The Signs Look Fantastic!

This week we received a very nice email from Cheryl Olson of Image Resource LLC, our authorized sign reseller in Summerville, South Carolina.  Cheryl writes:

"Thank you EVERYONE at Kroy for all the hard work on my project!!

The signs look fantastic!  We installed the first of four buildings today and the construction manager is extremely pleased!  We could not do such a great job without all your extra effort in meeting our deadline and the excellent quality in these signs!  You did it again!  Thank you :)"


For local sign representation in South Carolina, contact Image Resource LLC at (843) 297-7064 or by email at c.imageresource@yahoo.com

NFMT in Baltimore a Resounding Success

Kroy Sign Systems recently exhibited at the National Facilities Management and Technologies (NFMT) show in Baltimore, Maryland. The three (3) day exhibition was very well represented by a host of companies servicing buildings and facilities across the country.

Kroy Sign Systems showcased its interior architectural sign products to many new and existing customers. Offset Service and Sales based in Philadelphia, PA worked in tandem with Kroy to assist potential customers with design ideas, ADA consultation and product presentations.

Surprisingly, attendees were not just from Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. National attendees came from as far as California and international attendees came from as far as Amman Jordan!

Featured Kroy sign products included photopolymer ADA signs, digital banners, changeable message signs, directories and permanent room signs. Attendees visiting the Kroy booth were very interested in understanding the new ADA standards that become mandatory on March 15, 2012.  Many new customers were also interested having Kroy match existing signs, facility wayfinding and buying standard Kroy products online.

Kroy Sign Systems expects to participate in the next NMFT show scheduled for October in Las Vegas Nevada.    

Five Tips to Keep Customers Happy

A happy customer is a return customer. And courting return customers is easier on the bottom line then expending resources always searching for new customers. But small blunders can send even the most loyal customers to the competition without even a wave goodbye. A little upfront time spent improving your customer service approach will save the headache of trying to repair damaged customer relationships.

Respond to Emails and Phone Calls

A company that quickly returns customer phone calls has an edge in building customer loyalty. Trust exists when customers know their concerns and questions are taken seriously. A customer that trusts a business is more likely to continue purchasing from that business and recommending it to others.

Honor Appointments

There is nothing quite as frustrating for a customer than scheduling an appointment with a business or service provider only to be kept waiting. Or worse yet, to be stood up. Remember, customers may need to take time off work or juggle other appointments to meet with you. If you are detained, plan to be no more than five minutes late and call to let the customer know you are on your way. Reschedule when necessary, but do so with 24 hours notice so the disruption to the customer's schedule is minimized. Keep appointment rescheduling to a minimum and make sure the client has a consistent contact when scheduling appointments.

Respond to Information Requests

When someone requests information about your company via e-mail, a Website form, over the phone or through some other means, he or she expects a response. When a company fails to respond, whether due to poor organization, incorrect contacts or a busy schedule, customers are left feeling abandoned. Have a policy in place for responding to information requests. For example, make it clear to customers that you will respond within one business day to their questions and requests. Make sure all your employees are aware of the policy and stick to it. Your customers will thank you!

Keep Promises

If you promise to complete a job by a specific date, do so. If you offer a money-back guarantee, honor it. If you advertise a 24-hour response time, you had better make sure you contact your customer within 24-hours. If you can not keep your promises, it is better not to make them or at least be realistic with what your company's capabilities are. When you make a promise to customers will hold you to it.

Say Hello

When a customer walks into your business, show them they matter. A smile and a friendly hello tell the customer he or she is important. Even if you are busy with other customers, acknowledge each customer who walks into your store or who is in line at your counter. A simple, I will be with you in a minute, goes a long way towards building good will. And good will is the basis of strong business relationships that stand the test of time.

Written by Michelle Novak, owner of Nova Studios. Nova Studios provides small businesses and start-ups with Web and marketing services that help growing businesses thrive. http://www.nova-studios.net 

We're Going To Baltimore

NFMT2012 NATIONAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY TRADESHOW

March 13-15, Baltimore Convention Center. Stop by and see us. We will be in booth #2535.

This year we will be showing many new sign creations and innovative way finding solutions, like Kroy Color Raster™ Braille and Portable Banner Stands.

From building automation to sustainability to energy management - and every facility need in between - you will see more than 400 leading suppliers as they demonstrate the latest products, services and technologies available.

Through-out the three day event, several networking events are offered, so that you can connect with like-minded colleagues to discuss solutions, challenges and best practices.

Exhibit Dates and Hours:

Tuesday, March 13

12:00pm - 4:00pm

Wednesday, March 14

11:00am - 3:00pm

Thursday, March 15

11:00am - 2:00pm

See you there!

A Wild (Cherry) Reception!

Not long ago, I visited my personal Physician for a routine checkup. As I entered, I noticed that they had made major improvements to the front office. Fresh paint, new furniture, track lighting and a custom manufactured reception desk really changed the environment for the patients waiting to see the doctor. The reception desk had been fabricated from wild cherry wood with satin aluminum accents, a glass top and satin aluminum dimensional letters that read “RECEPTIONIST”. The primary signage in the office was replaced to blend with the new interior, adding a nice finishing touch to the entire project.

But I couldn’t get past the piece of paper stuck to the wall that read “Please Sign In And Have Insurance Information Available. Thank You.” I asked the individual at the front desk “Why, with all of the improvements, had they settled with a piece of printed paper to communicate a message that seemed fairly permanent?” The receptionist said that the sign had been an after thought and that they had just not taken the time to find something else. “Besides,” she said, “Where am I going to find a sign now, that would match everything else?”

I grabbed my iPhone and took a picture of the piece of paper and reception desk. I said we would provide a price quote shortly. When I returned to the office, we matched materials used in fabricating the desk and incorporated them into a Kroy Sign Systems Curved Metal Sign frame. Since the sign did not require ADA compliance, we simply applied vinyl text to the surface of the sign with the message from the piece of paper.

The Receptionist from the Physicians office called when the sign was received and said the sign matched the reception desk perfectly. They were all very impressed with the outcome, not realizing how quick, simple and inexpensive a more permanent sign would be.

In an era of having high quality, digital photography available on most cell phones, we were able to provide a one time, custom manufactured sign without the the customer really having to do a thing.

Another “Quality Sign, On Time, At A Reasonable Price”. †

There is No Confusing Kroy Sign Systems

Kroy Sign Systems has been a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of architectural signs since 1981. Originally, the signs organization was a smaller subsidiary of Kroy Inc., an international manufacturer of labeling and identification machines for architects and engineers. Today, the sign company is independent and much larger. It currently services both retail and wholesale sign markets throughout the USA.

Remarkably, the company works with many of the same sign distributors across the country that it originally started with 30 years ago. And, there is no mistaking the company! Kroy Sign Systems works on a project - specific basis with resellers. Comprehensive modular products are available for architectural, ADA and in-house sign graphic applications. Custom materials, sizes, shapes and finishes are available for design - build projects and sub-contract opportunities. The Kroy Sign Systems strategy is simple, effective and consistent…Support sign resellers and they will support your sign products!! †

Certified On-Time

We were recently approached by a General Contractor who’s time to complete a project had run out and the necessary signs for a “Certificate Of Occupancy” were required immediately. Being in the sign industry, we have come to accept the fact that this immediate need does occur from time-to-time as signs are generally the last component to be installed in a new project or renovation.

The General Contractor realized that the sign designs originally specified were going to take time to manufacture. They were looking for a quick and inexpensive alternative, while still providing an attractive regulatory sign solution. (Printed paper inserts taped to the wall were not a viable solution).

We suggested purchasing Kroy Sign Systems’ Injection Molded Regulatory Signs as a temporary solution until the more unique specified signs could be manufactured and shipped.

The Contractor gave us the list of signs that were needed to satisfy the requirements for receiving the buildings certificate. The signs were shipped that afternoon and were received the following day. The Contractor may have spent a little bit more to complete the project on time, but avoided costly late charges for missing the due date.†