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I've long been passionate about creating quality samples for our shop and showroom. We have more than 150 dimensional signs and sculptures on display. They have served us well and brought us a whole lot of work through the years.
When I talk to others in the business (especially those who drop by our shop) I often hear a wish that they could have similar samples on their walls. Then, I hear a litany of reasons why they don't believe they could do it. These include lack of time, lack of motivation, or the cost of this investment among others.
Those discussions inspired a contest of sorts. It started informally between Jim Dawson and myself with others joining in that first year. We set a date, a year off and picked a theme with a few other parameters as a guide. 12 people took part in 2016, the first year. The participants shipped their entries to the ISA EXPO and the signs were judged by those attending the show. We had a great time visiting with and being inspired by our peers. We also talked to more than a thousand other sign makers attending that show. Peter Poanessa took home top honours the first year.
Since then we have garnered a partnership with Signs of the Times magazine.
This year has been a challenge for sign makers, the world over. The Sign Invitational is a virtual event this year with eight sign makers stepping up, a good showing for such a year. Voting is now taking place online
Take a look at all of the entries and cast a vote for your favourite!
But the purpose of this post is not to solicit your vote personally. Rather, it is to encourage you to take part NEXT YEAR.
The theme for next year's Sign Invitational is 'a PUB SIGN' The name of the pub is to be chosen by you with an alliteration/animal name/theme. examples would be The Brown Bear . The Fuzzy Fox . Or the one I chose Dichotomous Dragon (two headed dragon) The sign shall be hanging and measure three feet tall x two feet wide. You can hang from a bracket we provide or make your own bracket if you wish. A pattern for mounting will be provided.
This should be a popular theme without doubt. We could all use a shiny new sample in our showroom!
[ April 05, 2021, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- 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: 8778 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Hiya Dan, From my experience, samples sell themselves - which is why they are so critical to the success of our businesses. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Now, imagine what an actual sample of a product would say - without you having to say a word? On countless occasions, I've met with clients who were not really sure of what they're looking for. And, with a limited amount of samples to show them, it meant a lot of time and energy invested into the sales effort, educating the client on the numerous types of signs and graphics that they may or may not want. However, with the appropriate samples, more often than not, all the customer had to do is point at what they like. Sure, making excuses is a lot easier than investing the time and ordering the materials to create quality samples that sell themselves. However, if you do it right and plan accordingly, it really doesn't take that much (extra) time, effort or money. The quickest and easiest way to start with creating samples is check with your suppliers to see what they have to offer. While it may not be an accurate representation of your capabilities, it's a start. And, more often than not, they're happy to provide them for free. Another way to make samples is to incorporate them with existing jobs. While one or two of the right kind of jobs might net you a quality sample that you would be proud to display, it would sometimes take weeks, and even months, to complete a project for the showroom. The trick was to always keep it in the back of my mind. And, when the opportunity arose, I just incorporated the project into existing, paying jobs. Finally, in the world of business, it's often said that you're either growing or dying. So, even if it's just a couple hours a month, make sure you invest the time and energy to challenge yourself and/or your employees. Do what you can to improve your skills and learn more about your business and the industry. This way you will help ensure that you are still growing an not dying.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3777 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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