Training a Young Designer and Handling Vacations Make August’s List

JULY 28-AUG. 3

SEASONAL August is the time to focus on back-to-school needs for Rita Siprak-Weill, Minuteman Press Annapolis (Annapolis, MD), but there is down time during the month because so many people are on vacation, she reports. “So, we might leave early on some days if possible (or my staff may leave; I’ll probably hang out and answer any calls). A last hurrah before fall when things pick up again.”

AUG. 4-10

MARKETING “Social media updates are always on our list,” says Melanie Harden, Creative Sign Designs (Tampa, FL). “By the time we choose a project, gather pictures, write a narrative and gain permission from the client, it’s a week-long task!” Meanwhile, “MARKETING, MARKETING, MARKETING” is this month’s mantra for Marti Etheridge, Laguna Bay Printworks (Laguna Vista, TX) — and cleaning.

PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO

AUG. 11-17

EMPLOYEES “TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING,” chants Dawn Homa, Signarama Brighton (Brighton, CO). “We have a new graphic designer — she is young and eager. Getting her to understand the industry and what makes a great sign takes time and patience,” she says. “But looking at the future, you need to invest in them now.”

AUG. 18-24

MARKETING, PART DEUX “I was scanning Instagram and found a list of ‘top ways to market your service business,’” says Dennis Schaub, FastTrack Signs (Bellefontaine, OH). “To my delight, yard signs were the #1 idea, which made me think, why aren’t we using yard signs to advertise our sign business?!”

AUG. 25-31

MANAGEMENT Jim Brewer, Tennessee Sign Co. (Murfreesboro, TN), will be revising the company’s EOY financial forecasts, while out west, Mike McClure of Ad Art in San Francisco also plans to prioritize and focus for year-end.