"Business social responsibility should not be coerced; it is a voluntary decision that the entrepreneurial leadership of every company must make on its own."
--- John Mackey
Because your business is an extension of you --- your values, beliefs, and personality --- how your business operates is how people see you. Many business owners today treat their businesses separate from the rest of their lives. Some use their business as a tool or cover for unscrupulous acts that they would not do in other areas of their lives.
Thankfully, you are not like these business owners and want to do what is right in and outside of the business environment. For you, the business is an extension of your life to do good for those who work with and for you, and for your customers.
"A man does what he must...in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures…and that is the basis of all human morality."
--- John F. Kennedy
Doing right in business seems like an easy thing to do. Make quality products or provide quality services for a fair price. Do what you say will do, when you say you will do it. Treat employees fairly, pay taxes, and give back to the community. Easy, right?
For most of us, the above description is that of a business depicted in an old Cary Grant movie. All runs smoothly and customers, employees, vendors, and competitors are all happy and dogs and cats are living together. Unfortunately, not all play by the rules and that hurts all of us.
"If you build that foundation, both the moral and the ethical foundation, as well as the business foundation, and the experience foundation, then the building won't crumble."
--- Henry Kravis
We are half way through 2007 and this is as good a time as any to jot down some new business resolutions. Let's try to make this final run into the year's end a good one. Let's make a promise to ourselves now that we will strive to make every nook and cranny of our business as "clean" as possible. Let's sweep away any particles of unethical activity and mop up all resemblance of unfairness to customers or employees.
Your business may be squeaky clean, and that is great. However, sometimes it is the little short-cuts, white lies, and shoddy projects that creep up on us in our busy worlds. Unknowingly, we allow certain elements to enter our business that we would never allow to enter our lives. Since your business is you, let's take a quick inventory of our businesses and see if we are starting to emit some bad odors.
"We don't think of ourselves as do-gooders or altruists. It's just that somehow we're trying our best to be run with some sense of moral compass even in a business environment that is growing."
--- Craig Newmark
If it has been a while since you took inventory of your business in this way, you may have to commit some time to it, or you may not. Either way, from now on, make it a daily routine for you and your team to look at your business from the standpoint of how you look to your customers. Do they see you as honest and respectable? How about your employees? They, even better than your customers, will see the truth. How would they rate your business ethics?
"Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing."
--- John D. Rockefeller
When Ink Is Not the Problem with Digital Printing, Part II
By Jennifer LeClaire
Beyond dust and dirt, several factors impact the ink’s ability to stick to the substrate. The carrier aqueous-based or solvent-based is another key factor in the final outcome. Then there’s calibration.
Read the article...
Reporting on RIPs- Raster Image Processors...What They Are and How They’re Doing
By Johnny Duncan
Every sign shop that depends on excellence from its printer is probably using a RIP. If you ever wanted to know the rap on RIPs, but were afraid to ask, read on to learn from the experience of your peers in the industry.
Read the article...
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In a Hooters Restaurant in Chesapeake, VA (from Autumn of Action Graphics and Signs):
"Caution Blondes Thinking"
On the back of a septic pumping truck (from Randy of Pro West Scoreboards, LLC):
"We digest yesterday's lunch"
Outside of a craft shop in Illinois:
"Notice to all shoplifters: Please help us by stealing only the crap we cannot sell"
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.
