Category Archives: covid19

Surviving a Black Swan Event

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SignForce 'invisible' sign

Partially Invisible Sign

How does your business survive and thrive a Black Swan Event?

Ever heard of a Black Swan?

Ever seen a black Swan?

Do you understand the concepr of a Black Swan Event?

For more on Bl;ack Swan Theory visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory

In short, bl;ack swans do exist, but are more rare than white swans, and their arrival always seems to be a surprise. It is not a planned event.

Covid arriving in 2020 is one such event almost EVERY business in the world has had to deal with. For some it was a death knell, for others a Godsend.

From my research there doesn’t seem to be a common thread that has made one business succeed and another fail during these interesting times, in that some businesses do the same thing yet some have gone up while others have gone down.

Traditionally times like this call for a boost in one’s marketing. The greater one’s visibility in these times, the higher the likelihood of success and thriving. The more markets one can reach, the greater the chances of surviving and thriving. And from SignForce’s experience, the more one can collaborate, the higher the chances of success.

SignForce has always worked with our competitors in order for us all to do better. SignForce’s philosophy is that a cent earned from someone else’s work is a good cent. The theory behind this is that if you are a doctor, you almost always have to be at work to earn a good living. In industry, this is not necessarily the case. One can earn while being remote. This has been emphasized and highlighted in the modern work from home environment where unless one HAS to be face to face with your client’s, one can provide services from a distance.

At SignForce we believe in upliftment. Yes, we strive to be a profitable and sustainable business, so we believe in making sure the TEAM is always taken care of. Sure there are differences in take home pay but before anyone makes a profit the TEAM must be taken care of. SignForce operate on the premise that if you are hungry you will not give of your best, so we provide food. We have to cook it, but the food is there, and all our cooking skills are tested, and hopefully improving.

SignForce also believe in keeping the team happy. Yes, there are disagreements and people are not always happy, but we strive to make sure people are happy as much as possible. This leads to a work environment where people can strive, thrive and improve themselves – both financially and from a skills perspective. We believe in up-skilling, because we are never sure when a crucial cog in our tightly run machine will break down, be removed or stop performing. As such we believe EVERY PERSON should be able to do EVERY JOB.

This is not always easy, and often people resist being trained because it is beyond their comfort level, but we continue with training ALL THE TIME, as an insurance policy in order to maintain sustainability.

If you are looking to thrive in these interesting times, maybe some of the idea’s mentioned above will be of assistance. We hope so, and when you are expanding, allow SignForce to assist you with making your brand VISIBLE.

For an obligation free quote contact SignForce not on +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or email info@signforce.co.za

1 Classie Africa – 3D fabricated sign on backing board

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1 Classie Africa

Like many businesses affected by Covid and the subsequent lock down in South Africa, 1 Classie Africa has to have been severely affected, especially their solon’s.

The name 1 Classie Africa is very appropriate. Not only because their locations are spectacular, homely and welcoming, but also because of how welcome the staff – many on training – make all who enter feel. This businesses is impressive!

1 Classie Africa impressed me both for the way they operate AND their business model. Paying them a visit will give you so much more information than any story I can will.

If you are in Braamfontien or Joburg city center and want to get a hair do, nails sorted or simply pop in to see what I am referring to, 1 Classie Africa (http://www.1ca.co.za) is worth the stop.

In case you are wondering, this promotion is unsolicited. The only potential benefit to #SignForce is if 1 Classie Africa decide to allow SignForce to manufacture and install more signs for them.

The sign in the accompanying photo was manufactured and installed by #SignForce.

For classy signs that help promote your business and get feet through your door, contact SignForce on info@signforce.co.za or +27 (0)11 440 7525

Where is the seismic change in signage?

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Does anyone else feel that as much as life is changing – and we keep hearing how it is changing in the news and on social media, “so it has to be true”, or does it? – the more life stays the same.

How many of us are waiting for a seismic event that just doesn’t seem to be happening, yet slowly, step by tiny step, the world as we know it IS changing, and before we know it the seismic event didn’t happen, but the seismic change did?

Could this be because we are living through the seismic event, but because of our training and expectations, what we expect is not real? As an amateur student of history I have often wondered how the people who lived through the Great Depression or the Second World War coped and survived these seismic events in their lives, and because I have not asked anyone other than my late grandfather who lived through both world wars and refused to discuss either, I have made the assumption that the survivors did not necessarily know they were witnessing seismic changes (I would assume they were witnessing the seismic historical events) and as such simply lived day by day, meal to meal, sleep to sleep until they suddenly woke up one day to find that they and the world they live in had changed. Possibly no too dissimilar to a caterpillar going into a cocoon and waking up as a changed form – a butterfly –  emerging feeling pretty much the same in a world which is very different yet seems to be very much the same.

As SignForce is in the business of designing, manufacturing and installing signs we need to constantly look for any possible change – seismic or not – in the sign industry – like when digital printing became standard almost 20 years ago. At the moment we don’t see much changes happening just yet. We do however see small, almost jpd – just perceivable differences – that when combined, may not have an impact on how signs are produced, but are sure to have an impact on where and how signs are ordered and used.

If you have a physical business that needs FEET, why not take advantage of the advice and signs SignForce can provide. You can contact the writer on +27 (0)82 558 6413 or arnold@signforce.co.za

http://www.signforce.co.za

Labels – for Covid Essential Items – or any items for that matter

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What with South Africa – and a large chunk of the world – in lock down, and many people scrambling to get HAND SANITIZER, as well as a number of other essential commodities, ALL of which need to be LABELED.

SignForce is in the fortunate position of having a full color digital printer as well as stock of vinyl and an operator on site so that we are in the position to help YOU with printing any labels you may require. We are also able to design your labels if you don’t already have a design.

If you are in the market for labels, contact SignForce now on either +27 (0) 82 558 6413 or email us at info@signforce.co.za and we will gladly give you an obligation free quote.