Posts Tagged ‘Eco-friendly displays’

The Power Of The Proper Handshake

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

According to some historians the handshake dates all the way back to the days of Camelot when kings and knights would shake a person’s hand in order to make sure no weapons were being concealed.  Today the handshake is a sign of respect, a gesture indicating that a deal is done, and for some it’s just as much an indication of who a person is as anything that is being said by them. A proper handshake takes practice and isn’t something you do half heartedly, it takes a commitment to the action and a lack thereof could lead to a major miscommunication.

Types Of Common Handshake Errors

  • Make sure you get in there- When shaking hands you want to make sure you complete the motion so that the hands are pressing together in equal proportions. If you don’t commit, the person you are introducing yourself to may get a handful of fingers and it could appear that you are not interested in meeting them.
  • Avoid sweaty palms- There’s nothing worse than to stick your hand out only to be met with a cold sweaty hand. Sweaty palms could indicate that the person is nervous or lacks confidence. One good trick for avoiding this is to keep a tissue in your pocket at all times and occasionally stick your hand inside to keep them dry.
  • The shake is not a test of strength- While you definitely don’t want to extend a limp wrist to a person you are introducing yourself too, trying to break their hand won’t do you any favors either. The trick is to be firm without squeezing in such away to cause any type of discomfort. A firm handshake exudes confidence, will power, strength, and a bit of attitude. Remember that it’s important to not over due it without appearing weak at the same time.

A good handshake has the ability to make every first impression a good one similar to the way that a custom designed trade show exhibit can also make a person feel an immediate connection with a company. Whether your company is in the market for something portable and easy to put up, an exhibit for outdoor use, or want to show how much they care about the planet by purchasing an environmentally friendly trade show display; Godfrey has just the thing you need to turn that all important first impression into the start of a beautiful friendship.

Table Topper Trade Show Stopper

Monday, August 9th, 2010

We talk a lot here about grand exhibits, large fabric walls, and eco-friendly displays, but not all trade show displays are what they seem. In fact you might be surprised at what can be accomplished with the use of a simple folding table. Whether you bring your own or rely on the event organizer to provide one, a folding table combined with a few simple touches from Godfrey might just be the thing you’ve been looking for to turn you next show into something special.

The first thing you need to do is answer the question, when is a folding table not a folding table? Have you seen one these tables after they’ve been shipped, stored, and slid all over the place? They are dirty. They quickly start to show every dent, ding, and scuff. Soon they become so unappealing that you just can’t be expected to give a worthwhile presentation. Not to mention they limit your display space and feature nothing in the realm of customized graphics. So when is a folding table not a folding table? When it’s covered up by a brightly colored table throw. Covering all sides of the table and featuring a customized logo made to your specifications, a wrinkle-resistant table throw covers all those unpleasant looking blemishes and gives your table a professional appearance.

As great as a table throw can be though, it’s basically just the foundation for what could be an even greater sales experience. What you need next is a structure that easily folds out, provides tons of shelf space, and literally takes that Plain Jane table to the next level. One great thing about table top displays are that there are a ton of different styles to choose from. From the simple fold out variety, to the Space Station Popup, to the Roll N’ Go, to the Brief Case style; table top displays are portable, light weight, fully customizable, and are sure to give you a show room quality display perfect for large events or one-on-one customer meetings.

The next time you are looking for a quick and easy display that is full of options and can be customized to feature your company logo, remember that simple folding table and just what can be accomplished with a bit of creativity.

Godfrey Guarantees Personal Trade Show Attention!!

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Over the course of researching what I want to share on this blog over the course of a week, I continuously catch myself thinking that I’ve seen everything that Godfrey can do only to be surprised yet again by something amazing that I never knew about. This week alone I’ve shared with you the perfect tent for outdoor events and gone over some of the benefits of offering your trade show visitors a chance to sit and take a break in a set of classic looking scoop-back seats. I’m always bragging about our pop-up displays and grand fabric structures. From poster frames, to table wraps, to LED displays, to inflatable props; Godfrey just never seems to run out of designs to meet your needs. What you may not know is that my latest discovery of what Godfrey offers just might change the way you plan your next trade show event.

Before I share my new find I want to discuss just how easy it is to start working on your custom display. The first thing you need of course is an idea. Do you want something large and elaborate or are you looking for something small that can quickly be taken down to carry with you? Once you have a basic idea of what you want it’s time to meet your personal project manager. This is the person who will help you take your idea and turn it into a fully customized display. Together you will work out the basics, come up with a concept, and from there everything is sent to our design team. The design staff takes what you and your project manager have done so far and turns those ideas into something tangible that will be submitted to you for approval. Once this is complete it’s just a matter of time before your custom display is built. During this process you will be notified regularly about what progress is being made and you will even receive pictures of how everything is coming together.

Next comes that amazing discovery I mentioned above that just proves that Godfrey is the best at what they do. Along with your display you will have access to a support manager that will actually accompany you to the tradeshow and help you setup your booth. That’s right! Godfrey actually has a team of job managers that will show up and make sure everything is installed just as you ordered. And it doesn’t stop there! In between shows you can even ship us back the display where we can then service, refresh the graphics, or even upgrade your design!

From start to finish and long after the show is over, Godfrey is here to give you the tools you need to make your next event the largest ever! Call us now and get your project manager working on a new design today!!

How To Politely Present Your Product To Customers

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Today I want to wrap up our series all about how smaller displays don’t always mean you have to settle for smaller profits. Up to this point we’ve discussed the easy to transform and take with you podium shipping case, took a look at what a simple stand alone portable workstation with monitor mount can do for you, and today we are going in a slightly different direction with some thoughts about how the smallest of gestures can make a huge impact. Nobody likes a pushy salesman. You could have the greatest product in the world guaranteed to revolutionize all of civilization and if you come across as too pushy, unsympathetic, and rude you’re not going to have the same results as the other guy who is out there being as polite and helpful as he possibly can. It doesn’t matter you’re standing in front of one of the most state-of-the-art exhibits ever to be showcased at a trade show or simply sweating it out under a single kiosk tent at some country fair, for a majority of consumers how a product is presented is just as important as what is being presented.

3 Key Tips To Politely Present Your Product To Customers

1. Look Them In The Eye And Show Them You Care About What They Think. Notice this doesn’t say, “act like you care what they think.” People can spot when somebody is being fake and pretending to show interest in them just to get into their wallets. When meeting somebody for the first time, learn their name as well as some information about them such as where they are from or what they do for a living. Let them know who you are and how you think that what you are selling could do wonders for them. Try to maintain eye contact as much as possible so they know they have your full attention.

2. Be Graceful and Don’t Come Off As Greedy. It’s no secret to anyone attending that the reason you are standing in front of the custom designed fabric wall is because your job is to sell, sell, sell so don’t knock them over the head with it. Delivering your message without appearing that you are begging for a sale can easily be done. Remember to use the information you have gathered from the the customer up to that point to show them how your product could best suit their needs. Understandably things get hectic at times, but it could be something as simple as a handshake or friendly smile that gets the customers attention and leads them to finding out more about you.

3. Close With Class. Regardless of whether or not a sale is made, there comes a time when you’ve done all you could do and it either had the desired effect or you failed to hit your mark. If it’s the later don’t throw your hands in the air and send the customer on their way with little more than a wave goodbye. Some people will never jump into buying a product immediately no matter how good a deal it appears they are getting. They need time to kick things over in their heads, check with their spouse, or research what you are offering online. Before they leave though make sure to have them write down their name and contact info so you can follow up at a later time. This will give them the freedom to make their selves feel comfortable about what you showed them so that when you do call they are more inclined to commit.

What this whole discussion about whether bigger is better or less is more all boils down to is delivery. The most environmentally friendly display on the market won’t get you anywhere if you are rude and appear to be greedy. Likewise something as simple as one sales rep giving a presentation behind a podium or in front of a literature display will remain just that i.e. alone if he/she does not come across as genuine and compassionate.

Are Conumers Really Concerned About Going Green?

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

One look at your grocery store shelves will tell you that going green means big business. It seems that every product on the market is attempting to brand itself as the environmentally friendly choice. With all of this endless supply of concern for the planet taking place (at least from the manufacturing sector) one has to wonder if this is just another gimmick to try and make a buck or do consumers really care about going green as much as Wall Street wants them to. A survey published by the folks at Treehugger says that not only are people becoming increasingly more aware of green products, but that they actively look for products that aim to make the world a better place.

When it comes to green logos “eighty-two percent of online adults recognize the Energy Star logo and 86% recognize the recycling arrows” and “familiarity with green terminology is high for established terms such as recyclable (86%) or energy efficiency (76%)” What this means is that more and more consumers are educating themselves on what items will create less of an impact on the world around them. In fact “fifty-five percent of consumers consider themselves to be environmentally conscious and74% believe companies should do more to protect the environment.” Now let’s translate this into trade show speak; by electing to showcase your products with an environmentally friendly trade show display you are immediately telling your customer three things 1)You care about the environment 2) You understand their concerns as well and 3)Saving the planet is more than a gimmick for you, but rather you are simply practicing what you preach.

What makes the Pod Forum such a great green display is that it is made from a minimal amount of recycled aluminum tubing and the entire exhibit is covered in earth friendly fabrics. This not only means that the display itself is environmentally conscious, but when you take into consideration that the light weight of the display actually costs less and wastes less than what other displays would to ship, than you can clearly see why this is the only choice for vendors who base their existence on promoting a green lifestyle.

If you are a regular on the trade show circuit and on the lookout for a way to reduce your carbon footprint while still attending the same number of events, than the Pod Forum is your chance to give something back to the planet and encourage your customers to do the same.

A Recipe For Trade Show Success!!!

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

If you’re a foodie like me (not to mention a huge pop culture fan) than you are no doubt following along with two of the best cooking shows to hit the airwaves in decades. I’m talking about The Next Food Network Star and Top Chef both taking place on separate networks each and every week. Each show features a group of chefs competing in a variety of cooking contests designed to weed out the best and send home the rest. If you look beyond the competition and focus on the basics of the cooking though, you may be surprised to find lessons that relate directly to trade show success. Below is a recipe for a successful trade show and it starts with knowing what you want your end result to be. Like cooking you need to have a loose idea as to what you are making. What do you want your display to accomplish? Do you have a specific design in mind?

1 Dose of Preparation- What type of display works best for your product? Would a literature display be best or do your needs point more towards a computer kiosk? Indoor or outdoor? Pop up or environmentally friendly? What design best matches the types of events you attend? Who are you marketing to and what gets their attention the most?

1 Dash of Creativity- The use of color is a great way to get a persons attention. Try to be unique while at the same time don’t be too extreme as to alienate yourself from other vendors.

1 lb of Follow Through- Make sure you keep up the relationships you make while at an event. The moment you return from a trade show, shoot out an email or call your new contact just to thank them for taking the time to speak to you.

1 Ounce of Prevention- Know what it is about your product that discourages people and come to an event prepared to offer solutions to their concerns. If a customer is concerned about the cost tell them you understand, that others you spoken to have also felt the same way, and that you were able to help them through the use of a payment plan.

Mix With Special Ingredient- Every great chef knows that to truly be successful you must take the ordinary and turn it into the extraordinary. A kiosk is not a kiosk when it features a custom logo along with your companies name emblazoned in the center. By taking the idea of a trade show display and molding it to fit your idea of what the customer is looking for, you are essentially giving them something they are familiar with yet have never seen before.

Like the perfect recipe, the key to a successful trade show exhibit is repetition. Don’t be afraid to try new things and make changes until you achieve a display that fits your needs and creates buzz amongst customers.

The Sky Is The Limit With Godfrey!

Friday, June 25th, 2010

We’ve all been there, you’re at the store and the one thing you need is the only thing that is not marked with a price tag. You immediately start scanning the tops of the aisles for signs that a price scanner is nearby so you can see how much the item costs. Maybe it’s not a price you are looking for, maybe you are in a hurry or are looking for something specific like baby friendly mosquito spray. Your first inclination of course is to look up in hopes of finding a sign pointing you the in the right direction. It’s natural. You get frustrated, begin to feel lost, need help….you instinctively look towards the sky in hopes of being pointed in the right direction. Maybe it’s religious. Looking up inspires hope, good thoughts, no limitations. Looking down means looking backward, being limited by your circumstances, without choices….

When you’re at a trade show looking up is just about the only way to find what you are looking for and that’s why hanging banners are so important. A customized hanging banner with your company’s name and logo has the ability to act like that ray of sunshine parting the dark clouds and lighting a path for consumers to follow straight to your exhibit. If you don’t believe me just check out our round, tapered, or pinwheel headers for yourself.

If your frustrated about the lack of traffic coming in the direction of your booth or kiosk then instead of looking up, look to Godfrey where we have just the thing to part those cloudy skies. With thousands of designs to choose from, the sky is the limit as to what can be specifically tailored to fit the needs of your organization. So what are you waiting for? Pop over to our main site today and learn more about our fantastic signs, eco-friendly forums, and of course overhead banners.

The Art Of Knowing What You Want And How To Get It

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Last week in a post titled “The Right Person For The Job” I talked about how something as tantalizing as Fillet Mignon would appear to be plain trash if it were to be served to you on a garbage can lid. Now in that post I was using this example as way to make sure you are employing people who have a certain degree of charm and personality, but the same can be said about how you choose to show off your product as well. You could essentially have one of those products that becomes synonymous with a entire line of products from any number of manufacturers (Coke, TiVo, and Matchbox Cars are examples of this), but because you did not choose the best way to promote your idea nobody ever takes notice. It’s those early decisions about how you will choose to bring your product to the consumer that make all the difference in the world.

Understandably this isn’t an easy process and not something to jump into. You want to start with a very broad idea of what you want and then begin to eliminate choices. Is your event outside? Do you need something like a large tent or would a smaller Mushroom style kiosk do the trick? Are you looking for something that can easily be packed up and taken to the next location or does portability not matter? Maybe you are just looking to spice up your office front. Will there be some type of attendant with a desk stationed there? Is privacy going to be a concern? How about signage? Were you thinking about something that may possibly hang from the ceiling or maybe you’d rather just have a stand that would allow people to pick up literature as they pass by?

All of these questions and we haven’t even considered graphics yet. Are you looking for something with bright colors or is something more professional what you had in mind? Do you have a specific logo that needs to be included or are you looking to come up with a new theme unlike anything you have done before? Are considering renting a booth to start out or are you ready to fully customize a display of your own?

Finding what is right for you and your products can be time consuming process, but one that is fulfilling and often very profitable. Knowing what works best for you and what you want makes all the difference in the world. The Godfrey Group understands this and that’s why we’ve created a Design Library that lets you start narrowing your ideas down and even save them so that you can come back later after you’ve researched what you want a little further. Don’t hesitate. Login in today!!

Time For A Little COLOR Comentary

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Drive down any major street in America and no doubt signs for McDonalds, Target, Toys R Us, as well as several odd number billboards will catch your eye.  Now this could mean you have a 4 yr-old in the backseat like I typically do or according to one study, it may mean that certain colors play a key role in what we opt to spend our money on.  Believe it or not there is an entire field of psychology devoted to the science of figuring out what moods are brought on by specific colors and what they are finding is that although you may not know it, some colors may actually be subconsciously pulling or pushing you towards them.  Take my the example of McDonalds above;  when you think fastfood phrases like “need to be quick“, “in a hurry“, “no time to sit still” probably come to mind all of which just happen to be associated with colors red, yellow, and orange. It should also come as no surprise that these are also the main colors covering the majority of fast food joints  across the country.  Now take the opposite; when you want that the perfect restaurant to have a nice romantic night out what does your favorite spot typically look like? My guess would be someplace with low light, clean white linens, tan almost dark brown walls, and everything  is covered in the soft glow from several well placed candles. As it turns out each of the colors I just described encourages people to slow down and relax.

In terms of trade shows the right colors can make all the difference and help set the perfect mood to match who you are as well as what your message is.  This is why the Godfrey Group goes to great lengths to offer its customers more than your standard red, blues, and greens. When you get ready to place your order with us, take a look at our RoadRunner Color and Push Loop selection guides where you will find such eye capturing colors like Blueberry, Oyster, Par Green, Sterling, and the always popular Flame red. Need something with a little texture to it? How about Regency, Amber, or Stellar all available in ribbed or velvet designs.  The Godfrey Group has plenty of colors to choose from each available for table runners, throws, pop-up displays, and other exhibits.  Remember before you get ready to attend your next event, think about the mood you want to set and get with Godfrey for the perfect color to match your needs.

Celebrate Earth Day The Godfrey Way

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

I know what you are thinking; Earth Day was on the 22nd and today is the 23rd, but when it comes to helping save the planet the Godfrey Group believes that everyday is the perfect time to help celebrate all that Mother Nature has to offer. Protecting the environment is important to us not because it’s important to you, but because like yourself we feel a responsibility to give back to this place we call home. That’s why we created our specialty line of Eco-Friendly displays specifically tailored to help save the environment while at the same time saving you cash. I’m talking of course about our PodForum line of displays and the amazing cutting edge tech that is changing the way people think about traditional tradeshow kiosks.

 Built with recycled aluminum tubing covered in a wide variety of earth-friendly fabric graphics, the PodForum can be custom fit to resemble the surface of your choice from brick, to stone, to much more. With it’s lightweight support system you can forget about those huge shipping costs associated with getting those other displays from one place to the other, the PodForum is designed to help decrease your carbon footprint every step of the way. Oh and about those earth-friendly fabric graphics, with the PodForum Godfrey has developed what could be one of the coolest tricks on the market today….a display that will change color when introduced to different sound frequencies! Imagine turning your next trade event into something resembling a rock concert complete with a pulse pounding light show! Plus with it’s easy to assemble slip-on style, your message can be changed at a moments notice to match the mood and feel of the crowd. This is also perfect for multi-day events where you want show the crowd something different both days.  Add some backlighting and what you get is a low-cost, environmentally friendly, flexible display that can easily be transformed into a wide variety of combinations to fit any trade show or company event. The PodForum from Godfrey, saving the planet one Earth Day at a time.