Random Thoughts and Insights into Sign Company Owners and Managers

Published

1 month ago

March 26, 2024

ENOUGH ALREADY WITH all the demographics, earnings, retirements and the rest! We conclude with some truly random questions and some truly revealing final glimpses into our “documentary” subjects: you.

68. In which decade was your favorite music released?

1950’s or earlier
3%
1960’s
10%
1970’s
30%
1980’s
30%
1990’s
19%
2000’s
4%
2010’s
3%
2020’s
1%

HEART OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL. With a plurality of respondents (36%) aged 60-70, it comes as little surprise that a combined half’s favorite decades for music are the 1960’s, ’70s and ’80s. Anyone else stuck with a Huey Lewis and the News earworm now?

69. Do you follow the “five-second rule?” (That is, will you eat something dropped to the floor if picked up within five seconds?)

RULES TO APPLY

What the floor looks like and what I dropped.
Where? In the shop, NO; in the office or home, yes.
If what I dropped is sticky, no.
It depends on what the food is!
Some things you can’t pick up quickly after being dropped.
I do not eat the part that stuck to the floor.
I have a two-second dog…

YES

52%

31%

Depends (see below)

17%

70. Are you superstitious?

STEP ON A CRACK… Our male and female respondents are equally likely to be superstitious — or just a little. Age is not a factor either when it comes to superstition.

71. What’s your favorite movie of all time?

“AN OFFER HE CAN’T REFUSE” Receiving the most mentions by far was The Godfather, followed by a four-way tie of Braveheart, It’s A Wonderful Life, Pulp Fiction and Star Wars. Also, one vote for Nacho Libre.

72. What would you like to see more coverage of in Signs of the Times’ magazine and/or website?

Profiles of industry professionals — including family-run, women-owned and small local signshops. More coverage of neon, electrical signs, vintage signs, video displays, simple everyday projects, more dimensional signs and fewer ads. How-to’s on fabrication, installation, problem-solving by different shops and DIY labor-saving ideas. Product reviews. Information on pricing, hiring, training, vendors and wholesalers. Resurrection of the Sign Game cartoon with new artist, other comics.

What question or questions would you like to see in next year’s Big Survey?

Questions about multigenerational working environments, ‘must-have’ tools and equipment, software for design and output, pay ranges and scales for employees according to role, how companies monitor profitability and project quality, manager performance, productive and non-productive hours, the impacts of AI, marketing instead of social media.

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Introducing the Sign Industry Podcast

The Sign Industry Podcast is a platform for every sign person out there — from the old-timers who bent neon and hand-lettered boats to those venturing into new technologies — we want to get their stories out for everyone to hear. Come join us and listen to stories, learn tricks or techniques, and get insights of what’s to come. We are the world’s second oldest profession. The folks who started the world’s oldest profession needed a sign.