Be the Best at Customer Service

We all work in customer service to some extent…it just depends on who the customer is.

If you’re in an office, it’s your boss who is the customer. If you’re in retail, it’s the shopper who is the customer. And the list continues. So, it bears repeating that customer service is important.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our customer service skills could be honed a little bit. Or, maybe you have a new employee who doesn’t see how valuable good customer service is. Well, either way, here are a few ways to brush up on your customer service.

The Importance of Caring for Your Customers

Customer service, or customer care, is vital to us all.

It’s the difference between keeping and losing customers to the competition. One wrong move, and we might lose a valuable customer.

Customer service is how we respond to customers, and it entails a lot of duties. It’s not just how we answer the phone. It’s how we help them when they return items or when we explain policies to them. It’s also when we give deadlines or wait times.

Did you know that acquiring new customers is more expensive than keeping the ones you have?

That’s why customer service needs to be top-notch. It can’t be emphasized enough.

Customers want personalized service, and they will typically pay more for it. If your product is more expensive than the competition, but you have an outstanding customer care program, with engaging employees, you will be more likely to charge more for the same product or service. That’s how important good customer service is.

7 Customer Service Tips from the Pros

1. Greet customers by name.

Learn their names and impress them when they walk into your place of business.

2. Keep notes.

Keep a book with notes on your customers, so you remember things they told you, such as a significant event or date. Then be sure to ask about it the next time they come in.

3. Support each other.

Allow employees to share their frustrations. This will help prevent burnout and ensure they are ready to be pleasant with the next customer.

4. Respond quickly.

Be quick to respond when customers have a question, complaint, or want an estimate.

5. Customize the service, so it’s tailored to each customer.

Some people want to get in and out quickly. Other customers want to chat and take their time, so accommodate them.

6. Offer to help a customer before they even ask.

This shows initiative and evokes positive images of your company.

7. Treat customers like real people, not like a number.

Be sure to talk with them in a conversational tone, rather than like they are just another customer waiting in line.

Dealing with customers can be challenging. But when you keep your focus on staying positive and constantly improving customer service, you are sure to win over even your toughest critic.

We appreciate your business and want the chance to serve you in the near future. Check out our website today and see what we offer.

Spot UV Coating Makes Your Images Pop

Business people collect a lot of business cards; in fact, there are so many that sometimes these items get lost in the shuffle.

But there is a way to print business cards to let your message not only dazzle the recipient but help you get truly noticed.  

Let’s take a look at spot UV coating! It is a magical way to make your images and message pop and get noticed.

What is UV Coating?

UV coating is a clear compound that is applied to wet paper, then instantly dried by ultraviolet light.

The UV portion of spot UV comes from the ultraviolet light that is used to instantly cure the glossy varnish. And there’s no need to worry about toxicity because UV coatings are environmentally safe. They are free of solvents and do not emit volatile organic compounds or VOCs when cured. It dries at a fast speed, making it easy to add detail to your marketing materials.

Due to its eye-catching appearance and versatile applications, spot UV is one of the most popular printing techniques available. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve no doubt seen its effects. It’s the shiny part of an otherwise matte page. It shines and puts your marketing in a class above ordinary printing.

The Best Ways to Use UV Coating

UV coating can be used on a whole page to protect your entire message or as a spot coating.

Using the spot coating not only protects your logo or name, it also shines bright when the light catches it. It is a decorative feature that many businesses are starting to use.

The great thing about using spot UV is that you can use it on a variety of paper stocks, from heavy 24pt cardstock to a thinner 100# text. No matter what paper you use, choosing a matte finish will contrast nicely with the spot UV coating: the more contrast, the better. 

Some people use the spot UV coating as a way to create their image or logo instead of printing it in another color. For example, you could use shiny black with matte black paper to show your logo off or a portion of an image.  

No matter where you use the spot UV coating, you are sure to make a significant impact and be remembered. Check out our website to get more options for paper and printing, and we will make sure your spot UV coating makes the most of your marketing materials. Set up a time to talk with one of our printing specialists, and let’s get to work.

Re-evaluate Your Time Management Skills

Time management is something we all strive to improve.

When you think you have it down to a science, a big project comes along and stretches us. But we all know that time management is the key to being successful.  

These tips will help you re-evaluate your time management skills in case you have been bombarded by stress.

Delegate. Okay, we said it. Delegation is key but make sure you give the job to the right person so you don’t feel like you have to micromanage them.

Don’t multitask. It feels like we are being more productive, and people often applaud it but don’t fall into the trap of multitasking. Studies show we are actually less productive when we spread our attention among several projects. Instead, make a list of things you need to do and cross them off as you go. That way, you won’t forget a project, but you can get it off your mind right away.

Deal with stress positively. We all get stressed out at times, but it’s how we handle it that counts. Exercise helps us deal with stress in a positive way. Other ways to deal with stress: meditate, call up a friend, listen to a podcast, get outside in nature, and write in a journal.

Set both short- and long-term goals. Your goals should be measurable, specific, relevant, and time-based. For example, if your goal is to get a raise in six months, figure out the specific steps you will need to achieve in order to do this. Then tackle it head-on.

Don’t overbook your calendar. Make sure that not every second of every day is taken. You will need some downtime, as well as time for phone calls and meetings that pop up. This will help you stay on track and not get discouraged when you can’t stick to the actual schedule.

Get up early. Most successful people start their day with a little extra time in the morning. Just getting up half an hour earlier will help you be more productive throughout your day.

Take regular breaks. Schedule these in so you are sure to take them. This ensures you don’t get distracted and helps you push on when you are tempted to look at your phone. Just 10 or 15 minutes is all it takes. You can get something to drink, go for a walk, check your phone, or talk with a coworker or friend.

Say no sometimes. When people ask you to do something, if possible, examine your schedule and workload first. Don’t just take on new assignments that you don’t have to. This also applies to get-togethers as well. If you are busy, don’t feel bad telling someone you are not able to go right now. But be sure to follow up with them later when you are free.

Don’t procrastinate. This is a good rule for both the office and in your personal life. Procrastination causes unneeded stress. We tend to procrastinate when we are overwhelmed or bored. Whatever the case, try to overcome it by making yourself start right away on a task.

Be realistic in how long a task takes. If you have a task to schedule, make sure you accurately estimate the time it takes to accomplish it. Will it take an hour to write that speech? Or will it take a week? Be realistic so you can stay on track.

Time management is something we can all work on daily. It’s important to keep honing those skills because we won’t be successful if we don’t. When you work with us, we will keep you on track with our on-time delivery and great products.

Are Your Meetings Worth Attending?

When asking employees what makes a meeting worth attending, 62% said “clear,” “specific,” “defined,” and “concrete” information should be given.

This may sound like basic information, but many bosses hold meetings that are contrary to these terms. So how can you ensure you’re not making this mistake?

Here are 10 tips to keep your meetings effective and productive.

10 Tips to Make Your Meetings More Effective

1. Determine why you are having the meeting.

Try to pinpoint exactly why you are holding a meeting for these particular people.

Start by identifying the purpose and desired outcomes of the meeting, then include it in both the meeting invitation and the meeting agenda.

2. Determine the appropriate attendees.

You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings if they aren’t invited to the meeting.

In fact, people don’t want to waste their time if they aren’t the appropriate people to handle the topic of the meeting. Only invite people who can implement the changes you seek or offer advice on the appropriate department.

3. Create an effective agenda.

Type up the agenda, and list the topics and the presenters. Also, include start and end times so that the meeting doesn’t go off-topic.

Send out the agenda before the meeting so that everyone is ready to contribute.

4. Vary the presenters.

By including different presenters, you will stir up more interest and invite others to engage.

Having different views and topics by different people is much more engaging, and it may provoke others to share their insights as well.

5. Take breaks.

This is the best way to keep people off their phones. A break is the best time to check their emails and texts, get a drink, and use the restroom.

6. Pass out handouts at the beginning.

Be prepared for all participants.

Don’t expect they will bring their agendas; have enough for everyone in attendance. Place the handouts at each spot around the table to minimize the shuffling of papers. 

7. Don’t recap for latecomers.

This wastes time for all who arrived on time.

No matter the reason, don’t recap during the meeting. Latecomers can catch up by reading the agenda and talking to others during the break.

8. Cover the most important topic first.

Then list the next important topic, and so forth.

This gets right down to business. It’s like reading a newspaper article, in which the most important information is given right away, and then the subsequent information is disseminated.

9. Try to hear from everyone.

If it’s a small enough group, allow for input from each person. Give time to ask relevant questions and hear them out.

10.  Assign jobs prior to the meeting.

Have someone take notes, which involves mainly writing down the main talking points and actions that were brought up.

Have a timekeeper who can kindly keep everyone on task. Have a director who introduces each speaker. This keeps the meeting organized and effective. 

These tips should help you review your meeting process and possibly improve it a little if needed. Getting the most out of your meetings will ensure more success for you personally and for your business.

Our goal is to help you be successful as well. Our printing firm knows your time is valuable, and we are here to help you streamline your business. We will get right to the point, create an action plan and get your printing done on time so you will continue to be successful. 

How to Flourish: Focus on Personal Growth

We don’t always talk about personal growth, but it should be the topic of conversation or at least the topic of thought. How do we flourish in such a busy world? Here are ten steps to encourage your growth.

10 Steps to Encourage Your Personal Growth

Volunteer.

We don’t always want to add another thing to our to-do list, but this is important to give you a different perspective. By volunteering, you will feel good about yourself and learn new skills and get different views of the world.

Experience new things and places.

Take a short day trip on your day off. This is the perfect time to break out of your comfort zone and try something new. Enjoy learning about new places, and don’t be afraid to take part in local activities. It will do your brain good.

Prioritize your health.

Take a health journey by starting to walk, joining a gym, or taking up a new sport that you can do regularly. Your health is an important part of personal growth.

Evaluate your life.

Use a private journal, or put it in your phone or on a computer. But take time to write down what you like and don’t like about your life. This is time for complete honesty. No one but you is looking. What makes you happy? What frustrates you? What would you like to change in your life? What steps do you need to take to improve?

Learn something new.

Read books that you never thought of reading. Take a class somewhere that will stretch you. Go on a retreat to expand your knowledge.

Set ambitious goals.

Research at the University of California-Riverside found that people with loftier goals were more satisfied than those who set mediocre goals, even if the outcome was similar. Reach for something you think is a bit unattainable but doable. Don’t be afraid to set long goals that take a while to achieve.

Be a good listener.

You might want to call up a friend and practice your listening skills. Or maybe it’s at work. Focus on listening instead of what you’re going to say next.

Stretch yourself creatively.

Do something that stretches you creatively. If it doesn’t come naturally, take a painting or pottery class from an adult education facility. Or watch YouTube to follow along with an artist. Or try Pinterest for ideas on what to do. 

Don’t try to impress people.

This leads only to disappointment. Set goals that are important to you, rather than a goal that will impress others. This is key to personal growth because it’s personal; it’s not what others think of you. 

Teach others.

The best way to learn something is to teach it to others. Evaluate your skills, interests, and hobbies. What can you teach others? This will help you improve as well as help out others. 

We all need reminders to grow on purpose. If we don’t take steps to grow in our personal and professional lives, we remain stagnant.

We are always learning new things at our printing firm, and we love helping you with your goals. If you desire a more creative banner or marketing materials, you know where to go. We’re your partner in personal growth.

Be a Showstopper at Your Next Trade Show

Trade shows can be tricky. They can cause a lot of anxiety when you are preparing for the unknown. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to ensure you are successful. Here are a few to add to your to-do list.

Start early.

It should go without saying, but sometimes we procrastinate starting to plan for a trade show because it seems daunting. This is to encourage you to start as soon as possible so that you will be prepared for any problems that might arise.

Prepare your team.

Be sure to have team meetings regularly and at least a week before the trade show to discuss items such as dress code, hotel, transportation, duties, and responsibilities. Make sure everyone knows their schedules at the booth and contact information in case they get lost or have questions.

Be active on social media.

This is important to do before, during, and after the trade show. Include your booth number and hashtag so people can find you easily. Tweet about the upcoming show and give glimpses of giveaways or your excellent signage. 

Offer giveaways.

Everyone loves free things, and this is no exception.

And we aren’t talking about just pens and pencils. Offer food, drinks, games, or prizes. Have a coffee machine or offer cupcakes, or whatever might draw people in for more than a few seconds. Then be sure to utilize this opportunity to find out what the prospective customer might be looking for. Use anything that might break the ice.

Debrief and follow-up.

If you found a way to capture people’s information, send them a thank you note for coming to your booth. Talk with your staff to see what their opinions of the trade show were. This is critical for improving future booths.
 

Hand out bigger bags than the competition.

This will ensure that your bag will get used and that your message gets noticed. People tend to stuff items in the free bags, and whichever one is larger will hold the others. 

Have professional signage.

Big, bold messages and colors will capture people’s attention and make them remember you. Use your logo and catchphrases. Show people what you’ve accomplished by having professional, eye-catching signs.
 

Create a buzz.

It’s great to keep things on the upside and positive, but it’s even better to do something humorous to get people talking. Maybe you have a sign that is full of humor, or perhaps it’s a funny game. The funnier it is, the more people will talk...and others will gather around your booth.

Do your research.

If possible, find out what the large competitors will bring. And when you’re there, make sure you walk around and note what others are doing. This will help you in the future.

Be creative.

Show a short video on your business. Find a way to partner with another company to showcase their items with yours. Maybe it’s a big floral display or food, or perhaps it’s as crazy as bringing in animals from a local zoo or humane society and then tying it together with your message and other giveaways. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your next trade show booth pop for whenever that next show may be. But it all starts with planning, preparing others, and getting the right signage. With professional signage, your message won’t get lost in the shuffle. Everyone is there to make an impression. What will you do? 

Your Mini-Guide to Business Branding

Branding helps your business create the desired image of your company by clarifying and expanding what your company stands for.

According to Kotler and Keller, "Branding is endowing products and services with the power of a brand." It helps put your business above the competition by giving customers an idea to attach themselves to. It affects consumers, employees, and shareholders. 

Brand vs. Products

Branding can be challenging to understand, but it helps to know the difference between a product and a brand.

A product is an item or service your company is selling. Although unique products or services are excellent, they can usually be easily copied by other aspiring entrepreneurs.

A brand is the idea and image behind the product. It is the promise made to the customers regarding what the product can deliver. It fulfills the customers' desires while creating an emotional appeal for customers to attach themselves to. 

Why Focus on Branding? 

So, what's the big deal about branding? Well, branding has many advantages. Here are just a few of them.

Branding makes your business unique.

In saturated markets where similar products or services are being sold, it can be too easy to get lost among the many other businesses.

However, branding gives you the chance to stand out. Customers may prefer the image and idea you are selling above that of a competitor. 

Branding creates greater customer loyalty.

Although quality products and/or services will be what keeps the customer coming back, you can strengthen that loyalty by giving the customer a brand to attach themselves to.

It is easier for people to connect to ideas and images over products. The customers you bring in through your branding are going to be your ideal customers. Why? Because there was something about your brand that they loved and will most likely continue to love for a long time!

Branding generates consistency.

Consistency is important because it better helps consumers identify your products by giving your company a unique look that can be attributed back to you.

Developing a great brand will make it much easier to release new products or services and provide a framework for your company to work under, alleviating the pressure of figuring out the little details. 

Developing a Brand Guide

The purpose of a brand guide is to solidify your company's visual design and the voice, tone, and messaging.

Brand Guides include creating and finalizing the logos, color palette, typography, and voice and tone. This can be overwhelming, especially if you don't have professional design skills. So, don't be afraid to hire a professional when developing your brand guide. Great designs can really make a difference. 

Where to Apply Branding

Advertising

Your advertising campaign should incorporate consistent designs and messages.

Some great ideas for advertising include large print advertising, including banners and posters. When designing these, refer to your branding guide to create consistent color schemes, fonts, and messaging.

A fantastic design will catch potential customers' attention, and the incorporation of your branding guide in your advertisement will help them better identify your products in the market. 

Product and Packaging Design

Try to apply your brand guide to your products and packaging.

Again, it'll significantly help your company's consistency, making your business and products easily identifiable to customers. 

Branding helps your business stand out among the competition by generating consistency and amazing design throughout your business's endeavors, translating into more outstanding sales and customer loyalty.