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The Need to Cut Costs
But Where?
July/August 2008

Now that everyone is through dancing around the gorilla in the room, no offense to "Dancing with the Stars", and has taken off their rose-colored glasses which came compliments of their mortgage lender, we are ready to admit the obvious...we are in a recession.  What plans do you have for your business during these challenging economic times?  No doubt your plans include cutting costs, you know, like the Twins in years past, cutting costs and still not being competitive.  You, my friend, do not want to make the same mistake.  Part of making a good business decision is knowing WHERE to cut costs.  You do not want to sacrifice quality for the bottom line or at least you shouldn't.  Now I'm not going to tell you where you should cut costs in your own business which has been built from your blood, sweat and tears (are they still together?).  But do you really need the Hummer to do you sales calls?  I am going to tell you where not to cut your budget and, in fact, am going to tell you to increase that budget.  That is your advertising budget!  Now is the time to grab those sales that are out there because someone in the same line of work has closed their doors.  In times like these it is very competitive and you need to make it known that you are not only surviving, but thriving.  Isn't that who you want to do business with?  I know I do!  I don't want to do business with someone who may not be in business next week and I need to be assured of this.  When I see a company's logo all over the place - on vehicles, yard signs, billboards and the like - I get the impression they are thriving, not just surviving.  How am I supposed to do this, you may ask, with the economy the way it is going?  Cut costs in other areas and increas your ad budget by checking the prices of other vendors in your area.  Is there a way of saving time and being more efficient?  Where am I spending the ad budget I do have?  Answer these questions honestly and you will often find that there is a way to better use your advertising dollar.  Ask a professional to help you (insert blatant plug for Signature Graphics here).  Vehicle graphics have proven themselves the most cost effective form of advertising and is what we recommend to our customers.