This one is gonna hit a sensitive spot but after reviewing a history of sales its amazing how many companies that are not looking to sell signs or banners have brought equipment in house. Number one reason? They are dissappointed with their current supplier.
In a lot of cases, I cant say I blame them. I know a LOT of great sign companies that provide QUALITY work with QUALITY products and they take.care of their customers. These are NOT the people I am addressing.
Who I AM addressing are the ones who truly either dont care or they got into this business to make a quick buck. The ones who spend all day on Sign Forums trying to find a round a bout way to fix their equipment, buy the cheapest materials and try to find an ink cartridge for so much cheaper. Its customers like this that in end, the quality of the work is piss poor and they want to collect a check as fast as possible.
Like it or not, the world is changing. Cheap is falling by the wayside. Quality is surviving. Dont think so? Look at the dealers? I am NOT naming names but I see guys breaking the rules constantly..Selling outside of territories, putting 3rd party parts in a WARRANTY machine, refusing to let the customer tell Roland that a machine fell over on its side and got damaged.
Its sad, but we find all these things out. For three years strong we've heard the complaints and held our ground on price. Our competition is no longer our competition. They are an assett because their screwup is our foot in the door.
In my opinion, everyone needs to wake up fast and choose quality over quantity, and really think about how they are running their business before you're no longer the guy looking to buy a Roland for "dirt cheap on ebay"..youre the guy selling one!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Business is about to pick up!
Some people can complain about the economic downturn but im a big advocate of life being whatever you make of it.
You cant sit around and wait for it to be handed to you. Nor can you let alone do it for you. No one ever grasped the brass ring and then turned and gave it to someone else!
In March 09, the lowest point in the Economy, TyrrellTech opened its second office in NJ and in the historic "dead month" of Februrary we had our best month ever. Was it magic? Nope. We build for today our successes for tomorrow. Remember that and find your way to shine
You cant sit around and wait for it to be handed to you. Nor can you let alone do it for you. No one ever grasped the brass ring and then turned and gave it to someone else!
In March 09, the lowest point in the Economy, TyrrellTech opened its second office in NJ and in the historic "dead month" of Februrary we had our best month ever. Was it magic? Nope. We build for today our successes for tomorrow. Remember that and find your way to shine
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Business is about to pick up!
Some people can complain about the economic downturn but im a big advocate of life being whatever you make of it.
You cant sit around and wait for it to be handed to you. Nor can you let alone do it for you. No one ever grasped the brass ring and then turned and gave it to someone else!
In March 09, the lowest point in the Economy, TyrrellTech opened its second office in NJ and in the historic "dead month" of Februrary we had our best month ever. Was it magic? Nope. We build for today our successes for tomorrow. Remember that and find your way to shine
You cant sit around and wait for it to be handed to you. Nor can you let alone do it for you. No one ever grasped the brass ring and then turned and gave it to someone else!
In March 09, the lowest point in the Economy, TyrrellTech opened its second office in NJ and in the historic "dead month" of Februrary we had our best month ever. Was it magic? Nope. We build for today our successes for tomorrow. Remember that and find your way to shine
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Way to Be
In my line of work, i dont choose the word "sales" because its not what i do. I create. I bring everything in my life into what i do. My customers know they can expect 1000% of me EVERYTIME, not when i just happen to be available.
I hold the same mentality in every aspect of my life. I work hard, train hard, and play hard. I surround myself with positive people in both business and personal. Theres no room fpr negative.
I dont seek shortcuts or cheap routes. I just seek the knowledge on how to succeed and bring myself to the highest level possible.
There is no "work role" its always me 100% with the volume turned up
I hold the same mentality in every aspect of my life. I work hard, train hard, and play hard. I surround myself with positive people in both business and personal. Theres no room fpr negative.
I dont seek shortcuts or cheap routes. I just seek the knowledge on how to succeed and bring myself to the highest level possible.
There is no "work role" its always me 100% with the volume turned up
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Roland making big waves
So at ISA Roland FINALLY releases a Flatbed printer and it brings a whole new option for our customers. I have heard a lot of customers asking for a flatbed and with the features along with price point id say Roland has a sure winner.
I personally cant wait to get my hands on one and give it a run for its money. I take pride in getting inside this equipment and showing all of my customers the possibilities of this great new equipment.
stay tuned peeps..this is going to be a hell of a ride!
Another great addition is the smaller Metallic printer. The BN20 is going to bring a solid add on to a sign shops lineup. For some reason some customers are reluctant to jump on board with the metallic, but i think adding on a smaller metallic printer for decals, apparel graphics and specialty items will really help customers increase product offerings without breaking the bank!
I personally cant wait to get my hands on one and give it a run for its money. I take pride in getting inside this equipment and showing all of my customers the possibilities of this great new equipment.
stay tuned peeps..this is going to be a hell of a ride!
Another great addition is the smaller Metallic printer. The BN20 is going to bring a solid add on to a sign shops lineup. For some reason some customers are reluctant to jump on board with the metallic, but i think adding on a smaller metallic printer for decals, apparel graphics and specialty items will really help customers increase product offerings without breaking the bank!
Friday, February 25, 2011
February is a slow month?!?!
So now i can blog via my Evo but since my fat fingers arent used to this keyboard, i may keep them shorter and just blog more frequently. Now then..
Who says February is a slow month?!! Not only did we have a record breaking month for equipment but more and more people are changing things up in their business offerings and finding new and exciting ways to make money!
This is the time to get off your butt and get the ball rolling. Spring is right around the corner along with the "busy season". Take advantage of the PM call. Upgrade that software. Add on some new tools. Be prepared.
One topic I do want to address. Ive noticed the same people out there who are telling me they get "rock bottom" prices on 440ml ink cartridges from their "Roland Dealer" are also complaining they arent making any money. Know what?? I dont pity you. Here's why..
Ink costs per square is varied by amount of ink in each cartridge, square foot coverage, and cost per cartridge. Guess what? If your cost for the cartridge goes down then so will your output cost..Same goes for media.
So if youre reading in a catalog that a roll of vinyl you buy and inks cost you $0.80psf total and you get it cheaper..your cost psf is a lot less. So heres the question...is it that WE are charging too much..or are YOU not charging enough??
Think about it...
Until next time..
Who says February is a slow month?!! Not only did we have a record breaking month for equipment but more and more people are changing things up in their business offerings and finding new and exciting ways to make money!
This is the time to get off your butt and get the ball rolling. Spring is right around the corner along with the "busy season". Take advantage of the PM call. Upgrade that software. Add on some new tools. Be prepared.
One topic I do want to address. Ive noticed the same people out there who are telling me they get "rock bottom" prices on 440ml ink cartridges from their "Roland Dealer" are also complaining they arent making any money. Know what?? I dont pity you. Here's why..
Ink costs per square is varied by amount of ink in each cartridge, square foot coverage, and cost per cartridge. Guess what? If your cost for the cartridge goes down then so will your output cost..Same goes for media.
So if youre reading in a catalog that a roll of vinyl you buy and inks cost you $0.80psf total and you get it cheaper..your cost psf is a lot less. So heres the question...is it that WE are charging too much..or are YOU not charging enough??
Think about it...
Until next time..
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Winter Equipment Newsletter!
Equipment Newsletter-Winter 2011
ROLAND SC-540 54” PRINTER CUTTER NOW AVAILABLE!Ittt’ss Baaaaccck! We have yet ANOTHER Roland SC-540 54” Printer Cutter available in the TyrrellTech Office! This one is better shape and cleaner than any other SC-540 we’ve ever brought in. Includes Take Up Reel, Partial Ink Set, Additional Full Ink Set-220ml Inks, Benes Heater Dryer System, and a 1 Year Warranty. New Blade, Blade Holder, Cutter Protection Strip, Capping Stations, Dampers and Roland Versaworks. Get this unit reserved today for only $2000.00. Machine will be ready to go for delivery in two weeks time! Total price is $20,679.88 and that includes 2 Days of Training, Installation and Delivery!
“I’M NOT HAPPY WITH MY CURRENT SUPPLIER”We’ve heard this quite a lot in the NJ office lately. Supplies sales are stronger than ever, but here’s the message we try to get across with this one. We’re all in this together, and there’s plenty of business to go around here in this state or Tri State area. There are a lot of quality distributors in the area, some are better than others true, but there is always going to be certain products that some people that carry that others do not. In a perfect world, we would have customers that only buy from one distributor and no one else but it’s not a perfect world. We understand that people need to buy from other places, but we’re also not overly focused with it. If you are looking for certain products that your current supplier may not be able to get for you, give us a shot. We’re always looking for new ways to help out our customer base, but if you don’t ask we can’t answer. Contact Kelly @ ext 231 or email her KRamm@tyrrelltech.com
FLEXI TRAINING COURSE IN THE WORKSNow that we have Flexi Guru Steve Rife on board in the NJ office of TyrrellTech, we are going to be looking to get a Flexi Training course together that will hold about 18-20 people maximum. We’ll cover the basics as well as the advanced, but most importantly, we’re going to hold more of an Open Forum where you, the End User, can take advantage of asking the questions that you need answered and get the help you need on the latest features of the program. If anyone would be interested in taking advantage of this type of course or has some suggestions for what it should cover, please let us know. Email your suggestions and comments to SRfie@tyrrelltech.com with subject line: FLEXI TRAINING
SERVICE CALLS, SERVICE CONTRACTS AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PACKAGESPops now offers Preventative Maintenance Packages on ALL Models of Roland Equipment. In addition to digital printing equipment, we can now provide service and maintenance on your vinyl cutter as well. Service Contracts are also available in payment plans if needed. The main point in these packages is to do whatever we can to help you avoid having your equipment running at top speeds without being covered by a warranty.
Your equipment is the lifeblood of your business. When it’s not running, you’re not making money. Period. Some people make the mistake of comparing a purchase of a printer to buying a car. Not the case. A car doesn’t make you money. There’s no reason in the world why you wouldn’t want to keep your printer at peak performance. If you need special payments, we’ll work with you. There’s always an answer, and we’ve got them all!
Pops will go over your equipment with a fine tooth comb, and based on the service history, reports, and reputation that he has built up, there isn’t another man in the industry that can do it better than Dan Sr. To arrange a PM Call on your machine or to get it serviced, you can email DRammSr@tyrrelltech.com or catch him on ext 232
SOMETIMES SEEING IS BELIEVING…There’s a lot to be said for that “wow” factor that you get when someone shows up in your Demo room with that “impressed” look on their face. When Craig, Tracey, Kelly and myself started this project almost two years ago, we set out to accomplish something different. We didn’t want to get in the game and do what everyone else is doing. That’s like watching the same show over and over again. We aren’t like everyone and we aren’t trying to be.
We put so much passion, creativity and energy into everything you see in the Demo Room. The Demo Room is what shows your customers what you are made of and why you care about not just the industry but the end user as well. There are some customers that tell me they have been to Showrooms that have only ONE printer, ONE cutter, and maybe ONE Laminator if lucky. I try not to pass judgement, but to me, that’s pathetic. The Demo Room is not about showing the customer how much money you can throw around to put machines on the floor. It shows your customer that you know what machines are going to get the job done. If you can’t be able to walk over to a customer and show the features of a machine they are interested in then how can you even support them in the future!?
We have more than 3-4 models of equipment from each manufacturer on our showroom anytime someone walks in the door. We proudly display and demonstrate Roland, HP, Graphtec, Seal and so much more. We take pride in all that we have done to construct one amazing showroom! So be sure to come on down and check out all we have to offer and see first hand why we take pride in everything we do!
Until Next time!
ROLAND SC-540 54” PRINTER CUTTER NOW AVAILABLE!Ittt’ss Baaaaccck! We have yet ANOTHER Roland SC-540 54” Printer Cutter available in the TyrrellTech Office! This one is better shape and cleaner than any other SC-540 we’ve ever brought in. Includes Take Up Reel, Partial Ink Set, Additional Full Ink Set-220ml Inks, Benes Heater Dryer System, and a 1 Year Warranty. New Blade, Blade Holder, Cutter Protection Strip, Capping Stations, Dampers and Roland Versaworks. Get this unit reserved today for only $2000.00. Machine will be ready to go for delivery in two weeks time! Total price is $20,679.88 and that includes 2 Days of Training, Installation and Delivery!
“I’M NOT HAPPY WITH MY CURRENT SUPPLIER”We’ve heard this quite a lot in the NJ office lately. Supplies sales are stronger than ever, but here’s the message we try to get across with this one. We’re all in this together, and there’s plenty of business to go around here in this state or Tri State area. There are a lot of quality distributors in the area, some are better than others true, but there is always going to be certain products that some people that carry that others do not. In a perfect world, we would have customers that only buy from one distributor and no one else but it’s not a perfect world. We understand that people need to buy from other places, but we’re also not overly focused with it. If you are looking for certain products that your current supplier may not be able to get for you, give us a shot. We’re always looking for new ways to help out our customer base, but if you don’t ask we can’t answer. Contact Kelly @ ext 231 or email her KRamm@tyrrelltech.com
FLEXI TRAINING COURSE IN THE WORKSNow that we have Flexi Guru Steve Rife on board in the NJ office of TyrrellTech, we are going to be looking to get a Flexi Training course together that will hold about 18-20 people maximum. We’ll cover the basics as well as the advanced, but most importantly, we’re going to hold more of an Open Forum where you, the End User, can take advantage of asking the questions that you need answered and get the help you need on the latest features of the program. If anyone would be interested in taking advantage of this type of course or has some suggestions for what it should cover, please let us know. Email your suggestions and comments to SRfie@tyrrelltech.com with subject line: FLEXI TRAINING
SERVICE CALLS, SERVICE CONTRACTS AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PACKAGESPops now offers Preventative Maintenance Packages on ALL Models of Roland Equipment. In addition to digital printing equipment, we can now provide service and maintenance on your vinyl cutter as well. Service Contracts are also available in payment plans if needed. The main point in these packages is to do whatever we can to help you avoid having your equipment running at top speeds without being covered by a warranty.
Your equipment is the lifeblood of your business. When it’s not running, you’re not making money. Period. Some people make the mistake of comparing a purchase of a printer to buying a car. Not the case. A car doesn’t make you money. There’s no reason in the world why you wouldn’t want to keep your printer at peak performance. If you need special payments, we’ll work with you. There’s always an answer, and we’ve got them all!
Pops will go over your equipment with a fine tooth comb, and based on the service history, reports, and reputation that he has built up, there isn’t another man in the industry that can do it better than Dan Sr. To arrange a PM Call on your machine or to get it serviced, you can email DRammSr@tyrrelltech.com or catch him on ext 232
SOMETIMES SEEING IS BELIEVING…There’s a lot to be said for that “wow” factor that you get when someone shows up in your Demo room with that “impressed” look on their face. When Craig, Tracey, Kelly and myself started this project almost two years ago, we set out to accomplish something different. We didn’t want to get in the game and do what everyone else is doing. That’s like watching the same show over and over again. We aren’t like everyone and we aren’t trying to be.
We put so much passion, creativity and energy into everything you see in the Demo Room. The Demo Room is what shows your customers what you are made of and why you care about not just the industry but the end user as well. There are some customers that tell me they have been to Showrooms that have only ONE printer, ONE cutter, and maybe ONE Laminator if lucky. I try not to pass judgement, but to me, that’s pathetic. The Demo Room is not about showing the customer how much money you can throw around to put machines on the floor. It shows your customer that you know what machines are going to get the job done. If you can’t be able to walk over to a customer and show the features of a machine they are interested in then how can you even support them in the future!?
We have more than 3-4 models of equipment from each manufacturer on our showroom anytime someone walks in the door. We proudly display and demonstrate Roland, HP, Graphtec, Seal and so much more. We take pride in all that we have done to construct one amazing showroom! So be sure to come on down and check out all we have to offer and see first hand why we take pride in everything we do!
Until Next time!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Another year in books..almost
It seems like only yesterday I was writing my "year end" blog, and now we're down to the final 2 1/2 weeks of 2010. WOW. I can't believe how fast this year flew by. It's been a great year filled with new technology, awesome tradeshows and a lot of new customers for the NJ office of TyrrellTech and we're going to ride that wave right into 2011.
NEW FACES..SAME GREAT SERVICE!
So within the past month, we've added a familiar face to the NJ office in Steve Rife. I have had the pleasure of knowing Steve for quite some time now and I truly feel he'll make a solid addition to the TyrrellTech team. He understands the meaning of quality support and truly explaining to the customer what this business is really all about. It's not just about taking someone's credit card and giving them a printer and saying "ok good luck". It's that same philosophy that everyone in the TyrrellTech offices tries to follow and Steve has shown me he is no different.
USSC SIGN SHOW! WHAT A GREAT SHOW..
Each year, I do my best to attend the USSC show in two ways; as an Exhibitor and as an Attendee (somewhat). For as much fun as it is to walk the show, I always try to find some time to walk the show and see what's new. Last year, I was able to spend more time than expected walking the aisles as the "economy" reared it's ugly head and took its toll on the attendance list.
However, this year was completely different! Business is back! We had great success at the USSC and bought nearly every machine out of Roland's booth! Roland and TyrrellTech offered some really great deals on equipment and people were ready to buy. Not to mention, one of the best parts about the show is to be able to meet your customers in person and really get to know them and explain to them why we stand out above the competition.
We can sit here and write about it, blog about, talk to we're blue in the face about it but the numbers certainly don't lie. People who attended this show we're really into what we had to offer. We met many people who had been "burned" and "left out in the cold" by the competition that would sell them equipment for "such a great deal" and then fail to provide them with the top quality support they deserve. If it sounds like a song and dance, here's an example for you. We had a group of guys spend $1500 MORE on the price of a machine than the competition..WHY? Because he LIKED us and the way we do business. He admired the fact that we got on a realistic level with him and explained how business is a two way street. You put a fair commission in a sales rep and you'll be in solid hands and we'll do whatever it takes to keep you up and running. He wasn't too fond of the pathetic "we really want your business" and "here's my cost and here's what I'll sell it to you for" attitude. The customer UNDERSTOOD that this business is built on relationships.
I personally had a great time at the USSC show and I look forward to working closely with all the new customers we met at the show and showing them why we are the best at what we do.
FORUM MADNESS!
There's a LOT of forums out there that offer some pretty solid advice, but in my own personal opinion and let me state that again..In MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION, I think sometimes those same forums can really be taken too far when it comes to knowing when to draw the line on advice.
For example, I'll see guys on these sites that will share knowledge that honestly, isn't something they should have possession of, such as service manuals and a whole lot more. These are things that only Roland Dealers should have knowledge of and if you are under warranty, you shouldn't even WANT to be doing this type of work yourself. Why would you NOT want your dealer and service tech to take care of the problem? It's a question that is NEVER answered on these sites. Does the Dealer not know what they are doing? Is it because you got such a "great deal" that now that sales rep is too busy trying to sell another machine?
Here's a good example. Recently, we had a customer contact us in an emergency because he was having "issues" with his print head. After overnighting the parts and making special arrangements to get out to the customer the following day, we ended up uncovering that because the customer had used 3rd party inks in the machine, he was hesitant to contact his dealer because he didnt want them to know he had switched over to 3rd party. So he went on Sign Forums (I'm not saying which one) and got advice on "how to fix the problem, and decided to make the attempt. He ended up blowing a board and ruining a head, and in the end it cost him over $3400 all because of a bad ink cartridge. Yup. A bad ink cartridge, but thanks to these know it all forums, he did more harm than good.
Bottom line, opinions are like noses, everyone has them, but not everyone has the proper training. Get the right advice from the right people and save yourself a lot of time and a lot of headaches!
IN CLOSING 2010
All and all this has been a fantastic year! Our supplies sales in NJ has more than doubled, and we have taken on so many new accounts and worked with so many fantastic people. I would like to personally thank all the people that have supported us throughout the year and I wish you all the best this Holiday Season and Have a Happy New Year!
See you in 2011!!!
NEW FACES..SAME GREAT SERVICE!
So within the past month, we've added a familiar face to the NJ office in Steve Rife. I have had the pleasure of knowing Steve for quite some time now and I truly feel he'll make a solid addition to the TyrrellTech team. He understands the meaning of quality support and truly explaining to the customer what this business is really all about. It's not just about taking someone's credit card and giving them a printer and saying "ok good luck". It's that same philosophy that everyone in the TyrrellTech offices tries to follow and Steve has shown me he is no different.
USSC SIGN SHOW! WHAT A GREAT SHOW..
Each year, I do my best to attend the USSC show in two ways; as an Exhibitor and as an Attendee (somewhat). For as much fun as it is to walk the show, I always try to find some time to walk the show and see what's new. Last year, I was able to spend more time than expected walking the aisles as the "economy" reared it's ugly head and took its toll on the attendance list.
However, this year was completely different! Business is back! We had great success at the USSC and bought nearly every machine out of Roland's booth! Roland and TyrrellTech offered some really great deals on equipment and people were ready to buy. Not to mention, one of the best parts about the show is to be able to meet your customers in person and really get to know them and explain to them why we stand out above the competition.
We can sit here and write about it, blog about, talk to we're blue in the face about it but the numbers certainly don't lie. People who attended this show we're really into what we had to offer. We met many people who had been "burned" and "left out in the cold" by the competition that would sell them equipment for "such a great deal" and then fail to provide them with the top quality support they deserve. If it sounds like a song and dance, here's an example for you. We had a group of guys spend $1500 MORE on the price of a machine than the competition..WHY? Because he LIKED us and the way we do business. He admired the fact that we got on a realistic level with him and explained how business is a two way street. You put a fair commission in a sales rep and you'll be in solid hands and we'll do whatever it takes to keep you up and running. He wasn't too fond of the pathetic "we really want your business" and "here's my cost and here's what I'll sell it to you for" attitude. The customer UNDERSTOOD that this business is built on relationships.
I personally had a great time at the USSC show and I look forward to working closely with all the new customers we met at the show and showing them why we are the best at what we do.
FORUM MADNESS!
There's a LOT of forums out there that offer some pretty solid advice, but in my own personal opinion and let me state that again..In MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION, I think sometimes those same forums can really be taken too far when it comes to knowing when to draw the line on advice.
For example, I'll see guys on these sites that will share knowledge that honestly, isn't something they should have possession of, such as service manuals and a whole lot more. These are things that only Roland Dealers should have knowledge of and if you are under warranty, you shouldn't even WANT to be doing this type of work yourself. Why would you NOT want your dealer and service tech to take care of the problem? It's a question that is NEVER answered on these sites. Does the Dealer not know what they are doing? Is it because you got such a "great deal" that now that sales rep is too busy trying to sell another machine?
Here's a good example. Recently, we had a customer contact us in an emergency because he was having "issues" with his print head. After overnighting the parts and making special arrangements to get out to the customer the following day, we ended up uncovering that because the customer had used 3rd party inks in the machine, he was hesitant to contact his dealer because he didnt want them to know he had switched over to 3rd party. So he went on Sign Forums (I'm not saying which one) and got advice on "how to fix the problem, and decided to make the attempt. He ended up blowing a board and ruining a head, and in the end it cost him over $3400 all because of a bad ink cartridge. Yup. A bad ink cartridge, but thanks to these know it all forums, he did more harm than good.
Bottom line, opinions are like noses, everyone has them, but not everyone has the proper training. Get the right advice from the right people and save yourself a lot of time and a lot of headaches!
IN CLOSING 2010
All and all this has been a fantastic year! Our supplies sales in NJ has more than doubled, and we have taken on so many new accounts and worked with so many fantastic people. I would like to personally thank all the people that have supported us throughout the year and I wish you all the best this Holiday Season and Have a Happy New Year!
See you in 2011!!!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Odds and Ends of the Fall
Back Up Inks On Hand!
A word of advice to some of my peeps, always keep a back up set of inks on hand. You should have one cartridge on the shelf for every one you have in the machine. Therefore, 12 colors in the printer, 12 colors on the shelf. It’s simple business practices like this that can save you so much time and aggrevation in the long run. Look at it this way, you want your machine running at all times, so why would you not want to have inks on hand to replace.
For those of you VS-640 VersaCAMM users with Metallic Ink configuration. You’re going to want to have a Metallic on hand at all times for a different reason. Through various service trips and technical support, we have found that the while a majority of the Metallic Ink gets sucked into a well, if the cartridge reads as being empty, you will not be able to use your machine no matter how much ink is in the lines or the well. Therefore, you will need to have a Metallic Ink Cartridge on hand before your existing runs out.
Seal E.L. Laminator Anticipation Grows…As Expected!
Over the years I have seen many people left frustrated and disappointed over their laminator. Some have issues with laminating. Some have issues with mounting. Some want to use it to drop on their ex’s house. No matter what, on Thursday October 28th, you have a chance to save yourself from the pain and suffering of your laminator!
Representatives from Seal & Neschen will be here in our NJ office on Thursday October 28th from 10am-5pm to provide our customers with an detailed look at the new EL Laminator and the list of registered customers grows more and more each day!
Jump on board and find out what all the hype is about! Contact Kelly @ ext 231 for more details!
TyrrellTech 2nd Annual Golf Outing…Never a dull moment!
So what’s the point in spending 40+ hours with the same people 5 days a week if you can’t create a little mayhem on the weekend?! My point exactly. Pops and yours truly traveled a few hours on 95 to join the Maryland office for the festivities.
My game was mediocre at best despite some very lucky shots. I blame the stink bugs, the beer, and the deer that seemed to be following me from hole to hole. In fact, I’m convinced they were stealing my balls from the course!
Ever notice how you can have some really great drives on a golf course until your boss happens to be watching that one shot you take and then you absolutely tank just so he has the pleasure of laughing at you? No? Ok maybe it was just me then!
PM Call Thank You!
To all the customers who took part in our Roland PM Call program by purchasing a full set of Roland Eco Sol Max Inks, we thank you! It’s through this program that we learned that there are a lot of customers out there that are no focused on price when the quality of the service is there! It makes us feel really good to know that there are a lot of people out there who realize this and we want you to know we take pride in providing you with great support and service day in and day out and will continue to do so!
Customers should use this as an adjustment to their current business model for their company. We all have customers who tend to “beat us up on price” from time to time, but what are they REALLY looking for? Maybe there have just been so many people burned on service and support that they feel by getting the “best price possible” they can compensate down the road for any lack of support they get from their vendor. It’s time to turn that around. By providing your customers with added value and going the extra mile, you can show them that added value is not just some term people use to fluff up their sale. It means reliability, knowledge, and the ability to help your customers be successful. Spread that message to your customers and practice what you preach and price concerns won’t outweigh quality.
Farewell VP Series..Hello VS!
For those of you in the digital printing world who have been living under a rock the past few weeks, Roland DGA has upgraded all the Roland VP Series VersaCAMMs into VS Series models. They are now available in 42”, 54” and 64” sizes and focus on the following key features..
Eco-solvent inkjet printer/cutters now available in three sizes
64” VS-640 54” VS-540 42” VS-420
Offered in three ink configurations:
• 4-colors KYMCCMYK for the highest print speeds
• 6-colors CCMMYK + Lc+Lm for enhanced blues and reds, flawless flesh tones and improved image quality across lighter colors
• 8-colors CMYK+ Lc+Lm+Mt+W for white and metallic applications
State-of-the-art 8-channel print head technology
Industry’s most advanced print head
Variable droplet technology with seven different dot sizes
Ensures the smoothest gradations and rich color density
Gold plating reduces static electricity
Rugged, scratch resistant ECO-SOL MAX ink in 220 ml and 440 ml cartridges (white and silver available in 220 ml only)
Metallic Silver ECO-SOL MAX Ink
Prints as a spot color
Combines with CMYK for stunning metallic colors
Named 2009 DPI Product of the Year
Tyrrell Tech will be offering Trade In Value for anyone looking to upgrade their machine to a VS so why wait? Order yours today!
A word of advice to some of my peeps, always keep a back up set of inks on hand. You should have one cartridge on the shelf for every one you have in the machine. Therefore, 12 colors in the printer, 12 colors on the shelf. It’s simple business practices like this that can save you so much time and aggrevation in the long run. Look at it this way, you want your machine running at all times, so why would you not want to have inks on hand to replace.
For those of you VS-640 VersaCAMM users with Metallic Ink configuration. You’re going to want to have a Metallic on hand at all times for a different reason. Through various service trips and technical support, we have found that the while a majority of the Metallic Ink gets sucked into a well, if the cartridge reads as being empty, you will not be able to use your machine no matter how much ink is in the lines or the well. Therefore, you will need to have a Metallic Ink Cartridge on hand before your existing runs out.
Seal E.L. Laminator Anticipation Grows…As Expected!
Over the years I have seen many people left frustrated and disappointed over their laminator. Some have issues with laminating. Some have issues with mounting. Some want to use it to drop on their ex’s house. No matter what, on Thursday October 28th, you have a chance to save yourself from the pain and suffering of your laminator!
Representatives from Seal & Neschen will be here in our NJ office on Thursday October 28th from 10am-5pm to provide our customers with an detailed look at the new EL Laminator and the list of registered customers grows more and more each day!
Jump on board and find out what all the hype is about! Contact Kelly @ ext 231 for more details!
TyrrellTech 2nd Annual Golf Outing…Never a dull moment!
So what’s the point in spending 40+ hours with the same people 5 days a week if you can’t create a little mayhem on the weekend?! My point exactly. Pops and yours truly traveled a few hours on 95 to join the Maryland office for the festivities.
My game was mediocre at best despite some very lucky shots. I blame the stink bugs, the beer, and the deer that seemed to be following me from hole to hole. In fact, I’m convinced they were stealing my balls from the course!
Ever notice how you can have some really great drives on a golf course until your boss happens to be watching that one shot you take and then you absolutely tank just so he has the pleasure of laughing at you? No? Ok maybe it was just me then!
PM Call Thank You!
To all the customers who took part in our Roland PM Call program by purchasing a full set of Roland Eco Sol Max Inks, we thank you! It’s through this program that we learned that there are a lot of customers out there that are no focused on price when the quality of the service is there! It makes us feel really good to know that there are a lot of people out there who realize this and we want you to know we take pride in providing you with great support and service day in and day out and will continue to do so!
Customers should use this as an adjustment to their current business model for their company. We all have customers who tend to “beat us up on price” from time to time, but what are they REALLY looking for? Maybe there have just been so many people burned on service and support that they feel by getting the “best price possible” they can compensate down the road for any lack of support they get from their vendor. It’s time to turn that around. By providing your customers with added value and going the extra mile, you can show them that added value is not just some term people use to fluff up their sale. It means reliability, knowledge, and the ability to help your customers be successful. Spread that message to your customers and practice what you preach and price concerns won’t outweigh quality.
Farewell VP Series..Hello VS!
For those of you in the digital printing world who have been living under a rock the past few weeks, Roland DGA has upgraded all the Roland VP Series VersaCAMMs into VS Series models. They are now available in 42”, 54” and 64” sizes and focus on the following key features..
Eco-solvent inkjet printer/cutters now available in three sizes
64” VS-640 54” VS-540 42” VS-420
Offered in three ink configurations:
• 4-colors KYMCCMYK for the highest print speeds
• 6-colors CCMMYK + Lc+Lm for enhanced blues and reds, flawless flesh tones and improved image quality across lighter colors
• 8-colors CMYK+ Lc+Lm+Mt+W for white and metallic applications
State-of-the-art 8-channel print head technology
Industry’s most advanced print head
Variable droplet technology with seven different dot sizes
Ensures the smoothest gradations and rich color density
Gold plating reduces static electricity
Rugged, scratch resistant ECO-SOL MAX ink in 220 ml and 440 ml cartridges (white and silver available in 220 ml only)
Metallic Silver ECO-SOL MAX Ink
Prints as a spot color
Combines with CMYK for stunning metallic colors
Named 2009 DPI Product of the Year
Tyrrell Tech will be offering Trade In Value for anyone looking to upgrade their machine to a VS so why wait? Order yours today!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Hey..That’s Just MY Advice..
A lot of people go to a lot of places for advice. Blogs, Forums, Dealers and even other Sign Shops. I love exploring Sign & Digital Graphics Forums and finding out what other people have to say, but sometimes I truly wonder whether people take the RIGHT advice as something to follow, or do they just follow the advice of what seems the to be the easiest and in most cases, the least expensive path.
It can often be summed up to human nature. You walk down the streets of New York City in the dead of winter, and you are in desperate need of a wool hat since it’s so cold. You see two street vendors within 50 feet of each other, the closer one is selling a more durable and much warmer hat for $10 but 50 ft away is a less durable and cheaper hat. Instinct takes over and you go and walk the extra 50ft to buy a cheaper product. Some people say “yeah exactly what I would do”, but let’s think about this. In the long run is it really saving you any money? Cheaper products never outlast a quality made product and in the end you end up spending more money to replace the product you bought when you went the “cheaper route”.
It’s the same way in my line of work, over the past few years, people have seen a drastic change in the economy and have come up with some pretty “unusual” for lack of better terms to do what they think is best for their business. Now I’m not going to go and name any companies in particular that I have dealt with over the past few years, but let’s just say some are still in business and some are struggling now more than ever. The decisions you made 2-3 years ago are now the same decisions that can be holding you back from succeeding today!
SUPPORT DOESN’T MATTER-A while back, I had a customer come to me and took up four hours of my day running around my shop pointing to things, saying “I want this, and I want that” So I did demonstrations on each and every piece of equipment I had in my showroom. I carefully explained what each one does, the good points, the bad points and how each machine can help him be successful. I take pride in what I do. I don’t play the “well this is the (model) and here is the price...you want it?” game.
I gave the customer a price and when he saw that we are charging for training and support, he proceeds to question me and tell me he doesn’t need it. WOW. So let me get this straight. I have been doing this for 13 years, and I’m still learning each and every day but you wake up one morning and decide you want to open a business and you don’t need any training or support. I’ll just leave it at that.
Here’s the cold hard facts: When you pay a dealer in this industry for support, you are paying for their time to help you be successful and keep you running smoothly. Whether you like it or not, this is a whole new era, and the days of “I want the best price and best support at the same time” doesn’t exist. Period. The money you pay for training covers our time that we AREN’T selling to help you out. Now if we get a guy who chooses to nickel and dime a sales rep, when the time comes for him to need support, the last thing we’ll want to do is help because we need to focus on our next sale. Simple reality. Ever hear of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”?
TRADE IN VALUE-This story always makes me laugh. I had a customer come in and wanted to do a trade in from an SP-540V to a new machine. I gave them the trade in value and instantly they became upset “THAT’S IT? DON’T THESE THINGS HOLD ANY VALUE?” Let’s look at this a little closer. The customer was trading in the machine because he was out of warranty and a head was blown. With time and labor that’s over $1000 right there at least. Not to mention AFTER the machine is replaced, TyrrellTech adds a warranty to it so we can resell it to a customer. That’s also IF there isn’t anything else wrong with the machine.
So now we move on to the new machine he wants. I give him the price and first thing out of the customer’s mouth is to offer me $3000 less than what the price I gave him. Again, I tell things like it is, and I call it the way I see it. You mean to tell me that you want MORE money for a machine that is 5 years old and needs a lot of work, but a brand new, faster and not to mention under warranty machine is worth LESS?? Think about this one.
SAVING MONEY v MAKING MONEY-You don’t start a business to SAVE money. No one starts a business called “Saving Money Inc”. I had a customer who I had helped out of so many situations literally tell me in front of a group of people that a competitor was $0.40 cheaper on a roll of vinyl. No trust me, you read that right. FORTY CENTS! Really? I started to laugh and thought he was joking. Apparently he wasn’t. At the end of the day I felt bad for that customer because I tried to make them realize that you can get into any business to MAKE money or you can get into a business to SAVE money. But you can not make money by saving money. It just doesn’t happen.
The same goes for this whole 3rd party ink mess. I’ve had customers walk away from service contracts and say “Ok well I guess my machine is not going to be able to get a service contract from you since I put third party ink in my machine, but hey it will all work out. The 220ml cartridges are only $48 each so I’m saving so much!” Are you really? I’m not about to get on my high horse about 3rd party inks. There’s been enough of that posted around that whoever doesn’t get it by now, they are on their own. Bottom line, no matter how you spin it, first service call that pops up on your machine, call me after you get the bill and let me know how much you “SAVED”
Look, I don’t sugar coat things. I don’t mix words. There have been a LOT of machines, a LOT of dealers, and a LOT of 3rd party products to come and go. I choose to work for the best and work for a company that carries ONLY the best. This is your INVESTMENT. This is the equipment that you want to be successful with. This is the occupation that you want to send your kids to college with. Why take chances? Why waste time spending less money with the wrong people to get mediocre support and the runaround when you need help? Why sit around and shop 10 different vendors and set yourself back two weeks when in that time you could be printing and selling to your customers.
A lot of people go on forums looking for the best prices. They spend all day every day posting and emailing people asking where they can save a few bucks. The time you spend doing everything but working on selling your product costs you money. I know this just as well. It’s 7am as I write this. Why? Am I crazy? No. I know that at 8:30 my day starts and my customers are calling. So why take away from their time. This industry is not a giant infomercial. The manufacturers and the dealers work hard to provide you with the RIGHT information to help make you successful and bring you the absolute best. Follow their words and listen to what they are telling you. They haven’t been able to get to where they are today but nickel and diming everyone. It’s all hard work and perseverance. Nothing else.
Forums can be filled with a LOT of useful information don’t get me wrong, but if you spend your day using it for the wrong information, your business will suffer. I have a lot of customers who follow TyrrellTech’s advice and share the same beliefs and they are kicking butt right now! Unfortunately, it’s those who sat back and held onto their money until CNN reported a change in the economy that are now light years behind. Take it from me, I get calls all day long from businesses out there. I ask each one how things are going. There are so many people out there that are extremely busy and it’s easy to tell how they run their shop compared to those who are struggling saying “well what’s my price?”
The price is the price and the advice is the advice. Like or it not, that’s my two cents. My words don’t come off friendly to everyone, but at the same time, you need to ask yourself one question. Do you want to do business with someone who will tell it to you like it is? Or do you want me to tell you want you want to hear? It’s the same way in life, marriage, education, and so on. The key word in today’s world isn’t CHANGE. It’s REALITY and the more realistic you are about your business practices, the better off you will be.
Until next time.
It can often be summed up to human nature. You walk down the streets of New York City in the dead of winter, and you are in desperate need of a wool hat since it’s so cold. You see two street vendors within 50 feet of each other, the closer one is selling a more durable and much warmer hat for $10 but 50 ft away is a less durable and cheaper hat. Instinct takes over and you go and walk the extra 50ft to buy a cheaper product. Some people say “yeah exactly what I would do”, but let’s think about this. In the long run is it really saving you any money? Cheaper products never outlast a quality made product and in the end you end up spending more money to replace the product you bought when you went the “cheaper route”.
It’s the same way in my line of work, over the past few years, people have seen a drastic change in the economy and have come up with some pretty “unusual” for lack of better terms to do what they think is best for their business. Now I’m not going to go and name any companies in particular that I have dealt with over the past few years, but let’s just say some are still in business and some are struggling now more than ever. The decisions you made 2-3 years ago are now the same decisions that can be holding you back from succeeding today!
SUPPORT DOESN’T MATTER-A while back, I had a customer come to me and took up four hours of my day running around my shop pointing to things, saying “I want this, and I want that” So I did demonstrations on each and every piece of equipment I had in my showroom. I carefully explained what each one does, the good points, the bad points and how each machine can help him be successful. I take pride in what I do. I don’t play the “well this is the (model) and here is the price...you want it?” game.
I gave the customer a price and when he saw that we are charging for training and support, he proceeds to question me and tell me he doesn’t need it. WOW. So let me get this straight. I have been doing this for 13 years, and I’m still learning each and every day but you wake up one morning and decide you want to open a business and you don’t need any training or support. I’ll just leave it at that.
Here’s the cold hard facts: When you pay a dealer in this industry for support, you are paying for their time to help you be successful and keep you running smoothly. Whether you like it or not, this is a whole new era, and the days of “I want the best price and best support at the same time” doesn’t exist. Period. The money you pay for training covers our time that we AREN’T selling to help you out. Now if we get a guy who chooses to nickel and dime a sales rep, when the time comes for him to need support, the last thing we’ll want to do is help because we need to focus on our next sale. Simple reality. Ever hear of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”?
TRADE IN VALUE-This story always makes me laugh. I had a customer come in and wanted to do a trade in from an SP-540V to a new machine. I gave them the trade in value and instantly they became upset “THAT’S IT? DON’T THESE THINGS HOLD ANY VALUE?” Let’s look at this a little closer. The customer was trading in the machine because he was out of warranty and a head was blown. With time and labor that’s over $1000 right there at least. Not to mention AFTER the machine is replaced, TyrrellTech adds a warranty to it so we can resell it to a customer. That’s also IF there isn’t anything else wrong with the machine.
So now we move on to the new machine he wants. I give him the price and first thing out of the customer’s mouth is to offer me $3000 less than what the price I gave him. Again, I tell things like it is, and I call it the way I see it. You mean to tell me that you want MORE money for a machine that is 5 years old and needs a lot of work, but a brand new, faster and not to mention under warranty machine is worth LESS?? Think about this one.
SAVING MONEY v MAKING MONEY-You don’t start a business to SAVE money. No one starts a business called “Saving Money Inc”. I had a customer who I had helped out of so many situations literally tell me in front of a group of people that a competitor was $0.40 cheaper on a roll of vinyl. No trust me, you read that right. FORTY CENTS! Really? I started to laugh and thought he was joking. Apparently he wasn’t. At the end of the day I felt bad for that customer because I tried to make them realize that you can get into any business to MAKE money or you can get into a business to SAVE money. But you can not make money by saving money. It just doesn’t happen.
The same goes for this whole 3rd party ink mess. I’ve had customers walk away from service contracts and say “Ok well I guess my machine is not going to be able to get a service contract from you since I put third party ink in my machine, but hey it will all work out. The 220ml cartridges are only $48 each so I’m saving so much!” Are you really? I’m not about to get on my high horse about 3rd party inks. There’s been enough of that posted around that whoever doesn’t get it by now, they are on their own. Bottom line, no matter how you spin it, first service call that pops up on your machine, call me after you get the bill and let me know how much you “SAVED”
Look, I don’t sugar coat things. I don’t mix words. There have been a LOT of machines, a LOT of dealers, and a LOT of 3rd party products to come and go. I choose to work for the best and work for a company that carries ONLY the best. This is your INVESTMENT. This is the equipment that you want to be successful with. This is the occupation that you want to send your kids to college with. Why take chances? Why waste time spending less money with the wrong people to get mediocre support and the runaround when you need help? Why sit around and shop 10 different vendors and set yourself back two weeks when in that time you could be printing and selling to your customers.
A lot of people go on forums looking for the best prices. They spend all day every day posting and emailing people asking where they can save a few bucks. The time you spend doing everything but working on selling your product costs you money. I know this just as well. It’s 7am as I write this. Why? Am I crazy? No. I know that at 8:30 my day starts and my customers are calling. So why take away from their time. This industry is not a giant infomercial. The manufacturers and the dealers work hard to provide you with the RIGHT information to help make you successful and bring you the absolute best. Follow their words and listen to what they are telling you. They haven’t been able to get to where they are today but nickel and diming everyone. It’s all hard work and perseverance. Nothing else.
Forums can be filled with a LOT of useful information don’t get me wrong, but if you spend your day using it for the wrong information, your business will suffer. I have a lot of customers who follow TyrrellTech’s advice and share the same beliefs and they are kicking butt right now! Unfortunately, it’s those who sat back and held onto their money until CNN reported a change in the economy that are now light years behind. Take it from me, I get calls all day long from businesses out there. I ask each one how things are going. There are so many people out there that are extremely busy and it’s easy to tell how they run their shop compared to those who are struggling saying “well what’s my price?”
The price is the price and the advice is the advice. Like or it not, that’s my two cents. My words don’t come off friendly to everyone, but at the same time, you need to ask yourself one question. Do you want to do business with someone who will tell it to you like it is? Or do you want me to tell you want you want to hear? It’s the same way in life, marriage, education, and so on. The key word in today’s world isn’t CHANGE. It’s REALITY and the more realistic you are about your business practices, the better off you will be.
Until next time.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Inside of My Mind..
So with March came an absolute explosion in our industry. Sales returned with a fury and yours truly has been busier than ever. I have seen all the hard work that I have done all last year helping to get the NJ office off the ground pay off in spades. A lot of people have asked me how I manage to stay busy while the rest of the world seems to be continuing to “wait it out”. After all the different blogs I have written I feel that now may be a good time to write one that gives people a more inside look as to how I operate.
Now the thing is with me, I don’t march to the beat of anyone’s drum but my own. I don’t do things the “conventional way” and I don’t follow a set routine. The answer lies within the question. While many people “wait it out” and sit on their couch waiting for CNN to report that the recession is over, I set out and overturn those rocks and find diamonds. I refuse to sit and hold off and not pursue my dreams and chase my goals until the so called “economy” revives itself.
It’s probably a good time to set the disclaimer here. The opinions here in this blog are mine and mine alone. I don’t believe in censoring myself if I feel something isn’t true or right. I don’t go with the flow or follow the just because. When the world says take the road to the right, I tend to say “why the frig can’t we see what’s to the left?” That’s just the way I am. Some like it some don’t. The thing is with me, I don’t put up a fight or have an attitude about it. I just tend to be myself with the volume turned up. I live life to the fullest. I take each day as a new opportunity and I seize it. We’re only on this earth for a short time, why waste it.
I don’t believe any politician is better than the other. I don’t believe in labeling my beliefs into some silly catch phrase or social class. I speak for no one but myself and I truly believe that when it comes to religion, politics, education, and raising children, people have totally lost all concept of reality, yet somehow I’m the insane one for my love of pro wrestling, go figure.
So here’s the deal. Each day I get up at about 5:30am. I don’t really use an alarm clock since I’m always up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Five-Six hours of sleep and I’m good to go. I either hit the gym in the am or the evening and from 8:30am-5:30/6:00pm it’s game time, sometimes longer. When I’m at work, I block out all worldly issues and just focus on my work. I used to stress myself out for no reason over things that I really had no control over. I would lose focus and become easily distracted. When I was at work, I’d be worried about household tasks and vice versa. When I was at the gym, I’d be thinking of things I had to get done later. I would get lazy, get distracted and lose all my concentration. I didn’t rule my own life, my life ruled me.
It’s when things get this hectic where you learn to just give in and breathe. You have to just let go and be the person you know you are deep down. Life can be one big mind game and if you let it get the best of you, you’ll never truly be at peace. Over the years I’ve learned to control my impulsions, be a little less cynical and focus on the positive. Things will always have added stress but what can you do? Flip out and scream? Maybe that will help for a whole 5 seconds, but that’s 5 seconds wasted. You gotta learn to breathe. I did. It wasn’t easy but over time you begin to realize that one simple day of frustration will be so easily forgotten in a lifetime of happiness ahead. It used to be work was my life. Now my wife and family are my life, and my work is my work. That’s all it should be. It’s balanced and I feel I’m more successful for it.
How this relates to my day to day? Simple. There are so many people that live in fear. Fear of what may happen in such an “unstable” economy. Fear of what may be the end result of politicians having a verbal battle royal on CNN over the Healthcare in our country. To me, there’s never been a time to upgrade your business equipment, buy into a new business or help make some changes to help increase your product offerings. Now trust me, I’ve been house hunting for a while so I’ve heard the whole “never been a better time to buy” crap so I am only relating this to the Digital Graphics Industry. Disclaimer number 2!
In my line of work, and the customers I deal with, my job is not to go in and “sell them something” and I almost find it insulted to say “he’s my sales man” Salesmen have a goal and it’s summed up in two words, “to sell”. I do more than sell. I provide. There is a HUGE difference. I work with my accounts on a more personal one on one basis and they have access to me 24/7 (Trust me some have taken me up on that). My customers know they can call on me anytime day or night for advice or assistance. Salesmen don’t do that. I do.
When I was growing up, there’s was only one thing I ever truly wanted to be, a professional wrestler. Oh my word. Did he just really write that? Of all the things in the world why a wrestler? Oh the horror! Yup, I admired the those guys. I watched it religiously. But it wasn’t until about 5-6 years ago where I realized what I truly admired about those guys. The passion. Sure I loved the matches, but it was the concept of the whole thing that drew me. These were guys, everyday people like me and you, that went out and gave everything they had to entertain and to provide their fans, and customers so to speak, with the absolute best money can buy.
Their stories showed them rising above any adversity that was thrown at them. And just like in our business, there are wrestlers that succeed and wrestlers that don’t. There are companies that just do enough to put money in their pockets, and there are guys who provide so much value and superior service to their customers that the people they work with feed off their energy and learn to turn the volume up themselves.
That’s what I do. That’s who I am. I live and breathe everything I do in this business. I tell my customers my opinion and help them reach a goal and guide them in the right direction. I show more enthusiasm and genuine passion for not just this industry, but for the people I work for and believe in that more and more people each day want to get on board for the ride. There isn’t a single thing on the face of this Earth that I do better than provide valuable solutions to my customers day in and day out, and it’s that passion that gives me the ability to say there isn’t a company around that does what we do, and if there was, I’d be employed there.
Now where do we go from here? There’s a whole new world out there to seize for yourselves. Each day there are over a thousand new opportunities that present themselves. You can sit around, count your pennies and spend half the day to see who has the lowest price on a roll of 24” Oracal vinyl. Or you can just order the damn roll of material, get your job done right and move on to the next one. I’ve tried many times to explain to customers, you can sit and do your best to save your pennies, but who is doing all the work while you’re number crunching.
Fact is, life is not one big infomercial, which by the way are usually on at 5am for a reason. Not to get off subject, but if I was able to make $30,000 a month running websites on the internet, I surely wouldn’t spend time in a Hawaiian shirt with a bunch of dorks talking about how I did it while two women who show more cleavage than talent try to sell me on it. But I digress.
Bottom line, in order to truly be successful, we have to undo all the negative thinking. We have to be more responsible for our actions and remember why we got into the business in the first place. Our love and passion. Nobody gets in the business to save money. They get into business to MAKE money. I’ve made a good amount of money for myself by taking my love, my passion, my sweat, my tears and everything I have and putting into this business. It what makes me truly believe I can do it better than the next. Some call it arrogance, but I don’t get paid to come out and say I’m second fiddle.
Anyway, there you have it. It may seem like a ramble, but this is what runs through my mind when it comes to this business. I live it. I breathe it and it’s a culmination of all my hard work and energy. For those reading, I hope if anything, this helps fire you up like it does me. You don’t need a framed poster on your wall from a Poster Shop in the mall to tell you’re great and motivate you. You can do that yourself by digging down deep and finding what you’re truly made of. When you do, simply grab the knob and turn the volume way up.
Now the thing is with me, I don’t march to the beat of anyone’s drum but my own. I don’t do things the “conventional way” and I don’t follow a set routine. The answer lies within the question. While many people “wait it out” and sit on their couch waiting for CNN to report that the recession is over, I set out and overturn those rocks and find diamonds. I refuse to sit and hold off and not pursue my dreams and chase my goals until the so called “economy” revives itself.
It’s probably a good time to set the disclaimer here. The opinions here in this blog are mine and mine alone. I don’t believe in censoring myself if I feel something isn’t true or right. I don’t go with the flow or follow the just because. When the world says take the road to the right, I tend to say “why the frig can’t we see what’s to the left?” That’s just the way I am. Some like it some don’t. The thing is with me, I don’t put up a fight or have an attitude about it. I just tend to be myself with the volume turned up. I live life to the fullest. I take each day as a new opportunity and I seize it. We’re only on this earth for a short time, why waste it.
I don’t believe any politician is better than the other. I don’t believe in labeling my beliefs into some silly catch phrase or social class. I speak for no one but myself and I truly believe that when it comes to religion, politics, education, and raising children, people have totally lost all concept of reality, yet somehow I’m the insane one for my love of pro wrestling, go figure.
So here’s the deal. Each day I get up at about 5:30am. I don’t really use an alarm clock since I’m always up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Five-Six hours of sleep and I’m good to go. I either hit the gym in the am or the evening and from 8:30am-5:30/6:00pm it’s game time, sometimes longer. When I’m at work, I block out all worldly issues and just focus on my work. I used to stress myself out for no reason over things that I really had no control over. I would lose focus and become easily distracted. When I was at work, I’d be worried about household tasks and vice versa. When I was at the gym, I’d be thinking of things I had to get done later. I would get lazy, get distracted and lose all my concentration. I didn’t rule my own life, my life ruled me.
It’s when things get this hectic where you learn to just give in and breathe. You have to just let go and be the person you know you are deep down. Life can be one big mind game and if you let it get the best of you, you’ll never truly be at peace. Over the years I’ve learned to control my impulsions, be a little less cynical and focus on the positive. Things will always have added stress but what can you do? Flip out and scream? Maybe that will help for a whole 5 seconds, but that’s 5 seconds wasted. You gotta learn to breathe. I did. It wasn’t easy but over time you begin to realize that one simple day of frustration will be so easily forgotten in a lifetime of happiness ahead. It used to be work was my life. Now my wife and family are my life, and my work is my work. That’s all it should be. It’s balanced and I feel I’m more successful for it.
How this relates to my day to day? Simple. There are so many people that live in fear. Fear of what may happen in such an “unstable” economy. Fear of what may be the end result of politicians having a verbal battle royal on CNN over the Healthcare in our country. To me, there’s never been a time to upgrade your business equipment, buy into a new business or help make some changes to help increase your product offerings. Now trust me, I’ve been house hunting for a while so I’ve heard the whole “never been a better time to buy” crap so I am only relating this to the Digital Graphics Industry. Disclaimer number 2!
In my line of work, and the customers I deal with, my job is not to go in and “sell them something” and I almost find it insulted to say “he’s my sales man” Salesmen have a goal and it’s summed up in two words, “to sell”. I do more than sell. I provide. There is a HUGE difference. I work with my accounts on a more personal one on one basis and they have access to me 24/7 (Trust me some have taken me up on that). My customers know they can call on me anytime day or night for advice or assistance. Salesmen don’t do that. I do.
When I was growing up, there’s was only one thing I ever truly wanted to be, a professional wrestler. Oh my word. Did he just really write that? Of all the things in the world why a wrestler? Oh the horror! Yup, I admired the those guys. I watched it religiously. But it wasn’t until about 5-6 years ago where I realized what I truly admired about those guys. The passion. Sure I loved the matches, but it was the concept of the whole thing that drew me. These were guys, everyday people like me and you, that went out and gave everything they had to entertain and to provide their fans, and customers so to speak, with the absolute best money can buy.
Their stories showed them rising above any adversity that was thrown at them. And just like in our business, there are wrestlers that succeed and wrestlers that don’t. There are companies that just do enough to put money in their pockets, and there are guys who provide so much value and superior service to their customers that the people they work with feed off their energy and learn to turn the volume up themselves.
That’s what I do. That’s who I am. I live and breathe everything I do in this business. I tell my customers my opinion and help them reach a goal and guide them in the right direction. I show more enthusiasm and genuine passion for not just this industry, but for the people I work for and believe in that more and more people each day want to get on board for the ride. There isn’t a single thing on the face of this Earth that I do better than provide valuable solutions to my customers day in and day out, and it’s that passion that gives me the ability to say there isn’t a company around that does what we do, and if there was, I’d be employed there.
Now where do we go from here? There’s a whole new world out there to seize for yourselves. Each day there are over a thousand new opportunities that present themselves. You can sit around, count your pennies and spend half the day to see who has the lowest price on a roll of 24” Oracal vinyl. Or you can just order the damn roll of material, get your job done right and move on to the next one. I’ve tried many times to explain to customers, you can sit and do your best to save your pennies, but who is doing all the work while you’re number crunching.
Fact is, life is not one big infomercial, which by the way are usually on at 5am for a reason. Not to get off subject, but if I was able to make $30,000 a month running websites on the internet, I surely wouldn’t spend time in a Hawaiian shirt with a bunch of dorks talking about how I did it while two women who show more cleavage than talent try to sell me on it. But I digress.
Bottom line, in order to truly be successful, we have to undo all the negative thinking. We have to be more responsible for our actions and remember why we got into the business in the first place. Our love and passion. Nobody gets in the business to save money. They get into business to MAKE money. I’ve made a good amount of money for myself by taking my love, my passion, my sweat, my tears and everything I have and putting into this business. It what makes me truly believe I can do it better than the next. Some call it arrogance, but I don’t get paid to come out and say I’m second fiddle.
Anyway, there you have it. It may seem like a ramble, but this is what runs through my mind when it comes to this business. I live it. I breathe it and it’s a culmination of all my hard work and energy. For those reading, I hope if anything, this helps fire you up like it does me. You don’t need a framed poster on your wall from a Poster Shop in the mall to tell you’re great and motivate you. You can do that yourself by digging down deep and finding what you’re truly made of. When you do, simply grab the knob and turn the volume way up.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Moving Forward
Could it be? The snow is finally beginning to melt? The air is beginning to get a little bit warmer and the sun is beginning to finally shine? I don't think I need to even attempt to speak for everyone when I say how happy I am to finally get closer to spring! I've seen enough snow to last me a lifetime!
With the new season of course comes a lot of new ideas and products. Ones that we hope will make our lives a lot easier and our products shine a lot brighter. For those of you who are just as excited as I am, keep that excitement in check for two more weeks. Why? Well let's get to the "What's Hot?" listing and #1 will tell you why!
Roland Announces New VersaCAMM 64" Printer Cutter
w/Metallic & White Ink Option
Not since the VersaCAMM's were first introduced over 6-7 years back have I seen such excitement over a Roland machine. They have really outdone themselves with this model and the price point doesn't get more attractive than $26,495! We have a lot of people who have older model VersaCamms that have been wanting to jump into the Metallic and White Option but dropping $40,000 simply isn't realistic at this time, and sometimes you gotta do what's right by your budget right? Well as soon as the news broke on this puppy, and people got word that they were getting 10" more in a print & cut and now have the metallic and white ink option, we are making some big time moves these days in preparation for it's arrival. I proudly salute Roland for coming out with yet again an awesome product and to the customers who stopped playing the "waiting game because of the economy" and put their faith in TyrrellTech to help show them the way!
TyrrellTech SIXTH Annual Show and Seminar!
Each year we try to out do ourselves with bringing a little bit of fun and humor to our Tradeshows. We've done a Summer Cookout, a football theme, and this year for our Sixth Annual TyrrellTech Show and Seminar invites you to head under the Big Top! That's right! We're taking this Three Ring Circus of an Industry and packing it all under one roof on May 19th & May 20th.
The Show will be held in the Ten Oaks Ballroom as always in Clarksville MD. There will be plenty of demonstrations from Vendors as well as all sorts of exciting new tips and tricks. Not to mention a Vehicle Wrap Seminar! Come check out all we have in store! Get registration information @ TyrrellTech.com!
Great Price on the JWX-30 Milling Machine from Roland!
Imagine.Design.Create. It's just that simple with the Roland JWX-30 Milling Machine & Jewelry Model Maker! This complete jewelry model maker comes with powerful software that allows you to create detailed 3D models that clients can review from every angle! From these files, the 4 axis desktop mill automatically produces intricate wax models of beautifully crafted rings, pendants, bracelets, broches, earrings and cufflinks. From now until March 31st, you'll save $2900 off this unit with a final base price of $14,995! Contact Brian MacLusky @ ext 232 in the NJ office for more info!
TyrrellTech hits Facebook and Twitter!
So it was only a matter of time but we've reached "social networking status" HA! TyrrellTech can now be found on both Facebook and Twitter! Just look us up on Facebook under TyrrellTech and add us as a friend! We'll keep you up to date on all the latest news and products on the market! You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TyrrellTechDan.
Service Nightmares?
Time and time again we prove we are the best in the business when it comes to support and service on Roland equipment simply by cleaning up after others in the industry. I don't need to come on here and name names and point fingers. In fact I would rather thank them! TyrrellTech has always tried to stand out as a different type of company. Sure we may not always be the cheapest in the business, but if your business goals are revolving around the word "cheap" then chances are that's what the quality of your work is going to look like as well!
No, TyrrellTech prides itself on knowing every single aspect of the equipment it sells and not a week goes by where 2-3 customers fall into our laps because another dealer just decided to sell them on price and not service. These are customers that are simply fed up with getting poor service just to save a few extra pennies, and to make matters worse there are dealers out there that simply don't care. Again, I don't need to name names, if any other dealer would even be reading this and getting mad, well then chances are I'm talking about you.
We have played the roles of the hero a dozen times this year alone. Helping people where we can, and while we appreciate being given the title of heros, this is not something we need be acknowledged for. This is what we do and the truth is Nobody does it better than us. Ready to give us a try? It doesn't always have to be with a purchase. Next time you have a question, a problem, a concern..give us a call. Let us know how we can help and we'll be sure to make you a believer as well.
And as for the "other guys"..well..how should I say this..."we appreciate your business!"
Roland University Training!-FIRST TIME EVER!
TyrrellTech & Roland proudly bring you our first ever Roland University Training in our NJ Facility on Friday March 26th from 10am-3pm. Learn from the best. We'll work closely with our customers on how to be successful with thier equipment and offer up exclusive tips and tricks in both vinyl cutting and digital printing applications! Class is $99 and limited to 20 people. Spots are going fast so reserve today! For more information and details on what will be covered during this training, please contact Kelly at ext 231.
With the new season of course comes a lot of new ideas and products. Ones that we hope will make our lives a lot easier and our products shine a lot brighter. For those of you who are just as excited as I am, keep that excitement in check for two more weeks. Why? Well let's get to the "What's Hot?" listing and #1 will tell you why!
Roland Announces New VersaCAMM 64" Printer Cutter
w/Metallic & White Ink Option
Not since the VersaCAMM's were first introduced over 6-7 years back have I seen such excitement over a Roland machine. They have really outdone themselves with this model and the price point doesn't get more attractive than $26,495! We have a lot of people who have older model VersaCamms that have been wanting to jump into the Metallic and White Option but dropping $40,000 simply isn't realistic at this time, and sometimes you gotta do what's right by your budget right? Well as soon as the news broke on this puppy, and people got word that they were getting 10" more in a print & cut and now have the metallic and white ink option, we are making some big time moves these days in preparation for it's arrival. I proudly salute Roland for coming out with yet again an awesome product and to the customers who stopped playing the "waiting game because of the economy" and put their faith in TyrrellTech to help show them the way!
TyrrellTech SIXTH Annual Show and Seminar!
Each year we try to out do ourselves with bringing a little bit of fun and humor to our Tradeshows. We've done a Summer Cookout, a football theme, and this year for our Sixth Annual TyrrellTech Show and Seminar invites you to head under the Big Top! That's right! We're taking this Three Ring Circus of an Industry and packing it all under one roof on May 19th & May 20th.
The Show will be held in the Ten Oaks Ballroom as always in Clarksville MD. There will be plenty of demonstrations from Vendors as well as all sorts of exciting new tips and tricks. Not to mention a Vehicle Wrap Seminar! Come check out all we have in store! Get registration information @ TyrrellTech.com!
Great Price on the JWX-30 Milling Machine from Roland!
Imagine.Design.Create. It's just that simple with the Roland JWX-30 Milling Machine & Jewelry Model Maker! This complete jewelry model maker comes with powerful software that allows you to create detailed 3D models that clients can review from every angle! From these files, the 4 axis desktop mill automatically produces intricate wax models of beautifully crafted rings, pendants, bracelets, broches, earrings and cufflinks. From now until March 31st, you'll save $2900 off this unit with a final base price of $14,995! Contact Brian MacLusky @ ext 232 in the NJ office for more info!
TyrrellTech hits Facebook and Twitter!
So it was only a matter of time but we've reached "social networking status" HA! TyrrellTech can now be found on both Facebook and Twitter! Just look us up on Facebook under TyrrellTech and add us as a friend! We'll keep you up to date on all the latest news and products on the market! You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TyrrellTechDan.
Service Nightmares?
Time and time again we prove we are the best in the business when it comes to support and service on Roland equipment simply by cleaning up after others in the industry. I don't need to come on here and name names and point fingers. In fact I would rather thank them! TyrrellTech has always tried to stand out as a different type of company. Sure we may not always be the cheapest in the business, but if your business goals are revolving around the word "cheap" then chances are that's what the quality of your work is going to look like as well!
No, TyrrellTech prides itself on knowing every single aspect of the equipment it sells and not a week goes by where 2-3 customers fall into our laps because another dealer just decided to sell them on price and not service. These are customers that are simply fed up with getting poor service just to save a few extra pennies, and to make matters worse there are dealers out there that simply don't care. Again, I don't need to name names, if any other dealer would even be reading this and getting mad, well then chances are I'm talking about you.
We have played the roles of the hero a dozen times this year alone. Helping people where we can, and while we appreciate being given the title of heros, this is not something we need be acknowledged for. This is what we do and the truth is Nobody does it better than us. Ready to give us a try? It doesn't always have to be with a purchase. Next time you have a question, a problem, a concern..give us a call. Let us know how we can help and we'll be sure to make you a believer as well.
And as for the "other guys"..well..how should I say this..."we appreciate your business!"
Roland University Training!-FIRST TIME EVER!
TyrrellTech & Roland proudly bring you our first ever Roland University Training in our NJ Facility on Friday March 26th from 10am-3pm. Learn from the best. We'll work closely with our customers on how to be successful with thier equipment and offer up exclusive tips and tricks in both vinyl cutting and digital printing applications! Class is $99 and limited to 20 people. Spots are going fast so reserve today! For more information and details on what will be covered during this training, please contact Kelly at ext 231.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Seasons Beatings of Sales
Well I never thought I'd be saying this so soon but the Holiday Season is once again upon us, and people of course are watching their dollars and cents. Even in the sign business, many companies are finding themselves making strategic moves that will keep their homes heated this winter. The real question is are the tactics you are using really saving you money? Or are they costing you money in the long run.
For those of you who are looking to make a sound investment into the world of digital graphics, you've got a lot more going for you than you may think. Many people sometimes consider November and December to be a little slow going each year, but the right people will use this time to learn to tricks, take advantage of some end of the year write offs on new equipment and head into 2010 more fired up than anything else.
Having that said, let's get right to it..
Sign Show or Shark Tank?- Many people head to Atlantic City, NJ for the USSC Sign Show every year looking to upgrade their existing equipment, meet with their local vendors or shop new ones, or even start up a business. Unfortunately, there are some that just go to shop price and nickel and dime dealers so that in the end no one wins. Why do I say "No One wins"? Simple. The customer loses out because he spends so much time trying to work the best deal on a piece of a equipment that they really lose focus of the features of the machine, the value, and can it even help them accomplish their goals. The dealers lose out because while they are spending their time playing "deal or no deal" with a price shopper, people who are actually there to learn are soon to be considered "missed opportunities.
Not to mention, as dealers, the name of the game should not be "snag em and tag em". We are there to educate, guide these individuals, and help them learn all the ways they can make money with their equipment. Lacking confidence in our own abilities is what leads us to sell on price and price alone. In the end you have a frustrated customer, who may have saved a buck or two at a Sign Show but lost thousands in time and aggrevation when they aren't properly trained.
Personally, I don't believe in "shaking people down for money" or taking their credit card information when I know they aren't ready, and the practices I believe in aren't just ones that I follow, but they are practices that I encourage not just my staff to practice, but my customers as well.
So when you visit the Sign Show this year, think about why you are there. What are you looking to learn? Are you there to walk the show, meet with experienced individuals who can teach you all the latest techniques and new product offerings? Or are you going to make a quick deal and snag a free pen. Let it be known that in going from booth to booth grabbing and FREE handouts all weekend, you won't find anything worth re-wrapping and giving away at Christmas.
Just WHAT Exactly Are You Looking To Accomplish? -Here's a scenario, a customer comes into my showroom with a mind set that he wants to produce a certain type of product. When he finds that the machine he is looking for is going to cost a lot more than just the sticker price on the machine, he seems to toss his ideas to the wayside and just go the "cheaper route"
Now why is this so ridiculous? Here's several reasons..
For those of you who are looking to make a sound investment into the world of digital graphics, you've got a lot more going for you than you may think. Many people sometimes consider November and December to be a little slow going each year, but the right people will use this time to learn to tricks, take advantage of some end of the year write offs on new equipment and head into 2010 more fired up than anything else.
Having that said, let's get right to it..
Sign Show or Shark Tank?- Many people head to Atlantic City, NJ for the USSC Sign Show every year looking to upgrade their existing equipment, meet with their local vendors or shop new ones, or even start up a business. Unfortunately, there are some that just go to shop price and nickel and dime dealers so that in the end no one wins. Why do I say "No One wins"? Simple. The customer loses out because he spends so much time trying to work the best deal on a piece of a equipment that they really lose focus of the features of the machine, the value, and can it even help them accomplish their goals. The dealers lose out because while they are spending their time playing "deal or no deal" with a price shopper, people who are actually there to learn are soon to be considered "missed opportunities.
Not to mention, as dealers, the name of the game should not be "snag em and tag em". We are there to educate, guide these individuals, and help them learn all the ways they can make money with their equipment. Lacking confidence in our own abilities is what leads us to sell on price and price alone. In the end you have a frustrated customer, who may have saved a buck or two at a Sign Show but lost thousands in time and aggrevation when they aren't properly trained.
Personally, I don't believe in "shaking people down for money" or taking their credit card information when I know they aren't ready, and the practices I believe in aren't just ones that I follow, but they are practices that I encourage not just my staff to practice, but my customers as well.
So when you visit the Sign Show this year, think about why you are there. What are you looking to learn? Are you there to walk the show, meet with experienced individuals who can teach you all the latest techniques and new product offerings? Or are you going to make a quick deal and snag a free pen. Let it be known that in going from booth to booth grabbing and FREE handouts all weekend, you won't find anything worth re-wrapping and giving away at Christmas.
Just WHAT Exactly Are You Looking To Accomplish? -Here's a scenario, a customer comes into my showroom with a mind set that he wants to produce a certain type of product. When he finds that the machine he is looking for is going to cost a lot more than just the sticker price on the machine, he seems to toss his ideas to the wayside and just go the "cheaper route"
Now why is this so ridiculous? Here's several reasons..
- Never sell yourself short in ANYTHING you do. You set out to reach a goal. Accomplish a dream, so why let the price of the equipment package make you restructure your entire way of thinking all inside of 30 seconds. You have to spend money to make money. There is no "easy way". Don't believe me? Wake up at 4am sometime and see how many informercials are on tv and then think about how many people you actually know that made a million overnight with that garbage.
- Buying a machine is easy. Running a business isn't. A lot of customers seem to think equipment purchases are like purchasing a car. WRONG. You buy a car, you drive it off the lot, it depreciates. It loses value INSTANTLY. A car doesn't make you a dime. It costs you money. A printer makes you money. It's such a simple thought process yet it is so overlooked.
- You can never expect to go and buy a printer and nothing else and you're going to make it big. Look, I know people out there get a little discouraged when they hear they need a laminator, software, a computer and all that. That's the name of the game. When a machine comes out that designs, prints, cuts, laminates, weeds, and applies, you be sure to let me know, but until then, you're going to need to get the right equipment. Here's the thing, you shouldn't be saying "Do I have to buy a laminator?", "Do I have to buy software?" No, you're right, you can buy a house, but do you have to heat it? You can have kids, but do you have to take care of them? These are things you should WANT to buy. You want to produce high quality images from high quality equipment that produce high profits. No rocket science needed. It's simple business.
- Accept that you don't know as much as you think you do. Many people take offense to this statement, but why? If a customer walks into my showroom looking for nothing but a great deal and is shopping on price alone, sometimes I take the deal and sometimes I send him elsewhere, but the result is the same, when they need support they always come running back to me. You have to sit and ask yourself "Can I really do all this work the right way on my own?" You want to make money and be successful right? You need to consider all the things that go along with this equipment, and I don't mean supplies and ink. How much do you know about networking? Color Management? Design Software? Application? Pricing? These are things that I teach my customers inside and out, and they understand the value.
In closing, take a look at the bigger picture when getting started in the business. Decide what typs of business you see yourself becoming in 5 years. Think about who you are looking to buy from. Consider all the values and education that comes along with your purchase. Once you learn that this business and buying equipment isn't all about price price price, then you'll begin to focus on the tools that will make you money.
This is the difference between people who want to be box movers and people who want to provide you with professional help and educate you the right way. This is the philosophy of TyrrellTech on a whole. We firmly believe in standing by you and supporting you 100%. We have the experience of all the "other guys" out there combined and it's what sets us apart from all the rest.
Good luck and have fun! Passion is everything!
Until next time..
Daniel Ramm
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
To New Beginnings...Random NJ News
So there's just so much going on in the NJ office these days, I sometimes feel like there isn't enough hours in the day, but dispite the fact that I really need to get some sleep for a change, I wanted to get on here and post some news for the NJ office and let everyone know what's going on!
NJ STAFF CONTINUES TO GROW..So I had the chance to pick up another employee a few weeks ago in my father. I truly cannot put into words how amazing of an experience it is to work side by side with my pops. It's gotten us so much closer and being that he was the one who got me in the business to begin with, it makes so happy to have him working with us on this journey. Not to mention, it's a ton of fun. I never realized how good he good he is with people. The guy is a natural when it comes to giving advice and lending a hand. All it took was a little time to re focus on products he hasn't worked with in years and it's off and running.
We are constantly growing and making the right moves to bring on the absolute best staff possible. What's next? Just wait and see!
READY TO ROLL...So the day has finally arrived. After months of back and forth with realtors and contractors. After months of carrying machines up and down the stairs and elevators. After months of electrical permits and networking issues, the time has arrived. Tomorrow, 9/9/09, we move into our downstairs facility! We've had the pleasure of having many people visit our upstairs facility and worked with us as we were somewhat tight on space, but your patience has not been overlooked.
As for the layout and plans of the new facility...stop by in a week..You ain't seen nothing yet!
NBM, BALTIMORE... Man what a great show! I had my doubts, I'll admit it. Mainly because the show was a 1/3 of what it was last year and with the way the economy has been, but that was not the case down in MD. We had a great crowd, with a great response!
For me it was sort of like a homecoming. I had not been to a trade show in quite some time and was itching to get to one. Tradeshows are one of my favorite things in the industry. There's nothing like meeting your customers face to face and helping them out!
It was also good to see all the people I haven't talked with in so long. There was over 20 customers that I have not seen since I left my previous employer. Some were a little upset that I didn't reach out to them, but hey it's nice to be missed right!
All in all, we have been building quite the following and we plan to keep the momentum going strong as we roll on into SGIA, USSC, and much more..
NJ WRAP CLASS...If you haven't signed up for our FIRST EVER Wrap Class, what are you waiting for seriously? We're slated to hold it for 2 days, hosted by Oracal, Oct 21st & 22nd in NJ. $795 gets you EVERYTHING you need without the cheesy QVC sales pitches every 10 minutes where people beg you to spend more money. Nah, no lame tactics on this blog. Here's the deal. Sign up..Learn...Nuff said.
IS MONEY A CONCERN?..A lot of customers are tight with their spending these days, but the question is, are you being tight with your money in the right areas? Think about it. I am not going to throw answers at you. I am here to offer guidance and advice but this time around, I want you to really think about it. Have the things you cut back on really helped you in your business? Have you cut out the right types of spending habits? If you are still finding yourself struggling with some of the decisions you are faced with in this business, please give me a shout. Let's sit down and go over what your needs are. Maybe you need a change in marketing. Maybe you need to sell some equipment you aren't using and we can find a buyer for you. Maybe you aren't using your software in the most effecient manner. Whatever it is, if you don't ask for help, we can't assume you need it.
Until next time people...
NJ STAFF CONTINUES TO GROW..So I had the chance to pick up another employee a few weeks ago in my father. I truly cannot put into words how amazing of an experience it is to work side by side with my pops. It's gotten us so much closer and being that he was the one who got me in the business to begin with, it makes so happy to have him working with us on this journey. Not to mention, it's a ton of fun. I never realized how good he good he is with people. The guy is a natural when it comes to giving advice and lending a hand. All it took was a little time to re focus on products he hasn't worked with in years and it's off and running.
We are constantly growing and making the right moves to bring on the absolute best staff possible. What's next? Just wait and see!
READY TO ROLL...So the day has finally arrived. After months of back and forth with realtors and contractors. After months of carrying machines up and down the stairs and elevators. After months of electrical permits and networking issues, the time has arrived. Tomorrow, 9/9/09, we move into our downstairs facility! We've had the pleasure of having many people visit our upstairs facility and worked with us as we were somewhat tight on space, but your patience has not been overlooked.
As for the layout and plans of the new facility...stop by in a week..You ain't seen nothing yet!
NBM, BALTIMORE... Man what a great show! I had my doubts, I'll admit it. Mainly because the show was a 1/3 of what it was last year and with the way the economy has been, but that was not the case down in MD. We had a great crowd, with a great response!
For me it was sort of like a homecoming. I had not been to a trade show in quite some time and was itching to get to one. Tradeshows are one of my favorite things in the industry. There's nothing like meeting your customers face to face and helping them out!
It was also good to see all the people I haven't talked with in so long. There was over 20 customers that I have not seen since I left my previous employer. Some were a little upset that I didn't reach out to them, but hey it's nice to be missed right!
All in all, we have been building quite the following and we plan to keep the momentum going strong as we roll on into SGIA, USSC, and much more..
NJ WRAP CLASS...If you haven't signed up for our FIRST EVER Wrap Class, what are you waiting for seriously? We're slated to hold it for 2 days, hosted by Oracal, Oct 21st & 22nd in NJ. $795 gets you EVERYTHING you need without the cheesy QVC sales pitches every 10 minutes where people beg you to spend more money. Nah, no lame tactics on this blog. Here's the deal. Sign up..Learn...Nuff said.
IS MONEY A CONCERN?..A lot of customers are tight with their spending these days, but the question is, are you being tight with your money in the right areas? Think about it. I am not going to throw answers at you. I am here to offer guidance and advice but this time around, I want you to really think about it. Have the things you cut back on really helped you in your business? Have you cut out the right types of spending habits? If you are still finding yourself struggling with some of the decisions you are faced with in this business, please give me a shout. Let's sit down and go over what your needs are. Maybe you need a change in marketing. Maybe you need to sell some equipment you aren't using and we can find a buyer for you. Maybe you aren't using your software in the most effecient manner. Whatever it is, if you don't ask for help, we can't assume you need it.
Until next time people...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Investment v Expense-Which Side Are You On?
I wanted to post this article that my boss wrote on Investment Purchases v Expense Purchases. I find it to be dead on and very informative. Customers have read this recently and not only commended him on it but my customers have looked at their purchases differently ever since. Hope you find it as informative as I have. Enjoy!
As in previous editorials, my goal is to pass on some of my experiences in life, in hopes of making your business life a little easier. In 28 years of sales consulting, I’m often amazed at some of the purchasing practices I’ve come across. Let’s face it; there are many people in this industry and others that may not have the best business sense. For the most part, business is not all that difficult. There are many people that have blazed this trail long before we came along. Just like in life, mistakes have been made that should not be repeated, lessons both good and bad are out there for all of us to learn from. We are not re-inventing the wheel. This has all been done before. All you need to do is to look at the past and see what has worked and what you need not repeat. (If only our government could do that). I guess you could say it’s easier said than done. I believe that these topics should be taught in school before some of the other topics.
In general, anytime you are purchasing something for your company, there are two basic approaches: investment purchases and expense purchases. Although both purchases are similar, one couldn’t be any more different than the other.
There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t hear an unhappy customer say that they purchased a piece of equipment on the Internet and either it doesn’t work or they can’t get any support
or training. I’m not talking about a toy; I’m talking about a major piece of equipment like a large format printer. In their small shop, this printer will be the single most important income producing piece of equipment and probably one of the biggest investments they will make in their business for the next year or so.
This is a perfect example of an investment purchase that was treated as an expense purchase. In other words, the owner thought the cost was more important than the return, or they tried to save a few dollars over the Internet versus buying locally from someone that could help them. Another common mistake is the perception that the purchase of equipment is the END of the buying cycle, when in fact it is just the beginning.
Please let me explain the difference. There are many thingsevery business needs to do their day to day work; staple items like laser printer paper, pens, coffee, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. None of these items generate any revenue for the business, yet they are essential to help run the business (some more so than others). Without them, we would struggle. These items are expense purchase items. They are literally an expense of running the day to day business, they don’t produce any income for your business so you don’t want to pay any more than you have to. You can get them from a huge number of suppliers and having a good reliable supplier, convenience as well as a good competitive price, is usually the only concern here.
In a nut shell, an investment purchase is exactly the opposite of an expense purchase; it is something you purchase because it’s going to make money, hopefully more money than the
investment cost itself. It’s as simple as that— you are purchasing it because of the return on your investment.
Similar to stock on the stock market, people invest in a particular stock because either they believe or have been advised to believe that they will make more money (the “return”) by
investing in a particular stock. With the exception of extreme cases, the price of a single share of stock is usually not a big concern; the big concern is what will the “return” be or how much money will it make. The price of a stock is relative to the return; in other words if you invest $50.00 per share the return should be bigger than the return of stock bought at $5.00 per share.This concept is not new to most people and everyone seems to get it.
This is where the criss-cross happens, as I mentioned earlier, when people make important purchasing decisions over the Internet and sometimes make the dreadful and tragic mistake of
treating what should be an investment purchase as an expense purchase.
For many small businesses, I know a major equipment purchase like a large format printer or flatbed printer should have a lot of thought put into it. It’s not something you buy on the
Internet. After all, it is usually the single most important income producing piece of equipment and the biggest investment they will make in the near future. Most likely, all income producing
activities in their shop will revolve around this important INVESTMENT. Yes, I said investment, and that’s exactly what they are doing. Don’t take this purchase lightly. You are making the
investment for the return, not for what the equipment costs.
If you are going to make a rinky-dink investment, expect a rinky-dink return. How much money do you want to make in your business? A little or a lot? Since the Gerber Edge came out in the early 90’s, to this day, I will still find someone saying, “they never bought an Edge because it was too expensive.” I know dozens of owners that, over the years, made several MILLION dollars with their Edge they purchased for only $22,000. Investment purchasing is not about the cost, it’s about the return.
Most companies that have been in business for years understand the importance of part two of their investment purchase. With the purchase of an important, pivotal piece of equipment (say that three times fast), these companies know who they choose to purchase their equipment from can be just as important as the equipment itself. Most of these owners have experienced
the horrors of costly down time or, worse, they have lost a big client because they couldn’t get the support they need when they needed it. Basically, when you invest in a machine that prints money, how much does it cost you when your money printer doesn’t work? How much would it cost you to lose one of your biggest customers? Even spending several thousand dollars more to buy your equipment from a local dealer that will support you, that is a ONE TIME expense that pales in comparison to losing one of your biggest accounts ($50,000 - $100,000 per year). It is a one time expense versus missing multiple jobs for multiple repairs over the life of the machine. A few thousand more dollars is worth every penny when you think of it this way!
Please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say… In many cases, even the purchase of an identical piece of equipment for anywhere from one to several thousands of dollars less over
the Internet or from “the cheapest guy in town” compared to purchasing from a local dealer that can train you, support you, and service your piece of equipment is most likely NOT in your
best interest. Many times I’ve seen people that got little to no use what so ever out of what they bought from the “cheapest guy in town” or over the Internet. At one time or another, most
of us have been burned going the cheap route, and it’s much harder to swallow this concept when the dollars are much bigger. And, especially when the dollars are much bigger, it is more
important that you take a step back. Do more investigating and research on what you are investing in with regard to WHO you are investing in. After all, running your business is like running an Indy race; you want to invest your money wisely in the best equipment/car and invest your money in the best pit crew if you really want to win the race.
-Craig E. Tyrrell
As in previous editorials, my goal is to pass on some of my experiences in life, in hopes of making your business life a little easier. In 28 years of sales consulting, I’m often amazed at some of the purchasing practices I’ve come across. Let’s face it; there are many people in this industry and others that may not have the best business sense. For the most part, business is not all that difficult. There are many people that have blazed this trail long before we came along. Just like in life, mistakes have been made that should not be repeated, lessons both good and bad are out there for all of us to learn from. We are not re-inventing the wheel. This has all been done before. All you need to do is to look at the past and see what has worked and what you need not repeat. (If only our government could do that). I guess you could say it’s easier said than done. I believe that these topics should be taught in school before some of the other topics.
In general, anytime you are purchasing something for your company, there are two basic approaches: investment purchases and expense purchases. Although both purchases are similar, one couldn’t be any more different than the other.
There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t hear an unhappy customer say that they purchased a piece of equipment on the Internet and either it doesn’t work or they can’t get any support
or training. I’m not talking about a toy; I’m talking about a major piece of equipment like a large format printer. In their small shop, this printer will be the single most important income producing piece of equipment and probably one of the biggest investments they will make in their business for the next year or so.
This is a perfect example of an investment purchase that was treated as an expense purchase. In other words, the owner thought the cost was more important than the return, or they tried to save a few dollars over the Internet versus buying locally from someone that could help them. Another common mistake is the perception that the purchase of equipment is the END of the buying cycle, when in fact it is just the beginning.
Please let me explain the difference. There are many thingsevery business needs to do their day to day work; staple items like laser printer paper, pens, coffee, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. None of these items generate any revenue for the business, yet they are essential to help run the business (some more so than others). Without them, we would struggle. These items are expense purchase items. They are literally an expense of running the day to day business, they don’t produce any income for your business so you don’t want to pay any more than you have to. You can get them from a huge number of suppliers and having a good reliable supplier, convenience as well as a good competitive price, is usually the only concern here.
In a nut shell, an investment purchase is exactly the opposite of an expense purchase; it is something you purchase because it’s going to make money, hopefully more money than the
investment cost itself. It’s as simple as that— you are purchasing it because of the return on your investment.
Similar to stock on the stock market, people invest in a particular stock because either they believe or have been advised to believe that they will make more money (the “return”) by
investing in a particular stock. With the exception of extreme cases, the price of a single share of stock is usually not a big concern; the big concern is what will the “return” be or how much money will it make. The price of a stock is relative to the return; in other words if you invest $50.00 per share the return should be bigger than the return of stock bought at $5.00 per share.This concept is not new to most people and everyone seems to get it.
This is where the criss-cross happens, as I mentioned earlier, when people make important purchasing decisions over the Internet and sometimes make the dreadful and tragic mistake of
treating what should be an investment purchase as an expense purchase.
For many small businesses, I know a major equipment purchase like a large format printer or flatbed printer should have a lot of thought put into it. It’s not something you buy on the
Internet. After all, it is usually the single most important income producing piece of equipment and the biggest investment they will make in the near future. Most likely, all income producing
activities in their shop will revolve around this important INVESTMENT. Yes, I said investment, and that’s exactly what they are doing. Don’t take this purchase lightly. You are making the
investment for the return, not for what the equipment costs.
If you are going to make a rinky-dink investment, expect a rinky-dink return. How much money do you want to make in your business? A little or a lot? Since the Gerber Edge came out in the early 90’s, to this day, I will still find someone saying, “they never bought an Edge because it was too expensive.” I know dozens of owners that, over the years, made several MILLION dollars with their Edge they purchased for only $22,000. Investment purchasing is not about the cost, it’s about the return.
Most companies that have been in business for years understand the importance of part two of their investment purchase. With the purchase of an important, pivotal piece of equipment (say that three times fast), these companies know who they choose to purchase their equipment from can be just as important as the equipment itself. Most of these owners have experienced
the horrors of costly down time or, worse, they have lost a big client because they couldn’t get the support they need when they needed it. Basically, when you invest in a machine that prints money, how much does it cost you when your money printer doesn’t work? How much would it cost you to lose one of your biggest customers? Even spending several thousand dollars more to buy your equipment from a local dealer that will support you, that is a ONE TIME expense that pales in comparison to losing one of your biggest accounts ($50,000 - $100,000 per year). It is a one time expense versus missing multiple jobs for multiple repairs over the life of the machine. A few thousand more dollars is worth every penny when you think of it this way!
Please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say… In many cases, even the purchase of an identical piece of equipment for anywhere from one to several thousands of dollars less over
the Internet or from “the cheapest guy in town” compared to purchasing from a local dealer that can train you, support you, and service your piece of equipment is most likely NOT in your
best interest. Many times I’ve seen people that got little to no use what so ever out of what they bought from the “cheapest guy in town” or over the Internet. At one time or another, most
of us have been burned going the cheap route, and it’s much harder to swallow this concept when the dollars are much bigger. And, especially when the dollars are much bigger, it is more
important that you take a step back. Do more investigating and research on what you are investing in with regard to WHO you are investing in. After all, running your business is like running an Indy race; you want to invest your money wisely in the best equipment/car and invest your money in the best pit crew if you really want to win the race.
-Craig E. Tyrrell
Monday, June 29, 2009
What makes us different than everyone else?
There's a millions reasons why you can buy from a million different dealers in this industry. Everyone has their own pitch, their own perks, and even their own style that makes them different from everyone else. What makes a dealer different is how they answer the question listed above. Will you go on the defensive? Will you try to put down the competition to make yourself look better? Realistically, one would assume that I am even writing this to compare myself to other dealers. WRONG.
The same rules and basic principals that apply to how I deal with my customers are not too different from how my clients should treat their customers. Throughout my years in this industry, I have been both a customer and the product specialist and I have seen what it takes to help customers bring their business to the next level. I base my success on professionalism and personality. It's about going the extra mile for the customer. It's about going above and beyond the call of duty and not just being the 9-5 guy, simply because in today's world, that does not cut it.
Here's some tips and tricks for you to use in your business when dealing with customers. I train my staff to use them every day and pass along as much helpful advice as possible.
1. We are all people. Here's a great way to start. Many people have a hard time dealing with other human beings. I used to be the exact same way. You get so nervous about having a simple conversation with another person that you mentally take yourself out of the game before you even say hello. Look, here's the deal. We all get up. We all eat drink shower (hopefully) and put our pants on one leg at a time. We all have a job to do, your job is to make your customers job a little easier. That's customer service. If you have apprehensions about talking to people in general, sales is not for you. But when dealing with other human beings, simply remember that they are seeking YOUR advice, YOUR help. They may know absolutely nothing about what you are selling or offering. If you can't show enough confidence in your own product, then why should they take a chance on you.
2. Forced Selling. There's nothing that angers me more than tactics like this. Granted I've done my share of trying to get in touch with a customer but here's the deal. Take step 1 and remember that we are all people. When you go home, and you're having dinner, and the phone rings, and someone is trying to sell you something you have no interest in, you instantly get annoyed. Worst of all, with these telemarketing type tactics, "NO" is never a good answer. The LAST thing you are going to do is buy their product. These are companies that hound you and hound you and hound you until you buy and once you do..GOODBYE! You become another statistic and can't get the support and service you need. Now granted, there are also times when the CUSTOMER is at fault. Yes that's right..the whole "customer is always right" theory doesn't always ring true..Which brings me to #3.
3. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Here's what I mean. There are customers that come to me with all sorts of requests. Some of which have nothing to even do with products I sold them, but they still need my advice. I still help. Now here's where it gets a little sensitive. I don't follow any forced selling tactics, but I base a lot of my qualities on #1 We are all just people. If you come to me looking for a machine or a solution to your problem, and it turns out you are no longer interested, simply tell your rep. It's no sweat off their back. No one is going to come to your house with an axe forcing you to buy. You move on and so do we. Fair enough. Think about your customers. If you quote out a project for a customer which would you rather happen: A) your customer calls you to keep you updated on whether the job will go through? or B) you have to hunt the guy down each and every week only to find out that it's not going through. I've had customers call me for prices on machines, then not call me back for weeks, then send their employees to call me when their existing machines have trouble so I can help. I still help, but that's just me. Sometimes the courtesy isn't returned. Keep the rules simple and everyone will get along just fine.
4. Deliver on your promises. This one targets EVERYONE. Customers and Dealers. Man, going back AGAIN to #1. We are all just people. We all go through this life together. Why promise things to customers only to get a deal closed and then not stand by your product. Do you know how many people I speak to on sign forums and technical support calls that have NO faith in their dealers whatsoever? That's absurd. If you are going to be in this game, then give it your all or go home. Now customers on the other hand, one bit of advice I'd have to give, if you feel you didn't receive all the training and support you wanted, do something about it. People make mistakes. Call your dealer and openly discuss the problems with them, rather than wait until something DOES go wrong and then you spend more time badmouthing either the machine or the rep or both, when a simple phone call can solve everything.
So call me a preacher, call me what you will, but these are rules and guidelines I follow with my business. What makes me different that the rest is not based on a list of what everyone else DOESN'T do..It's more about what I can do for my customers. People need to understand and have more faith in the value of support and service and that's what I sell. Selling a printer is one thing. Anyone can write the order. The REAL job of a Consultant begins once the ink is dry on the order.
Now one thing I am faced with day in and day out is pricing. Customers will ask "What's MY price?" "What's YOUR BEST price?" Which is fine..I have no issues with people trying to get the best deal. However, let's be realistic. After all, if you're reading this blog to find a lame sales pitch, that's not why I created this page. I tell it like it is. So here's my take.
We're all in this business because A) we love it and B) we want to make money. I lay it out real simple for my customers. If you've used a certain piece of equipment before and have all the experience in the world, yeah maybe I'll work up a different type of deal for you. Why? Because what you're paying for is not just a machine, but my time to assist you with it. When my phone rings at 10pm on a week night with a customer's problem (AND IT HAS) guess what..it gets answered. I've had customers call me Friday nights when I'm out to dinner with my bride and I STILL answer it..Can you imagine the trouble I get into LOL. Now if you spend more time beating a dealer up on price and not show any passion for this industry, and all you see the equipment as is an expense purchase that you need to "steal a deal" on so you can make the most money, trust me, it's not going to go well. And when my phone rings, you'd probably get my voicemail.
Now I don't write these things to create any type of controversy. I am an open book to my customers. I sell them what they need to succeed. I do whatever it takes to make them happy. I discount my products to a fair extent, but at the same time, people who DO buy from me, know they are getting the absolute best in support and service and I'll be with them every step of the way. They succeed. I succeed. And round and round we go Jack!
Till Next Time...
The same rules and basic principals that apply to how I deal with my customers are not too different from how my clients should treat their customers. Throughout my years in this industry, I have been both a customer and the product specialist and I have seen what it takes to help customers bring their business to the next level. I base my success on professionalism and personality. It's about going the extra mile for the customer. It's about going above and beyond the call of duty and not just being the 9-5 guy, simply because in today's world, that does not cut it.
Here's some tips and tricks for you to use in your business when dealing with customers. I train my staff to use them every day and pass along as much helpful advice as possible.
1. We are all people. Here's a great way to start. Many people have a hard time dealing with other human beings. I used to be the exact same way. You get so nervous about having a simple conversation with another person that you mentally take yourself out of the game before you even say hello. Look, here's the deal. We all get up. We all eat drink shower (hopefully) and put our pants on one leg at a time. We all have a job to do, your job is to make your customers job a little easier. That's customer service. If you have apprehensions about talking to people in general, sales is not for you. But when dealing with other human beings, simply remember that they are seeking YOUR advice, YOUR help. They may know absolutely nothing about what you are selling or offering. If you can't show enough confidence in your own product, then why should they take a chance on you.
2. Forced Selling. There's nothing that angers me more than tactics like this. Granted I've done my share of trying to get in touch with a customer but here's the deal. Take step 1 and remember that we are all people. When you go home, and you're having dinner, and the phone rings, and someone is trying to sell you something you have no interest in, you instantly get annoyed. Worst of all, with these telemarketing type tactics, "NO" is never a good answer. The LAST thing you are going to do is buy their product. These are companies that hound you and hound you and hound you until you buy and once you do..GOODBYE! You become another statistic and can't get the support and service you need. Now granted, there are also times when the CUSTOMER is at fault. Yes that's right..the whole "customer is always right" theory doesn't always ring true..Which brings me to #3.
3. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Here's what I mean. There are customers that come to me with all sorts of requests. Some of which have nothing to even do with products I sold them, but they still need my advice. I still help. Now here's where it gets a little sensitive. I don't follow any forced selling tactics, but I base a lot of my qualities on #1 We are all just people. If you come to me looking for a machine or a solution to your problem, and it turns out you are no longer interested, simply tell your rep. It's no sweat off their back. No one is going to come to your house with an axe forcing you to buy. You move on and so do we. Fair enough. Think about your customers. If you quote out a project for a customer which would you rather happen: A) your customer calls you to keep you updated on whether the job will go through? or B) you have to hunt the guy down each and every week only to find out that it's not going through. I've had customers call me for prices on machines, then not call me back for weeks, then send their employees to call me when their existing machines have trouble so I can help. I still help, but that's just me. Sometimes the courtesy isn't returned. Keep the rules simple and everyone will get along just fine.
4. Deliver on your promises. This one targets EVERYONE. Customers and Dealers. Man, going back AGAIN to #1. We are all just people. We all go through this life together. Why promise things to customers only to get a deal closed and then not stand by your product. Do you know how many people I speak to on sign forums and technical support calls that have NO faith in their dealers whatsoever? That's absurd. If you are going to be in this game, then give it your all or go home. Now customers on the other hand, one bit of advice I'd have to give, if you feel you didn't receive all the training and support you wanted, do something about it. People make mistakes. Call your dealer and openly discuss the problems with them, rather than wait until something DOES go wrong and then you spend more time badmouthing either the machine or the rep or both, when a simple phone call can solve everything.
So call me a preacher, call me what you will, but these are rules and guidelines I follow with my business. What makes me different that the rest is not based on a list of what everyone else DOESN'T do..It's more about what I can do for my customers. People need to understand and have more faith in the value of support and service and that's what I sell. Selling a printer is one thing. Anyone can write the order. The REAL job of a Consultant begins once the ink is dry on the order.
Now one thing I am faced with day in and day out is pricing. Customers will ask "What's MY price?" "What's YOUR BEST price?" Which is fine..I have no issues with people trying to get the best deal. However, let's be realistic. After all, if you're reading this blog to find a lame sales pitch, that's not why I created this page. I tell it like it is. So here's my take.
We're all in this business because A) we love it and B) we want to make money. I lay it out real simple for my customers. If you've used a certain piece of equipment before and have all the experience in the world, yeah maybe I'll work up a different type of deal for you. Why? Because what you're paying for is not just a machine, but my time to assist you with it. When my phone rings at 10pm on a week night with a customer's problem (AND IT HAS) guess what..it gets answered. I've had customers call me Friday nights when I'm out to dinner with my bride and I STILL answer it..Can you imagine the trouble I get into LOL. Now if you spend more time beating a dealer up on price and not show any passion for this industry, and all you see the equipment as is an expense purchase that you need to "steal a deal" on so you can make the most money, trust me, it's not going to go well. And when my phone rings, you'd probably get my voicemail.
Now I don't write these things to create any type of controversy. I am an open book to my customers. I sell them what they need to succeed. I do whatever it takes to make them happy. I discount my products to a fair extent, but at the same time, people who DO buy from me, know they are getting the absolute best in support and service and I'll be with them every step of the way. They succeed. I succeed. And round and round we go Jack!
Till Next Time...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Where do we..begin..
I have been in this business for over 8 years and I never get tired of helping people. Since my first day in the industry I have always tried to do what I could to go the extra mile for the people I work with. Alot of my customers over the years have become friends. But that's what this business is all about..building relationships. Sure the money is important, but what good is the money when you don't love what you do? What joy is there in making millions of dollars when you have no memories of how you got there?
My love for this business came at the age of 21 years old. My father was full time police officer and part time everything else! He was in construction, computers, boats, planes, movies, drums, music you name it, and my father experienced it. The man was the perfect role model on how to truly learn all there is to know in this world. One day he came home with some information about starting up a small sign business. He and I discussed plans to remodel our garage to build a shop. He knew a lot of people in town and they were already lining him up with work. I loved the idea. The idea of doing this with my father..together was even more enjoyable.
We ordered our first machine from Marty Connelly, a Roland Camm 1 CM-24 24" Vinyl Cutter.We purchased Signmate Elite and some supplies and we were off and running. We would work together and come up with our own techniques for application and installation. Some of my more closer customers may have heard my "oven cleaner" technique, feel free to ask and I'll give you the details. Over the next few years, my father and I had our work proudly displayed all over town. There really wasn't anyone else in the area doing what we were doing. Not too mention, the money I was making at 21-22 years old was great too!
Soon my father let me take over the shop, and I ran things myself. I had my first REAL taste of what business was like. I was working construction in Jersey City by day and my sign company on most nights and weekends. I wanted to learn as much about the business as possible, but financially, I had reached my limit, or so I thought.
I was picking up coroplast with my local supplier when a girl there asked me if I was interested in working. She and I had spoken many times before as she was my customer service rep, and Marty Connelly was also working with this company as well. I had dealt with Marty many times. When I screwed something up, he was "THE GUY" to call. So I took the job and off I went. Mind you I started my job one week before 9/11. Had I not taken the position I would have seen the entire day unfold..not sure how I feel about that still. Of course many of you know that "that girl" later became my wife and partner in TyrrellTech NJ, Kelly Ramm.
I started out in customer service and soon went to Equipment. I knew NOTHING about ANY of the machines in the building. I only had a cutter, but the previous guy left and Marty got me a shot at selling the big boys and I took it. I'm never ashamed of admitting that I didn't know much about any equipment other than what I owned. Simply because that's the best way to learn. If you think you know everything..you find out fast that you don't. If you are open minded and receptive to learn, you'll move fast.
Over the years, under Marty's guidance I would do whatever I could to learn the machines as best as I could. I saw many many selling techniques, some good, some bad, but what made me different is that I always marched to the beat of my own drum. I stayed true to myself and never went against my beliefs. Soon Marty and Tim Rossetti (my former boss) realized that I had my own style. I enjoyed going above and beyond the call of duty with my customers. I never had any "formal training" in all the 8 years I was employed with my first company. I only worked with experience and knowledge that others gave to me.
In this business and any business, being a self starter can be key. No one is going to hand you anything in this world. No one is going to come take you by the hand and walk you through life step by step. You have to grab it and take it for yourself. Even in this so called "terrible economy". While everyone else is sitting by and "waiting it out' my strongest customers are making some MAJOR changes to their shops and when things to "turn around" they plan to be light years ahead of everyone else..But I digress..
For 8 solid years I maintained a love for this industry. I have made a lot of friends and learned so much, but most important, I have had the pleasure of having customers come up to me every year at the USSC show in Atlantic City, shake my hand and say "Thank you". Why? What's so good about me? Why am I any different than anyone else? Maybe it's my passion. Maybe it's my ability to sell customers what they NEED and not just look to rob them of every penny in their account and leave them to fend for themselves. Perhaps my role in both sides of the industry have helped allow me to listen to a customer's needs and guide them in the direction they need to be headed into. I talk to people like they are human beings..because that's what they are. Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Sadly, last year, a lot of my passion for the industry died when Marty Connelly lost his battle with cancer and passed away. Next to my father, he was someone who I could truly respect and admire. He showed me everything he knew. He was a good man, and a little bit of my passion was lost when the industry lost him. I miss him. I also needed a change in my career, the company I was working with was headed into a different direction. One that did not agree with me so I moved on. But what next? I truly wanted the chance to be in a place where I could feel as passionate about the industry as I did on day one. I found that in TyrrellTech.
Now some can say, "oh sure you can say that about your OWN company" or "well of course he's going to speak highly about the company he works for now" No. That's not the case. Anyone in this industry who TRULY knows me and has worked with me knows I tell it like it is. I don't pull punches and I don't just endorse something I don't believe in. When I left my last job, I felt like I really needed a path. I was seeking a way to regain that passion I once had for the business. I found that in Craig Tyrrell and TyrrellTech.
He and I share a lot of the same ideas about customer service and satisfaction. How it goes so far beyond pushing 200 boxes out the door a day. How it's so important to stand behind your product, your customers and your team. How you sell the RIGHT equipment to the RIGHT customer. Together my wife and I partnered up with the TyrrellTech family and we are once again living that same dream and sharing that same passion and once again it just feels right. To be up and running and managing my own division in New Jersey is something I have always wanted but never saw myself reaching. It's something I will forever be in debt to TyrrellTech for, and it fuels the fire each and everyday.
The reason I share my story with you is this. MY goal as a Sales Consultant is to help you build YOUR story..YOUR legacy. My goal is to guide you in the right direction and give you the tools and the support you need to succeed. When you take the time to invest in TyrrellTech, you'll see why we do whatever it takes to keep our customers successful. Who knows..maybe the next person who shakes my hand at USSC in Atlantic City and says thank you will be you!
Until then
Thanks for reading...
Dan Ramm
Sales Consultant
TyrrellTech New Jersey
200 Route 31 North Suite 109
Flemington, NJ 08822
888-865-0300 ext 230
Email: DRamm@tyrrelltech.com
www.tyrrelltech.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
