How can one measure the SUCCESS of your sign or signs?

How can one measure the SUCCESS of your sign or signs?

One of the greatest challenges of any marketing is to ensure that your COST is lower than your RETURN.

In the late 1985 Roger Sinclair published the book titled MAKE THE OTHER HALF WORK TOO. The main point he made was that about 50% of all ad spend (at that time) was wasted. He emphasized that it was exceptionally difficult to measure the return on a business’s advertising spend, mostly because of the marketing equivalent of trawl fishing with long nets. While the net MAY get you a decent haul of the fish you are looking for, the nets are notorious (and should be banned) because of the number of other species they unintentionally catch and kill.

In the modern world marketing (here we are referring to online marketing) is far easier to measure. This is partly because the business can track their spend on clicks or calls, but even more so because the largest player, #Google, has extremely powerful and in depth tracking tools that can almost pinpoint your return if used correctly.

Online is somewhat different to signage, in large part because signage is very much ‘old school’ and requires substantial investment that is not always clear or easy to measure.

In order to measure the ‘success’ of one’s sign or signs one needs to first have a clear ideas of what their sign or signs NEED to ACHIEVE in order to be successful. This can range from ‘feet through the door’ to ‘improved turnover’ or ‘better brand recognition’ – with the latter once again being extremely difficult to measure.

There was a case where SignForce and our client – STAX stores – could measure the success of one specific sign.

STAX were relocating one store. The thing is the new store was still being built and the existing store was no longer profitable, so the decision was made to close the loss making store and re-open when the new store was built in approximately 18 months.

In order to implement this strategy STAX ran a special store clearance sale. Part of the advertising spend was to do a low cost refurbishing of the existing external sore signage as it was very tired. In fact one sign was so tired that one letter was broken and birds had made a nest in the letter.

The sign was restored and reinstalled and the special ran. And ran, and ran. It ran for so long that the new store was ready to open before the old store closed.

One of the largest contributing factors was that the refurbished signage looked new and fresh. When one analyzed the difference it was evident that the old sign gave the impression that the store has closed and or moved as the signs were broken and in disrepair. The fresh refurbished sign let possible patrons know the store was open for business, and they came and kept coming into the store.

Not all signage will necessarily achieve one’s intended objective, especially when the desired outcome is either unknown or if know is not shared at the design stage.

When you are looking for signs that will help you achieve your desired outcome contact SignForce. Our years of experience in marketing and signage help make your signs stand out and work as intended.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

The Power of Emotions

Power of Emotions

Not too long ago I was approached by a man in a store who was looking for some assistance. We had a brief chat where he mentioned he was a businessman from the DRC and here in South Africa for one more day. He mentioned he was looking for businesses in South Africa to partner with.

We had a good chat. He gave a brief outline of his business and asked if it was something I would be interested in. He said he would get hold of me when he was back in the DRC so I gave him my number.

True to his word he contacted me 2 weeks later and told me more about what e was looking for.

During the discussion’s he mentioned how much money I can make by partnering with him. [This is a standard sales technique, so not much interesting there, but money is very often an emotional trigger].

I am a firm believer in karma and serendipity, and am also have enough gray hair to always question “why me” as well as “what’s in it for me”? I am also a bit of a sceptic, so I also keep asking myself if there is a catch, where is it?

Certain things didn’t make sense to me, but I was not invested and played along in order to find out if there was a catch, where the catch is or would be. The man outlined what he required and the process. He said he would do certain things, and he did them on time and kept me informed.

The short version is a member of the man’s business would be coming to South Africa and he would appreciate it if I could collect the man and take him to his destination, all simple enough, and apart from some time (which I was prepared to invest as I was having fun), very little cost to me that I could see.

When I met the man I was advised he had been on the road for a while so I took him to lunch where we had a pleasant chat. I was then contacted by his ‘buyer’ and told what time we could meet.

Now it is important to add that at this time while I am still wondering why me, is there a catch and if so what is it, I have dealt with a total of five different individuals, with the main person always as close as a call away. They did mention that they would pay for my time and fuel and reimburse me for any expenses as the man needed some work clothing and a few other things which were in my line of business.

Everything seemed to be running smoothly from my outsiders perspective, remember I was simply acting as a driver for a business man needing some assistance. I am a frim believer that if something is too easy, there needs to be a catch, and somewhere there is a problem. Not sure if I am a realist or a sceptic?

We eventually get access to a VERY secure building where the deal is meant to take pace. The building is definitely appropriate for the type of business, yet also not the most secure building I have ever worked in.

I go with the man to his buyer where the product (some mineral) will be tested and purchased with bank transfer’s taking place. I get asked if it is possible for them to transfer the money into my account because there was an issue with the sellers account. This was the first red flag I saw. I asked which bank they bank at and was told it didn’t matter as they would do an instant payment from their bank. They did mention I could take a handlers fee for them using my bank account. This was a bit of an orange flag as I figured if the money is in my account they are more at risk than me.

Then the fun began. The buyer wanted to ‘test’ the quality of the product. Here is where there were only red flags, possible because of my specific set of skills and experience, but the most important thing was the EMOTIONS they were eliciting.

Everything they did was to (a) make me feel comfortable and at ease, (b) entrench the legitimacy of the business and (c) elicit emotions, especially because they were talking about a LOT of money and how much I could have for assisting.

I was observing and making notes (in my head) that (1) they asked the seller the weight and never weighed the minerals. {In my experience when I was the seller of minerals the first thing the buyer did was WEIGH what I had and then give me a copy of the weight so there was no disputing later. I don’t care how many times you deal with a buyer, in the mineral market, where payment is per weight, you weigh the product !!!!

While the ‘specialist’ was ‘testing’ the product (which I found quite amusing as he opened the sealed package (not vacuum packed but sealed with packing tape) he took out a scissors and a magnifying glass and declared the grade to be excellent. At this point the ‘buyer’ handed me a piece of paper with the supposed value of the mineral – it was in excess of R11,000,000. A very large number, definitely large enough for the bank to flag the transaction and certainly large enough to make almost anyone feel some emotion.

The ‘specialist’ declared he had one more test to do and would like us (the seller and me the observer) to accompany him while he placed the mineral sample into his x-ray (I cannot remember the name he used) device to ensure he was correct about the grade.

I suppose this is a good time to mention I am a talker. I love talking! That said, I like to think my mama raised no fool, so I also know when to keep my cake hole SHUT. This was one of those times, as the mineral was placed ‘inside’ the computer – what I witnessed was the specialist placing the sample BEHIND the computer box and turning the computer on.

He explained that the computer would analyze the material and as long as the grade was below 53 on the LED screen on the box, they would be happy to release the payment.

It is important to mention here what I saw was a desk top computer box wrapped in aluminium foil. The box had it’s own LED screen about the size of a small cell phone and a red and green light. The lights flashed and the LED screen flashed numbers until it settled on 52, which is below 53.

We were then asked to go back to the other office so the transfer could take place. The specialist told the buyer that it was all good. The buyer then asked for the certificate of origin, which the seller said he did not have. He said he could get it as it was with t he transport that brought him into the country.

This is where the real FUN began. I asked the seller why he didn’t bring the document with him. He said he ran into a snag at the border as he did not have sufficient funds to pay the import duty, so the driver of the transport paid the import duty and he kept the paper as security in order to ensure he was refunded for his payment and assistance.

The import duty was US$3,500 (about ZAR 63,000). Here is where the con lay.

I was asked to please assist – remember as far as I was concerned I was there as a driver for someone I did not know and the only identification I have of him is his cellphone number. I asked why the driver could not simply bring the document to the office where we were so the payment could be released and he could get his money. I was told it was his boss that would not allow him to come as his boss was UPSET he had helped the seller.

Long story short I let them know this was there issue, so I took the seller and his goods back to where I found him, and I left to carry on with my day, and left them to con someone else.

The reason I am relaying the story is because of the POWER OF EMOTONS. These cons were superb at playing on emotions, asking for assistance, promising to pay, tempting with HUGE sums of money, explaining how this was important for their families, SO MANY EMOTIONAL STORIES.

In sales we are taught that EMOTION SELLS and people justify on logic. This is so true, as when the correct trigger or emotion is activated, even intelligent people will often throw logic out the window, sadly, too often with dire consequences.

My personal red flag for a scam comes from being caught. So when I feel something is too easy, not my issue, too exciting, elicits emotion, too coincidental and any combination of these, I tend to be a LOT more aware than I may usually be.

I was advised that I was still mad to go along as long as I did and meet with t he people alone as they may have been armed, and that is true. I did take a chance and while I did assess the situation each step of the way, it did carry risks, even though there were people who knew where I was.

The whole story is to try explain the emotions. I cannot express how well these people work. They are professionals and their business is to help you part from your hard earned money. They are ruthless and are expert manipulators, using every trick I am aware of from the psychology of selling.

I am fortunate that among my experiences, on the 4th of September 2015 I had what I now refer to as my lifeaversary. With my accident something in me changed. Remember I have mentioned how much a person’s emotions impact your body. In my case, after my accident I cannot get overly excited – that is a positive and a negative. Whether I get too excited because I am beyond happy or I get mad because something has happened, either way my body responds in the same way – I begin to shake uncontrollably. The emotion is not relevant, it is the intensity of the emotion that triggers my body.

I am very aware that many, if noit most people, do not have such a refined warning mechanism, but I also know that most people do have some warning mechanism – whether it is to keep what they are doing a secret or that funny feeling in their gut – that tells them something is amiss.

When your warning system starts talking, PLEASE BE AWARE.

This post has nothing to do with signage – unless one is referring to the signs and signals one’s body is giving off, but is more of a public service to remind people that their emotions are their friends, especially in situations which could have a negative impact on life.

If you want to deal with a signage business that is made up of people that care, contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

Should We Always Give the Customer What They Ask For?

 

Should We Always Give the Customer What They Ask For?

Or asked differently, when the prospect TELLS you what to do, what materials to use and how to do it, do they actually know what they are talking about?

I am sure everyone reading this can relate to the situation where a prospect contacts you and tells you what they want. Once they have told you what they want, they proceed to tell you what materials you should use, how long it should take to make the sign, how to make the sign, etcetera’s.

This is when we should start asking questions to establish what the client wants the signage to achieve and how they know the materials they are talking about.

The reference to materials is especially pertinent in the current world of signage manufacture. I say this because there have been MASSIVE changes in the building and SIGNAGE industry over the past 5 – 10 years, so while ‘traditional’ signage materials may still be appropriate and get the job done, they may not be the best materials from a life expectancy or cost or results perspective.

One such material is NEON. Traditional ‘glass’ neon – in South Africa because that is where we are based – is extremely costly, is not great when exposed to rain and even worse in HAIL! Traditional glass neon is also not the best for the environment as it uses fairly toxic gasses to get the neon to burn and can also pose a danger when the glass breaks. This says nothing about the HT cable that is used for traditional glass neon, cable that has a tendency to short and ignite the neon, which is one of a few reasons neon has not been a favorite in shopping centers, or I would imagine, for insurers.

Today in South Africa the use of traditional neon is extremely limited, because there is a new, LED based neon called NEONFLEX, and while neonflex may not be able to achieve 100% of the effect of traditional glass neon, the advances in neonflex makes it easy to use, about 85 – 95% as aesthetically pleasing as traditional glass neon, more cost effective and way less likely to ignite.

Another signage material that is no longer always the most cost effective option is Chromadek.

Chromadek is a treated metal that holds signage well. It is normally a thin (think 0.3 – 0.8 mm thick) metal sheet so it is fairly flexible and as such if used without a frame can look flimsy and possibly even cheap.

Thicker Chromadek is less flexible and still a favorite for road signs, however the cost of steel has risen substantially in South Africa over the past decade making any metal way more expensive than it was in previous decades. Fortunately for sign manufacturers and clients alike there are modern materials that can often be used to replace the expensive metal of signs. The most commonly used ‘new’ material is ACM – a composite Aluminium sandwich – and compressed plastic which has wonderful properties for outdoor use, one of which is that unlike Chromadek, because ACM is thicker (ranges from 2 to 5 mm) the material can be used FLAT against walls and does not look wobbly.

The main point I am trying to make is that there are new materials that may well do a better job and perform better and be more cost effective for a client than the material(s) the client is are aware of.

It is the humble opinion of this writer that many people try to elevate themselves by using the limited knowledge they have of the product (in this case signage) in order to prevent being ripped off or to show they have some knowledge of the subject. However by using the materials they know they either expose their limited knowledge and / or they focus the signage supplier so they end up getting what they asked for which may not be the best VALUE they can get.

It makes more sense to TRUST the (hopefully) professional person you have contacted to get you the quote, answer their questions, ask questions and then decide what you as the buyer believe will best suite your needs from the new information you have gathered.

It is also important for a decent sales person to ask enough directed questions to establish what is best in order to achieve the stipulated goals of their signage that the prospect or client has expressed, because the sales person – or the people in the office doing the estimates – should have better knowledge than the prospective client of available materials with their pro’s and con’s and how they can benefit the client better .

If you are in the market for signs that you want to achieve a specific objective, SignForce is here to assist.

Contact SignForce NOW on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

The value of Experience

Site Plan for Signage

Site plans – for signage projects

At roughly 13H00 on the 4th of September 2015 after cycling down a rutted sand ‘road’ (think wide track) at 70km per hour and passing a cow so close I could have patted her without either of us (me or the cow) having to move more than a few centimeters (read that as inches if you are not on the Metric system) I told my I told my cycling partner that doing what we do either makes us ballsy or stupid or both – what we do being unaccompanied long distance cycling – as things that should logically ‘scare’ us, no longer do.

It is possible the same could be said about work.

When you have been doing a specific type of work for long enough – this writer has been in the signage industry for more than a quarter of a century – there are very few NEW challenges that have not yet been seen. More common are variances of challenges, some of which provide very interesting challenges.

An example of such a challenge was when SignForce manufactured a sample sign for Adago restaurants. The sample was 600 mm in diameter and was SPECTACULAR. So much so that the company decided that wanted the same type of sign as the main sign for that flagship store. It was quite simple. Double the diameter and off you go. Well that is the theory anyway!

In reality the 1,200 mm diameter sign is FOUR TIMES larger than a 600 mm diameter sign – who saw that coming? – and the simple elements that worked extremely well on the 600 mm sign were not as happy or attractive on the sign that was four times larger – the larger sign did not allow for simple expansion because among the issues the open spaces became too large to allow for the same wiring (did I mention this sign was internally illuminated) as the smaller sample as the wiring and lights became visible. This was a wonderful challenge to overcome.

The point of my writing is that experience counts. Especially when the experience has RELEVANCE TO WHAT ONE IS WORKING ON.

If for some reason you follow the SignForce blog you may have noticed that more than once I have referred to SIGNAGE being a SIMPLE INDUSTRY – that is until it IS NOT.

Most folk see signage as shop signs (simple) or billboards (large and not necessarily simple but only engineers and government workers give the structure or location any thought) or street signs (simple and the same as billboards, but signage often includes things we see that assist us to get where we want to be but we really do not pay attention to – such as door numbers, toilet signs, fire signs and other similar statutory or directional signs.

The plan shown with this blog is a sample of simple signage being less than simple, not because of the signs themselves, but more because of the allocated time and the necessary planning to get the approximately 2,000 meters of vinyl cut and applied correctly ON TIME. The modern name for this is PROJECT MANAGEMENT. Welcome to SignForce where we do this all with pleasure.

If you have a signage project that needs to be managed, SignForce is available to assist.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

Semiotics – How do they affect your business?

Semiotics

Oxford dictionary defines semiotics as “The the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation”

Semiotics can also be seen as the study of signs and symbols, in particular as they communicate things spoken and unspoken. Common signs that are understood globally include traffic signs, emojis, and corporate logos.

So how does semiotics impact YOUR business?

If signs – not only business signs, but SIGNS that we humans use to communicate – think facial expressions, physical showing of excitement, achievement, defeat and sorrow – can communicate simply because it is recognized, what does YOUR BUSINESS sign communicate about YOUR business?

At SignForce we believe your business gets judged long before a prospective client comes through your door. Your business is judged when a prospective client SEES your first sign. An old example we at SignForce use is a prospective client who decided to go with a competitor for his signs. When we asked why we were advised that the competitor had a ‘nicer’ sign outside his business premises. When asked how he found SignForce he was honest and told us he was at the competitor and followed our directional signs. But our directional signs and the (shared) sign in front of our premises were not as nice. We had to agree, as while our signs were appropriate for the location SignForce were in, the competitor’s sign was way more impressive. Our signs were practical and designed to do a job. The competitors sign was simply to make a statement. Sadly that competitor is no longer in the game.

If you are looking to get feet through your door, regardless of if you want practical, functional signs or signs that are WOW, SignForce are in the market to assist.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

Is the current trend towards DIGITAL signage a passing FAD?

 

Digital Sign

Could the current trend towards DIGITAL signage be a passing FAD?

People who have achieved far more than me have considered new, ground breaking and challenging technology and most have lived to be mocked. Companies in point are IBM regarding the personal computer, Kodak regarding digital camera’s and the old style Blacksmiths regarding the American Railroad.

When I first saw STORES (in Maputo, Mozambique) using digital signage for their shop front signs I saw it as novel, expensive yet a brilliant marketing tool. Today, in South Africa the trend has not properly caught on, but many landlord’s have already implemented policies regarding digital store front signage, essentially allowing them to advertise THE STORE but very little else, unless they are showing lifestyle reels.

The latest research published by https://www.it-online.co.za shows that the market for digital signage is expected to exceed US$78 BILLION within the next six years.

If this is the case it says that digital marketing is here to STAY AND more than stay, the market for digital signage looks to be the next upward trend in signage and billboard advertising.

The question businesses may want to ask is how will a move to digital signage benefit them, if at all, and are the costs worth the investment.

The reality is that like solar panels, the cost of digital signage has fallen drastically over the last few years, and there is also a very robust second hand market trading digital boards.

If you are in the market to make your brand stand out, SignForce can assist whether it is with a digital board or with standard, traditional signage.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce by visiting http://www.signforce.co.za

How does one bill for your experience

How does one bill for your experience

1 Classie Africa

3D fabricated sign by SignForce

Selling ‘products’ is a relatively simple business model. One simply has to purchase your ‘product’ at the best price possible, calculate the cost of your fixed and variable costs to ensure you sell a sufficient quantity of your product and add on a markup – traditionally 100% – so yo can make a PROFIT on your sale.

The same basic process is required when selling a ‘SERVICE’, except that when selling a service the COST of the service can be a lot more complicated to value.

Lets look at two simple examples.

Example 1 – selling a product.

Cost to buy product – 100 (this value is obtained from supplier’s invoice)

Markup (100%) – 100

Selling price – 200

Example 2 – selling a service.

Input cost of service – 100 (**)

Markup (100%) – 100 (except more often than not prospects and clients will go mad when they believe the supplier is intending to make a profit)

Selling price – 200

(**) The input cost (equivalent to cost to buy product when selling products) is more difficult to calculate as it must cover all expenses including the time, cost and effort from attending the University of Live, as well as all other input costs – include the cost of training, experience, cost of any equipment used to provide service and insurance to name but a few of the input costs.

As the person responsible for keeping our small business alive and afloat, the task of costing can often be daunting and overwhelming, because among the many balls being juggled are (a) ensuring the continuity and sustainability of the business so the team keep their respective roofs over their families heads and food on the family tables, (b) keeping the cost low enough for the prospective client to find it attractive – especially in a difficult economic climate where it almost always seems prospects are more interested in cost than quality – and (c) making sure ALL input costs (including but not limited to those listed above) are accounted for – and with some prospects also ensuring there is sufficient wiggle room to give a discount they are compelled to negotiate.

With all these factors to take into consideration, how does one explain to the price over sensitive prospect that your offer, while possibly requiring a higher up front investment – would be in their best interests in the long term. And always keeping in mind that we don’t know what we don’t know – and this includes who we are competing against, which can influence no less than product, price and relationship.

At SignForce we tend to give the advise for free. It may be built into our costing but if so this is not intentional, because we are all about educating our clients and prospects so that they get the best signage to suite their stated objectives.

If you are in the market for signage, calling SignForce may be your best move yet.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

What PROBLEM does your sign solve?

What PROBLEM does your sign solve?

Trying to locate an existing physical business that has no signage can some-times prove extremely frustrating.

Can you relate to the experience of following your GPS to your desired location, and when your GPS politely advises you that you HAVE ARRIVED, you look around and have no clue where the store / factory / warehouse / house / business [fill in your own location] is, because there is no number or no signage to let you know that you are actually where you want to be, because we all know GPS’s are not always perfect and can certainly assist us to get to the incorrect location in the fastest way possible.

If you can relate to this scenario, then it should make it easy to understand that a relatively small investment on a sign would have made the above experience more memorable for the RIGHT reasons, possibly retaining customers or even making the prospective visitor more relaxed, calmer and more pleasant to deal with when they do eventually get to you.

At SignForce we make sigs that help get feet through your door

Contact SignForce NOW to get your obligation free quote by emailing info@signforce.co.za or calling +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

Why Sign and Why SignForce

Illuminated signs

Candice Berman shop front sign

Why Sign and Why SignForce

Many years ago this writer was taught to ask two questions of every client.

1. Why do you want a sign? And

2. What do you want your sign to achieve?

These may seem like stupid questions because everyone is supposed to know that a business without a sign is a sign of no business (well at least offline), but there are times when signs are not going to fulfil or achieve your desired outcome. This is one reason this writer has been heard telling prospective client’s he is a poor salesman, as I will tell you to NOT get signs if I do not believe they will achieve your desired outcome.

If you are looking for a sign to get feet through your door or to boost your visibility or to enhance your ego, SignForce is definitely available to assist.

Why SignForce?

SignForce has been in the signage industry for over two decades under it’s current management, with many years of marketing experience before getting into signage. What this interprets to is we at SignForce can assist you to ensure your money spent on signage is an investment that will both achieve your desired objective(s) AND where necessary, your signage will increase your turnover, and hence your bottom line profit.

This is where I also mention that SignForce is not the cheapest but we do give value for money. Unfortunately , while this is the truth, we have certainly noticed that prospective clients are more swayed by short term price than they are by the prospect of longevity or quality or the benefit of advice. It is also worth mentioning that the vast majority of SignForce’s work is for on-sellers.

So why use SignForce?

At SignForce we focus on you, our client.

We know we have the experience and expertise to make great signs, and what we don’t know, we are fortunate enough to be able to tap into our local and international resource’s to find out.

It is because of this confidence in our experience and our network that we strive to make your experience when looking for signs a painless, seamless one, where you can tick one item off your list because SignForce will project manage the signs for you, ensuring our quality exceeds your expectations and that you can take a back seat and relax knowing your signage issues are being handled in a professional manner, with constant communication and updates because we know that your signage is most likely a very low priority, even though it is a high ticket purchase.

Why not be like our existing clients and some of our competition and give SignForce a call and see how we can assist you

Call SignForce now on +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (9)82 558 6413 or email info@signforce.co.za

Find our all about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za

PERSPECTIVE – or an alternate (South African) view on Competition

Large Format print for www.artsolar.co.za

Safe installation of signs

PERSPECTIVE – or an alternate view on Competition

This was a very interesting week at SignForce

On Monday we assisted a competitor to install a sign they had manufactured. It was the first time I am aware of that we needed to use our block and tackle. The sign went up safely and our competitor and his client were all happy with the outcome.

On Wednesday we quoted a prospect. Part of the quote was to remove a number of signs from the building. A few were close to the ground, however many were more than three stories above the ground, and one was old, and from the brief inspection while on site, looks to be rusted through in more than one place. (I guess an article on the importance of maintaining signs for safety would be a good idea).

When followed up the prospect advised this writer that I must have lost my f@king mind because the amount was insane. He went on to explain that he could do the job for about 8% (1/12th) of the quoted amount. He went on to explain that he could hire some unemployed ‘casual’ labor off the street and provide them with the tools they need to remove the sign. I volunteered to provide a 51 foot ladder.

The difference between Monday’s client and Wednesday’s prospect may boil down to PERSPECTIVE.

The client on Monday appreciated SignForce’s experience, skills and understanding, and is willing to pay for the skills and experience.

The prospect on Wednesday may not have the understanding of the value of SignForce’s experience, and is certainly not prepared to pay for that experience.

That does not mean the prospect is incorrect. He may be able to get the job done safely at a much lower cost, and he will be responsible and accountable for the risk and any potential fallout that occurs.

One lesson of experience is being able to see the rust on the one sign – something which may be superficial, however, if it is not superficial – which is equally likely – the entire sign may fall apart when it is moved, which can become deadly very quickly. This writer has said multiple times, signage is an extremely simple industry, UNTIL IT IS NOT!

When a business complies and follows certain best practice norms, that compliance comes at a cost, which client’s should be prepared to pay for, as this ensures (or as close as possible) safety and successful completion of the job.

When a prospect is prepared to do the job himself and to say to hell with all safety norm, it is generally better to walk away, because if or when something goes wrong, that prospect will ,most likely be the first to throw the business under the nearest – and furthest – bus.

If you are in the market for signage – whether it is to manufacture, install, maintain or remove – SignForce is available to assist.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce at http://www.signforce.co.za