams of teenagers, who have their whole lives ahead of them to still achieve everything they want to. And as for the news, urghh.

The news in particular is a huge bugbear of mine. I used to be glued to the Channel 4 News and the BBC's Newsnight almost every night, but then the recession hit and I switched off. All the media seemed intent on doing was running things even further down and, arguably, making things appear worse than they really were. The TV journalist Robert Peston, who specialised in the economy's descent was even touted as a main cause of the recession, because of the determined pessimism pervading his bulletins. I don't watch the news now and I'm about to cancel my newspaper subscription.

I get that bad news sells papers and airtime etc, but let's have an equal - or at least a representative proportion - of good news, because it is out there. It completely baffles me why people want, after a hard day at work and/or looking after the kids etc, would want to relax in front of "gritty" and "realistic" soaps. I've never been to the East End of London, but the people I know who have say the soap bears little relation to the actual place or the population. Likewise the now defunct The Bill: very little comparison could be made to the real police force.

As camp and glitzy as it may be, Strictly Come Dancing gets our vote on a Saturday night because it can change the contestant's lives, fitness, self-esteem and even body shape for the better. I would rather my kids learn that hard work, concentrated effort and determined application is what is going to help them achieve, over how hard they can cry, what they look like and who happens to like them. Why can't we have more balance with the original educate, inform and entertain mantra of a free media?

Our own situation is a classic case in point. We're a small local business who is working through the recession. It's not been easy, we've had our problems and continue to work extremely hard to make a success of our family business. We opened our kitchen showroom in August and invited the local press to write an article and take some photographs, but they weren't sufficiently interested, even after several repeated invitations. It seems they wish to focus more on job losses and the negative news, which of course needs to be reported, but I go back to my original point about balance. Yes, there are many job losses and crime etc in and around Kettering, but there is positive and good news out there too, and it may just inspire other people if they were able to learn what it is. Our local paper is losing readers hand over fist and is gradually becoming thinner and thinner with every issue - and is it any wonder?! Why not celebrate what's great about Kettering and highlight who's doing well and what the town can be proud of? Do you really want to spend your life in a dark vicious circle going downwards, or would you like to come up for air and into the sunshine from time to time?

With the obvious exceptions of death, divorce, redundancy and illness etc, a great deal of what happens to us can be made better or worse simply by how we choose to respond to it. And it is always your choice. So ask yourself when watching Phil Mitchell smoking crack cocaine on EastEnders (pre-watershed!) if this is really entertaining you, and if it isn't switch it off or at least over! Why not watch your all time favourite feel good movie, talk to your best friend or read a great book instead? Life's too short to spend it in the company of misery and determined negativity. Break free and smile, because it increases your face value!

WE WON!

2010-10-06T12:14:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: I am thrilled, delighted and honoured to announce that IKD Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms have won The Best of Kettering Business Award for Customer Service in 2010 - thank you to everyone who voted for us, we love you too!

This means a great deal to Ian and I, especially following our award in February as The Most Loved Business in Category (overall joint fourth place amongst 300+ other excellent Kettering businesses!).

We have also enjoyed a huge amount of support and success since opening our kitchen showroom last month: which has left us busier than ever changing people's homes for the better and adding value as we go. It's been one hell of a year, we've made a load of new friends, but we still have a quarter of the year left, we're not finished yet and we're going to finish 2010 strong and in style.

Thank you again to everyone who has voted and supported us during our 18 years trading, but especially this past few months - we couldn't have done it without you!

Karan & Ian xxx

SPECIAL OFFER!

2010-10-02T11:42:00.003+01:00

We have a very limited number of these single lever, monobloc mixer taps with a non-return valve and finished in Brushed Steel available at £25 including VAT!

Call us now on 01536 415280 to order yours - whilst stocks last.

* Price excludes delivery and installation *

For more amazing special offers and clearance items, please click here

THE MAYOR INVITES YOU...

2010-09-14T11:14:00.000+01:00

The Mayor of Kettering
Councillor Shirley Lynch

[Karan]: We were honoured to welcome the Mayor of Kettering, Councillor Shirley Lynch, to our kitchen showroom opening event on August Bank Holiday Monday. It was the first time Ian and I had met the Mayor, but we were left with the lasting impression of a hugely energetic, passionate and determined woman, who would stop at nothing to achieve the enormous goals she had set herself to raise money and awareness for those in need and her many nominated charities.

Councillor Lynch takes her duties seriously and is happy to spend as much time as her hectic schedule will allow, in i.e.: the company of our senior citizens who may be in hospital over Christmas, and when visitors can be few and far between. Whilst Councillor Lynch supports all the wings and wards of Kettering General Hospital, few are as desperate for funding or visitors as the senior wards, which is precisely why the Mayor chooses to visit.

This is a Mayor who also goes out of her way to champion small local businesses, which is why she accepted our invitation last month, and spent well over an hour learning about our history and plans for the future. Our Mayor is Kettering born and bred and loves our town with a passion; our Mayor is most certainly not a grey-suited pen pusher interested only in kudos, privilege and pomp; Councillor Lynch will seek out the smaller and less well known charities and causes, and use her public position to shine a light on their work and fund raising activities.

As such, the Mayor is hosting a Charity Dinner and Ball on the evening of Friday 12 November 2010, at the Wickstead Park Pavilion, and you are invited. Tickets are available for £31 each and will be donated to two of the charities closest to the Mayor's heart: Kettering & District Prostrate Cancer Support Group and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance service.

MENU

Rich Tomato & Basil Homemade Soup served with a Crusty Roll

Roast Turkey with all the Trimmings and Seasonal Vegetables

Homemade Apple & Blackberry Pie with Custard

Coffee & Mints

Vegetarian Option: Goats Cheese, Tomatoes, Peppers & Herbs encased in Puff Pastry

EVENING DRESS

There will be dancing to the Sonny & The Honey Dippers, as well as the Bill Burton Disco. Reception 7pm - 7.30pm, dinner served at 8pm and carriages at 1am.

If you would like to attend, please contact me on 01536 415280 - before Wednesday 3 November 2010 - and I will be happy to make those arrangements on your behalf. If you are unable to attend but would like to donate a prize for the Tombola stall, or donate money towards the Mayor's charities, please forward your cheques and/or prizes - before Wednesday 3 November 2010 - to: Mayor's Secretary, Municipal Offices, Bowling Green Road, Kettering, NN15 7QX. Please make cheques payable to: The Mayor of Kettering Charity Account

I'm sure you will agree the evening sounds abolutely wonderful and the proceeds are going towards two extremely worthy causes. IKD Kitchens will be supporting the Mayor's charities, and we hope you will too.

Thank you x

APOLLO n. shorthand for EXCELLENCE

2010-09-06T09:51:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: IKD Kitchens have had a business Facebook profile for well over a year now, and we have had the pleasure of making lots of new friends and acquaintances as a result. We met our new stationery guru, Sheila from Knights & Hyde through Facebook, and now enjoy huge discounts on all of our office supplies, as well as having them delivered promptly and FREE to our door. The potential from Facebook truly is limitless, if you know how to drive it properly.

One of the biggest connections we have made on Facebook however is with Tim and Jenny from Apollo Blinds of Northampton. Tim is the owner of the business and responsible for all of the free design consultations and free installations, whilst Jenny (Tim's daughter) is responsible for practically everything else, in her capacity as Showroom Manager. This includes organising Tim and managing his overflowing diary, whilst ensuring the first class customer service they have developed and are understandably proud of.

Jenny's also something of a social media whizz and first contacted me, via Facebook, way back in April I think: we hit it off immediately. Jenny has a very dry and observational wit, is very clever and a tiny bit bonkers - all qualities I appreciate very much. It also helps that Jenny studied economics and politics at university, has a son of roughly the same age as my own, and absolutely adores The West Wing. Could we have been separated at birth I began to wonder, until Jenny firmly reminded me of the considerable age difference between us. Charming. So that would be "no" then?!

The more we got to know each other and how we ran our respective businesses, the more we realised we had something in common. IKD has a "family" of supplementary tradesmen and suppliers who we work in very close association with, but they have to be more than good - they have to be damned good, as we're all about the excellence. There is no point Ian and I working our socks off to build a solid 18 year-old reputation for excellence and then bring in third rate electricians, gas technicians or builders who are going to undermine everything we're trying to achieve. So when we asked Tim to install two venetian blinds for our showroom window and they were subsequently made-to-measure and fitted without error or issue, we knew we had to invite them into the IKD family. We are now proud to be official Trading Partners with Apollo Blinds of Northampton.

This is the "Cotton" venetian blind on the showroom side of the window. You can see how exactly it fits and how beautifully it has been installed. On the office side of the window we have a "Flint" venetian blind, complete with the Uniwand safety feature, and it's a brilliant idea. To eradicate the risk of small children being hurt by loose blind cords, the Uniwand fully encloses all cords in a plastic wand, and this wand completes all of the blind functions (ie: up, down & tilt etc). We chose to have two blinds because there will be times during a kitchen showroom demonstration, when we will want to effect a blackout, so we can demonstrate the various innovative lighting options available. Tim understood what we were trying to achieve and was able to provide us with great professional guidance, which has afforded us two beautiful and functional blinds that we love. You are more than welcome to stop by and test out the Uniwand for yourself.

As many of you will already be aware, we invited Tim and Jenny along to exhibit at our Kitchen Showroom Opening event last weekend, and I'm delighted to report that our trading partnership with Apollo Blinds is already paying dividends for them by way of sales enquires and design consultations. Watch this space to see what Tim, Jenny, Ian and I are cooking up next for our future respective customers, it's very exciting and it's going to be great!

WHERE'S MY BLOODY GUN?!

2010-09-03T11:58:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: I'm living the dream baby! This is it, this is what all the hard work was for. Having opened the kitchen showroom to the public over the weekend and safely ensconced the children into school and nursery, I was finally able to settle down in my new showroom office and work. It's true to say that I took a moment, and then smiled - I was here. I'd made it.

There I was enjoying the novelty of being able to think a whole thought, all the way through without a barrage of interruptions, and then it began. I had a planned and fully scheduled meeting with our Stationery Guru, Sheila from Knights & Hyde, which was fun and informative but after Sheila, I experienced an unending stream of impromptu "opportunities", and it was frustrating, to say the least. I need to get me some extra strength Sales Rep repellent, because I can't go on like that. I'm all for learning about new products, services & opportnities, but please make an appointment first - I'm not sitting here filing my nails you know, I'm trying to grow and market a business, whilst also ensuring a first rate, earth shattering customer service service.

I once saw a notice in my local Chemist that read: "I shoot every third Sales Rep. The second has just left" and I thought blimey, how unfriendly, but now I understand. In lieu of an actual gun though, I may just purchase such a sign myself.

THE BIG BLOG OF THANKS

2010-09-01T17:40:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: As many of you will already be aware, we opened our first kitchen showroom over the weekend and it was a triumph; we caught up with existing customers and old friends, whilst also making a raft of brand new acquaintances, who we hope to get to know better in the weeks and months to come.

It was an amazing couple of days and Ian and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, but now comes the best bit. This is where I get to tell the world what a wonderful collection of friends and relatives we have and how – and why – we simply could not have got our showroom open without them. Are you ready? Then I shall begin...

OUR CHILDREN: Our beloved and beautiful children (Mia 6 and James 2) deserve our biggest thanks and gratitude for putting up with a less than perfect family life over the past few months, whilst Ian and I have designed and installed the showroom. At exactly the point we needed as much spare time as possible to install the showroom, our day-to-day business life exploded, leaving virtually no spare time at all. We have therefore been stealing hours and days wherever possible to make the showroom happen, which has impacted on our cherished time with the kids. Mia in particular has had, without doubt, one of the most unimpressive school summer holidays since records began; but we intend to rectify this during all future school holidays.

We love our children dearly and will continue to work as hard as we can to offer them a full life of love, laughter and opportunity.

GRACE DENNIS: Without Ian’s Mum looking after the kids – a long way above and beyond the call of duty – none of what we have achieved would have been possible. I can imagine much head shaking and arguing with this suggestion, but the fact remains that our children were looked after exceedingly well, spoilt beyond all comprehension (as is a Nanny’s prerogative I’m told) and, above all else, loved to within an inch of their lives by their Nanny, who they equally adore. A weekend at Nanny’s is no hardship let me assure you – it’s all we can do to get a kiss and hug as we’re leaving, as they’re too busy running into the garden to play, or camp out in their new tents! Separation anxiety is just not a factor for Mia and James – it is for Ian and I, but not so much for them.

Where it all gets above and beyond the call of duty is, following a weekend of looking after two rampant and rambunctious kids who could easily exhaust Mary Poppins herself, Ian and I would return to collect them on a Sunday afternoon to enjoy a home cooked roast dinner with all the trimmings; which had been painstakingly prepared to save us having to cook when we got home. Now that is what you call love and support: so here on record, is our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Mum for all that you have done, the care you have taken and the support you have given freely and in abundance; we really couldn’t have done it without you!

EDDIE McINTOSH: Eddie is IKD’s Electrician Extraordinaire and a fully-fledged leg-end, sorry I meant legend. It’s true that Ian and I have been friends with Eddie since 1992 (when IKD began and we were looking for an electrician to work alongside), but Eddie’s skill, experience and robust sense of humour, make him an absolute pleasure to work with.

The time, imagination, energy and expense Eddie has spent enhancing our showroom with all of the electrical and lighting wizardry that greet you upon arrival is no mean feat. Eddie has worked exceptionally hard to help us create a showpiece to be proud of, and no idea or expense was spared. Another essential component to having Eddie install all things electrical is that we are assured of ultimate safety for ourselves, our children, staff and visitors. Safety is of paramount importance and is the only time, when you’re working with Eddie that the joking stops. Thanks for everything Ed!

LISA BURTON: Lisa is my best friend of 30 years standing – we knew each other as eggs, obviously. My sincere thanks go to Lisa for the endless hours of listening to me burble on about what we’re going to do, are currently doing and have actually done in the showroom. I wouldn’t be surprised if I have spent these last few weeks in particular talking to the arm of her sofa, whilst she’s gone off somewhere to de-fluff her navel – who could blame her? My thanks too for knowing when to cajole, encourage or kick my arse; I’m only allowed to worry or wallow for so long before the boot is swiftly administered for the sake of her sanity. Lisa tells it like it is; the only problem is that it’s frequently via the medium of song, which is a whole other blog post for another day. Ask me about the nightmare that is “Amoureuse”.

Lisa, as many of you will know, was our Event Manager for the showroom opening and made sure everything ran smoothly, which it did. Thank you mate for a couple of very long days helping us enhance our business and reputation, you did an excellent job and Ian and I are grateful for all that you did – you’re a marble.

TREVOR ROBINSON: Trevor is IKD’s plasterer-in-chief who has spent many hours plastering the walls and ceilings of the showroom, and our home for that matter! Trevor takes a great deal of pride in his work, and for good reason too as his results are excellent. We would also like to thank Trevor for all of the encouragement and energy he has brought with him on any given working day; your positive “can-do” approach is very much appreciated and a joy to work with.

PHIL SMITH: For your services to friendship, also above and beyond the call of duty. You know why, and your help is never to be underestimated, and will never be forgotten. Thank you.

RICHARD SANDERS GROUP: Ian and I have been loyal customers of Richard Sanders Peugeot, Renault, Honda & Nissan since they arrived in Kettering in 2002, purely because we always get great service and a bargain. Ian’s Peugeot Boxer van was purchased from and is serviced by Richard Sanders Peugeot, whilst our almost exclusively Renault cars are always purchased there: more often than not Mr Sanders himself will come and thank us personally for another purchase, which is a nice touch.

The Richard Sanders Group is an official IKD Trading Partner and were kind enough to donate the highest value prize for our Prize Draw: a Supagard Car Care system which normally retails at £299.99. Ian and I would like to thank the Richard Sanders Group and James Labrum from the Peugeot division in particular, for all of their help and support during the installation of our showroom.

APOLLO BLINDS: Thank you Tim and Jenny for the fantastic “Flint” and “Cotton” venetian blinds you have installed in our showroom window, the wealth of choice was almost impossible to decide upon, your customer service is second to none and the installation was prompt, efficient and entirely problem-free. Thank you also for the very generous £50 OFF Prize Draw voucher, in addition to the valuable advice you have offered in respect of opening a showroom, and the friendship that has developed over recent months. Long live our mutual appreciation society!

SIMON MACKLAM: Simon, as many of you will already know, is Ian’s glamorous assistant and Man Friday and could be found helping us long into the night prior to the opening event. We would like to thank Simon for his help, when it mattered most – and for his own personal brand of humour, which is absolutely hilarious.

JANE GOWEN: Last but by no means least, thank you Jane for supplying the Play Doh for the children to play with during the showroom opening event. It was an exceptionally good idea (wish I had thought of it!), and it was a very popular activity throughout the whole weekend. Thank you for the time, materials and energy you spent on making the Play Doh, and for the support you have offered Ian and I in the months leading up to the event, it is much appreciated and you are a valued customer and friend of IKD.

Our thanks must also go to all of the people who attended our showroom opening event over the weekend, it was a humbling experience to have your support. I would also like to say another big "THANK YOU!" to Ian's sister and brother-in-law, Lynn & Ken Gunston for travelling from Reading no less and for no other reason than to support our latest venture and take our kids for a fun day out - it meant a great deal to us that you were there, thank you.

I'm just about all thank you'd out now, but Ian and I will continue to feel blessed for a considerable time to come, Karan xxx

PRIZE DRAW WINNERS

2010-08-31T08:01:00.004+01:00

It gives us enormous pleasure to announce the winners of our Big Birthday Party Bash Prize Draw, who we will - of course - be contacting personally over the next couple of days to arrange the collection or delivery of their respective prizes. Here goes...

1st PRIZE (Professional Advanced Supagard Care Care Treatment, worth £299.99 from Richard Sanders of Kettering) - Mr & Mrs Patterson, Kettering

2nd PRIZE (£50 OFF Voucher from Apollo Blinds of Northampton) - Mr Sweeney, Corby

3rd PRIZE (BOSCH TWK6831GB Cordless Kettle, worth £49.99 from IKD Kitchens of Kettering) - Mr T. Marlowe, Irthlingborough

4. Scented Candle (from Mitcheldean Soap) - Miss Doyle, Kettering

5. Soap & Soap Dish (from Mitcheldean Soap) - Mrs Dawson, Northampton

6. Black Rabbit Wine Bottle Opener - Mrs Plant, Kettering

7. Kitchen Apron - Mr Bland, Kettering

8. Bottle of White Wine - Mrs Mains, Northampton

9. Bottle of White Wine - Mrs Holgate, Kettering

10. Bottle of Red Wine - Mrs Cooper, Naseby

11. Bottle of Red Wine - Mrs Tubb, Rothwell

12. Bone China Coffee Mug - Mrs Davis, Corby

13. Glass Worktop Protector - Miss Holland, Desborough

14. Thorntons Chocolates - Mrs Rogers, Corby

15. Union Jack Coffee Mug & Coaster Set - Mrs Clutton, Kettering

Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to everyone who took part and attended our Big Birthday Party Bash over the weekend. Ian and I both enjoyed ourselves immensely and it was wonderful to catch up with old friends, as well as making a wealth of new ones.

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH (PART 1)

2010-08-29T23:45:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: We had the most brilliant and amazing day yesterday. As you are probably already aware, IKD is celebrating its 18th birthday tomorrow, and we're hosting the Big Birthday Party Bash at our place - all are welcome, and we hope to see YOU there.

However, we thought it would be a good idea to host a pre-launch event for some of our all time favourite and most local customers, so that if we had any teething problems we could iron them out before our guests of honour arrive tomorrow: always best to hit your snags with a sympathetic audience, don't you think? A pre-launch event would also serve as a huge personal "THANK YOU!" from Ian and I, for the many years of loyal custom and support we have received from these lovely, lovely existing VIP customers. And so out went the personal invitations. And then we waited. As we hadn't asked for a RSVP, we had no idea who would accept and who wouldn't. It was a bit high risk as we could have been drumming our fingers on the table listening to the deafening silence, however...

From the moment we decided upon a date to launch the showroom fully to the public - it was Thursday 1st April, I remember it clearly - business has been brisk, to say the least. Now, I'm not complaining that business has been brisk, I'm well aware there are plenty of people willing to trade places with us, but it has meant the showroom has been designed and installed during weekends only, and the odd evening after work. This has proved to be a challenging and delicate balancing act, particularly when you consider Ian and I have two very young children, as well as a brisk business. We have met ourselves coming back on many, many occasions.

We worked on the showroom until 2.30am Saturday morning, went home, got a couple of hours sleep and were up again with the kids at 5.30am. Ian threw some water on his face and completed a basic set of ablutions, before dashing back off down to the showroom to polish and tidy - promising himself faithfully that he'd pop back home to shower, shave and change, once the preparations had been completed. None of us involved really believed we'd see a soul until mid-morning at the earliest - there'd be plenty of time for Ian to shower, shave and change. Or so we thought.

At 9.55am three of our dearest and kindest customers (friends really) stepped through the doors, at which point IKD became the official venue for the Mutual Appreciation Society as people just kept stepping through the door until it was time to go home and rest our weary feet and voice boxes. Ian never did shower, change or shave, and no one seemed to care. Everyone who stepped through the doors just seemed to be delighted to hear good, positive news about a strong thriving local family business, and Ian's attire or facial hair status seemed irrelevant. Of course his embarrassment and predicament was hilarious to those of us who know how particular he can be, but it didn't detract from the joy he has given people - or the value he has added to their homes over the years!

Yesterday was a complete pleasure and education for me too. I have an almost encyclopedic memory for who our customers are, what work we've completed for them, when and where etc, but I hardly ever get to meet them - I'm always lurking in the background. It's not unreasonable for me to suggest that I know some of our customers almost as well as Ian does, but I'd walk past them in the street, not having the foggiest who they are. Well, yesterday I was introduced to a great many of them, and it was such a joy to finally put faces to a names - I loved it.

And so now we await tomorrow with much anticipation. Some of our VIP existing customers who couldn't make it yesterday have promised to attend tomorrow, but tomorrow is all about the new people who have been invited by leaflet, Facebook, Twitter, The Best of Kettering, and word-of-mouth, and Ian and I are beside ourselves with excitement. Who are these new people? What will they think to our brand new kitchen showroom? Will they become our friends like so many in the past have done? And, more importantly, will Ian be showered, shaved and changed this time? Why not come and find out, click here for more information including a map and directions - we'd love to meet you.

BATTLE OF THE SEXES

2010-08-25T16:49:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: My friend Tracey loves sending me humourous emails and has just emailed me this, which I think you will find amusing too, particularly so from the woman's perspective.

Don't worry though fellas as we don't get off entirely scott free. Here we have eight words that have two meanings, entirely dependant upon your gender...

1. THINGY (thing-ee) n.

Female: Any part under a car's bonnet

Male: The strap fastener on a woman's bra

2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.

Female: Fully opening up one's self emotionally to another

Male: Playing football with only three defenders

3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female: The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's partner
Male: Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys

4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n.
Female: A desire to get married and raise a family
Male: Trying not to hit on other women whilst going out with this one

5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female: A good movie, concert, play or book
Male: Anything that can be done whilst drinking beer

6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female: An embarrassing by product of indigestion
Male: A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding

7. MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female: The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve
Male: Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it

8. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female: A device for changing from one TV channel to another
Male: A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes

AND THE NERVES HAVE KICKED IN!

2010-08-24T11:48:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: We have only five days to go until our Big Birthday Bash and I'm working from home today, leaving Ian and the boys (i.e.: Eddie the electrician and Simon, Ian's glamorous assistant) installing all of the electrical wizardry. I'm also taking this opportunity to revel in the company of our children, as their Nanny has been hogging them somewhat recently, and I need to catch up on some kisses and cuddles, as my reserves are low.

I have to admit to becoming more than a little nervous about the weekend, which initially didn't make any sense to me. As I was an Events Organiser in a previous life, I had assumed I would take all the pressure and demands in my stride, but there's one significant difference about this weekend: this is our event, for our business and ultimately for our future - all of the events I have planned in the past have been for other people and their businesses and futures.

Progress is being made at an impressive rate, thanks mainly to us working with only the best in their respective businesses, but I can't help wishing it was all ready and completed, leaving us only to fling the doors open on Monday morning and uncork the wine. No stone is being left unturned, and Ian and I have both exceeded the Perfectionism Limiter on more than one occasion, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that whilst the pursuit of excellence is motivating, the pursuit of perfection can be demoralising.

There is such an excited air about the place. Ian and I are really looking forward to catching up with clients who have been with us from the very beginning. Every now and then Ian will ask if I've remembered to invite Mr & Mrs X, Mr Y and Miss Z, and of course I have as I've been working from an 18 year-old customer database that has been lovingly maintained, updated and nurtured. As IKD has been trading almost entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations, I think Ian is hoping for something of a reunion amongst our customers, as they all know each other one way or another, and it's spooky how small the world sometimes appears to be.

We're also excited about the possibility of meeting new friends. colleagues and customers, and the prospect of a whole new chapter this event may offer IKD Kitchens and the future. One thing's for sure, we are certainly blessed with great friends, unbelievably supportive family, and the energy and enthusiasm to get it all done on time, on budget and on spec, as ever.

Please come and say "hi", it promises to be a great event with lots of laughs and great kitchen gadgets and gizmos to look at - we'd love to catch up with you, and it really won't be the same without YOU! See you soon x

THE SIX PHASES OF A PROJECT

2010-08-13T13:38:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: They say - whoever "they" are - that there are six phases to a project, and as we're only 16 days away from our Big Birthday Bash to celebrate 18 years of trading, I'm beginning to agree. I had not heard of the Six Phases before last week, when one of our Twitter Followers was kind enough to send a Tweet listing them, but I'm amused to see the extent to which they pan out. Here are the Six Phases of a Project:

1) ENTHUSIASM: Well, I can definitely agree with this one wholeheartedly and, in truth, Ian and I are both still hugely enthusiastic about our new kitchen showroom, and the celebrations surrounding its launch. We're really excited about catching up with all of our VIP existing customers, some of which we perhaps haven't seen in a while, as well as meeting new people we may be able to help in the future. Some of our VIP existing customers go way, way, WAY back to the beginnings of IKD in 1992, so it'll be our pleasure to pour them a glass of wine as we chat.

Even though our enthusiasm is still high, that does not mean we haven't gone through deep, dark bouts of...

2) DISILLUSIONMENT: We've all been there. You think up something exciting to do, ie: a party, a wedding, a night out with the girls/boys and it all seems like a good idea at the time. Then things start to go awry and you start hearing yourself saying "whose bloody stupid idea was this anyway?!", only to realise it was yours! I uttered these immortal words last weekend when Ian and I were working late - again! - putting the finishing touches to the showroom. The odd thing didn't go according to plan and I threw my toys out of the pram demanding to know whose idea it was to open a new kitchen showroom during a Bank Holiday weekend, following weeks of school summer holidays. Ian quietly reminded me it was, in fact, my idea. So I shut the hell up after that and continued with what I was doing.

3) PANIC: We're not there yet, but I do accept that we might be, the closer we get to the launch date and time. Ian and I share the philosophy of proper preparation prevents a poor performance, and we always plan for the worst and hope for the best. Whilst it's sometimes tempting to believe that life and/or the universe is out to get you when things go wrong, you just have to do the best you can in every given moment, as it sets you up to be in the best possible position for the next moment. Panic is a waste of energy and thinking and reaction time - but feel free to remind me of this when and if you see me running around like my hair's on fire on the morning of the launch!

4) SEARCH FOR THE GUILTY: If something has gone wrong, or someone hasn't fulfilled a promise, then it's probably a wiser use of energy and resources to overcome the problem. There's always after the project to rip someone a new one! Seemples.

5) PUNISHMENT OF THE INNOCENT: As this is considered a humorous (?) list, I'll let this point pass as I don't agree with it at all. It is true though, sadly. I've seen it happen many times in previous workplaces, and it stinks. Rest assured that IKD neither operates nor condones this crap; we prefer carrots to sticks.

6) PRAISE & HONOURS FOR THE NON-PARTICIPANTS: How true is THIS?! There's always someone - with very sharp elbows - pushing themselves forward for a share of the limelight - they know no shame. Best to pity the fools, for theirs is an insecure existence, riding on the backs of the true achievers. I once knew a woman who systematically married her way up into a life of money, global travel and success by association, discarding the spent husbands as she aged: she now attends her (current) husband's award ceremonies as though she'd been there through the early and lean years. I often wonder who she's going to marry next.

It's therefore hugely important to us to ensure that the truly deserving receive their thanks and high praise and, in respect of the kitchen showroom opening, Ian and I are very clear about who has supported us above and beyond the call of duty; and equally, who hasn't. I will write a Big Thank You Blog following the Big Birthday Bash so everyone can see who has been the most marvellous of eggs, how and why. Watch this space....

WITTERING: A LOVE STORY

2010-08-08T15:31:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: I have been catching up on Twitter today, having been working on the showroom with Ian all day yesterday, and I noticed a Tweet from @ScarlettaMedia that said: "At the beach at Wittering glorious feels like summer! Well just for 1 day..." @ScarlettaMedia was kind enough to Tweet a Twitpic of the beach just for me, and then the envy just overtook me!

You see, it all started way back in June 1989 when I first met Ian. Ian and his family had been holidaying in the little village of Wittering since he was a boy, and he took me there shortly after we met; and a love story began; in more ways than one. The Witterings (ie: East and West Wittering) are about 8 miles south of our equally beloved Chichester, and are kind of quaint but, above all, they're quiet! Ian and I try very hard to get down there as often as possible for a "Wittering Fix" because it's so calm and beautiful. We also have family who live down that way, and it's always a blast when we get together - which is never often enough or for long enough for our liking.

We have camped many, many times in Scotts Holiday Village in either a static caravan or - dammit! - under canvas with the bugs and critters, but it's always been fun and glorious. We have hijacked West Wittering beach en masse for extended family days and BBQ's many, many times. We've had the kids' lips turn blue when the sea wasn't quite as warm as we'd have liked. We've had family members (you know who you are) running into the sea - fully made-up - but in their bra and knickers, as they'd forgotten their swimsuit. I've fallen asleep sunbathing on the beach and woken up like a rock lobster, but only on the one side as no one thought to, at least, turn me over! We've hiked all the way around East Head (about 2 miles of sand dunes) in flip flops, but it's all worth it because West Wittering beach is stunning, and on a glorious sunny day, you could be anywhere else in the world.

As you may have gathered by now, Ian and I love - LOVE - Wittering, and we have successfully brainwashed our children into appreciating the glory that is West Wittering beach. Can you tell that I'm ever so slightly jealous that @ScarlettaMedia is there, and I - regrettably - am not. Once our new kitchen showroom has been officially launched and opened to the public however, we shall make a point of returning to recharge our batteries, before too long! Brace yourself Chichester, we're on our way....

WE'RE HAVING A PARTY!

2010-07-29T10:38:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: Only a month to go until we celebrate our 18th year trading, so we're throwing a Birthday Party Bash, and everyone is invited - the more the merrier!

We have installed some new gorgeous kitchen displays - complete with all the gadgets and gizmos your hearts could desire, there'll be a FREE glass of wine waiting for you, together with delicious nibbley bits, light refreshements, children's activities and a FREE prize draw - we'd love to meet you, so bring the kids and come and be inspired by our designs and innovations.

Our big Birthday Party Bash takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday between 10am and 4pm - to find out where we are, please click this link: http://bit.ly/IKDmap. There's loads of FREE parking and we've even ordered spectacular weather; it's gonna be great!

If you can't make it because you're away during the Bank Holiday weekend, please do come and see us when you get back - a warm and friendly welcome awaits you, always!

Gotta go - this party won't organise itself!

THE MIGHTY OAK TREE

2010-07-23T10:51:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: I read the most amazing tweet on Twitter yesterday that had the most profound effect on me. I'd had a really bad day as a small business owner, and had been buffeted repeatedly by events that were outside of my control, and were becoming distinctly more dramatic than they really needed to be.

By the end of the day I was understandably weary and wondering if life wouldn't just be simpler if I stacked shelves at Tesco - my friend's father had found it to be a hugely rewarding experience once he'd retired from a high-powered banking position: no politics, no stress, great fun.

And then along came Twitter with this simple proverb that I had never heard before: the mighty oak tree was once just a nut that held its ground. And that, my friends, is all it took to strenghten my resolve and stand before you today, as a nut standing her ground.

Stop sniggering at the back!

MOMENTUM & ENERGY

2010-07-22T12:01:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: So we have 38 days until the grand opening of our new kitchen showroom on August Bank Holiday Monday, and you wouldn't believe the momentum and energy that is fizzing and bursting out of all of us involved.

Don't get me wrong, at the end of every day we're all as knackered as hell, but our enthusiasm and concentrated focus seems to be driving us forward. There is still so much to do and not a single minute to lose, but it's fun, rewarding and inspiring all at the same time.

Like any major event, we're having the odd problem crop up, and we have the inevitable and endless obstacles to hurdle, but we're getting there surely; there's a great deal of stubborn determination being applied here. What has surprised me however, is the number of opportunities that have presented themselves - opportunities that could so easily have been overlooked or written off as problems, but they have actually helped us create an even better showroom, and will now offer our Customers abundant choice. So the moral to this story, in the words of the great Napoleon Hill is this: "opportunity has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often comes disguised in the form of misfortune or temporary defeat".

So that's me away now, having written the shortest blog post yet, but I have innumerable tasks ahead and Crap Printer to do battle with this afternoon, as I seriously object to paying for poor service, bad judgements and assumptions that were not his to make. Hey ho, off I go - chat again soon.

PS: The opportunity that came disguised in the form of misfortune with Crap Printer, is that I have now made the acquaintance of Supreme Printer, whose skill and professionalism is simply outstanding. Every cloud...

YOU'RE INVITED!

2010-07-15T11:51:00.005+01:00

We're having a birthday party bash and you're all invited!

As many of you may already be aware, IKD Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms will be celebrating 18 years trading in August, and the best way to celebrate, is to throw a party!

So, grab your diaries and make a note of the following date and time: BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 30 AUGUST 2010 from 10am to 4pm and we've ordered spectacular weather too so bring your sun cream and beachwear!

We thought we'd take this opportunity to give you something gorgeous and distracting to look at whilst you're partying, and so we have installed - just for you - a brand new kitchen showroom display, complete with inspirational design ideas, innovative appliances and ingenious gadgets that have been especially designed for us by MI5, and will make your eyes pop out! I made that bit up about our gadgets being designed by MI5, but they are really cool and we can assure you that your eyes will remain in situ for as long as you want them to.

There will be FREE wine, nibbley bits and light refreshments, as well as FREE children's activities throughout the day - so bring the kids and come and see what we've got! We'll even throw in a FREE PRIZE DRAW where you'll be able to win amazing prizes for ... well ... FREE! You'd be mad to miss it - it's going to be great fun and you'll be amongst friends.

The venue - obviously - is at the IKD Kitchen showroom, Units 5 - 6 Enterprise Close, Telford Way Industrial Estate, Kettering, NN16 8NS - click here for a location map.

So, come on - come and help us launch our first kitchen showroom in style - it's taken us 18 years to get here, and it is well worth the wait - we can promise you that!

See you soon!

Karan & Ian

WHERE'S MY ENTOURAGE?

2010-07-10T18:46:00.004+01:00

[Karan]: Please can I have an entourage for Christmas? Here are the vacancies I have available immediately:

1) Chef - I hate cooking. I will cook under sufferance but the children would much prefer it if I didn't - and so would I for that matter. Before I had children I honestly thought that metal box in the kitchen was a fire with a clock on it! If Ian ever left me, we'd all look like Coco Pops!

2) Au Pair - Ian and I are agreed on this one. His one stipulation is that the Au Pair should come from Sweden and have dimples like Cheryl Cole's. This I can live with, just as long as I can bounce a penny off his Lycra-clad buttocks!

3) Chauffeur - How I long to arrive anywhere without a centre parting. You see, Ian and I always have a 101 things to do in any given second, and so every minute is tightly packed doing "stuff". We then leave the house/showroom with just enough time to get to where we're going - assuming there are no pesky delays like ... errr .... other cars on the road! We qualify everywhere. Like the Formula 1 drivers, we leave the garage with just enough time to get to where we're going, we hurtle (whilst always observing the speed limit, obviously) through the traffic, arriving more often than not, in the nick of time. Which is great, but my adrenaline filled body is pumping my heart clean out of my chest and I end up sporting a less than flattering centre parting whilst cleaning dead midges off of my gritted teeth! How nice it would be to arrive relaxed and serene - even if it is on the school run.

4) Kim & Aggie - What exactly IS the point of housework? You do the housework and then, six months later, you have to do it all over again! Seriously though I have to admit to being a little bit like Monica out of Friends, when it comes to housework - I'm something of a neat-freak. Now, you hear that sound? That's the sound of my friend's ribs pinging with the understatement. I'm a lot like Monica, if you listen to them, and I'd have you laminated if you were to stand still too long, and I'd have you disemboweled if you rearranged my desk. I'm a fully subscribed member of the "if it's not a right angle, then it's a wrong angle" party - but it's exhausting. Please could I have one set of Kim and Aggie for Christmas, to look after my OCD tendencies? Thanks very much.

5) Butler - I will admit this is a little frivolous, but it would be lovely to have tea, toast and the newspaper delivered to me in bed every morning, whilst my shower warms up and my towels are fluffed. Is this one vacancy too far - have I lost your sympathies now? Oh well, there is very little chance I will ever be interviewing candidates for these vacancies, so you can be assured that you've just read the mad ramblings of an exhausted and deluded soon-to-be old woman!

Have you noticed my gratuitous use of a Gerard Butler photo? It's not exactly the kind of butler I was referring to a moment ago, but I do believe I could learn to live with this Mr Butler bringing me tea, toast and the newspaper in bed every morning. Not sure how I would manage to put such a brave face on it, but I'd learn, I'm sure.

Now what a merry Christmas that would be ... [sigh]

ANTICAMPINGITIS

2010-07-01T11:25:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: Ssssshhhhh! Have you noticed that it's been hot and glorious for a good few weeks now and I haven't been dragged off camping yet? Ssssssh, keep your voice down, Ian might hear us. Just gotta make it through to autumn and I'm in the clear, because even Ian won't camp in the cold and wet.

If you have absolutely no bloody idea what I'm on about, see my blog post - also called Anticampingitis - dated 17 May - that'll explain everything. Gotta go and practice my rain dance - bye!

SORTED!

2010-07-01T11:07:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: I don't know about you, but whilst I appreciate recycling is an essential fact of life, it's really not up there in my all time list of favourite chores - it can be so messy and disgusting, especially with the wet peelings and soggy newspapers. Urgh.

So, here is a great solution to a disgusting problem; the Franke 700 Series Sorter Systems. This is a useful addition to any kitchen with standard sized doors, because it fits neatly into 500mm and 600mm kitchen base units and comes with either pedal-operated or hand-operated versions to provide the natural alternative to the conventional waste bin. The 700 Series is available as either a foot-activated "KickMatic" model or the easy-to-use hand-operated "Motion" soft-close mechanism.

Franke waste systems feature seperate plastic containers to sort domestic waste into different categories such as food, cans, plastic and paper, which can then be systematically disposed of or recycled. A lid also closes over the bins to contain any odours, whilst each bin has a handle that can also be used to secure waste bags. The roll-out carrier tray is fully waterproof, simple to dismantle and easy to clean, so no hassle there either.

The Franke 700 Series Sorter can be easily installed, but we would recommend, if you are planning to install a waste system yourself, that you check the dimensions can be accommodated under your sink - particularly undermounted sinks, before committing to purchase. If you're in any doubt, or would like a Franke 700 Series Sorter System to be expertly installed for you, then please contact me on 01536 415280, and we'll be delighted to make that happen for you.

Prices start from as little as £225 + VAT

STOP THE SABOTAGE!

2010-06-29T11:27:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: Oh good grief, it shouldn't be this hard! Here I am trying very hard to give my money away, and the shocking lack of customer service I'm experiencing is stopping me from doing so? Is everyone out there so wealthy and inundated with work and sales that they have no need for my enquiry? Well that's what it feels like!

The problems I am encountering range from 874 automated phone options, to the phone not being picked up at all, to voicemail messages not being returned, to my details being lost, to overt price gouging and, my all time favourite this morning, having to wait two working days for a quote that really could be given to me here and now - it's not brain science people!

What the businesses I've dealt with this morning are failing to realise is this: if they lose my details, or are incapable or unwilling to return my calls etc, what confidence am I going to have in them fulfilling my sales or service requirement? None! They really have got to instil my confidence in them from the very beginning, otherwise I'm going to go to someone who will. This is how businesses fail surely - they are shooting themselves in the foot by being crap - and they should stop the sabotage before it's too late.

Bad customer service drives me crazy - as those who know me well will testify - because there is no excuse for it. Why are you in business if you are not going to treat your customers like supreme beings? It makes no sense to me.

So, here I go, once more into the breach dear friends, trying to give some money to anyone prepared to answer my call or call me back, retain my details and treat me like a supreme being; is it really too much to ask? I really don't think it is too much to ask. I have received brilliant service from BT, Lloyds TSB and even Virgin Media in the past week, so it can be done - and obviously in respect of customer service at IKD, you will always get more than you bargained for. And that's a promise!

COME ON ENGLAND!

2010-06-18T13:36:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: So England play Algeria in the World Cup tonight, and the levels of expectations are high. To say the least.

I have been noting, with a great deal of interest - and some amusement too - the pleasure and the pain our serious football supporters are going through. It seems to me that they want to believe so much in the team, their talent, ability and potential, but just dare not, possibly because of past disappointments. I can only imagine what will happen if England do actually win the championship - it'll dwarf the England rugby world cup winner's parade; of that I'm sure!

There are people who I follow on Facebook and Twitter - men mostly - who are throwing themselves into work to take their minds off the anticipation and nerves, whilst others are unashamedly clock watching. A friend of mine is so passionate about his football, that he is refusing point blank to collect the kids from school next Wednesday, when England are playing again, so his wife has had to make alternative arrangements - and this is a man who simply adores his children. I do wonder how many people will be struck down with a mysterious 24 hour stomach bug on Tuesday night, and how many grandparents or far flung Aunts and Uncles will be drafted in for the school run.

Patriotism is a wonderful thing and must be encouraged and nutured - it's what made this country great, and football really brings it out in people doesn't it? And it's not just a man thing either. A friend of mine works for a husband and wife team, where the wife is insane about her football, whilst the husband loathes it and can't understand her fascination. Ian and I both support England - in anything, not just the football - wait until the rugby or Wimbledon starts and we go nuts - but we only follow the football during the World Cup and Euro championships - assuming England qualify. Ian, as a man, is largely unmoved by football ordinarily, but he'll be leaping to his feet as fast as the next man when England score tonight.

We have not gone so far as to display flags outside the house, or have them whistling above the car doors - much to our daughter's chagrin, but we have promised that if England get to the semi-finals, that we shall hang a flag out of a bedroom window to celebrate, just like everyone else in the street.

From my very limited understanding of football in general - although I can explain the off-side rule! - I believe Algeria are the underdogs tonight and England are expected to win comfortably. This makes me very nervous, because whenever England are expected to win comfortably, there is invariably an upset. Is it not England's form to make the supporters sweat blood before prevailing eventually?

And another thing. Can someone explain to me why Emile Heskey gets such a hard time, i.e.: "...if Heskey can play for England than so can I" - because from what I saw of him during the USA match on Saturday night, he ran his legs off and had several convincing shots at goal. And is Green The Goalkeeper really going to continue blaming the ball? The ball's the same for all goalkeepers isn't it? Hmmmm, let's hope there's a redemptive performance for the remainder of the competition then.

No doubt passion and patriotism will inspire me to blog again about the football if England get to the final, but that's all from me for now. Next stop, Wimbledon - where we have no Englishmen playing at all, more's the pity. COME ON ENGLAND!

HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN

2010-06-17T10:52:00.001+01:00

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?

Do you suffer from shyness?

Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. It can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Sauvignon Blanc almost immediately and, with a regime of regular doses, you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.

Stop hiding and start living.

Sauvignon Blanc may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it, however, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister.

WARNINGS:

> The consumption of Sauvignon Blanc may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

> The consumption of Sauvignon Blanc may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

> The consumption of Sauvignon Blanc may cause you to think you can sing.

> The consumption of Sauvignon Blanc may make you think you can converse enthusiastically with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

> The consumption of Sauvignon Blanc may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

Please feel free to share this important information with as many women as you feel may benefit

And just imagine what you could achieve with a good Pinot...

For the avoidance of doubt, IKD Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms wish to make it clear that the above is a JOKE, that we do not adovate the self-medication of alcohol, and recommends that alcohol should be enjoyed responsibly by persons of 18 years of age or over.

WHY THE FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES?

2010-06-15T11:48:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: I'm often asked why we include the Federation of Small Businesses logo on all our stationery, signage and vehicle livery etc - how could it possibly be relevent or interesting to our customers and potential customers?

The short answer is: peace of mind. Even before the British (and global) economy went down the toilet, and many companies subsequently went out of business, there was always the Watchdog and Rogue Trader television programmes, warning the public of the perils involved in dealing with the extra cheap cash-in-hand bodgit fraternity.

Now the economy has gone down the toilet, the public are rightly concerned about who to trust with their money and hard earned savings. As IKD has been established almost 18 years, we enjoy a great deal of repeat business, or word-of-mouth recommendations from our existing customers, so our potential new customers already have peace of mind when they contact us. But what about the people who find us on Google or The Yellow Pages - how can they be sure we're not going to run off with their deposit, or go bankrupt before we can install all that we've promised?

Ian and I completely understand these concerns. Let's not forget that we have to pay for high value items and services too, and we are just as concerned about loosing our money as the next person. We had to find a way of both differentiating ourselves from the bogus bodgit merchants, and assuring new potential customers that their money and investment was safe with us.

So, in 2007 IKD applied to join The Federation of Small Businesses who interviewed us thoroughly, vetted our business systems and practices, and finally accepted us into the fold. The benefits for our customers now is that they have a guarantee and a means of getting their money back or a dispute managed, should anything untoward happen. Now I can assure you that all is well at IKD; that we're looking forward to our next 18 years in business, not to mention our exciting growth and development plans. I can also assure you that we are honest and have absolutely no intention of doing the dirty with your money - but looking at this from your perspective; I would say that wouldn't I?

This is why we've put our money where our mouth is. It's not cheap or easy to join The Federation of Small Businesses, but it does give our customers peace of mind, and it helps to differentiate IKD from the Bodgit & Scarper merchants. We take our sales, service and hard earned reputation very seriously, and nothing is going to jeopardise that. If belonging to the FSB - and Guild of Master Craftsmen for that matter - is what it's going to take to make our (potential) customers happy and reassured, then that is what we'll do.

So, this is why we advertise our FSB membership wherever possible; to tell everyone that they'll have peace of mind, a cast iron guarantee and added value when they invite IKD to refurbish their homes.

Click here for more information about The Federation of Small Businesses

BARBECUE WASH OUT

2010-06-07T12:37:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: Summer was on a Monday this year - I do hope you enjoyed it! True to form, following 74 days of blistering, sweltering sunshine, the Dennis family ventured outdoors for a BBQ, and it rained. Again! It didn't just rain though, oh no. If you're local to Kettering and are able to remember Saturday night, we had a full blown electrical thunderstorm - complete with forked lightening and a tropical downpour for good measure, and it was all our fault.

You see, we have form. I don't ever remember having a BBQ in the dry. Years ago, before the children were born, Ian and I went on holiday to our bolt-hole on the South Coast. We had been equally blessed with glorious weather and decided upon a BBQ with a couple of friends and a few beers etc. The universe duly led us into a false sense of security by letting us buy the food, chill the drinks and prepare the salad etc. Ian was even allowed to set fire to the BBQ, our preparations were all going swimmingly; this was going to be a great night! Then the raw food came out to be cooked and the heavens opened, right on cue.

Ian is tremendously practical, inventive and a smidge stubborn at times; no rain was going to wash out his BBQ! He then went on to devise a temporary shelter comprising of two sheds a wind breaker and an over sized umbrella, which he resolutely parked himself under as he continued to cook the food. The rest of us ran inside and watched from a safe, dry distance, waiting patiently for our food to be delivered by a sodden but determined hero in flip flops! There is photographic evidence of these proceedings somewhere, but I know not where for the time being - hence this rather accurate cartoon - with all thanks and recognition to Johnny Cartoons at http://www.toonpool.com/

And then history repeated itself on Saturday. We have attended other people's BBQ's and the weather has remained gorgeous, even with us there - we just don't seem to be able to have a BBQ of our own. As in the past, everything had been prepared; rolls buttered, salad tossed, sauces and drinks all ready willing and able - and all in glorious sunshine. Then Ian made the fateful walk to the kitchen for the food - it even made it onto the hot coals, but then a minute later raindrops the size of tennis balls plunged to earth - our parched scorched lawn sprang into leafy green again before our eyes. I could have sworn that the black clouds were just hovering over our house, but Ian said that I was being paranoid. Now that we have children things are different. We tried to wait it out under the garden umbrella to see if it would pass, but it didn't until we were all packed up and back inside the house. We then had more thunder and lightening as the evening progressed, and other houses in the street got wet too, so it wasn't just us. It appears I really am paranoid.

Sorry if your BBQ was drowned out on Saturday because of our irresponsible actions. I promise - although Ian most certainly doesn't - never to BBQ again.

FREE BOTTLE OF WINE ANYONE?

2010-06-04T10:24:00.007+01:00

[Karan]: This weekend is supposed to be a long and hot one, and I dare say if I put any washing out on the line, all of our surrounding neighbours will have a barbecue together with their friends and family, with lots of cold and chilled drinks.

I know it's also approaching Wimbledon, which is more Pimms season than anything else, but tell me when a chilled glass of white wine is ever out of season? Do you have the everyday space in your fridge for more than one bottle at a time? As the supermarkets have special savings on purchasing multiple bottles of wine at a time, it would be great to have a discreet and modest wine cooler in which to keep it, wouldn't it?

This image is of a 150mm fan assisted wine cooler, complete with six shelves. It also features an internal light and the temperature range is between 4 - 18 Celsius (39.2 - 64.4 Fahrenheit). This model is finished with a stainless steel door, is usually in stock (although the World Cup and Wimbledon might have an impact on available stocks), and retails for £225.00 including VAT.

We have two deliveries a week from our supplier, so if you get your skates on, this little beauty can be yours before next weekend, and we all know what's happening next weekend. COME ON ENGLAND!!!

I'll tell you what - if you place an order before the World Cup kicks off (on Friday 11 June 2010), I'll throw in a free bottle of white wine to help you celebrate England winning the championship!

Offer available in the UK only subject to availability. Price excludes delivery and installation. Offer expires 5pm Friday 11 June 2010

WHAT GADGETS ENHANCE YOUR LIFE?

2010-06-03T12:38:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: Where to start?! The temptation to be smutty almost overwhelms me, but I shall remain pure of thought and heart for the purposes of this blog post, mostly because my Grannie might be reading this!

I got to thinking the other day about the who-haa created when CDs first came onto the market, and people were told they could smear jam over their discs and that they would still play. No, I never did fall for this because, in my experience, CDs and latterly DVD's, are precious little darlings that require a kind word and lots of hugs before they'll release the goodies! I do remember marvelling at the non-scratchy sounds and wondering how technology could ever improve on this perfection. I always longed for the day when spending 16 weeks making a mixed tape were long gone, and that we could compile our own mixed CDs for the car etc. For those of you reading this too young to remember cassette tapes, shut up and go to your room!

As soon as I became sufficiently computer literate and the software widely available, I was away burning my CDs all over the place. I even had a 10 disc player for the car, which would randomise the tracks for me - bliss! NOW how could technology improve on this?!

And then along came the Apple iPod, and my dreams were answered. No more walking around with a gigantic CD Walkman strapped to your back, or pulled behind you in a trailer - this little beauty could be strapped to your arm whilst you jogged! As an avid marathon runner and keep fit fanatic [cough], this meant no skipping or jumping of tracks, as I skipped and jumped to the chocolate shop! I really do wonder how I lived without an iPod, they're amazing and I love mine deeply.

So what other gadgets and gizmo's would render my life worthless and meaningless if they were to ever be de-invented? Well, I rather love my Nintendo DS, although Professor Layton almost drove me to distraction and back again with his lame back story - just give me the puzzles dammit! We've gone a bit Mah Jong crazy at Dennis-Towers, and Ian and I have always been super-competitive, which leads to wild-eyed late night gamesmanship I can tell you. We really should get out more.

I'm not sure how happy my lot would be without a computer or the Internet either. What is there that can't be found online these days? I even play online Scrabble occasionally, mostly because I have no friends who'll play it with me, and those friends with a vocabulary of 6 words or less are too easy to beat; it's just not sport. I spent weeks trying to convince my (very well read and articulate) friend, Olga, to play online Scrabble with me, and within a couple of moves I triple, triple worded her and scored 268 points! It was all luck and absolutely no judgement on my part, but Olga now just emits a very low deep growl when I mention playing again. Not so much with the Scrabble for me any more [sigh].

As far as the kitchen is concerned I love - LOVE! - dishwashers and washing machines. As a family of four I would literally spend my life washing up, or washing clothes. Either way, my hands would end up as wrinkly masses of flaky arm ends - too horrible to contemplate. And God bless the inventor of the smoke detector, for not only saving millions of lives every year from smoke inhalation or worse, but for the invaluable service they provide me with each and every meal time, by informing me when dinner is ready!

I love air conditioning, particularly in cars, as a heatwave + small children + long car journey = babbling parents being taken away in a fetching jacket that does up at the back! Ian and I are also new converts to the sexiness of our Blackberrys. Everyone urged us to have iPhones, and I have to admit they are gorgeous, innovative and playful, but we thought the touch screens may prove too precious in our line of work, so we opted for the Blackberry Bold, and we love them; a little more than is necessary in polite society!

My clean list could go on a while, and my not-so-clean list could go on indefinately, but what about you? What everyday gadgets and gizmo's render your life worth living and meaningful? I'm intrigued and dying to know....

HOW BIZARRE, HOW BIZARRE!

2010-06-02T07:17:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: A very strange thing occurred yesterday, which I eluded to on Facebook and Twitter, but didn't really do it full justice.

It all started back in February 2010 when Mrs G of Norwich found us on Google, and enquired upon a bathroom for her mother-in-law, Mrs D, who lived in Kettering. As Mrs D is a widow of a sensitive disposition, and didn't want a train of salesy types traipsing through her house, her daughter-in-law agreed to play rear gunner and devise a short list of likely bathroom supplying candidates; of which IKD were the only name on the list, we later found out. IKD duly designed and installed Mrs D's new bathroom and all was well; Mrs D was delighted and IKD had a brand new Kettering customer, so we were delighted too.

Then, on Monday 10 May, Mrs B contacted us. Mrs B lives across the road from Mrs D, had seen the bathroom we had installed there, and now wanted a very similar design and finish herself. This was great news, but not necessarily a rare occurrence, as IKD have a high word-of-mouth recommendation rate; it's how we generate at least 90% of our work. Over the last couple of weeks, Ian has been composing Mrs B's bathroom design and quotation, and was awaiting her return from holiday for her feedback.

In the meantime, Mrs W contacted us about the possibility of designing a bespoke master bedroom suite, suitable for a wheelchair user. We learnt that Mrs W had found our details in Yellow Pages [note to self: not everyone is online], and had found it impossible to find anyone capable - or willing - to build custom-made low level wardrobes. Until she found us, of course. We have found in our years of trading that too many customers are told what they can have by some of our competitors, who do not have carpentry or joinery backgrounds. This gives IKD a distinct advantage because Ian is a carpenter joiner by trade, and so has the apprenticeship training and experience to either customise or custom build anything that the customer requires. We're able to ask our customers what they would like, rather than tell them what they can have.

Shortly after my phone call with Mrs W about her bespoke bedroom, Mrs D contacted Ian again, asking if he could now quote her for a kitchen refurbishment; which he duly did. We're certainly very thankful to have been found on Google by Mrs D's daughter-in-law in Norwich, because we are now blessed with a loyal and returning customer we might not otherwise have met.

The bizarre thing about these events is that they all occur in the same street. We know Mrs D and Mrs B are neighbours, but so too is Mrs W. More than that; Mrs D lives at number 46, Mrs B lives at number 47 and Mrs W, who is unaware of our involvement with the other two ladies, lives at number 48. And even more than that, Mrs D wants a kitchen, Mrs W wants a bedroom and Mrs B wants a bathroom - and they all accepted our quotations on the same day - yesterday! Isn't life weird sometimes?

40% OF A PARACHUTE

2010-06-01T12:00:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: What use is 40% of a parachute? It's no bloody use at all because it's not going to save you when you need it most - and when you need it most is the most likely time you're going to find out that it's not fit for purpose.

"You have 40% of a parachute" was the shocking analysis of our previous liability insurance policy with Disinterested Insurance.com by Peter Read of http://www.readinsurance.co.uk/ Obviously I am making up the name of our previous insurance brokers for legal reasons, but I am not making up what Peter Read thought to our previous policy. And this has annoyed me quite a lot.

I am not an insurance buff. We are all good at different things and insurance makes my head hurt - who's with me?! Having said that however I tried my hardest to ensure we were adequately covered, by discussing - in considerable detail - what our requirements were with Disinterested Insurance.com. In exactly the same way I trust our accountants to tell us how much tax we should pay (to avoid prison), I trusted Disinterested Insurance.com to have us suitably insured with the information I had given them. Thankfully nothing ever happened to exercise that policy, because we would have been screwed by the infinitesimal legalese; hence Peter's 40% of a parachute analogy.

There have been very few phrases uttered to me in my life, that have caused my mind to focus so completely and so quickly. Upon Peter's succinct appraisal, we still had a month or so to run until the crap policy expired, and it's safe to say there was much clenching whilst Peter drafted a 100% parachute for us; which is now in effect - hurrah! I honestly feel like asking Ian to install a kitchen for Disinterested Insurance.com entirely without screws, so that the whole structure collapses under the slightest weight of a coffee cup. Of course Ian would never be complicit in such shoddy antics, he's a professional after all, it's just a shame that not everyone is so conscientious.

I would therefore like to recommend the services of Peter Read at Read Insurance Brokers Ltd, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in providing IKD with an all encompassing and fully comprehensive liability insurance policy. More than that, Peter has always explained the technical speak - or the infinitesimal legalese - in terms that I could easily understand; he has nothing to prove by hiding behind jargon. Peter is truly the antidote to an insurance headache, and I can't recommend him highly enough.

To learn what percentage of a parachute you have for your commercial, home or travel insurance, you can contact Peter on 01202 868800 or via peter@readinsurance.co.uk - good luck!

NEVER - EVER - GIVE UP!

2010-05-28T17:56:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: Bloody hell, what a day! Not only is it Friday, but the kids break up for half-term today, other families are rushing off for their Whit' Week away, it's hot and I have been thwarted at every thwartation all day! I will be glad when this bugger is over.

Just about everything that could go wrong today, has gone wrong. I have been less than 50% productive in all the time I've been awake - which in itself feels like forever - and having little to show for my efforts, is enough to drive me crazy.

The whole week has been manic and we have achieved a lot, but still have a lot to achieve. It would be so easy to walk away and do something that didn't always require so much effort, but nothing worth having is achieved easily; that much is obvious.

When the going gets tough though you must dig in and never - ever - give up! Do you like the cartoon? Well, we all have to adopt the frog's aattitude when things look grim - at least the frog has a chance of survival, it may be a slim chance, but it's a chance. If the frog gave in to its situation pictured here, it would almost certainly be game over for the frog, and Cuisses de grenouille on the menu for the heron (is that a heron?).

Motivation and an indefatigable will to succeed against whatever is thrown at you is the key, but how do you keep it all inflated to useful and helpful levels? One device Ian and I use, to keep our spirits up when the hurdles seem insurmountable, is music. We have various lists on our iPods, or CDs we listen to in the car and van, that help restore our faith in ourselves and life in general. Some of the tracks are ancient, and will possibly make some of our peers smile knowingly from their first time out on vinyl, but they're still great, however old they may be. Here is our recommended playlist, some of which are official IKD Anthems - see what you think, see how many you remember, and see how many will lift your spirits when you're trekking uphill through treacle, particularly the self-employed entrepreneurs. I hope you enjoy them if nothing else, here goes:

> Rome Wasn't Built In A Day - Morcheeba - Parts Of The Process

> Working On It - Chris Rea - New Light Through Old Windows

> I Want It All - Queen - The Miracle

> All Fired Up - Pat Benatar - Wide Awake In Dreamland

> Hold On - KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic

> Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac - Greatest Hits

> Hold On Tight - ELO - Greatest Hits

> Ready To Go - Republica - Republica

> Proud - Heather Small - Proud

> Rule The World - Take That - Beautiful World

And one last thing, in the words of the great Napoleon Hill: ...opportunity has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often it comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat. Perhaps that is why so many fail to recognise opportunity.

HOTPOINT INTEGRATED DISHWASHER - £305!

2010-05-27T14:11:00.004+01:00

We are delighted to offer you a Hotpoint 60cm fully integrated electronic dishwasher for £305 including VAT. Yes, you read that correctly - £305 including VAT, which saves you more than £70!

But hurry because this is a "whilst stocks last" promotion, and at this price they're not going to last very long at all!

This is the cheapest branded integrated dishwasher available today, so order yours now for £305 to avoid disappointment. We know it sounds too good to be true, but it is true, so call us now on Kettering (01536) 415280 and we'll get one reserved for you.

Here are 12 reasons to snap up our latest bargain:

> This dishwasher comes with a 5 year parts and 1 year labour warranty

> 12 place settings & 4 programmes

> 3 wash temperatures

> Residual drying

> A concealed heating element for extra safety

> 16 litres of normal water consumptions

> An adjustable upper basket

> AAA energy rating

> 1.05kW energy consumption

> 51dB noise level

> Dimensions: 82 x 59.5 x 57 cm

> You can buy online if you wish by visiting the Special Offers page on our website, or by clicking this link: http://bit.ly/IKDoffers

The price does not include delivery or installation, although delivery and installation services are available; please see website for details: http://bit.ly/IKDoffers

Terms and Conditions apply, please see website for details: http://bit.ly/IKDoffers

Please contact Karan on (01536) 415280 should you have any questions in respect of this amazing Hotpoint LFT04 Integrated Dishwasher offer.

WHY I FELL OUT WITH SUMMER

2010-05-22T12:28:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: Yesterday was so warm during the 8.30am school run, that we all set off in T-shirt sleeves; no coats, jackets or school cardigans required. The in-car temperature reading reported faithfully that the temperature outside was 23 degrees, and my heart sank with the inevitability that we were all going to get a lot hotter as the day went on.

For those of you lucky enough to have escaped a moment in my presence to know what I look like, I'm of Northern Irish descent which dictates my dark hair, blue eyes and very, very pale skin. Who I think I'm kidding with the dark hair description is anyones guess, as it's clear to a blind man on a charging horse that Dulux would consider me more Distressed Grey than Winsome Brunette; but I digress.

Having such pale skin is a curse, because I fry in the heat. I'd love to be more exotic and interesting to look at, all olive skin and gorgeousness, but I'm stuck with anemic Albino skin tones. My DNA suck and I blame my parents! When I was much younger, I once fell asleep sunbathing on the beach and emerged from the sand like a Rock Lobster - but only on the one side, as no one had thought to turn me over half way through! It was stupid of me and I was in agony, not able to sleep, shower - or take part in any other activities that begin with "s", for a very long time. From that moment forth I swore to myself that I'd never be careless in the sun again and dedicated my life to being pale and interesting. This decision has left me open to much ridicule...

In a previous life I worked for a motorsport engineering company, and toured the UK with the team who competed in the British Touring Car Championship: happy days. Part of my job was the procurement of the team kit, which included shorts to wear during high summer. I arrived at sunny, glorious Thruxton one weekend, in my shorts, and my boss asked me to go and stand near the first corner so that my lily white legs would distract our opponents. He was convinced they'd take their hands off the steering wheels to protect their eyes from the glare and crash, allowing our poorly qualifying drivers to take up position and lead the race. How rude! It was, of course, all said tongue in cheek, and I took it in the spirit in which it was meant - none of us should ever take ourselves too seriously. Besides, I had the last laugh, as I still have a full head of (greying) hair; I can fake tan my legs, but he will always be follically challenged.

Upon our arrival in the playground yesterday, the other mums gawped and gasped in disbelief at my reluctant and public acknowledgement that it was, indeed, very warm - "...just how hot is it?!" exclaimed one playground friend. The consensus of opinion seemed to be that if I had foregone one layer of clothing, perhaps they should all be attired in swimwear. Oh, how we laughed.

Another friend has recently become entranced in the Twilight novels (about vampires), and now believes this has helped her to know me better, whilst another says she has an overwhelming urge to purchase milk upon departing my company. I have so few ribs left to ping.

I am writing this blog from home this morning, enjoying the peace and solitude whilst the children are off leading Nanny a merry dance, and whilst Ian continues his work on the showroom. An idle day for me is unlikely I fear, as I have all the windswept and interesting chores to complete before, my weekly sojourn to Tesco for supplies and refreshment (mmmm, Costa Coffee). Upon my A4 double-sided and laminated To Do List, rests "Laundry", which requires regular excursions OUTSIDE, in 27 degree heat, to hang out washing. As it is so hot, and I'm alone in the house without children to terrify, I am wearing shorts and a vest top, but my skin is screaming like souls damned to hell under the tropical Kettering sun. So I must put up with the urine being extracted for all eternity, and not subject myself to all things solar; I just don't like it.

In the wise words of Adam and the Ants: "...ridicule is nothing to be scared of", so do your worst playground mummies!

MAGIC CORNERS

2010-05-20T12:12:00.004+01:00

[Karan]: Who hasn't been on their hands and knees head first into a blind corner base unit? Haven't we all? Isn't it a rite of passage? Well now there's an app for that!

This sexy little beast is called a Blind Corner Optimiser in the trade, but we call it a Magic Corner here at IKD. To be clear, there is no magic involved, but it is very clever and impressively easy to operate.

This is obviously an image of the Magic Corner fully optimised and extended, but there is an interim option too; let me explain. Once you open the door, you pull the handle on the right side of the central divider (you can just about see it here above the two blue boxes in the top right basket); this will initially pull out the right side baskets only. To fully extended the Optimiser, you need only pull the handle to your right and the other two baskets emerge from the blind corner effortlessly, guided on rails.

To put it all away again, you simply push the handle to your left (and the left hand baskets are pushed back into the carcase), and then you push the handle away from you (and the left hand baskets are guided into the blind corner, whilst the right hand baskets take up their position directly in front of you) - easy! No weight training is required, however many goodies you may have stored in your baskets. The Magic Corner has been designed and engineered specifically to be easy and effortless to use; it's beautifully smooth.

The Magic Corners can be installed into any 1000 blind corner base unit and currently retail for £325 including VAT. If however you are a (UK based) Friend of IKD Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms on Facebook, then you may deduct 10% from the cost of the Magic Corner: installation & delivery not included. If you'd like to purchase a Blind Corner Optimiser/Magic Corner, please contact me on (01536) 415280 and we'll make one appear, just like that! Please note however that this exclusive Friends of IKD offer expires at midnight on 30 June 2010.

PS: If you'd like to become a member of the Friends of IKD Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms group, then please click this link: http://bit.ly/FriendsofIKD - you are very welcome!

HOW TO FIND REPUTABLE TRADESMEN

2010-05-19T12:10:00.002+01:00

We've all seen the BBC's Rogue Trader and ITV's House of Hell programmes, and they can be truly horrifying, especially if you're on the cusp of having some work completed in your home - be it correcting a dripping tap, an electrical fault or even planning a kitchen installation. It absolutely infuriates us how many Bodgit 'n' Scarper merchants there are out there, and how they get away with ripping people off for so long.

Sadly scams and fraud are on the increase, so how can you find a reputable tradesperson, with high integrity and ability, to work respectfully in your home? Well, we have come up with 6 key steps you can follow, which will help you find such a tradesperson - because they do exist - you just have to know how to look for them!

Word-of-Mouth: This is usually a very reliable means of finding a tradesman; if a friend or relative has had a good experience and are raving about the excellent sales and service they have received, then your search is, quite possibly, over.

Never underestimate how much time, hassle and money a word-of-mouth recommendation can save you. There's even a website who champions the finest companies, venues and products in your area, why not give them a try? Our local website can be found at www.thebestof.co.uk/kettering - give it a whirl - you'll be pleased you did!

Address & Contact Details: Does the business have a trading address, landline phone number and a website? Companies who trade only via a mobile phone number and/or without a stated trading address, might best be avoided, as it could prove difficult to track them down and contact them should things go awry. This may also signal that they don’t pay tax, VAT and/or public or employer liability insurances, which could have repercussions for you in the worst case scenario. Always double check and ask for their VAT registration number and have sight of their public liability insurance certificate if you’re in any doubt whatsoever. You may also consider visiting the stated trading premises to verify it’s actually there, and to also see what you think – does it represent the company well? Are you more or less favourable towards that company now?

Trade Associations: Does the business belong to any trade associations, such as The Federation of Small Businesses or The Guild of Master Craftsmen? Membership to these associations does not in itself guarantee that a company is reputable, but if you can verify the business does belong to a trade association, then you will have a means of redress should something go off course, as they will mediate and seek a satisfactory resolution to any complaints on your behalf; they may also expel the errant business from their association. You can contact the Federation of Small Businesses via 01253 336 000 or http://www.fsb.org.uk/. To verify a Guild of Master Craftsmen member, contact them via 01273 478449 or http://www.guildmc.com/. Membership to these associations requires consistently high levels of sales and service, so to belong to them is a very good indication of the company’s resolve and intent.

Testimonials: Does the company have any current customer testimonials available for you to read? Do they have very many? Any website the company may have is an ideal place to display customer testimonials – check it out. It might also be wise to ask to see the original copies too, just to be sure. An honest and legitimate business owner will have no problem supplying you with this information, if they’re truly confident of their past and their customer’s satisfaction.

Google: If you’re online, Google them and see what comes up, or ask a friend or relative to do it for you – you’d be surprised what may show itself during a search.

Instinct: Never underestimate yourself! If your instincts are telling you something isn’t right or doesn’t add up then trust and listen to those instincts. Your instincts are there to protect you, so don’t disregard them.

We have loads more money and hassle saving advice in our 20 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE REFURBISHING YOUR KITCHEN guide, and what's more, it's entirely FREE to download!

Follow this link for your free copy: http://bit.ly/FreeExpertAdvice and save yourself time, money and hassle.

MORE THAN BUBBLES!

2010-05-18T11:47:00.003+01:00

[Karan]: I have recently had the pleasure of being introduced to Sara, who owns a small business in the Forest of Dean making the most divine soaps, bath salts, moisturisers, shampoos, shaving lotions and candles. Sara's business is called Mitcheldean Soap Ltd, and you heard it here first, as I'm certain Sara is going to be in all the big stores soon.

Mitcheldean Soap make the sublime hand-made luxury soaps and goodies, using traditional processes, and they can all be personalised too! Here are a couple of examples of what I'm talking about...

Now I would never recommend anyone's products or services without having tried them out myself, and I am delighted to report that Sara's products and customer service are first class, and you know that I've never knowingly said that lightly.

I purchased some soap from Sara last week and the speed in which my order was delivered was professional as it was impressive. Each bar of soap had been individually hand wrapped, which makes Mitcheldean Soap the perfect place to buy presents - and we do have Father's Day coming up... I'm sure if you were to ask Sara for an "I love you Daddy, love from ______", or something similar, it would be no problem at all. My personalised soaps were perfect.

Why not check out Mitcheldean Soap's website, which can be found at http://www.morethanbubbles.co.uk/ and see for yourself all the other gorgeous goodies Sara has available for you. It is so refreshing and rewarding to find another small business as dedicated to exceptional customer services as IKD, and I would like to wish Sara every success for the future. I for one will be in touch again very soon.

ANTICAMPINGITIS

2010-05-17T09:59:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: Oh God, is it really that time again already?! Every year, when the weather starts warming up and the days start to last forever, the onset of Ian's camping itch begins, and so to with it, my annual headache.

Now, for the avoidance of doubt, let me be clear: I HATE CAMPING! I see no reason to sleep on a gradually deflating bubble of air, when there are perfectly good pocket sprung super king beds available. I'm not as young as I used to be, my back goes out more than I do and demands that I treat it with respect; or else. Why, why, WHY would I also want to encase myself in a sweaty polyester bag to add to the ever increasing unpalatable bargain?!

Ian's modus operandi starts slowly and cautiously every year, hoping to remain uncovered for as long as possible, but we've been together nearly 21 years now, so I'm pretty clued up on how his mind works. As soon as the temperature rises above -2 degrees, we have the sunny Sunday afternoon detours around camp shops, looking for anything that we don't already have. This is ludicrous because over the years we have accumulated a vast array of stuff, that tends to every possible need imaginable: well, almost.

Here is a photograph from the Dennis-Towers archive, showing the enormous plot of planet Earth we inhabited for a long weekend last summer, on the south coast. What you can't see from the photograph is the en suite facilites, the plunge pool or the butler's quarters, but you can see clearly how bloody big the tent is - we could be seen from space! The benefits of such a large camping abode is obviously lots of space and freedom for the children to play in and around. The downside however is that it takes a four man crew, working six eight hour shifts to put it up and then take it down again, so a quick weekend away camping is out of the question. Pity that.

My idea of camping (but still not my idea of a perfect holiday) is one of those 40ft static caravans, complete with power showers, en suite bathrooms and full mod-cons. During the early months of our relationship, Ian and I went camping during a heatwave, in a two-man tent from which we were duly sweated out of by 6.30am every morning. We were also bitten to buggery by midges and I suffered from heat stroke, so it's easy to analyse why I'm not so fond of camping, but camping with children takes it into another league of you have got to be kidding me!

A tent this size absolutely needs at least two pairs of hands. Okay, Ian + me = two pairs of hands. So, how do you keep two very young children safe, entertained and within a mutually agreeable perimeter in the process? It's my worst nightmare: both hands full holding up a magnificent erection, whilst the fruit of my loins totter off into the sunset! Why, why, WHY would I willingly put myself through that again?

It's started already. The temperature has started to warm and Ian has been shaking the wintery cobwebs from the children's garden play tents and taking part in their campsite games. In the meantime however, I have been rocking backwards and forwards in a darkened corner, desperately trying to conjour up a season long monsoon - because not even Ian would go camping in a monsoon. Golf yes, camping no.

So there you have it, I suffer with anticampingitis, but I'm not alone. A great many of my female friends share the same afflication, but none of my male friends do, interestingly enough. If you're a man reading this, who hates camping too, please let me know, because I'm currently almost certain men have a hunter-gatherer thing going on. For what other reason(s) do you have for sharing toilets and showers with 300+ other men (ewww!), allow yourself to be eaten alive by a varied assortment of critters, eat burnt food off a BBQ and drink warm beer for days on end? What is so wrong about super king size beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, beautifully prepared meals, room service, air conditioning and spa treatments? I just don't get it...

A LAUNDRY EMERGENCY

2010-05-13T12:27:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: It is very clear that even though we're in the business of selling kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms - and all the accompanying components thereof - that we are not immune to the occasional domestic appliance failure.

Neither do we receive special privileges in respect of the timing of these failures either. Our Ye Olde Beloved washer dryer rolled over and died yesterday afternoon, and it ceased to be. It is a dead washer dryer. As emotional as all this was we had to put our throbbing grief to one side and act quickly, because we are an active family of four, with a penchant for clean and fresh clothes. There was no time to lose!

Thankfully Thursday is a designated delivery day for one of our very best suppliers and, whilst they tend to specialise more in integrated appliances, they were still able to offer us a replacement free standing washer dryer, from their vast stocks around the UK - at a jaw dropping price too. Phew! Perhaps on this occasion we were blessed to be in the right business at the right time - no waiting for four weeks for a delivery for us, oh no! And we recycled Ye Olde Beloved, as we recycle all decrepit, defunct domestics, for which Planet Earth gives us a nod and a wink of thanks.

It has to be said though that removing Ye Olde Beloved, and the act of installing Sexy New WD was no mean feat! Because we essentially have two machines in one + a condenser etc for the dyer aspect, they weigh a ton! I have definately had more fun with my clothes on than trying to persuade Sexy New WD into it's new home - and it was Ian (obviously) doing all the heavy lifting!

Thankfully all is well now. I had spent most of yesterday sweating blood at the prospect of having no washing machine for any notable period of time - we have a son after all and, for those of you with sons out there, you understand perfectly well what I'm saying here! I love him dearly and, as much as I'd love him to sit quietly and read a book for an afternoon, he's 20 months old, and reading is not high on his agenda - but going backwards down a slide, scampering behind the sofas and climbing all over the furniture, is.

Sexy New WD is really rather lovely. We find a timer delay invaluable with the amount of laundry we generate, as it allows us to wash at 2am when the Economy 7 has kicked in. Did you know that a load of washing washed at 2am is half price, compared to the same load of washing washed during the day? Hmmm, neither did I until a little while ago and now I do a little dance and make a little love every time the electricity bill comes in and shows me how much we've saved!

Another bonus is that Sexy New WD has Shh Super Silent Technology, which makes 2am washing easy, as there is absolutely no chance of the final spin waking the children. Bless it; Ye Olde Beloved's bearings had gone (amongst other things), and it truly sounded like we were washing breeze blocks when it went into final spin mode, so 2am washes have been out of bounds of months just recently; which means a bigger electricity bill for us. Now however, we're back on track, saving money, sleeping well (sometimes) and smelling divine! Thank you Hotpoint - I love you!

HOW TO DRIVE A DEADLINE

2010-05-11T12:18:00.005+01:00

Deadlines. Don't you just love them? No, me neither, but they're a way of life. In some ways though deadlines are a good thing, and can be used to your full advantage - if you know how to drive them.

Everyone knows what it's like preparing to go away on holiday. Aren't you amazed by your capacity to get everything done in the days and weeks before your plane takes off, your boat sets sail or the ice starts to melt in your drink? The sense of urgency is tangible because you have a non-negotiable immovable deadline to meet; your choice is simple: get your stuff done, or you don't go. It's a wonderful motivator, and invariably your deadline is met and your plane takes off with you on board. Fraught and exhausted you may be, but you're on board.

In the weeks and months prior to your holiday, you have applied concentrated effort to getting yourself out of the rat race for a fortnight; and concentrated effort is infinately more valuable than ordinary effort. So why not apply this pre-holiday concentrated effort to your everyday deadlines? You'd be sure to meet them then. I don't doubt you would probably be just as fraught and exhausted, but you would have achieved your deadline. Aren't the rewards worth the concentrated effort?

Another great motivation technique I have learnt recently, courtesy of Nigel Botterill, is this. If your life depended on it, could you achieve _____________ by ______________ ? Be serious. If you had to achieve X by Y or you'd die, could you do it, could it be done? If, under such extreme conditions, you could do it, or it could be done, well then go and do it!

Napoleon Hill gives us another deadline driving lesson in Think & Grow Rich, which is this. Burn your boats. Burn your bridges. Win - or perish. Stake everything. Give every breath. Fight to the last inch. Refuse to fail. Expect to succeed.

These two philosophies, from Nigel Botterill and Napoleon Hill, are the main driving forces behind the deadline Ian and I have set ourselves, for opening our kitchen showroom to the public during August Bank Holiday weekend. In 15 short weeks [gulp]. And open it shall be, because we have said so publicly - and even more publicly since this blog was published! We have burnt our bridges. We have committed ourselves to Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 August 2010, and we will meet that deadline with bells on.

We have been promising ourselves a kitchen showroom for more than three years now and it just hasn't happened. We didn't give ourselves any sense of urgency, until a few weeks ago when we decided it would be in the best interests of the business to get this done. We had been guilty of being world class at getting ready, and the business needed us to apply concentrated effort.

There's a hell of a lot of work to complete before Saturday 28 August, in addition to our daily work schedule, evening sales appointments and family commitments, but it will be done because we expect to succeed and will refuse to fail. We may be fraught, exhausted and propped up on brooms during our Grand Showroom Opening, but we'll be proud and happy too. This entirely self-imposed deadline is going to help us achieve a long-standing goal, we just had to clear the head trash and get on with it.

So, there you have it. IKD Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms will be opening a new kitchen showroom on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 August 2010. Please drop by and say "hi" as we'd love to see you - why not bring a friend along? We may even have some wine and Horlicks on the go! Click here for directions and we'll look forward to seeing you in August!

In the meantime however why not see your deadlines as challenges rather than chores - have you seen what Jack Bauer can achieve in 24 hours?! What do you mean he's not real? For God's sake no one say that in front of Ian - he's something of a fan(atic).

PS: Jack never gives up either, does he?

WHY IKD?

2010-05-08T13:14:00.005+01:00

As IKD has been trading since 1992, we are very proud to have grown and nutured a huge and loyal Customer base, with wonderful Clients who return to us again and again, because they are assured an exceptional service from us.

A great many of our returning Customers are kind enough to recommend us to their friends and family, which is fantastic, but how can brand new Customers - who have no prior knowledge or experience of us - be sure their new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom is safe in our hands?

Well, our membership to The Guild of Master Craftsmen is one means in which we endeavour to assure new Clients of our purpose and resolve, but we thought there was more we could offer in pursuit of your confidence and peace of mind. We have published the IKD Mission Statement, in which we detail how we intend to provide our Customers with the best possible service, and which is detailed below:

THE IKD MISSION STATEMENT

IKD will endeavour to provide the highest standard of products and services to all of our Clients, from the initial point of contact through to the completion of the project, and beyond.

We will continue to recognise that every Client has their individual aspirations, and will listen to establish what it is they want, rather than tell them what they can have.

All Customers will be treated courteously with honesty and respect, with a view to establishing a close working relationship, based on trust.

IKD will remain committed to the principle of continuous improvement and will invest in the best training, equipment and materials to ensure that every potential is fulfilled.

Our quotations and invoices will continue to be clearly written and comprehensive in detail, with any administrative queries being handled effectively and professionally.

Any after sales queries or problems will be dealt with as quickly, fairly and efficiently as possible. IKD wish to enjoy the continued pride we have in our after sales customer care.

It is the long held ambition of IKD to be the benchmark by which our competitors are judged - and to continue trading for a generation, upon our good reputation alone.

FOUR SEASONS SALE ENDING SOON!

2010-05-06T17:10:00.002+01:00

Here's your final chance to bag a bargain before the prices go up again.

The highly regarded Four Seasons kitchen range is now available at IKD Kitchens, and we have a full compliment of sample doors for you to look through either in our (currently being refurbished) kitchen showroom - or in the comfort of your own home if you prefer.

25 YEAR GUARANTEE

All Four Seasons cabinets are manufactured to the highest standards in the UK, and are supplied with a 25-year guarantee on every kitchen in the range.

Please find included below a handful of images to show you how diverse and beautiful the Four Seasons kitchen range is, but please remember there are more door styles and finishes availble.

For more designs, sale discounts and information about our Four Season kitchen promotion, please click this link to visit our website: http://bit.ly/FourSeasonsSale. Alternatively, please contact Karan or Ian on Kettering (01536) 415280 to discuss your requirements.

Sale ends 31 May 2010 - hurry!

NETWORKING A-GO-GO!

2010-05-05T13:01:00.003+01:00

[Karan]: Naturally, I'm quite a shy person. That sound you just heard was of my friend's ribs pinging with merriment in response to that statement. No, really, I am quite shy, and can find meeting new people a bit of a challenge - it certainly can take me out of my comfort zone. But this is starting to change.

In a previous life I worked for a motorsport company and would regularly stand up in front of a room full of people and espouse the virtues of our sport, team and sponsors etc, but it was all so huge and corporate. Ian had a theory that I became someone else whilst wearing the team kit; reverting back to my true self once home. And he may have been right.

Meeting new IKD Customers was initially much harder because it's the start of a much longer relationship and, oftentimes, even friendship. Working in someone's home, and designing them a room they will live with for a very long time, is a big responsibility, and so we like to get to know our Customers as well as possible. This involves a lot of time, discussion and listening, but it really bears fruit because the Customer always gets what they want, and we acquire another glowing testimonial. But not only that....

As you are probably already aware, IKD have been trading since 1992, and we now have a very large Customer database, of which we are very proud. What we have found in our (almost) eighteen years of business is that it can surprise you who knows who; it's a small world - and this is where networking comes into its own. From a commercial sense, if you have one satisfied customer who recommends you to all of their friends, who recommend you to their friends etc, you have enough work to keep you busy and to grow a business. This works in the negative sense just as well, where you can find yourself out of business in a hurry thanks to the ire of dissatisfied Customers. Ian and I are always mindful of this trusim: a satisfied Customer will recommend you to five friends, but a dissatisfied ex-customer will disparage you to anyone within earshot. You know it's true.

Nowadays, it's all networking a-go-go with other small business owners, but not necessarily to sell more kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms (although we do, and that's great), but more for support, advice and development. With Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin making connections with new people (you would never have met otherwise) so much easier, the pool of support and information is infinate. The new connections I have made since Christmas have changed my thought processes, marketing strategy and general outlook on life, so I have therefore decided not to participate in shyness any longer. From now on I will attend every networking event that'll have me, and strike up conversations all over the place because, one way or another, it's good for business!

PLEASE VOTE FOR...WHO YOU WANT TO!

2010-05-04T11:34:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: I'm fed up with everyone telling me how to vote, and in particular that I should vote Labour!

By everyone I'm referring to some of those I follow on Facebook and Twitter, some of whom are in the public eye and should know better than try to influence people by using their elevated public position. There is of course one quick, easy and painless solution to my problem - I have stopped following the culprits, but it's the principle that has got my goat - who the hell do they think they are?!

As we're in the midst of a general election I can just about tolerate weeks of party political activists urging me to vote their way as opposed the evils that await me if I dare vote the other; it's their job. But I draw the line at feeble TV personalities and D-list celebrities Tweetpic-ing who they have in their helicopter whilst on the campaign trail over the weekend! Champagne socialists should definately be doomed to Room 101 if you ask me, they're a scourge.

Can I just ask a question to the celebs who repeatedly insist I vote Labour? If Labour were truly the great saviours of the universe you believe them to be, why are you taking every opportunity to influence me? Surely their greatness would be obvious, and you'd be confident of a landslide majority on Thursday? But you're not confident of a landslide majority are you; you're not even confident of coming in as Her Majesty's Opposition, are you? Why should you when Labour have taken us into an illegal war, failed repeatedly to supply our troops with even the basic equipment to keep them alive - and don't get me started on the NHS, education, immigration and the economy!

And before you ask, please do not assume to know who I am voting for, as I am not a dyed-in-the-wool anything. You may be surprised to know who I have supported in past elections, but at the end of the day, who I vote for is none of your business, and who you vote for is none of my business.

My only concern is that people should vote. Like I said in an earlier blog entry not so long ago, people have died and continue to die for the privilege of democracy. The Suffragettes battled like hell to win the right for women to vote, and were routinely imprisoned for their efforts. Many died on hunger strike and Emily Wilding Davison threw herself under the King's horse so that women would eventually be permitted the vote; it wasn't always our entitlement. I therefore believe that we all have a duty to vote with our consciences - what if everyone shrugged their shoulders?

Decisions are made by those who show up! Please vote on Thursday.

I SHALL WEAR PURPLE!

2010-04-30T13:27:00.000+01:00

[Karan]: Here we are with another May Day nearly upon us, and it'll soon be Christmas again!

Is it just me or is time screaming past us at a rate of knots? It doesn't help that our daughter asks me everyday how old I am - surely I'm supposed to be the one whose mind is wondering, why doesn't she remember my answer: does she enjoy seeing the grimace she extracts from me every time she asks? The little darling even asked me recently what we used in "the olden times, before you had cars"! Now that took my breath away, and I couldn't help but laugh; the cheeky little Minx. I will defend our little beauty because she is only six, and has no real comprehension of age - but that defence won't wash the older she gets!

I was told on my 21st birthday - all those years ago - that time would now zip past more quickly than it had done previously for me. In my youthful immortal arrogance however, I believe my urbane response to this sincerely given guidance was "PAH!". I've always had a way with words. Now staring down the barrel of my 102nd birthday, I can see the truth behind this statement. No, I'm not really 101 - although there are many, many days I feel like it, but it is fair to say that I'm gradually being introduced to the limitations of impending middle-age.

I've got to the stage now where if I bend down to pick something up off the floor, I ask myself what else I can be doing whilst I'm down there. There are also the involuntary "oohs" and "aahhs" when kneeling or attempting to stand up again, because these are the things my knees need solemn notice for nowadays. And whilst it's true that time marches on, it's only when you begin to mature a little, that you realise that it's marching all over your face: laughter lines? Laughter lines? Hmmm, nothing's that funny, now is it?!

I shall not be defeated. I have adopted the attitude that it is better to grow old than die young, and it is clear that God does not consider me "good", because I'm still here at this ripe old age - must've been that rampant weekend in 1992 wot dunnit, but that's a story for another day. Or not. And I always have the kindly checkout lady at Tescos to fall back on when I'm feeling particularly decrepit, because she took ten years off me last Saturday; I was thrilled!

My next big birthday will be a belter where I will behave badly and start to wear purple! Kettering, you have less than 12 months to prepare, but you have been warned so stand well back. It's good to be alive, whatever condition your knees are in, and we should embrace everyday as a gift to be enjoyed to the full.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobrietry of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickles for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

By Jenny Joseph

YOU DESERVE THIS!

2010-04-29T13:15:00.002+01:00

[Karan]: Now, everyone's different, but I like mine at the end of a hard day, where a long hot one - that I can take my time with - helps me to relax and unwind. More often than not it's just what I needed and hits the spot perfectly, leaving me much cleaner and contented with the world, for the rest of the evening.

Some people prefer a first thing in the morning arrangement, but with two children who are up earlier than I am, it's a possibility too far for me I'm afraid, hence the night time indulgence, once they're safely tucked up in bed.

Will you please now collect your mind from the gutter; I was referring to my preference for showering in the evening! That'll need a rinse with some soap and water before you use it again.

I do love a long hot shower, and have been asking Ian to install on of these little beauties ASAP but, as cobbler's children go barefoot, it'll be quicker for me to walk down to the river and beat myself against a rock before I have a chance of getting one. Let me introduce you...

This is an Aqualisa Axis Digital shower, and this particular model is of the exposed variety - where the controls, valves and riser rail are visable etc. Concealed models - where the valves are installed into the wall - are also available, so please enquire if you'd like more information on those.

This exposed model will allow you to enjoy a new shower experience within a couple of hours, because thanks to it's unique configuration, you can keep your existing decor intact.

Keep an eye on the lights on the Aqualisa Axis Digital's control, and they'll show you when it's the perfect time to step in and wash your cares away. Meanwhile, for the last word in showering sophistication, add a wireless remote so you can activate your shower from i.e.: the comfort of your warm bed! Go on, you deserve it, it's a delicious experience!

Additional Benefits:

> Award-winning, one touch intelligent showering

> Adjustable, clear flow, anti-scaling shower head offers family flexibility

> Compact, remotely sited processor makes for easy installation

> Suitable for virtually all domestic plumbing systems

> 5 year manufacturer's guarantee

Please call me on Kettering (01536) 415280 to arrange for your bathroom consultation with Ian, as there are a couple of things you need to know prior to installing an Aqualisa Axis Digital Shower. I'll look forward to hearing from you soon.

HOTPOINT OPENSPACE OVEN

2010-04-28T12:55:00.002+01:00

IKD Kitchens are proud to supply you with the new and innovative Hotpoint Openspace Double Oven: double oven versatility in a single oven space.

The Openspace has 20% more space than a standard single oven, as the revolutionary design gives you 70 litres capacity, with the ability to cook on 4 levels at once.

Insulating Divider

But the brilliance doesn't stop there. You can convert this extra large space into a double oven by simply inserting the insulating divider to create two seperate cooking zones; both with independent time and temperature controls. There will be no transfer of flavours between the two compartments

The main space under the insulating divider allows the use of just the bottom two thirds of the oven as a fan oven, whilst the small space above the divider offers you two functions of it's own: Fast Cooking and Grilling.

Energy Conscious

Openspace is seriously energy conscious with savings of up to 25% on energy and up to 40% in heat-up time, with the newly designed fast heating grill. With the Fast Cook programme in the Small Space oven (i.e.: above the divider), you can save up to 40% on total cooking time and, because you are saving on time you are saving on energy too.

A Energy Rated

As you would expect from Hotpoint, Openspace is A energy rated, whichever oven component you choose to cook with.

Fast Clean Pyrolytic Cycle

The Fast Clean pyrolytic model cleans itself. The triple glazed door automatically locks, the oven heats up to 500 degrees centigrade and burns off all the fat and waste, leaving a small deposit of ash to be simply wiped away. The process is completely safe and costs less than 50p each time!

Looks Pristine

With the dishwasher safe insulating divider and the stunning fingerprint resistant stainless steel finish, Openspace will look sensational in any kitchen.

Total Electronic Control

Openspace features total electronic control with independent time and temperature controls for both the Small, Main and Extra Large Spaces. So when you are in Double Space mode, you can set separate times and temperatures for each space ensuring all your dishes are cooked to perfection.

LCD Display

The intelligent LCD display tells you all you need to know about the cooking programmes selected. It shows the oven spaces in use and alternatives between the temperature, the time left to cook and the clock.

Intelligent Cooking From An Intelligent Oven

The utlimate cooking utensil and the latest in cooking technology. Professional cooking expertise has been incorporated into an easy to use oven that manages everything for you. Hotpoint's Intelligent Cooking System consists of a selection of dedicated pre-set cooking functions that help you achieve perfect results every time.

From bread and pizza functions to roasts and cakes, you can rest assured they will be cooked to perfection as the oven monitors and adjusts the time, temperature and humidity within the cavity so it's always at its optimum.

Pricing

There are a variety of Openspace models available, ranging from the 10-function standard Openspace model, through to the high specification 12-function + Pyrolytic Fast Clean Openspace model as described above. Prices start at £480 + VAT

To discuss price, availability and delivery options for your Hotpoint Openspace oven, please call Karan at IKD Kitchens now on (01536) 415280

A GREAT DISSERVICE TO SERVICE

2010-04-23T10:29:00.002+01:00

[Karan]: I experienced a couple of very interesting lessons yesterday in the importance of a positive attitude and the direct link between poor customer service and the subsequent inevitability of sales prevention. And it was all over a bunch of flowers.

One of our many highly regarded customers - Mrs B - is celebrating a milestone birthday tomorrow, and we thought it would be a nice idea to organise a bouquet of flowers to be delivered to her home, just prior to her guests arriving for a party. Simple enough task you would assume.

I always try to support other small local enterprises, and so I rang Florist Shop A, to enquire upon the possibility of having a modest hand-tied bouquet of spring flowers, delivered as late as possible (i.e.: 4pm - 5pm) on Saturday afternoon, to an address in Kettering. Reasonable enough request? Hmmmm, not so much.

To begin with the phone was answered by a lady clearly tired and/or fed up, who greeted me only with the name of the shop. Once I had explained my requirements, I was met with a whole list of reasons for not being able to meet my requirements: a) a boxed bouquet (as opposed to my preferred water bulb) would be better in case Mrs B was out when the delivery driver called, b) they were very busy and couldn't guarantee what time the delivery would be made, c) they were only open and only delivered up until 12.30pm on a Saturday, and on top of all of this, the very tired or fed up lady only ever discussed costs with me, never once did we discuss what Mrs B's favourite flowers might be. I got so frustrated with being confronted with reasons not to send Mrs B flowers, that I made my excuses and politely ended the call. No sale for Florist Shop A this time, or any other time, because I won't be offering my custom again.

I am aware there is a high probability that Mrs B will be out during a Saturday, which is why I wanted a later delivery time - she'd be home getting ready come late afternoon. If Florist Shop A is so busy that it can't guarantee a delivery time, or be open/deliver later than 12.30pm, shouldn't Florist Shop A start reconsidering their operating hours? And if staff are tired and fed up, that's no concern of mine, I just want flowers! Mrs Tired Fed-up had given me every reason to phone Florist Shop B, so I did.

The phone at Florist Shop B was picked up with a cheery "good afternoon, how can I help you?", and Pat the florist, and I instantly started talking about whether Mrs B liked lilies, or not. The rest of the conversation was friendly, informative and professional. The latest delivery time Pat could offer me was 5pm on Saturday afternoon - perfect! So assured and persuasive was Pat, that she actually upsold me - I ended up spending more than I had originally planned, simply because I was informed of the likely additional impact a superior bouquet would have on Mrs B, during her special milestone birthday. Fantastic! Winners all round, because I will now use Petal Cascade on Rockingham Road in Kettering again and again, because Pat is positive, knowledgeable and, ever so gently, persuasive.

Petal Cascade : (01536) 483456

ASTON MARTIN V12 VANTAGE

2010-04-22T16:49:00.001+01:00

[Karan]: Bloody lovely, isn't it? I will have one, or its equivalent within 3967 days. I'm adopting a tried and tested technique used by Ian, where he pins a photo of i.e.: the next van he wants to buy on a noticeboard - somewhere where he can see it everyday and, low and behold, he's always achieved his goal. The picture helps him to focus.

So, here we go. This picture of an Aston Martin V12 Vantage, finished in gunmetal, will become my screen saver until I get one. I know I'm likely to burn out several computer monitors before I achieve this goal, but that's another reason for giving myself a target of 3967 days or less. Concentrated effort is more valuable than just plain old effort.

It'll just be my bloody luck that by the time I can afford such a beauty that it'll be obsolete, but I'm sure Aston Martin will supersede it with something equally delicious. I'll keep an eye on Top Gear as Jeremy Clarkson loves Aston Martin, and is bound to review every new model that comes out.

I wonder if Aston Martin do denture holders, walking stick tidies and those lovely beaded seat covers as optional extras...?

LITTLE GOLD BOOK OF YES! ATTITUDE

2010-04-20T13:13:00.005+01:00

[Karan]: A new acquaintance of mine recently introduced me to Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Gold Book of Yes! Attitude, and I'm so pleased they did: it's wonderful stuff, and it has given me some homework to do!

Life isn't always easy. Let's be brutally honest; life can be pretty crap, and I'm as guilty as anyone else at allowing events to overwhelm me, sometimes. Usually I try and look for the positive and the opportunity in any given situation, but they're not always easy to find.

This is where Jeffrey Gitomer steps in, in his own inimitable way, and tells it to you straight. We all know the difference between a negative and a positive attitude - that's obvious to a blind man on a charging horse. But did you know there's a difference between a positive attitude and a YES! attitude? No, neither did I. I do now though.

I would recommend anyone read this book; whether you're in business or not, the principles are priceless whoever you are. Your whole life won't change just because you read a book, you are expected to complete some work on yourself and your established thought processes, but as Charles Kettering once said: "...if you've always done it that way, it's probably wrong".

Wouldn't life be better if all of us had a YES! attitude? Think of all that great customer service you'd receive from everyone, not just IKD! Think how brighter and more pleasant your day would be if everyone you met had a YES! attitude. How lovely would it be to bannish negativity forever? Hmmm, my idealism is starting to show.

If you fancy seeing what all the fuss is about, enlighten yourself at Play.com where The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude in hardback is retailing for about £8 + free delivery. It would still be worth checking other retailers like Amazon & Waterstones, coz' the prices change daily! You can always give eBay a go...

A butterfly is a caterpillar with a positive attitude