Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
My Glass is Rarely Half Full
Those of you who know me well, know that I am often overly optimistic. My glass is rarely half full. Rather, it’s often overflowing from trying to get a gallon of 2% milk into a juice tumbler.
Every year at this time, we all get either a huge rush of speculative business, or we find ourselves calling the phone company “just to make sure” our lines are still working because the phones are not ringing.
This December has been quite different. The phones are certainly NOT ringing off the hook, but they are steady. More importantly, they are for very real projects. In past years, we would get calls for a 20′ x 30′ with a $75k budget . . . if we can build in 5 days. Or my personal favorite, “I have this project that just landed on my desk that is ours. I just need to have the pricing in two hours.” It’s then we realize that three of our PM’s have been quoting the same project to three other customers as well.
I am not trying to sound to snide. Just the opposite. This December has just been a pleasant surprise. We’re seeing projects where customers are being proactive and spending quality time planning for Q1 of 2010. Granted the designs and scope of the projects are certainly not as grand as they were in 2006-2008, but they do have substance and you can tell there has been a lot of thought and care inserted into the process. All of which demonstrates great potential signs for business as a whole.
Here are some great examples of current projects:
- A 170 Unit Table Top Order. The client ordered four-panel Intro Folding Fabric Panel Table Tops with graphics and table throws. Surprised? Don’t be! We still sell quite a lot of the Intro product line.
- A Bank Interior Project. The project will utilize MODUL extrusion and SEG graphics in a unique fashion.
- A Beautiful 20 x 30 Island. The island consists of ClassicMODUL extrusion, Euro LT Custom Modular panels, raised flooring, and large Aero Overhead Hanging Signs for a Medical Tech company that is launching a new product at an early March Show.
Those are just some highlights along with the normal workflow of 10′ x 10′ and 10′ x 20′ Hybrid Systems and Quadro Pop Ups going through production everyday.
Cautiously, I have begun filling my milk glass for 2010. While it’s nearing the brim, it’s not overflowing just yet. 🙂
How about you? Is what we are seeing sound familiar? Tell me what your December has been like.
Oh yes, one last item . . . . On Friday, you received an email from Classic with the subject line: Our Gift to You this Holiday Season. I encourage you to consider this showroom offer for several reasons. First, it’s an unbelievable deal on a two-sided backlit lightbox tower (MOD-1259). Second, it demonstrates Silicone Edge Graphics to your team and to your customer. You’ll be seeing a lot more SEG graphics throughout the year. And third, it’s a really cool example of backlit tension fabric graphics.
Have a safe and restful weekend!
–Kevin Carty
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