"Time is the measure of business."
--- Francis Bacon, Sr.
We've heard it said over and over again: "We all have the same 24 hours in a day, 365 days a year." What does that mean? Is that supposed to motivate a person into doing more with their time? Is it just another form of a guilt trip to light a fire under our rear ends?
Frankly, it is annoying, but true. Time management is all about using the same amount of time allotted to each of us, to the best of our abilities, for the sake of our priorities. The problem we all face is distinguishing our priorities from the priorities placed upon us by others and our business.
"Drive thy business, let not that drive thee."
--- Benjamin Franklin
When a business is created, a ferocious consumption of time begins. It doesn't happen instantly, but over time (pun intended!) the business that we manage begins to manage us. We then put in more time in order to free ourselves up from tasks that might take away our time. And the cycle continues.
"The air is full of ideas. They are knocking you in the head all the time. You only have to know what you want, then forget it, and go about your business. Suddenly, the idea will come through. It was there all the time."
--- Henry Ford
Thomas Watson, Sr., the founder of IBM, would spend hours every morning thinking. He wouldn't leave his house until he was satisfied with his thinking time. He often would not show up to his office at IBM headquarters until 10:00am. He was so convinced that taking time to just think would improve his company that he posted signs with the word "THINK" throughout the IBM offices.
Now, we might not have the luxury of thinking for three hours every morning, but we can all find some time in the week to think about how we spend our time and where we place our priorities.
"Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!"
--- Thomas Alva Edison
Prioritizing our lives in such a way that the business of doing business is just that, then the internalizing of business and worries associated with that tend to diminish. We could never be totally free of the stress of business (sometimes a good thing!), but it is possible to redirect our energies to the areas in our lives that are most valuable to us.
"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny."
--- Anonymous
Business owners are a special breed with special qualities. Sometimes it only takes a little nudge to remind them to take a quick inventory of their priorities. Whether it is family time, personal time, community time, or even more business time, we can all stand to step off of the treadmill for a short break and analyze our time commitments.
Make a mental note this week of where your time is going. Strive to trim off the "fluff" to free up more time for those things that count in your life. You do have control. You can make the changes.
"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
--- Stephen R. Covey
The Same Old, Same Old Spells Disaster: Squeeze the Most Out of Your Advertising Budget Effectively
By Sean Scott
While monitoring this years budget and preparing for next years ad buy, make sure you're really looking at the results in an objective manner. Your budget is never big enough, so make sure you're following a well thought out plan and not just doing what you've always done.
Read the article...
Choosing the Right Sublimation Transfer Paper
By Arnold van Houtum
This article will provide objectivity for choosing the right sublimation transfer paper, based upon the insight of dye sublimation experts professional collective experience.
Read the article...
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Advertiser - Digital Signage 2007
Digital Signage 2007
Discovering the Power of Digital Signage,
Influencing Buyer Behavior and Increasing ROI
March 26 - 28, 2007 · The Standard Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
www.iqpc.com/NA-11167-001/si
The 2007 Digital Signage Summit will feature back to back case studies across all industries on how to make better use of Digital Signage (DS) technology to increase your bottom line.
Hear from:
REUTERS AMERICA, INC. | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR | ACCUWEATHER, INC. | MEDIA PLACE (a Harley-Davidson, Inc case-study)| BORDERS GROUP, INC. | NIKE | THE WEATHER CHANNEL INTERACTIVE | MAYO CLINIC | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM | CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION (CBC) | NASTECH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, INC. | HONEYWELL ADI
Learn About:
- Laying the Framework and Considering Network Connection to Prepare for A Digital Signage Project
- Using Interactivity for Digital Signs
- Determining the Right Content
- Benchmarking Best Practices for Enterprise Digital Signage
- Understanding the Idea of Constituent Outreach
- Using Digital Signage in the Global Retail Market
- Understanding How Brands and Content Providers Evaluate Signage Partnership Opportunities
- Integrating Digital Signage as a Part of the Overall Advertising Mix
- Using the Partnership Model
To register call 1-800-882-8684 or visit us online at www.iqpc.com/NA-11167-001/si
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At a street crossing in San Francisco:
"Blind Persons Cross Here"
At the snack bar of a hospital in Prince Georges County, Maryland:
"Hospital Policy is to refuse service to hospital patients"
On a church marquee:
"Honey I Shrunk the Sermon"
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.
