"In every age "the good old days" were a myth. No one ever thought they were good at the time. For every age has consisted of crises that seemed intolerable to the people who lived through them."
--- Brooks Atkinson
Though it may not feel like it to you now, we are living in what some folks will one day call the good ole days. Things may be too fast-paced and you may be struggling with accomplishing just the first three items on your to-do list, but the good news is that things may get worse. Really. You may be living in a time when what you are going through now, is nothing compared to what might happen in the future. Encouraging, uh?
The fact is that we really don't know what the future holds for us. We are only trying to get through today and plan what we can for tomorrow. But, if history repeats itself, then we may look back on these days as being a much easier time than what the future has in store for us.
"The weeks slide by like a funeral procession, but generations pass like a snowstorm."
--- Ned Rorem
One of the best ways to learn about the future is to study the past. This is not the same as dwelling and living in the past, but looking at business decisions made "way back then" and taking from those situations little nuggets of wisdom you can use for future scenarios.
Recalling the last time you lost money on a job because the estimate was skewed is a wise way to apply that experience to future estimates. The same thing holds true for any aspect of your business. The smart players keep folders on every customer and prospect with notes, both positive and negative, to remind them of what went wrong and what went right with a particular project.
"I have read somewhere or other,-in Dionysius of Halicarnassus, I think,-that history is philosophy teaching by examples."
---Henry, Viscount Bolingbroke St. John
Obviously, history and experience go hand in hand. Our history creates our experiences, both good and bad. Your customers, without saying so, want you to have some kind of history to relate to. Even if you are just starting a sign business, you have some kind of history. You can reach back and pull from the past pieces of experience that can be applied to current situations.
"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives."
--- Abba Eban
If you aren't doing it already, start today keeping notes and files on the history of you and your business. Yeah, you might remember some, but putting it in writing gives you a recorded document of failings and successes you can refer to at any time without the need for Ginkgo Biloba.
Keeping a business journal is a good way to record your history. This journal is for your eyes only. It doesn't take long to record just a few sentences at the end of the day or the work-week. The habit of journaling will help you to discover your weaknesses and strengths as well as those of your business.
"History has many cunning passages, contrived corridors and issues."
--- T.S. Elliot
While you're in the historic mindset, pick up some good biographies of business people who have been there and done that. You'll be surprised at what you can learn from these remarkable leaders regardless of their industry. Applying what you learn from their history, combined with your past, will help you to steer your business to new successes.
The Most Common Mistakes in LEDwalls Content Creation...Don’t Let This Be You
By Fabio Aversa
Ad duration, legibility, motion and more can be your greatest asset, or greatest liability in LED Billboards content creation. Read on to see if you’re thinking of all the variables or not.
Read the article...
Can Billboard Advertising Really Be Measured?
By Jennifer LeClaire
Outdoor advertising could get a boost with reliable ratings that cause companies to pour more money into billboards and bus shelters.
Read the article...
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In downtown Boston:
In a French Hotel:
"A sports jacket may be worn to dinner, but no trouser"
Ski lift sign in Colorado:
"Going beyond this point may result in death and/or loss of skiing privileges"
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.
