Are you kidding me ? So many reasons why we are in a recession ...

Okay ... this is the kicker for me. I am a sports fan and often listen to espn talk radio. Today I hear that my favorite team, the Redskins, are going to make a huge signing of the best defensive player in the league, Albert Haynesworth. You would think I would be excited about this. In years past, maybe ... but now ? What made me stop in my tracks with disbelief was the reported 100 million dollar contract he will be offered, with a 35 million dollar signing bonus. Are you kidding me ? In the wake of Jim Calhoun being questioned about his salary from the state, people seem to be seriously thinking about some of these ridiculously inflated incomes out there. And he we are, the general public, fighting just to keep our heads above water. Why is a talented actor worth 30 million dollars for one movie ? They're not. We, as the general public, elevate them to this status. What do you think would happen if people stopped going to movies ? Or stopped going to NFL football games ? Do you think salaries would go down, along with ticket prices ? I do. That would be the natural sequence of things. What if we demanded hollywood and professional sports gave back ? Sure ... they all have their respective charities for posterity, but does anyone really need to live as lavish as some of these CEO's with their golden parachutes ? Even down to the government, when all you have to do is serve one term in congress and "we the people" fit the bill the rest of their life ? Public servant ? More like us serving the public official. So do i really need to ask why we are in a recession ? Greed, greed and more greed. It is a good thing that I once watched a show where a mediocre NBA basketball player went into the closet, in his mansion, and boasted of his 350 pairs of custom made, imported Italian shoes at 15K-30K a pop, and you go into the neighborhood where he grew up and find poverty. When did we lose the connection to our own communities ? Why the hell did we allow this to happen, to elevate the few to a platform where they look down upon us from their throne. I thought we were a democracy ... oh that's right ! Capitalism rules the day here .. the almighty dollar. THAT is our problem. If you want to support the arts ... support a local artist instead of going to a movie. If you love sports ... go play them yourself or support your local youth organizations and schools. Want to support the CEO's golden parachutes ? Then don't buy their products. Let's get back to good old fashioned morals and ethics and take care of one another once again. The rest will take care of itself !

Come by and see me at www.richmondsigns.com !

Random Blog and Rant on Business Today (Part 2)

Another rant on the economy as we know it today. What to do ? When you have a business that needs to STAY in business ... what do we do ? I have already adressed the value of vehicle advertising in my recent blog, Smart Marketing in a Sluggish Economy. So, of course, I subscribe to these principles and participate myself with both of my shop vehicles. But what to do when this isn't bringing in new customers ? When consumers just aren't spending, or even looking to spend. Of course there are all sorts of advertising and marketing techniques, but I consider many of them to be an uninvited intrusion. A way I prefer not to start off a conversation with a prospective client. Many will argue that the hit you in the face style marketing with due dilligence has its value and a proven track record. I just have issues with that. If I HAD to do something of this nature, I guess I would prefer to visit a business in person. So at least my intrusion comes with some genuine accountability for my actions. My intent being merely as an introduction and offering of services ... leave a business card. NO SELLING or sales tactics ! I sell by giving good information and honesty. I try only to give that information when expressly asked for ... we all hate a pushy salesman. So again .. what to do ? What can we do to keep our message out there (like vehicle advertising) that doesn't add to your monthly expenses, that doesn't intrude on potential customers. Well there is at least one thing you can do, one that I have been diligent with myself. Optimizing your website to be search engine friendly and relevant. What better way to start a dialogue than someone who is looking for you ! Someone who has already searched the great divide on the internet and decided to call you. If you've done a good job, they already like what they see and that is why they are calling you ! This is a great way to start a conversation and hopefully a long lasting relationship with the customer. As always, you have to follow through. ALWAYS do what you say you will, and in a timely fashion. Make sure your delivery is professional and consistent with what led them to you in the first place. Taking excellent care of your customers leads to one of the most important, FREE forms of advertising you can get ... REFERALS ! One good thing leads to another. So now we fall back to loyalty, morals, ethics and good ole honesty. Things none of us should forget. If we all practice some of these principles maybe we could avoid the next "bailout" from our greed !

Good luck to all the small business out there through these trying times. If there is any way I can help personally, visit me at Richmond Sign & Design Services, Inc. !!!

Random Blog and Rant on Business Today

It's not personal, it's only business ! My GOD, I HATE this phrase. The three dreaded words ... it's only business. Okay ... i am a business owner. Everything that happens negatively in the business, I personally am negatively affected. My family and whole way of life can be negatively affected. So how is this not personal ! Just another way for someone to legitimize screwing you a new one. We have somehow made it okay to take advantage of other people under the guise of "business". How did this happen ? Seems to me it is the lack of moral fiber that has sent this country straight into a recession. Greed. What happened to business ethics and morality? You do good things for people, and people want to do good thing for you. Do unto others ... the golden rule which has been seemingly lost in today's business environment. I was raised in large part by my grandparents, a product of the depression. I was taught not to waste, to work hard, and most importantly ... take care of your fellow man and woman. Too many people get dollar signs in their eyes and hold that in higher regard than any other. We can do it the RIGHT way. We don't have to take advantage and deceive to succeed. One of my favorite quotes: money isn't real. Meaning, the REAL things in your life that are most important have nothing to do with money. You can always make more money ... you can't go back to your daughter's second grade recital ! You take care of the REAL things in life and money takes care of itself. Find something you love doing, and do it better than anybody else, and work hard. My formula for success. I have always said, if someone would pay my bills, I would work for free. I take much satisfaction from HELPING my customers, seeing the smile on their face when they get their new sign. This is what makes the world go around, helping each other ... not using business to screw each other. Of course, money is a necessary evil. We all need it to survive. So until someone offers to pay all my bills, I will continue to charge for my services, of course ! But I do not need to nickle and dime my customers, and sometimes I don't charge what I should to help out a given situation. Sometimes I don't do the job at all, if I am not the best person to handle it for my customer. I call this customer service. I don't know what the hell they call it when i try to get help out there sometimes ! It is more like customer run around, or customer dis-service ! It would be nice to see greed give way to compassion. Materialistic wants to wanting to help others. Big business corporate ways to small town values. This is what we are missing. We need to help each other much more. If you agree with these sentiments, you would be very happy doing business with http://www.richmondsigns.com/ ! We look forward to hearing from you !

Smart Marketing in a Sluggish Economy

What do we do when business is slow ? We advertise ... right ? But what is the most effective way to do this when your business is slow and funds may be low. The yellow pages only come out once a year, and the costs for a large ad are very high and recurring every month. Sure, you get some business from it, but you also waste a lot of time trying to help potential customers who are looking at nothing more than the bottom line .... price. Customers only consumed with the cost are not necessarily the customers you want to grow your business. These are the customers that will leave you the quickest and give you a false sense of security with your business growth. You would hope that consumers would realize the value of high quality products and excellent customer service, but in a struggling economy, many times the overwhelming factor is price. The yellow pages do target your industry, but not necessarily the TYPE of customers you want to target. Many other forms of marketing also employ a "broadcast" technique, many times wasting your marketing dollar in areas where it is not needed or received well. I personally hate telemarketing. Do you like it ? Why smack your prospective customers in the face with uninvited intrusions on their valuable time ? And what about mailings ? Sure, they work too. But have you seen the return rate percentages ? High volume, low results ... also uninvited and many times simply disregarded. So how can you put a message in front of perspective customers every day without intrusion ? How can you get the public to focus on the quality of your service or product, and not the price alone ? How can you pay for a marketing technique ONE TIME that will reach millions of prospective customers ? One that will keep on communicating for you and your company for more than 5 years ? This is my favorite part ! VEHICLE ADVERTISING ! It is getting more and more popular and utilized, but not nearly enough ! There is a whole market out there you are not reaching if you underestimate this medium. Let's break it down real simple like for everyone. You pay anywhere from $2000 - $6000 for a full vehicle wrap, depending on the kind of vehicle. With a good designer (like myself!) you come up with an image that is completely unique in the world that strongly communicates YOUR message, and your message only. Every day you are on the road, heads turn to read your message (it took me a while to get used to it in my company vehicle ... i kept thinking people were staring at me ! ). With an effective design ... they continue to look and appreciate the graphic and create a lasting visual impression of your image. A well thought out design conveys to your prospective customers the attention to detail your company will provide.
One good phone call and new customer can easily pay for the entire advertsing effort. The beauty of it is that it continues to work for you as long as 5+ years !!! Wraps also help you build an image for your business in the community that is long lasting and memorable. Even if we are not the ones to help you with your project, this is an opportunity that should not be ignored. We hope we can be the ones to help and invite you to check out the video of our work samples at our http://www.richmondsign.blogspot.com/ and our other services at our website ... http://www.richmondsigns.com/ ! Thanks for reading and contact us if you have any questions we can help you with ! Thanks again ....