|
|
NAVIGATING THE INS AND OUTS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
|
|
Dana Point, CA (May 1, 2009)
Pictured: Teresa M Young, CEO Q: In your business, you work with small business owners as a mentor and advisor. What types of traits/ characteristics do you find are typical of an entrepreneur? If you want traits typical of entrepreneurs who build successful enterprises that become part of the fabric of a community, I would suggest a keen eye for detail, unflagging stick-to-itiveness, and empathy for the client’s experience at the front counter, on the phone, or when they visit your website. I also most often see a desire to improve both self and the business and some internal Energizer bunny that “keeps going and going and going” after the reward that comes from building something unique and amazing – one’s business. Entrepreneurs must also have an abiding sense that everyone can teach them something, and that within every challenge and every victory, is an education. Successful entrepreneurs look for the lessons, and then apply them. It is a sort of broad vision or philosophy that some have characterized as blind optimism, so perhaps it is a form of bravery. Q: What advice would you give someone who is new to, or is considering entering, the sign industry? Entrepreneurship is an amazing journey, and both hard work and great vision find a perfect home in the sign industry. Never be shy about your dreams. Shrug off the naysayers if you are a person who wants to make a difference, and to make a better world for your employees and yourself. Entrepreneurship requires an exacting philosophy, and business ownership demands a startling amount of commitment, but yields a great reward for each challenge. If you have strong faith in yourself and in something beyond you, then take the next step. Do your homework and network to find your mentors -- business owners, bankers, friends-- who can support your efforts financially, emotionally and spiritually. Build a plan, pay attention to the details, don't give up, and constantly build your contacts list. Q: Where do you see the largest opportunities for smaller sign companies, in light of today’s increased global competition and a struggling economy? Customers are becoming more demanding, which forces greater local responsiveness. Nimble response to the demands of the local market and being face-to-face with potential and existing clients presents clear opportunities for smaller sign companies. If you know your community well, you will know what the town has planned for new developments, for coming events, for networking opportunities, for sign code development, and so much more. Each connection to fellow business owners and community initiatives allows you to leverage this knowledge-- much more easily and with greater impact than mass merchandisers and long-distance product providers. Q: What can sign companies do now to ensure they’re attracting and retaining the best and the brightest workers to this industry? Demonstrate a commitment to the future. Today’s best and brightest workers want and need to know their employers are taking care of the environment. I saw a 2007 survey that reports at least 72 percent of employees think their employers should do more to support a cause or social issue, compared to just 52 percent in 2004. Remember, too, that the next generation of sign workers has grown up with Web 2.0 – the Web-based communities and social networking sites such as wikis and folksonomies – that facilitate collaboration and sharing among users. This means companies must demonstrate a commitment to utilizing the new social technology tools, and to promoting continuing education using these tools. Whether with Webinars, podcasts, blogs or online shared workspaces, employees are “hardwired” to expect these tools and resources. And finally, welcome to the Experience Economy! What can you and your company’s employees deliver, together, to create your brand experience for the client? Get all employees and applicants involved in the vision of what your company delivers to the client in terms of an experience. Notice I said, “all” and “vision” and “deliver” and “experience.” There is a wealth of data to support this plan to build your new currency: what your clients experience when they do business with you. If it’s partially true that globalization will commoditize our products, then differentiation – in the minds of your prospects, clients, employees and applicants – will drive quality people to your company. Pay close attention to these trends and make sure your employees participate in this knowledge. They will contribute some of the best ideas if you let them, and you will attract and keep the best and brightest this way.
About Sign Biz® Inc. The Mission of the Sign Biz organization is to provide an innovative and productive digital sign and graphics business model, the best education and equipment, and lifetime member services, to support entrepreneurs in the most successful network of full-service imaging sign companies worldwide. ### Contact Us |
|
 If you have any further questions or would like
additional information about Sign Biz Inc., please contact: |
For 25 years, Teresa M. Young has supported new entrepreneurs entering the digital sign and graphics industry, originally as mentor and trainer while operating her own sign business (1986-1992), and is president and CEO of Sign Biz, Inc., a full-service business development company that supports a chain of 170 independently owned sign companies throughout the U.S., and in the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, Philippines and Mongolia. By 1994, Sign Biz was hailed as the fastest growing sign network in America, receiving media attention in such publications as Entrepreneur, Signs of the Times and Sign Business magazines. Over the past twelve years, the company has grown rapidly, and the Sign Biz network has become the largest chain of digital sign and graphics businesses worldwide in which the owners pay no royalties. Teresa was recently asked by a writer for the International Sign Association (ISA) to share her expertise about entrepreneurship, surviving a bad economy and the future of the sign industry: 