MARCH IS TRANSITION MONTH

Wild gusts of wind are blowing shoppers around all over the place. Bikers visiting from up North are shivering in the long and drawn-out cold weather we are having. We usually don't have this many cold days in 4 years.

But the wave of bikers heralds the beginning of spring here and it is time to polish our business cards, get all our presentations in order and warm up those old contacts. Keep your eyes and ears open for new people in the marketing venues. They mean new business for you too. Maybe some of your old clients are no longer in business. I believe that a lot of businesses just gave up without making a focused effort to generate new clients.

Sure, it is difficult and  a personal pain when you lose a client, but if you were in the sales profession you would be experiencing that EVERY day -- even in the best of times. Salespersons grow a tough elephant hide and tell themselves not to take it too seriously. Even angry clients who lash out are motivated by unseen forces and not you personally.

This is why salespersons wear out their shoes twice as fast as managers. Now I am talking 'outside sales'. Even if you are in your own business, it is a requirement for success. Did you ever know of a long standing business that is successful without a well-known and liked head behind the success? That person is the face of the enterprise and reflects the attitude of his company. So be a positive reflection of your product and services. Keep smiling and meeting people in a friendly and un-threatening way. Soothe your customers who are in a panic and give special attention to those who may be in trouble. Be the person that people come to for reassurance and comfort. Keep smiling because sometimes the best thing you can do costs you nothing!

If you are jobless you may have choices you don't realize. You can go for a new job path and re-training. This may take you into a business you have secretly longed for all along. You may also take stock and get involved in a new start-up ... this time taking charge and making your own success. You probably have more talent than you ever imagined. There are certain forms of service and products that are necessary even in the lowest economic outlooks. Never accept defeat. There is a niche for your idea. Perhaps a partner or a small group like yourself could get together and hash out difficulties and find solutions.

Since I am in the graphic design business with a background in marketing, publishing, sales, distribution and communications I see ways where a minimum investment in these services brings maximum results. You will have to be willing to 'put yourself out there' and brand yourself personally. Show you are better, faster, clearer, sweeter, meaner, smarter, nicer, and more clever than your nearest competitor.

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I'VE GOT PIX

If you have an event, and need a photographer to make a pictoral history for archiving and distribution, please call me. Until I got my new camera I was gadget-challenged. Clubs with special guest speakers, baby showers, festival booths, parades, birthday parties and all other small events are welcome.

BACK TO BUSINESS

Commercial art is suffering with economic woes just like all other business. What a bad time to start up a design studio! Well, there is no time better than the present for any enterprise. No matter what happens someone always needs graphic design, along with food and medical care.

Well, that may not be entirely true, but if you open for business in a down economy you have plenty of time to set up templates, blogs, social networking accounts, business cards, personal appearances, email, and in-person contacts. There are so many opportunities to get your message out now, that is boggles the mind.

My most recent client asked me to set up a blog for him. I ended up learning more about it than he did. Every day there is a new feature from the blogosphere. Some of the gadgets and tools are awesome. My friend lost his internet connection for 2 days and was calling me for consolation.

Just last week my dog wouldn't stop barking and I pointed the TV control box at him and pressed MUTE. It is easy to see how it all spills over into the cell phone industry. That's Buddy on the left. He has a scarf that reads "Party Animal."

I have a feature-challenged cell phone, and when I am in Winn-Dixie or at the Dog Park I feel disconnected. Can't wait to get home to my desktop and see what my Twitter and Facebook messages are.

Life is good!