"Swim or sink, live or die, survive or perish with my country was my unalterable determination."
--- John Adams
In business today, success largely depends on the amount of capital you have available, the strength of your managers, the bargain you get on labor and material, and just being in the right place at the right time.
There is at least one other main ingredient that turns average companies into successful ones. That is determination --- a gritting of the teeth to fight against all odds and seeing your tasks through to completion, and driving the willingness to not quit regardless of the mounting obstacles or barriers.
"Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."
--- J. Willard Marriott
Even businesses that seem to have it all going for them remain only average due to the unwillingness of leaders to stick to a plan. These are the leaders who dilly-dally when confronted with an obstacle or two. They change course instead of plowing through whatever the mountain is.
Sometimes a change of direction is the only option, but more often than not it is pure laziness that motivates this decision.
"I am here to make decisions, and whether they prove right or wrong I am going to make them."
--- Harry S. Truman
It takes strong leadership with determination to stand by a decision and to take responsibility for the outcome, good or bad. Rudy Giuliani once said "There are many qualities that make a great leader. But having strong beliefs, being able to stick with them through popular and unpopular times, is the most important characteristic of a great leader."
Having what Walt Disney once called "stick-to-it-ivity" is a trait that you don't have to be born with, but can be developed over time. It requires that you continually monitor your business actions and be disciplined enough to catch yourself when you loosen your determination.
"A lot of people are afraid to tell the truth, to say no. That's where toughness comes into play. Toughness is not being a bully. It's having backbone."
--- Robert Kiyosaki
One good way to incorporate determination into your leadership style is to find the passion for your business again. Lee Iacocca, former Chairman and CEO of Chrysler Corporation loved cars and couldn't wait to get to work in the morning. Mary Kay Ash loved making women look and feel pretty; Bill Gates loved building computers; Mark Twain loved writing and Jerry Rice loved playing football.
All of these successful people developed a determination to succeed because they had passion for their job.
"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea."
--Robert A. Heinlein
Winston Churchill once said, "If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail." You will find that once you begin exhibiting determination to succeed, others will follow. There is no need to separate the determined from the un-determined. Only keep the determined.
You only want the determined, "stick-to-it-ivity" people on your side. The only way to get them going in the same direction is to communicate to them where you plan on taking the company.
"Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt or fear."
--- Dan Millman
Avoiding Airbrushed Vinyl Mistakes
By Jennifer LeClaire
Perfecting the art of airbrushing on vinyl takes time but you can avoid beginner’s mistakes with a few insiders’ tips.
Read the article...
Making Halftone Positives for Screening
By Bill Stephens
In this third part of the Halftones series we take a look at the factors tht influence how we create halftone artwork for screenprinting. A dot is not just a dot you know.
Read the article...
New Riverboat Cruise Signage Builds Steam in St. Louis
By Fran Schilson
Sign renovation renews business for a once-popular Riverboat Cruise line.
Read the article...
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Digital Signage Business Summit - Advertiser
Maximize your Profit Opportunity with America's Fastest Growing New Media - Stakeholders Come Together in Chicago at Digital Signage Event
Building Your Successful Digital Signage Business Summit - November 15th and 16th, 2005
This event held in Chicago, IL, the first of its kind, will deliver the intelligence buyers need for the million-dollar they will be making. It brings together all stakeholders with a focus on making digital signage networks profitable while maintaining margins along the value chain.
Hear industry leaders and learn from these top networks: Simon Property Group, PRN, Clear Channel Outdoor, Harris Bank, f.y.e., TBM (South Africa), Transit Television Network, i-vu USA Inc., and PubliSystema (Chile) This summit will give you the opportunity to develop a profitable business model for digital signage in your organization, achieve maximum advertising impact and exceptional ROI on advertising dollars and elevate your business by using innovative technology and advertising strategies.
Network with individuals at the center of influence from system integrators and contractors, top network operators, location owners from various verticals including retail, transportation, hospitality, government, entertainment facilities, banks and advertising agencies.
--> Click Here to For More Information
or
--> Click Here to Register
PS - Register by September 16th and save with our early bird offer.
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Sign spotted on the back window of a small car being pulled by a motor home:
A sign on the elevator door:
"This elevator is out of whack." Later someone had penciled in, "More whack is on order."
In a restaurant window somewhere in Boise, ID:
"Don't stand there and be hungry, come in and get fed up."
Have you seen any funny signs lately? Why not share them with the world? Send your comments, suggestions, and hysterical observations to: info@signindustry.com.