We recently completed graphics for a convenience store near Lake Murry (SC). Lake Murray has a series of water intake towers right beside the dam. It’s a landmark for everyone in the area. The drink fountain was enclosed and we wrapped the structure with graphics to simulate a boathouse with the towers as the focal point.
This book was written by my friend Hal Bowles who tells the tale of his advertising agency and it’s journey through The Great Recession. Written with humor (hey laughing is better than crying isn’t it?), it is a fun read.
Here’s where you can order it online. Both print and digital versions are available. Hey, give up a cup of Starbucks or two and order it now! http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/how-to-succeed-in-business-without-really-crying/10277905
Recently I had a customer ask me what we do to be “green”. The question challenged me since I work in an industry manufacturing products based on petroleum.
Looking back over the last 10-20 years I do see changes that make us more friendly to the environment. For years we were primarily a screen printer using solvent based inks. Solvent inks were later replaced with UV cured inks which have less VOC.
Then came the digital printing revolution. The digital printing processes require little if any wasted stock for setting up the equipment. Now more of our work is digitally printed instead of screen printed.
Sometimes even the selection of the correct substrate will make you more green. For example there are a wide variety of decal vinyls available for fleet graphics. When their useful life is over and the decals must be removed, a poor material will leave a lot of adhesive on the trucks. This will require a heavy use of solvents and labor to remove the residue. Selecting a better material (like a 3M 180 series vinyl) will come off easier leaving little or no residue to remove.
Another good example is using materials like 3M Di-Noc to refurbish cabinets, doors and other products vs. replacing them.
The key is to keep looking for better ways to conserve in all parts of our business.
Your brand. It’s not only about your business image but also your personal image and reputation.
I started this blog last year so customers and especially prospects could learn about “my brand”, my way of doing business and helping them. I wanted anyone who read this blog to be comfortable with me, my experience, even if they haven’t met me.
I was reminded of this again when I heard Brian Parsley of weskill speak at an AAF-Charlotte (American Advertising Federation) luncheon. Brian’s topic was about building your personal brand and how it impacts your business and personal life. You can follow Brian at: http://www.brianparsley.com/ Here’s a video clip about the topic.
Several years ago I was in a seminar. The presenter told everyone to put their business cards on the table. He walked from table to table looking at cards, then tearing them up saying “boring”. It made an impact on me and I realized that something as simple as a business card is part of my brand. I went through some trial and error experimenting with cards printed on a variety of materials.
I listened carefully as I gave out these various cards. Overwhelmingly the cards printed on the frosted polycarbonate always received a good response. Is this the most important business tip? Not at all but it did present the type of professional image I wanted and part of my brand.
Vehicle graphics, especially wraps represent one of the most cost effective forms of advertising. The photos above show how we transformed a plain black van into an attention getting advertisement.
To fully appreciate the impact of vehicle graphics consider the following statistics from a 3M and ATA study:
