"One of the things that may get in the way of people being lifelong learners is that they're not in touch with their passion. If you're passionate about what it is you do, then you're going to be looking for everything you can to get better at it."
--- Jack Canfield
I have a friend who is a financial advisor managing public employees' retirement plans. As you can imagine, he is in a difficult situation these days and told me that he is receiving triple the number of phone calls he normally receives from people in the panic mode checking on their 401Ks and other retirement plans.
Still, he is sticking to a plan that he started about three years ago. He sets aside every Monday to do nothing but study. He polishes up on his craft and reads financial reports, business magazines, numerous newspapers, and stock information from the Internet. Even with a greater call load, he still makes the time to learn. His return on this investment is that he is better able to serve his clients and his expertise is earning him a reputation that generates a word-of-mouth following.
"No matter what your product is, you are ultimately in the education business. Your customers need to be constantly educated about the many advantages of doing business with you, trained to use your products more effectively, and taught how to make never-ending improvement in their lives."
--- Robert G. Allen
In addition to this continual education, many of the smart players focus on helping their customers to learn about their products. Successful sales people know that in order to sell a product or service, the prospect or potential customer needs to know how it can make their lives easier. They need to know how what is being sold will provide solutions to a problem.
One of the most important tasks in your daily to-do list should be to educate your customers or provide education to your team members so that they can educate your customers.
"I have always loved the competitive forces in this business. You know I certainly have meetings where I spur people on by saying, "Hey, we can do better than this. How come we are not out ahead on that?" That's what keeps my job one of the most interesting in the world."
--- Bill Gates
Part of continual education includes looking at alternative solutions and innovative designs to stay ahead of the competition. This requires that time is spent stepping back and looking into your business to see it as an outsider. Then, deciding on the necessary steps to take to make the positive, profitable changes, if needed.
"You need to have a passionate interest in why things are happening. That cast of mind, kept over long periods, gradually improves your ability to focus on reality. If you don't have the cast of mind, you're destined for failure even if you have a high I.Q."
--- Charlie Munger
Strive to be like Mikey, the four-year old who lives a few doors down the road from us. He is always coming over asking "why?" Why do you mow your lawn? Why are you on the ladder? Why are the dogs barking?, and so on. Ask why a lot more… and then answer the question.
"I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught."
--- Winston Churchill
The Growing Market for Dye Sublimation
By Jennifer Chagnon
Dye Sublimation focuses on two primary areas, including sublimation to textiles/soft fabrics as well as rigid substrates, dye sublimation enables the production of items such as point-of-sale applications, banners, t-shirts, custom flags, license plates, snowboards and promotional pieces.
Read the article...
A Megawrap with Flavor - vinyl installer wraps world’s largest beer can
By Jennifer LeClaire
How would you go about wrapping a beer can so big that Paul Bunyan would have had to use two hands to slug it down? Impossible?
Read the article...
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Father's Day advertisement at photography studio in New Hampshire:
"Have the kids shot for Dad from $24.95"
On a door to a warehouse in Macon, GA:
"This door is not to be used for entering or exiting the building"
As seen on a new town hall in Wales:
"The town hall is closed until opening. It will remain closed after being opened. Open tomorrow"
We know those funny signs are out there. Take a moment and send them in to us and we'll share them with the world. Send all hysterical observations to: info@signindustry.com.
