Ready to expand your small business to the next level? Take a look at these 5 tips for business expansion.So your small business is running smoothly and you’re ready to take your business to the next stage in growth. Congratulations! But how do you know if your company is ready to expand? Check out our list of do's and don'ts for business expansion. 1. Do research and make a business expansion planNeedless to say, opening a second location can take a lot of skilled planning. Consider hiring a financial advisor and attorney to assist you with your business expansion. A financial advisor can help create a comprehensive analysis of the financial investment required and tax implications for another store location. An intellectual property attorney can help ensure that your business’s important assets are in place and protected. 2. Do stay realistic about your business expansion expectationsWhile you may dream about having store locations from coast to coast, try to be realistic on the location of your second store. Understand that the further apart your stores are, the more difficult it may be for you to travel between each location. Consider finding a store location that will be close enough for you to easily travel to, but not so close that it will cannibalize sales. 3. Do develop training plansMany small-business owners are accustomed to running all aspects of their company. But when expanding to a new location, you may have to relinquish some control. Be ready to train team members and hire managers who can run your store location in your absence. As your business expands, day-to-day activity should fall on the shoulders of your staff while you focus on future plans. 4. Don’t over-expand your businessBusiness expansion can be exciting, and you may be tempted to hit the ground running. But try not to overextend yourself and your resources. Rapid growth can put a strain on your company while you're still learning the landscape of your new location. Be patient and consider how to grow at a sustainable rate. 5. Don’t let quality suffer during business expansionTry not to let the quality of your brand suffer while you're expanding. You may be tempted to focus all your attention on your new store location, but don’t neglect your flagship location. Consider how you can still consistently deliver high-quality products and services at all store locations. 6. Quantum Sign Corp for All Your Signage NeedsRemember we are here to first Help You "Grow Your Business", buy Branding, Imagery, and Signage. We will work with you and your company to meet all your Growth Questions, and help attract new clients in every Town or City you wish to be in. We can run reports, and analyze if the new location will meet your needs with traffic flow and local businesses. We will also work with the Permits, and locations, to make sure we have the correct Signage for your company. Give us a call today, you might be surprised on what services we offer to help you Brand your company, whether New or Old, and give you the Fresh New Look you and your clients desire. QUANTUM SIGN CORP.
693 Heartland Drive Sugar Grove, IL 60554 P: (630) 466-0372 F: (630) 466-0564 sales@quantumsigncorp.com http://quantumsigncorp.com As a business owner or manager, you know the importance of commercial business signs. It’s one of the most vitally important things to focus on when relocating or opening a new business location. Unfortunately, many business owners fall into one of two traps: either they’re the rebel, bucking the rules established by property managers (and possibly municipalities) because they’re so eager to create original, eye-catching commercial business signs that truly capture the essences of their businesses — or, they’re passive and all too willing to let their property manager take care of all the signage details. The good news is, there’s a comfortable middle ground. Here’s how property managers can help retail tenants select the right commercial business signs. Property Managers Know Their Properties - Understand Local ClientsIn most cases, commercial property managers have had the benefit of working with industrial sign fabricators and designers, and have gained experience from managing multiple properties. They’ve created detailed signage specifications based on what works for their tenants, at that specific property location. Insisting that your commercial business signs stray too far from specs is not “creative license,” it’s often foolish. A well-designed sign can simultaneously meet specifications AND still stand out (in a good way). Property Managers Want to Attract New VisitorsRemember, the success of your business is important to the success of the whole property. Property managers are literally invested in the success of your business (as long as you’re a tenant, at least). Don’t leave every detail up to your property managers, but you should work closely with them to design the best commercial business signs for your location. Obviously, if you own a franchise or are a part of a national chain, you’ll have to strike a balance between your corporate signage requirements and the property management company’s specs. Experienced signage companies are pros at managing projects (including specs and permitting details) to everyone’s satisfaction. Property Managers Want to Maximize Your Signage InvestmentCommercial business signs can be significant investments. And, particularly when moving into a new location, many business owners and managers want to cut costs up front, and they fail to consider ongoing maintenance costs associated with certain signage features. When your property manager tells you “some of our tenants have had trouble with that type of sign,” do yourself and your business a favor and listen. You want a sign that looks good, for the long term, and works with minimal hassle. And, so does your property manager. So, remember, in spite of what might seem like a lot of “picky” rules about commercial business signs, your property manager is on your team and has the same goals for your business signage. Property Managers Will Assist With Maintenance and RepairEffective business signage can turn your brand into a statement, but only when your sign is functioning properly. Don’t let darkness descend upon your business. There are several service and maintenance items you could end up needing for your commercial business signs, including:
Your property manager will work closely with a trusted signage provider, and you’ll be able to have those issues handled with little to no downtime or effort from you. When you work closely with your property managers to create commercial business signs, you’ll forge a partnership that will extend beyond the usual landlord/tenant relationship. And you’ll have amazing signage that will attract and delight current and potential customers! Quantum Sign Corporation was founded in 2001 in Sugar Grove, IL by Dave Stover. In 2002, Roger Perotti joined Dave at Quantum Sign. Dave and Roger have over 70 years real-time manufacturing experience in the sign industry. Quantum Sign Corporation grew rapidly into one of the premier high-quality sign manufacturers in the country. Producing many signs for fortune 100 companies using state-of-the art equipment and innovative manufacturing techniques, Quantum Sign Corporation has developed a reputation as a reliable, high quality, low cost manufacturer of both standard and highly customized signs. QUANTUM SIGN CORP.
693 Heartland Drive Sugar Grove, IL 60554 P: (630) 466-0372 F: (630) 466-0564 sales@quantumsigncorp.com http://quantumsigncorp.com/ Quantum Sign Corp is here for you and your Business!When partnering with Quantum Signs, you will experience much more than just graphic designers, you will feel like part of the family. We care about your vision, and your ideas, and we want to transform them into just the right image for your business. If you have a road block on creativity, we can create a unique sign design for you, based on your requirements, as a team! Quantum Sign Corporation understands our clients needs, installation procedures and demands, manufacturing processes, and what it takes to make your new sign, a perfect work of art! We are experts in using the latest techniques and materials to maximize your visibility while being conscious of your budget. With something as important as your message and signage, as a business professional you cannot afford to take chances with unprofessional signs. Our experienced fabricators understand how important quality is to success. Proven fabrication techniques and innovative solutions let us create outstanding products for clients. Skilled craftspeople in all disciplines apply accumulated product and manufacturing knowledge to every sign. Project ManagementQuantum can manage any project from conception to successful conclusion. We have an in-house team of project managers with years of experience in conversion, re-branding, and expansion programs both nationally and internationally. QUANTUM SIGN CORP.
693 Heartland Drive Sugar Grove, IL 60554 P: (630) 466-0372 F: (630) 466-0564 sales@quantumsigncorp.com http://quantumsigncorp.com/ QUANTUM SIGN WILL POINT YOUR BUSINESS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONA directional or Wayfinding sign must be perfectly designed to be clear, concise and accurate insuring your customers know how to get from point A to Z (and all potential points in between). Our artists will work with you until you are completely satisfied with your custom design to insure your clients stay on the right path. Wayfinding programs can seem overwhelming. With so many components to consider, including destinations, routes, materials, ADA code, architecture, branding, and technology… many ask, “Where do we begin?” The most important aspects in any wayfinding project can be boiled down to three things: architecture, branding, and the people. That’s it. Everything else fits into one of those buckets. Architecture One of the first things people recognize when approaching their destination will probably be its architectural features. Even if it’s an open outdoor space, there is probably something of a ‘Gateway’ feature, beacon, or landmark that confirms you have arrived. Once you’re inside the space, the design of pathways, visibility of vertical circulation such as stairs or elevators and long sight-lines all assist in the visitor’s ability to navigate the space. Floor and wall finishes, lighting, and technology integrations can also be helpful in creating a sense of ‘go this way’ or ‘nothing here to see’ feeling. Ceiling heights, intersections, sight-lines and are all considerations for where information is placed, what it looks like, and how people will interact with it. Branding Wayfinding is an extension of the brand by incorporating typography, color, and other branding attributes. In crowded cities, the exterior branding is especially important to clearly mark building boundaries or increase usage of a specific are of the space by drawing more attention to it. Well integrated branding helps the visitor to confirm they are in the right location and creates recognition of brand through consistency. Use of branding in Place making offers the opportunity to adapt the brand into a playful and imaginative manner, creating a unique interaction with the visitor and the brand. People The people that use the space are the focus of any wayfinding system. Their journey begins before they arrive at a sign. It most likely begins at home when they receive an invitation to an event, book travel itineraries, or makes a doctor’s appointment. They may use a website, their smart phone, or call a customer service line to get directions and plan their journey. Architecture and branding will be the first thing that greets them as they approach the destination. Only then do signs, static or digital depending on the variability of the content, provide them with directions on which way to go. Information can be communicated in many different ways, including print, signs, or digital tools, but by understanding the environment they will be navigating, the needs of your audiences, and what formats will best communicate the information, the wayfinding strategy and design solution will be unique to the location and effective for its visitors. So again we ask, “Where do we begin?” First, understand whom the visitors are and what types of tools they will need to plan on getting to the location. From there, building a system that is consistent in brand, nomenclature, and strategically placed information within the architecture, supported by printed materials, and digital resources will help them get to their destination. QUANTUM SIGN CORP.
693 Heartland Drive Sugar Grove, IL 60554 P: (630) 466-0372 F: (630) 466-0564 sales@quantumsigncorp.com http://quantumsigncorp.com/ Know the rules. Before investing time and money in developing a sign, find out what regulations and restrictions your city and landlord impose. For example, you might be prohibited from having a sign that lights up or exceeds a certain size. Your sign may need to use a font that's consistent with the signage of the other companies in your office or retail center. Consider function. Know what you want the signs in your business to do. Some signs are directional/informational, such as signs directing customers to the restroom or fitting rooms or identifying the contents of store shelves. Others are persuasive, such as signs announcing sales or special offers. Your outdoor sign needs to be big and attention-getting enough to be seen by your target customers, whether they're walking by on a downtown street or whizzing past on the interstate. Maximize materials. Three-dimensional signs offer lots of opportunity for branding. Choose materials for your sign that reinforce your brand identity. For instance, an artisan restaurant could use weathered wooden signs, while a cutting-edge IT consultancy could use sleek metal. Be consistent. Whether you’re developing a banner, directional signs for inside your business, promotional signs or shelf labels, all of your signage must have a consistent brand identity. Using the same colors, fonts and "attitude" throughout your signage will help cement your brand in customers’ minds. Get help. To develop your outdoor sign, work with a graphic designer familiar with signage who can translate your business logo, colors and fonts into a design that meets your local requirements, can be seen from a distance and withstands weather. Show some personality. Signage isn’t just about graphics — words matter too. Even directional signs can convey your brand's personality. For instance, a restaurant specializing in Texas barbecue might label the restrooms for "Cowboys" and "Cowgirls." Think about creative ways your signs can express your brand's personality, whether that's homespun, upscale, luxurious or zany. Mix it up. There's a lot more to signage than the sign on the outside of your store, restaurant or office location. Once that sign is developed, reinforce your brand with temporary signs including posters, window decals and banners. They’re inexpensive, so they’re easy to change out for different seasons, events or promotions. Get outside. Depending on your industry, lawn signs, portable signs or car door magnets can expose your brand to more people. For example, if your employees regularly travel to customers’ homes or offices, removable car door magnets build brand awareness even if your team is using their own vehicles. Is your business located on a street with lots of pedestrian traffic? Try using portable signage, such as an A-frame sign, on the sidewalk during business hours to attract passersby. If your company is tucked out of the way in a grassy office park, lawn signs can help direct customers to your location. Proofread. Have more than one person proofread your signage, just to be safe. Grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors undermine your brand by making customers question your competency. Keep it fresh. Just as you should review your brand every once in a while to determine if it's ready for a makeover, regularly assess your business’ signage to see if it’s still doing its job. Even if you're not quite ready to revamp your outdoor signage, updating your interior signs as well as posters, banners and other temporary signage can give your business a fresh look in the meantime. For more information about Building and Branding your Small Business, Visit Score.org today! Quantum Sign Corp is here to help! Call us Today and let our Design Team help with all your new Image - Branding - and Sign Marketing needs. QUANTUM SIGN CORP.
693 Heartland Drive Sugar Grove, IL 60554 P: (630) 466-0372 F: (630) 466-0564 sales@quantumsigncorp.com http://quantumsigncorp.com/ |
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