DESIGNER RESPONSIBILITES

Review all materials supplied by Williams Creative Group including videos, diagrams, emails, texts, and online updates found on the Home Depot tab at williamscreativegroup.net.

Call the store one or two days prior to your scheduled dates to ensure all trees have arrived, are setup, and assembled in place. The number of trees/items expected for each store can be found on your store list.

Shape the trees during your scheduled dates or as soon as they are ready.

Use a completion form to confirm which trees are assembled and ready for shaping.

Check the lights on each pre-lit tree to ensure they work prior to shaping.

Fix any minor lighting issues. Ask for a new tree to be assembled if necessary.

Refer major issues to store management.

A completed project requires each tree is professionally and completely shaped according to the quality standards provided by the manufacturers as summarized in the Basics of Tree Shaping video.

Ask a store manager, Merchandise Execution Team (MET) manager or someone in leadership (not just any employee), to inspect your trees and sign the completion form when they are satisfied with the quality of your completed work.

Only individuals authorized and drug tested by Williams Creative Group can work in Home Depot Stores

Submit your completion forms and 2-3 quality photos (see Store Layouts page for examples) immediately after completion of each store.

HOME DEPOT RESPONSIBILITIES

Setup, assemble and connect all trees to electricity.

Assist with major structural tree problems, major tree lighting issues, and locate missing trees.

Provide space and ladders to safely access each tree.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH WILLIAMS CREATIVE GROUP

Watch for and respond quickly to emails, text messages and phone calls. For the most up-to-date information, go to the Home Depot tab on our website. If you still have questions after reviewing all videos, texts, emails, and online updates, contact us. 615.376.9668 Communicate by text Ext 99 Phone calls/voice mails Payment Questions: Ext 19 office@williamscreativegroup.net Completion Forms: Ext 17 forms@williamscreativegroup.net General Questions: Ext 18 support@williamscreativegroup.net Store Assignments: Ext 21 mandi@williamscreativegroup.net 615.270.0561 Text forms and/or photos Fax forms Email: forms@williamscreativegroup.net

TREE SHAPING VIDEOS

To help apply your design skills for this project in a retail environment, the videos described below are posted on the Videos and Pictures tab on our website. Click on any of the titles below to view the video. These showcase a wealth of information and wisdom from past contracted designers. If you’re unable to stream the videos, contact our office for a DVD.

Home Depot Project Overview answers most questions you may have about the project.

Basics of Tree Shaping is a collection of shaping techniques to help you understand and meet the quality standards expected by retailers and tree manufacturers.

In the Designer In Store Perspective a seasoned designer shares tips, tricks and experiences in a store.

YOUR TREE SHAPING DATES

Trees are setup by the Merchandise Execution Team (MET) Monday through Thursday of each week. The project requires stores be shaped within the date range on your store list with the goal to shape the trees as soon as possible so they look good for the customers.

If MET reports a store is set, we will send a text message to notify you. Stores reported set are also posted at williamscreativegroup.net > Store Ready? If you haven’t been notified or don’t see your store posted a day or two before the expected date for a store, it’s time to call. See Scheduling with a Store for details.

Early Stores
Some stores set earlier than expected. When we’re notified a store is set, we’ll send a text message to the assigned designer and post this information on the store ready tab on our website. This may give you the opportunity to shape trees in your stores earlier than the scheduled dates.

Delayed Stores
It is possible some stores may be delayed with their setup. We appreciate your flexibility in accommodating these unexpected date changes while you stay in good communication with your stores and our office.

SCHEDULING WITH YOUR STORE

Vital Communication

Many designers tell us it is vital to call the store BEFORE making a trip, even if the store has reported as set to Williams Creative Group. Designers typically call the store 1 or 2 days prior to their shaping window. Avoid calling too early, as you might not receive accurate information.

The preferred option is to call the store between Monday and Friday anytime from 6 am to 2 pm when the MET is likely to be available. If an automated attendant answers, request extension 599 or 598. Otherwise, ask to speak with someone on the MET team. A MET team member can confirm that all the trees are displayed, connected to electricity, and ready for your arrival. If the set isn’t complete, ask for detailed information about the status and follow up accordingly.

Outside of these hours, an option is to ask for the Lawn and Garden Department. Request they physically count the artificial trees and items out of the box and on display, both large and small. The count they provide should be very close to the expected number for the store. A hint: Don’t tell them how many items are expected until they give you an actual count of what they see on display.

When you’re comfortable the store is ready, confirm when you’ll arrive within your scheduled date range.

In Store Hours
It may be possible for you to go in before the store opens or stay after the store closes. Please discuss your arrival time with the store manager and reach an agreement. The estimated time it will take to complete a store depends on speed and experience. Plan plenty of time to complete your work. Safety and quality first!

What If a Store Says Their Trees Are Already Shaped?
The Home Depot contract agreement requires the contracted designer go to the store, even if store employees think the trees don't need shaping. You may find trees need only a touch up or they may need to be completely reshaped to meet the quality standards expected by the retailers and tree manufacturers.

SAFETY FIRST!

Use Every Precaution to Shape Trees Safely

When climbing and working from ladders, be extremely careful.

Sandals or open-toed shoes are not safe while shaping. A tether harness should be available at the store to use when stepping onto a shelving rack.

Shelves and platforms are NOT built to walk on. If you must place a foot onto a shelving unit, use extreme caution to always ensure you have secure footing.

If you ever have a concern for your safety, STOP what you are doing and contact the store manager or our office to find a safe alternative to complete the project.

Stickers
Some Home Depot stores use loose 2x6 wood boards, called stickers, as the shelving platform on the racks. These can slide, move, are NOT SAFE, and should not be walked on! It is best to discuss with the store manager a safer approach to reach the trees without stepping or walking on stickers.

Merchandise Boxes in Your Way
To safely shape the trees from a ladder, movi itas close to the shelving as possible. Boxes of tree inventory stored under the shelves may prevent you from closely accessing the shelving. You may need to move some product temporarily out of your way to safely reach the trees. You may ask a store employee for assistance in moving these items.

ITEM COUNTS AND PAY

Special Trees
Some stores may have a twelve-foot tree or additional high-end specialty trees. Professionally shape these and include them on your completion form to be compensated appropriately.

Actual Pay for Shaping Services
The pay for shaping services is calculated based on the actual number of tips you shape. If a store has more tips than expected, actual pay will be higher than estimated; if the number of tips is lower, actual pay will be lower. To ensure you are paid accurately be sure to carefully document on the completion form which trees and items you've actually shaped.

Extra Trees
Some stores display more trees than expected. For a consistent look, shape all displayed trees/items listed on the completion form. ONLY shape items with SKU numbers listed. Note clearly which additional trees you shaped. Williams Creative Group will compensate for any net increase of trees based on the total tip count per store.

TIPS FOR SHAPING TREES IN A STORE

As skilled designers you have worked in many creative situations. The tips below address the unique challenges posed by shaping trees in a retail environment. Apply any of the techniques you find useful. It’s vital the store manager is satisfied with your work, but more important to ensure you have shaped every tree according to the quality standards expected by the retailers and tree manufacturers.

Shape the Entire Tree
Trees look best when the center pole is hidden, though this might be difficult for thin, low tip count trees. Displayed trees may be nested together or difficult to reach. Be safe and use your creative methods to shape the entire tree, bottom to top, and all the way around so the result is a natural looking tree.

Documenting Your Work
It’s best to take several photos of your completed work and save them for your records. You’re encouraged to send a few quality photos of your completed set for our files. Text photos to 615.270.0561 or email them to forms@williamscreativegroup.net. Please don’t send “before” pictures. Send 2-3, quality pictures of the entire display for each store. See the Store Layout page for examples.

Quality Control Visits
Your store may receive a visit from tree manufacturers or Home Depot corporate staff. If our clients feel the trees at a store were poorly shaped and don’t meet the quality standards explained in the videos, you’ll be asked to revisit and correct the issues. There is no additional compensation for a revisit, so it’s best to do high quality work during your first visit.

Professional Attitude
When communicating with store personnel, be very cordial. Keep your cool, be professional, and avoid confrontations. If you feel a situation is escalating, please call our office immediately.

Payment
Completion forms received by Sunday night are paid the next week, either by direct deposit or check. Checks are mailed on Wednesday and can take up to ten days to arrive. Direct deposit funds are available by Friday. Payment can be delayed if Home Depot contacts us about the quality of tree shaping. For questions about your payment, email office@williamscreativegroup.net or call 615.376.9668, x19.

COMPLETING YOUR TREE SHAPING ASSIGNMENT

To save time, you can notify a manager shortly before you’re finished to let them know you’ll be ready for an inspection when you're done. After you finish, ask a store manager, MET manager or someone in leadership to inspect your work. Once they are satisfied with the quality of the finished work, ask them to sign and date the completion form in dark ink. Remember, it’s important the manager is they are satisfied, but more important to ensure each tree has been shaped according to the quality standards expected by the retailers and tree manufacturers.

Ensure all completion forms are legible and complete. Check only the boxes for the trees you actually shaped. Refer to the inside back page of this booklet for help. The store is considered incomplete and payment cannot be processed until an accurate and legible form is received showing the project was completed satisfactorily.

As the contracted Lead Designer, complete the designer notes section in dark ink and send to us within 24 hours of store completion. Forms can be emailed to forms@williamscreativegroup.net or texted/faxed to 615.270.0561.

We will send a text message confirming we received of your completion form within 24 hours of receipt. If you don’t receive a text message, visit williamscreativegroup.net/Store Ready? Form Received? If you do not receive a text or see your store posted, simply resend the form. Please do not call, text, or email our office to confirm your completion form was received.