This concept works well if the group of people, have equal interests, taste, etc.  At the party I attended, 3 of the guests had the items that everyone wanted and the other guests who had brought mostly clothes, sold nothing … I can really see this working however, with a group of designers … because even though the items may be varied, we can see the value and possiblities of most any object.  And getting it at a bargain price is even more exciting!

I think I will plan a Designers Sell, Swap or Buy Party.  I’ll let you know how it turns out!

The reality show, “Extreme Home Makeover,” suggests that they are able to complete the construction of an entire home in 7 days … what a deadline!  Why then, does the design and construction world have such a bad reputation for meeting deadlines, even with this highly successful show making the deadline every week? 

Could it be that the deadlines are based on what we think the client expects to hear versus valid dates based on the activities that must take place.  For each and every item brought to a job site the process to get it there is similar … determine what to order, place the order, ship the order, receive the order, and then install the order. Multiply this process by the number of items and any reasonable person can understand that it is a time consuming and lengthy process.  A client once said to me, “I don’t necessarily like what you are telling me, but I know from experience that what you are telling me is the truth.”  Deadlines are our reality … are you making yours?