Starting a New Business and Making a Good Impression

Starting a new business is not easy. Making a good impression when you start a new business is even harder. You should strive to make a good impression because people (clients/customers and suppliers) who have already dealt with you and who have been impressed by your work are more likely to come back to you and to recommend you to others. There are several tips that will help you make a good impression in your new business.

Do not go into the business with all guns blazing. Customers/clients who come to you are better than those you go for. If you have competition, customers/clients will shy away from the moment you start claiming you have all the solutions because they may see you as being untruthful. Selling yourself as the industry guru who has all the new ideas will make your competitors reflexively shoot you down. Avoid the common mistake of bad mouthing your competition because this can make a bad impression on clients/customers.

You should advertise tastefully to make a good impression. Your shop signage should not promise more than you are offering. You could buy space in the local newspaper or buy TV or radio time to advertise. You will make a good impression to younger audiences if you use social media to advertise.

When you first meet a customer/client, you must first hold his/her attention. The next step is giving the relevant information; the use of the product, its uses, and how to get it. The last step should be convincing the customer/client about the value of the product/service. Giving them an overview of your offering and what it will do for them is crucial.

You must work on the appearance of the business if you are to make a good impression. You should only open up shop if you have all the stock you need to fill the premises because you will lose customers who ask for item X, only to find that it is out of stock. The business should be clean and professionally run.

Be respectful to all customers, even those who are not making a purchase. Start with a handshake and then introduce yourself so that the customer feels like he knows you. You should walk tall and strike a good posture. Work on your tone of voice and try to remember people’s names.

It always helps to give promotional products, but do not distribute pitiful products because this will push people away. Dress your staff for the job. Print business cards to appear more professional. Respond to customer reviews, including negative reviews.

It always pays to establish a business website. Ensure it is in good working order (there should be no 404 redirects or outdated content.

Grammar on Signage: Your Customers Care!

Shop owners beware: the average customer is not only able to spot grammatical mistakes, but he is likely to walk away in disgust if a solecism appears on signage.

SmallBusinessHeroes.co.uk commissioned a survey last month on how customers respond to spelling and grammatical errors made by small firms. Backed by the Apostrophe Protection Society, the survey revealed some startling facts about consumers in the UK.

According to the results of the survey, 90 per cent of customers consider spelling and grammatical mistakes on commercial signs to be “unacceptable.” Almost 50 per cent of prospective buyers are turned off by signs that include such errors. And most despise firms that elect to use ‘text talk’ over grammatically correct English.

John Richards, chairman of the Apostrophe Protection Society, commented: “We would say that correct grammar is very important to a business of any size.

“A firm is judged, at first, on its presentation. Many people would think that if a company owner can’t be bothered to use correct grammar, or is too lazy to learn, then where else might [he] be found wanting?”

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we treat the English language with the respect that it deserves. We advise small and medium-sized businesses to do the same.

Is Gunfire Graffiti on the Rise in the UK?

Gunfire graffiti may be largely associated with the United States, but firearms specialist, Matthew Seiber, believes the problem has spread to many parts of the UK. And a popular target of gun-toting Brits appears to be road signage.

At the time of writing, Seiber had discovered bullet-ridden road signs in no fewer than 215 locations across 31 counties.

Speaking to the Petersfield Post after a bullet hole was spotted in a road sign near the A3, Seiber said: “The number of illegal weapons, or irresponsible people using registered weapons illegally, is growing.

“Illegal shooting happens in East Hampshire. It’s often easier to use a gun illegally in rural areas because of the isolation and people are used to hearing gunfire.”

Seiber added that police often ignore sightings of “clearly visible handgun bullet holes” because offenders are difficult to apprehend and the risk to human life is relatively low. Keeping figures on gun crime low could be another factor, but whatever the reason, police ought to record all reports of bullet-ridden road signs, which constitutes criminal damage under UK law.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we recognise that gun crime can affect signage, especially in rural areas. Discharging firearms at road signs is obviously irresponsible.

Sussex Signs Say: Let Toys Be Toys

Boots has promised to implement changes after a number of its customers complained about the company’s policy of labelling toys by gender.

Customers took to Facebook and Twitter to express their concerns, after the high-street chemist continued to display signs in its stores for “boys’ toys” and “girls’ toys.”

In response to the complaints, Boots published a statement on Facebook, that read: “Thank you to all our customers who have taken the time to share their thoughts with us on the signs we use in the toys and games area of our stores… It was never our intention to stereotype certain toys. It’s clear we have got this signage wrong and we’re taking immediate steps to remove it from store.”

The issue of gender stereotyping in Boots stores arose after science-related toys, including rockets and magnets, were sold in the boys’ section and doll-making kits in the area designated for girls. A customer who published a picture of the signs and the toys displayed underneath them gained support on Twitter.

Here at Sussex Signs, we commend Boots on changing its policy in response to overwhelming public opinion. The case highlights the importance of wording signs carefully.

New Vehicle Wrap Filsm: Series 2300X and Series 4600LX

Arlon, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of vehicle wraps, has announced the launch of two new films: the Series 2300X and Series 4600LX.

The Series 2300X, released earlier this month, is designed to simplify the task of adding special effects to vehicles. The new film is available in either carbon fibre or brushed metal finishes and is capable of wrapping around curved surfaces, such as mirrors and spoilers. The product can be installed quickly, making life easy for vehicle signwriters.

Chad Russell, director at Arlon, said: “The Series 2300X is a breakthrough in [speciality] restyling products… [it] will push the limits of automobile customisation.”

Some time after the launch of the Series 2300X, Arlon announced that a new colour-change wrap would hit the market. The Series 4600LX is suitable for “full vehicle wraps, vehicle striping and custom accent wraps” and offers ‘multiple colours and finishes.’

Both wraps use the manufacturer’s X-Scape Technology to ensure that applications are quick, easy and bubble-free.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we welcome the addition of the two new films to the vehicle-wrap market. We provide low-cost, high-quality vehicle signwriting services for both private and commercial customers, so we are always on the lookout for new high-performance films.

Swing Signs Reinvented by Plex

Swing signs are often seen outside cafes, pubs and restaurants, as they are often used to advertise menu items. Traditionally large and heavy, the swing sign is not especially user-friendly. Until now.

Plex has redesigned the swing sign. Trade customers can now purchase the company’s folding swing sign, which is made from stainless steel, plastic and aluminium, but features none of the disadvantages associated with traditional designs.

Andy Chancellor, design manager at Plex, said: “Our research clearly shows there is a need for a more portable pavement sign. Our goal was to design and manufacture a swing sign that is robust enough to withstand the daily grind of pavement life, but [which has] the added benefits of being easy to carry and to fold flat for convenient storage.”

The new design includes a locking mechanism for the sign and a powder-coated aluminium surface. Two stainless steel tubes form the structure of the product, which sits on four hard-wearing plastic feet.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we welcome improvements to long-established product designs. Making swing signs more durable and portable should provide direct benefits for trade customers. We produce all kinds of commercial and retail signage, include temporary and permanent designs that can be used on swing signs.

Two Signs, One Message.

Rochdale Council has come under fire from the Daily Mail, after a photographer snapped an image of a replacement ‘GIVE WAY’ sign, that was installed just inches away from the existing ‘GIVE WAY’ sign, which was not removed immediately.

Motorists travelling along Benfield Street in Heywood were no doubt bemused by the double signage, but reporters saw an opportunity to attack another seemingly inept local authority. Can criticism of Rochdale Council be justified?

A spokesperson for the council was reported to have said: “There is currently a large-scale replacement of illuminated signage happening at the moment and, inevitably, there are short periods of time where signs are waiting to be connected or disconnected to electricity sources.

“The photographer in this case amusingly managed to get a snap before the old sign was disconnected and removed.”

So, does the council have a case to answer? Perhaps.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we believe that there can be no question that leaving a functioning road sign in place while its replacement waits to be connected to the grid, is eminently sensible. But did the original sign need replacing at all? Unlike some suppliers, it would seem we always aim to create indoor and outdoor signage that lasts for many years.

Misplaced Signage: Pregnant Mother Highlights Risk.

A mother in Peverell, Plymouth, has described the placement of a temporary road sign on Ham Drive as “appalling.”

Twenty-six-year-old Charlotte Taylor claims the sign, which warns motorists of a slippery road surface, was placed in the middle of the pavement on or before Tuesday.

Ms Taylor said: “When you walk up to it you think you’ll be able to get around it, but you can’t. You have to wait for traffic to stop and push the pram off the kerb into the road and back on again.”

A spokesperson for Amey insisted that the sign would have been placed “half on the carriageway and half on the footway,” to provide sufficient room for both pedestrians and motorists. The spokesperson added that the sign was probably moved further onto the pavement by a member of the public. The temporary sign has since been removed.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we cannot comment on the placement of the sign on Ham Drive, but we are able to draw attention to the importance of installing signage in the right location. Signs should be visible from a number of angles, directions and distances, but they should never be placed in the way of shoppers, pedestrians or road users.

‘Deadly” Signage introduced by Safari Park

deadly signage Longleat Safari and Adventure Park has erected ‘deadly’ signage throughout its grounds, to provide an additional form of entertainment for visitors.

As if the park’s collection of lions and tigers were not deadly enough, the signs will form the basis of a new attraction called ‘Deadly Safari.’

Armed with a new guide to Longleat, visitors participate in the game by going in search of the signs, which are nailed to trees in animal enclosures. Fortunately, participants are only required to spot the signage; nobody needs venture into the tiger pen to retrieve a ‘deadly’ sign, however appropriate that might seem considering the name of the game.

Steve Mytton of Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, explained: “We needed to create signage which was in keeping with the natural environment, relatively easy for people to spot and also strong enough to stand up to some of the most impressive predators, particularly our lions, tigers and cheetahs.”

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we tend not to produce signage that is designed solely to withstand the interest of big cats, but many of our signs would survive the odd swipe. We believe that using signage as an attraction for visitors is a shrewd move by Longleat.

Resurfaced Road Left Without Markings

Residents and road users in Selby, North Yorkshire, have criticised the local council, after maintenance crews resurfaced James Street last week, but neglected to repaint road markings.

Chris Webb, a resident in Selby, said that he often relies on the road signage because his wife is disabled. During resurfacing work, however, the parking bays for disabled users were covered, as were outlines for taxi ranks and all other markings. Mr Webb criticised North Yorkshire County Council for wasting public resources and leaving the road without markings.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire County Council, said: “The lines will all be reinstated within the next two weeks. There will be no markings lost and the same lines will be painted on. There will be no extra cost for this.”

In the meantime, road users in Selby will have to struggle without road markings. Unfortunately, taxi drivers and disabled motorists may be disadvantaged during this time.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we can sympathise with road users in Selby. Road signage has come under criticism in recent months, as the government seeks to remove ‘roadside clutter,’ but basic signs and markings are necessary to maintain law, order and public safety. Hopefully, North Yorkshire County Council will make good on its promise to repaint the markings within a fortnight.