If you (rightfully so) fear that if you don’t evolve, you will go the way of the dinosaur, then you’ve come to the right blog! Pythagoras also said, “Concern should drive us into action and not into a depression.”
He said, “A thought is an idea in transit.”
Sixty-two percent of small business owners report they struggle to come up with new ideas that increase revenue, part of a large body of data from the Small Business Success Index sponsored by Network Solutions and the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. "Creative thinking and the determination to push the limits on innovation are the hallmark characteristics of entrepreneurs," said Tim Kelly, CEO, Network Solutions, an advocate of small business success. So here are some more new concepts or polished gems which you can look over, slather on a few more thoughts of your own, until it is a full-blown innovation that charges you up and breathes fresh vitality into your “vinyl and print and LED” balloon, until it much, much bigger and better. Until it flies higher than you ever imagined.
The Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) reports on total US manufacturing for the month of August. Eleven of the 18 manufacturing industries are reporting growth in August, in the following order: Primary Metals; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Computer & Electronic Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Printing & Related Support Activities.
Visual communications businesses are right up in there, somewhere between Miscellaneous Manufacturing, and Printing and Related Support Activities. Awesome.Pets. The pet industry has not suffered in this economy. In fact, while not recession-proof, it is recession-resistant, just like the digital, visual communications industry! Pet-related sales grew in 2009. What a magic mix – combine the pet industry with your visual communications products, and viola! There’s a thought! Now, it’s up to you to turn it into a full-blown idea ;-)
(Okay, here’s one easy example: Your company gives back to the local humane pet shelter. You create a buzz with a bunch of press releases. You create membership cards for your clients. They pass these cards out, which advertise that your visual communications business supports the local shelter. Each card that is carried back in gives the holder a discount on their purchase. Who doesn’t want to help a puppy or save a kitten?)Solar. Solar. Solar. “Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light.” This was said by Pythagoras about 2500 years ago. See why I like the guy? Solar is huge, and for many, many reasons too voluminous to cover here, it is only going to get BIGGER. Get in now, learn how to offer solar and photoluminescent products. We see it going big already.
Murals, glorious murals! Need I say more? Make your own, paste it up with wallpaper paste. (For special environments, such as hospitals and day care centers, we recommend the HP latex printer to comply with rules regarding out-gassing.) Get connected to interior design firms and your small to mid-sized ad agencies specializing in corporate events. Go to town as wall branders extraordinaire, if it fits your creative ambitions. It’s a huge and growing, profitable market!
Event Management: Spending on entertainment was not that adversely affected, despite the recent lull in the economy. Party or event management that includes both personal and corporate packages is here to stay.
Creating the signage for your community’s “Taste of” events, and crafting the digital splash that accompanies the $500 a plate fundraiser is not only right up your alley, it is hugely profitable, with a variety of visual communications products in the mix. Events and entertainment are becoming increasingly common in stores and malls, according to the National Retail Federation.
Have you built strong connections yet with your event management and party planning and catering companies?
How about a QR code for dessert? Or may I interest you in Visual Prototyping? If you haven’t considered these little niches, DO. There is a vast need for these two different items, and someone’s business is going to benefit as they become a provider.
Paint your office. Dust off your business plan. Craft the bigger vision. Start small.
"Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be; custom will soon render it easy and agreeable.” – Pythagoras
Until next time, be your own yardstick.
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