Sometimes you are in a rush – right? Too many things to do – yes? Well, it’s our view this page will help you access Control Zones library of popular links and downloads. We hope you find this page useful, and we encourage your additions. If you would like to link to us, please contact us.
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Local and International Sign AND Print Trade shows – Offers up to date links to world wide trade shows – currently we are offering directly main links as since Covid many have been postponed
Articles Archive – as resident author for Visual Impact Magazine, our aim it to write relevant and problem solving articles for nearly 20 years most are online, however we have added a few of our favourites here. Go to Articles.
Video learning sessions – where we have the opportunity we have linked some of our webinars and online session = Go to Videos OnLine
Free to use or share with likeminded sign and graphics colleagues, we offer these various training or general interest links as listed from a series we worked with NZSDA who teamed up with NZSDA Premier Sponsors, Computaleta to bring you signage industry specific presentations by John Hadfield, an industry expert from Controlzone Business Consultants. John takes a hands on approach that will guide you to discover your businesses needs and requirements. These webinars are ideal for any of your staff, or yourself, who want to upskill, or think about new opportunities on how you might apply these solutions to your business.
The Members of NZSDA were asked the question; what online training would benefit you and your business the most, the results are in and the webinars below are the 3 most requested topics:
– First and Foremost | John Hadfield Webinar Supporting Information
On Thursday, 13th August John Hadfield presented via webinar to our industry a short 40-minute session designed specifically for our unique challenges within our industry about “working with creatives”.
You can download the video here if you would like to remind yourself of some important tips or if you missed it watch in your own time. Also as part of this webinar, John made available the KPI form he created specifically for the industry, download the KPI_Employee_Performance Appraisal here. John also mentioned the book The E Myth by Michael Gerber and that it is an excellent read for those just starting out in business or about to take the plunge. Here is the link to that book.
Furthermore, John advised that the webinar he presented was based on three articles of which he has made available below.
– Technology and opportunities.
In a world that flies past us are we really slowing to understand and embrace technology and opportunities? Maybe even stopping to smell the roses or at least the solvents you are using.
The timeline in our industry is accelerating at a breath-taking rate. Looking at signwriting versus digital only. In around 4 decades a typical 3 square metres of sign output (2440×1220) has changed from:
a. Mid 1980’s around 5 – 10 hours to create a hand-rendered high-quality sign including some form of pictorial.
b. 1990s conveyed outputs to less than one hour based on average machine outputs of only 6 square metres per hour.
c. Early 2000’s, output was averaging 35 square metres per hour
d. By 2010 outputs again accelerated and depending on investments, 60–120 square metres per hour
e. 2020: outputs are anywhere approaching 300 square metres per hour and beyond
What’s next Sherlock? Let’s chat about – have you adjust or tweak the other areas of your business to match? Like – Business systems, software, process flow, marketing, social media and a million areas YOU need to embrace – It’s NOT just making stuff it is also about managing stuff!
If that’s not what its all about – lock me out of the room! One of my favourites! I’m putting forward the simple concept your business is in the top 3 financial assets you own. Consider… the signmaker or printer who works diligently for decades. Then decides time has come to move on, typically tries to sell their potentially largest asset and life’s work and not a single taker? Here is a little secret – typically the vendor doesn’t know the game. Only around 25% of businesses listed are sold!
Why? Many reasons, however they have confused money, turnover and their ego with the reality of how buyers and their accountant rate the business. In the words of Warren Buffet – price is what you pay, value is what you get. The business must be prepared for sale.
A strange but comparable phenomena is “signmakers” fill Facebook criticising all and sundry about inexperience punters having a go and making a sign! Yet, when they sell their business they chose the self-selling option without enlisting an expert! Strange ay!
Talk to us about preparing your business for sale or growth by acquisition – read more