Just as I thought……ahh Christmas!

[Phill Fenton]

Martin – perhaps the answer for your particular circumstances is to outsource much of the manufacturing which will allow you to concentrate more on what you do best, be it selling or designing. Perhaps you could link up with one or two other sign people in your area and use them for some of the work you are unable to get through quick enough.

Growing a business is risky and stressfull. There’s nothing worse than seeing idle bodies hanging around waiting for the next job to come in – yet knowing you still have to pay them by the hour. At the same time, you are severly limited by what you can produce on your own so without extra hands to do the work you cannnot produce the volume you need if you are growing.

One of the reasons I am such a keen advocate of machines like the versacamm is because I believe they increase productivity as well as offering a greater range of sign services.

I have always thought the ideal business was a software design company. Once you have designed your killer product, it costs virtually nothing to reproduce, so the ongoing manufacturing costs remain low. Apply this principal to signmaking and you need to look at ways to keep your manufacturing costs down, yet still have the opportunity to respond to high demand. Hence outsourcing, or digital printed signs.

There is no right or wrong – it’s all down to what you want your business to become. If you want it to grow and stand alone independantly from you, then you need to employ people to run this type of business for you. If however, you just want to make a decent income for yourself without the extra stress and pitfalls in running a large concern, then I would suggest outsourcing as the answer. The only concern then is that your customer in future cuts you out and goes direct to your outsourced sign business.

Horses for courses as they say 😉

You’re a very intelligent man Martin and I am certain you will continue to grow your business in line with your vision for what you wish it to become. I wish you every success 😀

[Robert Lambie]

One of the reasons I am such a keen advocate of machines like the versacamm is because I believe they increase productivity as well as offering a greater range of sign services.

Very valid point phil. “Even” if its not as durable as first thought. It still could be marketed very well..

Outsourcing fitting of vinyls is good. get a good vehicle library, design stuff in house make job and get someone to fit each van for whatever.. (make sure hes good though)

There is lots of signs that companies fit themself that can be made in house and basically sent or picked up by customer. We sell a hell of a lot of health and safety stuff..
This month isn’t busy as we all know but have clocked up orders of about 5 grand so far.. we make and the customer picks up and takes away.. these aren’t cheapy health and safety ones though.. 2mm aluminium all cut vinyl graphics, custom layout on 8’ x 4’ sheets. Some with/without sign channel some with/without poles clips etc.. easy made & no fitting. Simple graphics too all from clipart safety disks… 😀

[Rodney Gold]

Martin , your best course of action IMHO is to employ a low level junior , at home , who is prepared to learn by observation etc , but is there to do the “dirty” work , IE take away the grind and time consuming stuff that one doesnt have to be a rocket scientist to do. If you concentrate on design and marketing instead of doing the “dog” work , you will increase sales to the extent that you will keep that person busy and even in quiet times , the extra pair of hands can do some marketing or make up samples etc.
The BIGGEST problem is finding someone , not the notion of hiring someone , good staff are not easy to find , dedication , attention to detial etc dont seem to be big on ppls agendas these days.
I would suggest a lady , however if your business requires some serious sign wrangling that might not be suitable.Not being sexist here , but we find women are far more dedicated and pay more attention to detail.
We employ a few disabled people and despite the fact you think they wont be able to do ths or that , they do manage very well and really put in serious effort and dedication, a sort of payback for the fact that you can afford them an opportunity to do really useful work (mostly ppl use disabled folk in very menial repetitive positions)
Perhaps someone to do all your admin , t-shirts , bags , run the vinyl cutter etc if its possible for them to get the correct access to the machinery?
My biggest step was appointing a REP and I poached her from a signage supply co I deal with who treated her as just a number at a mickey mouse salary despite her excellent attiude , technical knowledge etc – she is now my right hand woman and 2nd in charge here. It was really risky initially as I had to guarantee a salary , provide a vehicle etc without any guarantees that she would get the work.
You have to jump at some time and take that risk depending on what your vision for your business is
I think your risk is far more related to WHOM you employ rather than the fact you need to employ someone.
Is it not possible to take someone on for a 3 month trial or on some sort of short term contract basis or even in a 1/2 day position- I dunno the labour laws there

[Jill Marie Welsh]

Martin,
Just get yourself a wife! 😆
Wish I had one. My kids help me weed vinyl sometimes.
Seriously, it is hard to do it all yourself. I know. I am home based, and in spring I am busier than a cat trying to cover crap on a marble floor with a wooden leg!
But wouldn’t adding an employee open up a whole nuther can of worms & headaches? I would suggest better self-scheduling, not spreading yourself too thin tho. I need to take my own advice!
Wish I had your Midas touch!
Love- JILL

[Bill Dewison]

Martin,

This may be one of those silly suggestions, but I’ll give a whirl see what you think…

Especially at this time of year, ppl are looking for some extra income, a bit of extra cash here and there… is it not feasable to put a small note in the local Newsagents, something along the lines of “Help Required for local sign firm, flexible hours, flexible pay”? Basically employ someone, as has been previously suggested, to do the monkey work, leaving you free to concentrate on the more complicated stuff, but instead of offering regular hours, have a flexible arrangement of a few hours one night, maybe a full day one weekend… something along those lines. The drawbacks are obvious because occassionally you’ll need the help, but that person won’t be available, but it beats paying a regular amount every week. Plus if you desperately need to get a job finished quickly, you can use the “flexible pay” option by offering them a little more if they can come in and help.

As I say, this may be a silly idea, and it means going down the “casual labour” road, but I hope its of some use. 🙄

Cheers, Dewi

[Andy Gorman]

In a similar vein to Dewi’s reply; I have done casual work for ‘rival’ sign companies in the past and I know of other people who do also. Odd Saturdays etc. Of course you would have to trust their integrity, you wouldn’t want them nicking trade secrets or customers for that matter, but there are people out there who do this sort of thing. People are always looking for extra work on the side, so to speak.

Freelance sign fitters for example are ten a penny round our way. It seems to be a career in itself.

[Martin C]

Thanks for all your advice everyone. Sone useful things for thought in there 😀 I’ll respond to some of your suggestions when I get a little more time…………………hic………..I’ve started Xmas early.hic

Jill, I have a wife………..but I also have a mother in law who runs a catering company. So when my wife’s not doing her regular daytime job she’s usually driving, washing up, waitressing, peeling potatoes, carving meat, preparing buffets, running to the cash and carry, cleaning tables, serving wine…………..and she helps me to weed about once a year………lazy cow 😉