No excuses - I've been delinquent! I've absolutely ignored my blog, and recently had a conversation with one of those communication type people that convicted me. So here I am, back at it with a new sense of purpose and possibly some fresh ideas.
We're moving - yes, we sold our house and found something better suited to our lifestyle and business goals. Hopefully we'll get a better return on our money as well. Most people say that you really can't go wrong with real estate investment, and I think we made a good one. Needless to say, it has turned our world upside down - well, temporarily anyway!
But speaking of turning our world upside down, here's a tip. I know it works, tested and true... and dad used to do this too. When storing leftover paint, make sure the lid is hammered down (sealed) and store the can upside down. This will prevent that awful skin from forming on top and will also make it easier to mix. (paints tend to separate when stored for months/years and usually need a really good mix)
In preparing to stage our house, things came off the walls, holes were patched and sanded an then came time to touch up. The last paint job was when we had the Home Renovation Tax Credit, I think 2009. The leftover paint was stored in a dark corner of the basement - upside down. I cleverly identified the bottom of each can with a marker, knowing this little exercise would save time and it did. Turned over the first can, popped the lid and Voila!, no skin to remove. Gave it a good stir, took out my brush, feathered a paint job and those touch up areas literally faded away into the wall, never to be seen again! For those wondering, feathering is best done with a good quality brush. It's brushing paint in every direction so the brushstrokes aren't as noticeable. (another trick dad taught me)
There are other things you can turn upside down.
We tend to buy a lot of berries around here, and we always store the clam shells upside down in the fridge - especially blueberries. It seems to make a difference when you have a lot of them. They're well traveled right side up, so the guys on the bottom get a breather from that crushing experience this way - I think they last longer too .
Since the last post, Robert Graphic Services has become distributors of several lines of promotional products. Some of the areas we've been able to help our customers with are custom branded bags, pens, shirts, usb drives, portfolios, golf umbrellas and calendars. Here are a few links to some online catalogues that we currently are distributors of:
http://www.esppromo.com/
http://www.jay-line.com/
http://www.windmillcanada.ca/
http://www.magnuspen.com/
If you see anything that interests you, call me and we'll get things started. If you're looking for something and don't see it there, chances are I can get it - there are many more opportunities!
And of course, we design, print and deliver - just about anything.
"Make your best Impression, call Robert Graphic Services"
http://www.rgsonline.ca
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Friday, June 8, 2012
The Missing Link
Charles Darwin never did find what he was looking for, and U2 wrote a song about it. But that's not really what this is about, it's about being linked in.
Linked In is now a public company. If you somehow missed this bandwagon last year, it's not too late to jump on. In fact, you probably should - it's free! I like to think of it as my electronic business card file. It's with me wherever me and my "Blueberry" go.
Do not make the mistake of seeing this as an alternative Facebook account. This is business. The object of the game is not to have the most connections but it is about having quality connections. You don't need to say yes to everyone who asks for a connection.
For example, I belong to a networking group, and we meet once a week. Our relationships are built on mutual trust. I have the confidence that I can refer them to even my closest friends and they will not let me down, but also return compliments after services are performed. These are some of the people I have connection with on Linked In. Sure, some are friends and associates that I personally do little or no business with, but like business cards, someday the accessible connection may prove useful.
Some Linked In tips:
1 - Complete your profile. There are several benefits to this.
2 - Protect your information. Do you give prospects your business card file? Why would you then allow access to everyone? Select in the settings that only you can see your connections. Shared connections are visible.
3 - Join industry groups. This will help keep you up to date on what's going on around you.
4 - Participate in industry group discussions. Share your knowledge - this will set you apart as an expert.
5 - Search your industry for local events.
Here's a link to a Slideshare presentation some might find useful:
http://www.slideshare.net/abelniak/getting-the-most-out-of-linkedin-13656454
Linked In is now a public company. If you somehow missed this bandwagon last year, it's not too late to jump on. In fact, you probably should - it's free! I like to think of it as my electronic business card file. It's with me wherever me and my "Blueberry" go.
Do not make the mistake of seeing this as an alternative Facebook account. This is business. The object of the game is not to have the most connections but it is about having quality connections. You don't need to say yes to everyone who asks for a connection.
For example, I belong to a networking group, and we meet once a week. Our relationships are built on mutual trust. I have the confidence that I can refer them to even my closest friends and they will not let me down, but also return compliments after services are performed. These are some of the people I have connection with on Linked In. Sure, some are friends and associates that I personally do little or no business with, but like business cards, someday the accessible connection may prove useful.
Some Linked In tips:
1 - Complete your profile. There are several benefits to this.
2 - Protect your information. Do you give prospects your business card file? Why would you then allow access to everyone? Select in the settings that only you can see your connections. Shared connections are visible.
3 - Join industry groups. This will help keep you up to date on what's going on around you.
4 - Participate in industry group discussions. Share your knowledge - this will set you apart as an expert.
5 - Search your industry for local events.
Here's a link to a Slideshare presentation some might find useful:
http://www.slideshare.net/abelniak/getting-the-most-out-of-linkedin-13656454
Monday, December 5, 2011
Size Matters...
Most of us get caught up in the Christmas rush, or so many retailers would hope you do. One of the growing trends in the last couple of years is offering a custom size to consumers. We see this mainly in the food industry however it's starting to spill over into other areas of consumable goods, such as cleaning supplies, paper products and everyday staples. In today's manufacturing environment, 1 gram times a million packages amounts to a million grams, and while the value of 1 gram is debatable, 1 million grams gets the attention of most CEOs and CFOs.
Because it's Christmas time, and because we love these at our house, let's take a look at Turtles. There was a time, not so long ago, when a box of Turtles was a box of Turtles - everyone had the same size and packaging. These ads are all from local flyers from the first week of December.
Note the different sizes and pricing. Pricing is an art, and sometimes certain strategies work, however liberal deception can come back to haunt you.
Here's another example, a little easier to calculate. We buy a lot of blueberries - it's one of our favorites around here. The clamshell packaging looks the same, and it's the same surface area. The difference is in the weight and depth. (and price of course)
Because it's Christmas time, and because we love these at our house, let's take a look at Turtles. There was a time, not so long ago, when a box of Turtles was a box of Turtles - everyone had the same size and packaging. These ads are all from local flyers from the first week of December.
Note the different sizes and pricing. Pricing is an art, and sometimes certain strategies work, however liberal deception can come back to haunt you.
Here's another example, a little easier to calculate. We buy a lot of blueberries - it's one of our favorites around here. The clamshell packaging looks the same, and it's the same surface area. The difference is in the weight and depth. (and price of course)
And finally, this one is really interesting. Which one is it - 375 or 500 grams?
I wasn't trying to turn this entry into a trip to the grocery store, but more a marketing awareness opportunity. To maintain a good reputation and build a loyal customer base it's important to be consistent with your current market. If you try to deceive or take advantage of customers, you may get away with it once or twice, but eventually people will recognize what you've done and we all know how difficult it is to regain the trust of a "lost" customer. This principle will apply just about anywhere, not just at the grocery store.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September... the best time to fish!
We love September - no kids, no bugs, good fishing and quiet times.
Just back from two weeks at Agnew Lake Lodge. The first week was unbelievably nice - walking around in a tshirt and bathing suit most of the time!
Fishing was good, but not the best we've seen - in our second week a cold front blew in and everything turned off for about three days, then really slow fishing followed. In all fairness, we may have spent more time socializing with friends than fishing, but we did manage to eat walleye pretty much every day - we ate smallies and pike a couple of times too. All in all a good vacation.
Here's some pictures.
Just back from two weeks at Agnew Lake Lodge. The first week was unbelievably nice - walking around in a tshirt and bathing suit most of the time!
Fishing was good, but not the best we've seen - in our second week a cold front blew in and everything turned off for about three days, then really slow fishing followed. In all fairness, we may have spent more time socializing with friends than fishing, but we did manage to eat walleye pretty much every day - we ate smallies and pike a couple of times too. All in all a good vacation.
Here's some pictures.
 |
| Nice catch - lunchtime! |
 |
| Geese flying south at sunrise |
 |
| Walleye - 20+" |
 |
| Nice Smallmouth Bass |
 |
| September sunrise |
 | |
| Sunset fishing |
Friday, June 17, 2011
Paper weights?
A few of my customers have expressed interest in learning more about the markings on the packages when it comes to buying paper. Here's paper weights explained in layman's terms.
What Does a Paper's Weight Mean?
Paper is measured in pounds per 500 sheets (one Ream of paper) of a standard size of sheet based on the group or category of papers the grade. The different types of grades are Bond, Book, Text, Cover etc. Each group of the grade of paper is assigned a standard size that all weights are referred to. The basics of this standard are as follows:
Bond has a standard size of 17 x 22" and this is the size that is measured for 500 sheets. If 500 sheets of this size weigh 20lbs., then the paper is classified as a 20lb. bond. Heavier and lighter stocks will obviously be thicker or thinner than the 20lb. Therefore 16lb. Bond or 24lb. Bond will be the variations on this.
Bond
Bond stocks (often referred to as "Writing") traditionally are uncoated stocks and are normally used around the office such as letterheads, photo copier and laser printer paper. The standard weight utilized is 20lb., with 24lb. being the heavier alternative, and 16lb. being the lighter alternative.
Writing is a grade similar to bond, but made with a shorter fiber, yielding a softer sheet which can be made with a variety of finishes and which accepts ink more readily. Writing is generally more expensive than bond and is used for higher end applications like company stationery. Some bond and writing papers have distinctive watermarks in the sheet.
Uncoated offset is made specifically for the rigors of commercial offset presses and is often used for the same applications as bond.
The basis size of bond/writing papers is 17 x 22", whereas offset papers is 25 x 38".
Equivalent bond/writing and offset weights:
16lb bond or writing = 40lb offset
20lb bond or writing = 50lb offset
24lb bond or writing = 60lb offset
28lb bond or writing = 70lb offset
32lb bond or writing = 80lb offset
Book
Both Coated and Uncoated stocks are available under the category of Book Papers. Weights vary from 30lb. bible stock (very thin - mostly utilized for bibles) to a maximum around 115lbs. This classification is the most common for posters, catalogues, booklets and publication magazines.
The basis size of Book papers is 25 x 38"
Text
Gaining on quality above the book grades, Text stocks are utilized in projects requiring a better grade of paper and usually range from a low of around 60lb to a high of 100lb.
The basis size of Text papers is 25 x 38"
Cover
Cover papers, as the name denotes, is heavier and is utilized for post cards, business cards, rack cards, door hangers etc. The ranges of weights for Cover are from a low of 60lb. to a high of just over 100lb.
The basis size of Cover papers is 24 x 36"
What Does a Paper's Weight Mean?
Paper is measured in pounds per 500 sheets (one Ream of paper) of a standard size of sheet based on the group or category of papers the grade. The different types of grades are Bond, Book, Text, Cover etc. Each group of the grade of paper is assigned a standard size that all weights are referred to. The basics of this standard are as follows:
Bond has a standard size of 17 x 22" and this is the size that is measured for 500 sheets. If 500 sheets of this size weigh 20lbs., then the paper is classified as a 20lb. bond. Heavier and lighter stocks will obviously be thicker or thinner than the 20lb. Therefore 16lb. Bond or 24lb. Bond will be the variations on this.
Bond
Bond stocks (often referred to as "Writing") traditionally are uncoated stocks and are normally used around the office such as letterheads, photo copier and laser printer paper. The standard weight utilized is 20lb., with 24lb. being the heavier alternative, and 16lb. being the lighter alternative.
Writing is a grade similar to bond, but made with a shorter fiber, yielding a softer sheet which can be made with a variety of finishes and which accepts ink more readily. Writing is generally more expensive than bond and is used for higher end applications like company stationery. Some bond and writing papers have distinctive watermarks in the sheet.
Uncoated offset is made specifically for the rigors of commercial offset presses and is often used for the same applications as bond.
The basis size of bond/writing papers is 17 x 22", whereas offset papers is 25 x 38".
Equivalent bond/writing and offset weights:
16lb bond or writing = 40lb offset
20lb bond or writing = 50lb offset
24lb bond or writing = 60lb offset
28lb bond or writing = 70lb offset
32lb bond or writing = 80lb offset
Book
Both Coated and Uncoated stocks are available under the category of Book Papers. Weights vary from 30lb. bible stock (very thin - mostly utilized for bibles) to a maximum around 115lbs. This classification is the most common for posters, catalogues, booklets and publication magazines.
The basis size of Book papers is 25 x 38"
Text
Gaining on quality above the book grades, Text stocks are utilized in projects requiring a better grade of paper and usually range from a low of around 60lb to a high of 100lb.
The basis size of Text papers is 25 x 38"
Cover
Cover papers, as the name denotes, is heavier and is utilized for post cards, business cards, rack cards, door hangers etc. The ranges of weights for Cover are from a low of 60lb. to a high of just over 100lb.
The basis size of Cover papers is 24 x 36"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)