quote:Having no work is often VERY hard work. -Gregg Parkes
When Gregg posted these words he certainly stated how I have felt for better than a year now. It's been a tough go. I know we are doing the best work ever. I know our price is right for the quality. In the past I've had a waiting list for up to a year... now times have changed drastically!
When things are slow I find myself working harder than ever... every single call gets answered, even the ones you know have little chance of leading anywhere except lost time. When things are slow I am more apt to invest time in some concepts to tease my client. I'll do extra fancy designs in the hope of upselling just a little. I now know not to give any artwork to the customer without payment, but the work is often done regardless knowingly at my risk.
When times are slow I'll drive across town (or further) to make the presentations in person, rather than waiting for the client to come to me.
In general we tend to be more anxious, and have much more to gain or lose when times are slow. I suspect despite my best efforts and purposely nonchalant appearance the customer knows we NEED the work... and then beats us down without mercy or simply doesn't make a decision in a timely manner - simply for the sheer glee of knowing they can.
Having little work is very hard work in Yarrow.
The good news is that things will change soon - they always do. Then we'll wish we took the time to actually enjoy the slow times. Our mantra will then change to 'having too much work is HARD work.'
Ready for the change in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
we too have felt the crunch of these ruff time. I have found that it becomes a time of re-evaluating, re-organizing, adding the extra service that you speak of. Also i have found a need to call on past customer to "check in" with them and see how thing are going. we even started to go around and clean the signs that we have done in the past for no charge and increased our service to our loyal customers. Look at the show room and seeing were we could add another sample sign or technique. Actually had a customer in the other day that said,"I had no idea you did that". Stepping up our activity with fellow chamber of commerce members, developing and strengthening business relationship for future potential work(a kind of reaping what you sow). Donating work to some of the local non-profit organizations. Dan, I really like what you have to say and see how you are working out of the box in your work and business practices and so i take heed and great comfort that we all share in the same struggles no matter what level we are at in our skills, but we all share in a greater purpose to always strive for greatness!
Thank you!
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
posted
Dan, I think you are doing great work and have inspired and influenced many sign artists that you are probably not even aware of. Your optimism and love for what you do will carry you through the tough times.
I don't know if your post here was meant to benefit others who are going through tough times or to simply state your concern and seek reassurance that you are not alone in this fight.
Either way, you end up being the servant instead of the receiver of encouragement.
You can't help being the optimist and we are all glad you are! Thanks for the positive attitude that you always show and I hope you will hear from others here that we appreciate your inspiration.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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You have been somewhat of a barometer here at this board and I personally salute you for this post. It seems that everyone is wondering what others are doing and maybe what they are doing wrong. Always in business there will be ups and downs but this down has left not only shops without clients but also supply houses and local hardware and sub supply shops that sign shops use for help in this business. Some tricks used in the past to drum up work are nowhere near bringing projects to shops no matter how much gorilla marketing you do. There are pocket economies working here and there that I have heard about and possibly this is either the beginning or the end of long contracts started years back. The Lone Ranger, is simply out of silver bullets, right now.
I hope a ton of work comes your way and other shops can get moving and you have very little time to spend here.
Good luck to us all.
Jack
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
that's so true Raymond,"we get right back in line and want to take the ride all over again".....but what is it that always keeps us comin' back for more??
and Neil, although I agree that being in business is an emotional roller coaster, let me respectfully suggest that, as any manic-depressive will tell you, there are bigger rides in the park.
Glenn, until they introduce you to the "Thorazine Shuffle", don't worry about the official diagnosis.
[ August 21, 2009, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Chris Elliott ]
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
I know all too well about the bigger things, Health being number one, and no there's no hidden message... having just lost freinds and a brother, I know there's bigger fish to fry.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
I think I could use some Thorazine. While at a photoshoot this morning, my client informed me that he needed 16 signs fabricated to fit in some display frames and installed before the end of the day. Meanwhile, my helper just called to let me know she wouldn't be in today because her cat got into some pesticide and had been having seizures all night.
I'm going to get a sandwich.
.
[ August 21, 2009, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
posted
"When things are slow I am more apt to invest time in some concepts to tease my client. I'll do extra fancy designs in the hope of upselling just a little. I now know not to give any artwork to the customer without payment, but the work is often done regardless knowingly at my risk." I'm glad to see we aren't alone in this. I have been reluctant to even say I do this since there are so many who will slam someone for just this, sketches before there's a contract. Sometimes it's real hard to get someone to hand over a deposit for something they can't see. So I take the calculated risk. Also I often have a hard time getting an estimate of costs till I actually put some time into the design. Business like signs is often an art not a science
posted
Things have been lean and I just spent a considerable amount of time puting together a bid and design for a project without my usual design fee.The client chose my design which was put out to bid and I'm anxiously awaiting approval on the numbers I gave them.The last four projects I bid on were "too high" for the customers wallets.Usually when they have a design fee invested they commit to the job. I'm using the price guide and not charging outrageously.I'm hoping potential clients will tire of cheap work and invest in something better for their image.I'm also seeing more home made signs. YUK
-------------------- Darcy Baker Darcy's Signs Eureka Springs. AR. Posts: 1169 | From: Eureka Springs, AR | Registered: Nov 2007
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Bill, I think there is a distinction to be made, regarding what Dan wrote, and the events that can lead to harsh judgment (or constructive criticism) around here at times.
Do not "give" any artwork to the customer without payment is not the same as do not "do" (or "show") any artwork to the customer without payment.
I agree that some amount of design work is often helpful in quoting & it is certainly helpful in selling... and most of us still enjoy artwork anyway... especially when we have time...
But it is worth the extra logistics of protecting that artwork from theft by finding a safe way to show it, without giving it to them. The best being a face to face consultation.
CAUTION ! A well designed sign may cause fatigue due to increased business !
This applies to us as well as our customers. Many times when someone comes in for pinstriping, they look through my portfolio at the other types of artwork I do, and say "I didn't know you did that".
In these times I feel I need to put extra effort into letting people know the full range of work that I do, some of which are not even related. For instance, I'm machining a billet aluminum manifold for a supercharged Harley V4 motorcycle. After that I will be helping a friend build an aluminum body for a Bonneville Salt Flats race car.
I now have three clients for whom I am doing catalog and other types of print artwork. It really makes a difference when you can do a lot of different things. I will soon be learning a new CAD program called Solid Works, which will assist me in designing new products for a customer who makes motorcycle exhaust.
Adding to my "Bag of Tricks" in Grass Valley.....
[ August 21, 2009, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: Jim Moser ]
-------------------- Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain ! Jim Moser Design 13342 C Grass Valley Ave. Grass Valley, Ca. 95945 530-273-7615 jwmoser@att.net Posts: 488 | From: Grass Valley, Ca. | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Way to go Mr.Moser. Have you talked to Mke, lately? We call each other about every 6 weeks or so. Spoke with Ralph, over on the coast awhile back. They say it's slow. I do zero pin work anymore and it leaves room for art. That's it in a nutshell.
Jack
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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I just called the number at the bottom of your post but it's no good.....
-------------------- Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain ! Jim Moser Design 13342 C Grass Valley Ave. Grass Valley, Ca. 95945 530-273-7615 jwmoser@att.net Posts: 488 | From: Grass Valley, Ca. | Registered: May 2006
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