Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 8
HOW TO SAY "NO"
T'S tradeshow season
again, and as we dodge
hurricanes, earthquakes
and other natural disasters
(see this month's Shop Ops column on
pg. 30 for more), I'm having another
familiar encounter: the tradeshow
carpetbagger. At every show, nonexhibiting companies hope to pitch
me a product or service - a tricky
situation.
We exhibit at tradeshows for their
global benefits. Signs of the Times
increases its brand visibility and loyalty
by having a presence at these events.
Tradeshows support associations
that promote sign-industry-friendly
legislation, educate signmakers, provide
space for industry vendors to demonstrate their wares and build a pipeline
for future generations of industry
leaders.
We sell books, recruit new subscribers and have the lucky opportunity
to meet a few readers - undoubtedly
the best part! It's not unusual for us
to have 10 people walking the floor.
And because we have a booth, it would
be easy to entertain faux vendors
who want our attention.
It's an odd thing. We want to connect
with as many industry suppliers and
sign company leaders as possible at
the show. But more is not merrier
when it's all get and no give. And
while I'm sorry to miss those connections, particularly when it's a company
we may not be familiar with yet, I'm
loyal to companies who share in the
industry investment that exhibiting
offers.
I
8
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
NOVEMBER 2017
There's gray area in every organization, every negotiation. But I hope
that we are all in the business of
building win-win scenarios. So, here's
an example of how I decline these
tradeshow invitations (and others
that cross the lines):
While there may be some shortterm benefit, even a mutual one to
your request, the value of our brand
is its trust and credibility with readers.
Accepting your request would diminish
that value, and that of our partnership with you, over time. We hope to
work with you in the future, so maintaining this foundation, even if it means
we can't help you today, benefits all
involved in the long-term.
I harbor no hard feelings for carpetbaggers; it's a brave new world and
most of us are still "figuring it out."
Still, I take the opportunities to invite
these companies to join us for everyone's benefit. It feels much better to
extend an opportunity than to scold.
Regardless of those differences,
we can all build something together.
If you need help in phrasing these
conversations, drop me a line: robin.
donovan@stmediagroup.com.
ROBIN DONOVAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
robin.donovan@stmediagroup.com
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - November 2017
Signs of the Times - November 2017
Contents
From the Editor
St Update
At Large
Tech Review
Leds + Lighting
Vehicles + Vinyl
Shop Ops
Expand Your Shop
A Rising Tide
Strictly Wholesale: When in Rome
New Products
The Cutting Edge
A Known Quantity
Engraving New Products
Advertising Index
Last Look
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Intro
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - BB1
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - BB2
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Signs of the Times - November 2017
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - BD_L
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - BD
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Cover2
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 1
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Contents
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 3
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 4
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 5
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 6
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 7
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - From the Editor
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 9
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - St Update
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 11
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 12
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 13
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 14
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 15
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 16
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 17
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - At Large
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 19
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 20
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 21
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Tech Review
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 23
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Leds + Lighting
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 25
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Vehicles + Vinyl
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 27
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 28
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 29
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Shop Ops
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 31
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 32
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 33
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Expand Your Shop
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 35
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 36
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 37
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 38
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 39
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - A Rising Tide
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 41
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 42
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 43
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Strictly Wholesale: When in Rome
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 45
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 46
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 47
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - New Products
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 49
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 50
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 51
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 52
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 53
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 54
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 55
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 56
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 57
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - The Cutting Edge
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 59
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 60
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 61
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 62
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 63
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 64
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 65
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - A Known Quantity
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 67
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 68
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 69
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Engraving New Products
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 71
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 72
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 73
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 74
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 75
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 76
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 77
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 78
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 79
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 80
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 81
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 82
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 83
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 84
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 85
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 86
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 87
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 88
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 89
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 90
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 91
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 92
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 93
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - 94
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Advertising Index
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Last Look
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Cover3
Signs of the Times - November 2017 - Cover4
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