Nailed It!

Don’t banners look like, well, banners? Well, yes and no. In most cases, up close, banners look temporary, like fabric! But from a distance they look permanent, like wood, metal etc, but cost substantially less. I have a customer who just now is replacing a 40’ banner they put up on their building twelve years ago. From the freeway it looked like a permanent sign.

But whether you like their appearance or not, they achieve their objective:

• Cost effective per square foot for maximum impressions
• High visual impact if designed properly
• Versatile color options, one to full color
• Quick turnaround

No matter the economy, but especially when extremely challenging, you need to take action fast when windows of opportunity appear – before they close! For example:

• Inventory reductions
• Seasonal market influences
• Time sensitive sales
• Sport and convention events
• Trade shows, etc.

Banners can help big time and not break your budget!

Continue reading…

A Historic Time.

History is in the wind – the inauguration, no matter what your political compass and the economy. Many of us will remember this moment in time for the uncertainty in the market, reduced sales activity, hard choices in our own businesses in the midst of industry icons falling by the wayside.

The good news for smaller businesses is that decisions can be made today that can positively affect sales activities tomorrow or this week. Make your list and prioritize with the top choice having the most immediate impact on increasing revenues. There is business activity out there and you need to secure your share, even at the expense of competition.

• Stay visible – network, email, direct mail, special offerings, whatever you can fit into your budget. Banners espousing sales, new inventories, limited offerings or decals on invoices and statements reinforcing your marketing campaign have high impact for few dollars. The subliminal impressions that you create keeps you in front of your customers. The benefits range from them actually responding to your offering to keeping you close at hand when they have a need for your widget. Vehicle graphics and lettering – your company logo or graphics or magnetic signs on your company rigs running around town or just parked in front of your business are like a moving billboard. Don’t forget your office window or door graphics and lettering – this is who you are and what you do, is it communicating properly?
• Keep an eye on your expenses – check your backlog plus projected sales vs your projected expenses. See if you need to adjust your operating costs until activity improves – profit might even be in the results and should be an objective, not just survival!
• Persevere – your company and employees are worth it, the alternatives aren’t plentiful these days.

Every day you make an effort that benefits your company you are one day closer to not only surviving but becoming more efficient and profitable. You’ve made it through November, December and almost January. Spring is just around the corner ushering in brighter days and improved business activity.

Good Selling!

HO! HO! HO! Making a list and checking it twice?

This year is in the books-good, bad and the ugly! Time to reflect on successes and strategies that fell short. Before we succumb to the Holiday festivities let’s also review that budget that we meticulously prepared several months ago. The playing field has changed for many-no point in going to war with an outdated plan and weapons!

Let’s make a list:

• Check our assumptions - revenue, operating costs, margin expectations, product mix…realistic, achievable goals are useful. Exceeding our sales goals may bring on another set of challenges. I’ll take those any day.
• Marketing – do we need to rethink our target markets and sales campaigns or are we okay.
• Revisit material costs – you may get a pleasant surprise. Check your large purchase items. If you are having to adjust your pricing in the market, they might be adjusting too…don’t get me wrong, we all need strong vendors, but everyone is doing a little belt tightening. Continue Reading »