Is it all the terrorist thing?

I dunno. But I bet I am not alone!

In any event....how 'bout a "brainstorm session" for innovations/methods to inmprove and broaden sales and promotions!!

C'mon big thinkers how 'bout some fresh ideas!

Things cycle, it's normal. Some types of sign sales are discretionary. Buyers might hold back temporarily on things that aren't absolutely necessary. On the good side, a lot of signs are not optional. People gotta have them to stay in the game. Our solution is to stay flexible and tighten our belts. As only a two man company, that's not too difficult. I feel bad for larger operations that have many employees to maintain (been there).

The one thing I have learned to NOT do, is panic. I'm convinced people can smell that and they get nervous. And I found out the hard way that complaining about being slow to my clients was a big turn off to them. A fisherman friend of mine tole me about his "Captain Andy's Bad Man Policy". And boy, does it seem to work. It got me out of a big slump a couple years ago. Want to know what it is?

Captain Andy says be a little mean to your customers. Act busy, almost arrogant. Even though you've got nothing at all on the board you tell them "You want what? Who sent you? No, I'm way too busy, I couldn't possibly get to that for two weeks." Make an appointment (half reluctantly) and initiate a little discussion about their budget, making it clear your time is not to be wasted on triflings. Then sit on your hands if you have to for the two weeks, go to the appointment and spell it out in no uncertain terms - this is what I need, give me a deposit now and I'll get to it when I can.

When Andy told me about that I said "Yeah, right!" But I agreed to try it, I had nothing to loose. I immediately ceased telling anyone I was slow, started bragging about how swamped we were. The next call that came in let them know I was way too swamped to jump on their request, made an appointment for them to come to me the following week, and went about my daily tasks with an air of indiference about taking on new work. Man, I tell you it was like magic! It was like some karmic floodgate had been opened. Everybody wanted a piece of the success. "I know you're busy, I'll do whatever you say if you can fit me in". Hahaha.

that analogy doesn't work for me..

But speaking of Walmart.....did anyone else see those two color coroplast and step stake signs they had with the patriotic slogans?

$3.95 doublesided with the stupid step stake!!

No wonder half the customers think we are thieves!

THere is no way to compete with that---that is LESS THAN COST by the time you factor labor....

'course it is ironic that those PATRIOTIC signs were probably made in CHINA..... COL LOL

sigh.....

just moanin'.....

i am always on the move regardless if it is slow or not.
It only takes a few phone calls to good customers to say hello.

october is traditionally slow.
don't sweat it.

i have a little trick to make the phone ring,

i pick up my martin guitar i keep here at the shop and play it for a few minutes and the phone will ring everytime with someone asking,
"Can I speak with the person in charge of your long distance telephone service?"

uh oh, gotta run, the phone is ringin'

mark

(some day i will learn to type and i won't have to edit my posts so much!!! LOL)

[ November 07, 2001: Message edited by: Mark Fair Signs ]

Total cutback.

I've been tryin' to paint some new "style" on my new ride for four months.

Slow down?

Swamped! Things can always change. It take effort to keep things the same. Flow with the change. Less effort more life.

It doesn't matter if there is not a single job in the store the customer needs to hear - Business is good. The store has room for more work but we are doing just fine. It may be hard to make your deadline, but for a special customer like you, we will be sure to meet your deadline even if we have to put your job ahead of everything else in the store. You don't have to lay it on this heavy, this is just to make the point. Then when the job is done "We appreciate your business"

Success in part is acting successful.

Acting like you don't need people or telling them that business is great is not a sales tool. I don't think many of us need to act successful, we already are. Do some mailers, sales calls, network a little, and if there is business out there, you will get it.

I have to go with David on this one. The whole notion of arrogance and "meanness" just plain leaves me cold.

I have had probably one of the best late summer early fall seasons that I've had in a long time. Since most of my work is trucks and/or boats the lower interest rates on vehicles has turned into a real deal.It hasn't quit yet.

If'n ya want, I'll give 'em yer phone #!

You say "Sure Im the man you need.. and I'll answer all your questions, I just need one piece of info up front. YOUR home phone number. What? You say you dont give that out because people might call and harass you? And your point??"

Then before I let them off the hook, I say "delete me from your database, its the law you do it if I ask".

we were talking about barry's slow time.
(stir the pot barry, there is always business out there,
don't wait for it, go git it!)
(a public service anouncement by...

er...uhh..
the phone is ringing...

gotta go

This has been headed downhill for at least a year and a half (so don't blame "W") the first it reared its ugly head around here was when the fools in Florida could remember how to count votes ...it really got tight around here for about a month after that. Just as it was getting back to normal another group of fools run into a skyscraper or two and wammo back to nothing.

Least wise thats how seems around here...I've learned over the years not to panic (that doesn't make it feel any better) but as long as you've "put some back" you should ride it out just fine and never alter your life style.

As for the captain andy routine? I've never been impressed with a sales person that treated me like a jerk so I can't imagine any of my clientele being happy about it either.

I do know that over the years if another shop asked how biz was you always and I do mean ALWAYS told them how good biz was how backed up you were and when you were going on your next vacation...no matter how bad it actually was...It was like an inspiration to make the other guy get off his dead ass and generate even more business...it seemed to work.(Kinda like having an unattached sales force out there working for everyone) ya know what I mean?

Hey have you seen the places that set up Christmas trees next week? The early bird gets the worm.

Did you know Bars and hotels will be advertising new years parties on a-frames. Taking orders now.

Flower stores sell lots of roses on valentines day...especially with a banner.

There's just to much work out there for me to do by myself, Go Get Some!

that applies to ourselves and to our customers. we're having a BIG recession out here on the silicon coast. there isn't a retail store that hasn't felt it, and ALL of those stores need POP displays, window splashes, sale banners and other "temporary" signage.