"I've lost tremendous amounts of money in various markets and I think that that's something that makes me better at my job, not worse."
--- Jim Cramer
Those who have succeeded in business will tell you that risk is a necessary ingredient for achieving success. Of course, there is also the alternative consequence of taking risks and that is failure. But, well-calculated, intelligent risk is worth the rewards in most business situations.
"A real entrepreneur is somebody who has no safety net underneath them."
--- Henry Kravis
The real risks in business are those that make you feel uncomfortable, at least in the beginning. It is the type of risk that you prepare for, knowing there may be obstacles, but continue anyway knowing that the lessons learned during the journey alone are well worth the uneasiness of going outside of the comfort zone.
"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction."
--- John F. Kennedy
I have a friend who was preparing for a climb up Mt. Everest. He prepared for months, spending countless hours on an inclined treadmill, swimming miles in the pool, and conditioning his body the best he could for the climb. Since he never attempted the climb, he prepared physically and mentally as best he could, not knowing exactly what the mountain would bring his way.
Well, the risks brought disaster. They experienced some sort of snow slide that caused my friend to break his femur, lose some teeth and have to be evacuated off the mountain. His friend was killed after being thrown off of the mountain.
"Every day, you'll have opportunities to take chances and to work outside your safety net. Sure, it's a lot easier to stay in your comfort zone...in my case, business suits and real estate...but sometimes you have to take risks. When the risks pay off, that's when you reap the biggest rewards."
--- Donald Trump
Was the Everest climb worth the risk? My friend said that it was. He learned his limitations, new survival skills, and coping skills. Not all risks are as extreme as this, nor is the outcome. But the results are the same. Lessons learned converts to knowledge applied to future business opportunities and successes.
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."
--- Helen Keller
By the way, my friend is over 55 years of age and played professional football, professional baseball, completed a couple of Ironman events, and is a very successful businessman. He prepares for all events in life by calculating the known risks involved and then jumping into the tasks full force. Most successful business people do the same.
"Well, when you're trying to create things that are new, you have to be prepared to be on the edge of risk."
--- Michael Eisner
Begin this week training yourself to take risks. Maybe begin with some small risks to get your feet wet, but don't put it off any longer. Playing it safe at all times is not how new discoveries are made. Go ahead, take a leap. Expand the shop, offer ridiculous discounts, branch into a new segment of the industry--- anything worth the risk that you've been putting off --- do it now.
What You Need to Know About Varnish in the Digital Printing Arena
By Jennifer LeClaire
There’s more than one way to varnish. And there’s more than one way to make a mess with varnish, too. The good news is, if you use the right printer and the right materials, varnishing can add profits to your bottom line.
Read the article...
Minskoff Theater Sign Makeover: Everyone Must See the Lion King
By Louis M Brill
The Minskoff Theatre (1,597 seats), one of the many major live performing venues along Broadway has recently undergone a signage transformation of its old blade / marquee and window display into a very modern and elegant sign package that was fit for a king: The Lion King that was.
Read the article...
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Electrician's truck in Durant, OK (from Rick at the Sign Depot):
"Nothing we do will shock you"
Sign at a beach:
"The shark prevention net was dismantled for maintenance on 1 November 2004. We apologize for any inconvenience caused"
On an auto shop in Maine:
"Our motto is to give our customers the lowest possible prices and workmanship"
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.
