"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
--- Martin Luther King Jr.
In every successful occupation is the desire to do the work required of that occupation. A doctor becomes a doctor because of a desire to help people. A police officer becomes one to catch bad guys. A chef learns to cook to provide great meals, a builder to build great buildings, and a sign maker to provide great signs.
This is the way it should be, but this is not always the case. In every industry there are those who enter the field with nothing but dollar signs branded on their brains. The chief (and only) goal is to make money. These are the "fly-by-nights" that typically don't last long in our or any other industry.
"Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted."
--- Albert Einstein
People in our industry who have paid their dues and made their mark are the ones who serve as examples for the new start-ups to follow. Like the sign painter who served as an apprentice for several years before going out on his own and establishing a foundation for his craft because of the love of his work, or the neon professional who learned their craft inside and out and created a reputation that secured their work for the rest of their life.
It is the quality of your expertise that counts in the eyes of the customer. It is the knowledge you've acquired that matters most to your team members, your peers, your suppliers, and your customers that profits all involved with your trade.
"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."
--- Leonardo da Vinci
As technology advances, it is becoming easier for someone new to the sign industry to purchase a fancy printer, some vinyl, and open a sign shop. They may have some financial backing that allows them to advertise to the masses in their area or they may get lucky and land a large contract. Obviously, without the background skills and experience, these folks end up hurting themselves, the customers, and our industry.
"A man had better starve at once than lose his innocence in the process of getting his bread."
--- Henry David Thoreau
The greenhorns unwilling to learn a craft will always come and go. Our biggest concern should be the lack of knowledge gathering and training that we deprive ourselves. Since we know that technological advances are occurring daily in our industry and that customer needs are always changing, doesn't it make sense that we should do all that we can to stay up with (or ahead) of these changes?
"It is only the ignorant who despise education."
--- Publius Syrus
Begin today the habit of learning more about your industry. If you haven't already, subscribe to the various trade publications, bookmark SignIndustry.com, search the Internet for new products that are coming, etc. Put in your day planner time to wake up your brain and study the industry.
You may want to consider offering classes to teach your team members or new start-up companies in the area, or attend seminars during the various trade shows. These things will help you to learn and keep your mind alert and open to new trends.
"Learning is ever in the freshness of its youth, even for the old."
--- Aeschylus
By learning more about your profession, you can increase the gap between those who chase the dollar and those who follow their dreams. Increase your skills and knowledge, and the money will follow.
Back to School: The Value of Learning to Wrap Vehicles
By Johnny Duncan
Faster, more affordable printers, easier to handle vinyl materials, and an unlimited supply of customers is causing more sign shops to consider adding vinyl vehicle wraps to their menu of business services.
Read the article...
The Venerable Vector Graphic - Supreme Sublimation
By Mike Daw
With the power of vectors behind you, you can make everything from coasters to billboards. Using the powerful vector format in your arsenal will scale up your workflow to any size you want.
Read the article...
Looking for an article or trying to find an old one? Check out the SignIndustry.com article archive:
View the archive now
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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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On the back of a commercial truck owned by a Venetian Blind and Drapery company (sent to us by Vincent Forte of Marktech Optoelectronics):
At a Dairy Queen in Georgia:
"Scream Until Daddy Stops The Car!"
On the sign of the Ponderosa Veterinary Hospital:
"Spray or Neuter Your Best Friend"
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.
