EDITOR’S COLUMN

EDITOR’S COLUMN BY JEFF WOOTEN

JEFF WOOTEN Editor, jwooten@sbpub.com I t feels like we’re sailing into uncharted territory nowadays, particularly when it comes to the societal and economic impact related to COVID-19. Regarding our day-to-day activity, we probably need to add soap and water and sanitizer to the list of safety items such as fall harnesses, safety goggles, and heavy-duty work gloves.

Above is the original paragraph I opened up with for this month’s column. However here I am one week later about to go to press and having to rewrite everything you’re about to read from here on. This seemingly changing-by-thehour pandemic has changed the nation (and the world), and it unfortunately appears to be no longer business as usual for the foreseeable future.

The concept of social distancing has become prevalent in daily conversation. Because of this, it’s really important to have a plan in place. Attorney Aaron Holt, in his “Employers Should Make Coronavirus Preparation” article appearing on our Web site (bit.l/3dmYUJI), says that employers should be asking themselves difficult questions now while they still have the time to make preparations. “For example, what is the minimum number of employees needed to sustain business operations?” he writes. “Who is responsible for making the decisions to close or re-open the business or impacted portions of the business? Under what criteria will these decisions be made? What are the weaknesses in the company’s supply chain? Where can the Viral Communication How will COVID-19 aect your shop?

company obtain alternative resources and under what timeframe?”

It’s important to keep in mind that there are virus anxieties and economic anxieties and tough decisions ahead. There is going to become a point (whether it’s already happened in your area by the time you read this) where shops have to become reactive or proactive about the situation. Speaking of being proactive now, one thing I have read up on is the importance of employing digital marketing nowadays, particularly in keeping your current (and potential) customers up-to-date and reassuring them how your business is operating during this crisis, the steps you’re taking to address your work environment, and how they can contact you with orders.

If you’re a smaller sign shop, keep track of the Small Business Administration. They recently announced that they will be working with state governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus in an effort to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Stay safe out there, and let’s get through this together.

Photo: Shutterstock/magic pictures.

May 2020 LightFair International, the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting tradeshow and conference, casts its shine at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Note: This event has been postponed. Date to be determined. (lightfair.com)

June 2020

JUNE 11-13: It’s time for SEGD 2020 Conference Experience Portland at the Hyatt Regency in Portland, Oregon. (segd.org)

JUNE 11-13: Shake, rattle, and roll at the Texas Sign Association’s Sixtyseventh annual conference being held at the Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. (txsigns.org)

JUNE 24-25: The Midwest Sign Association’s MSA Summer Meeting heats up at the Residence Inn and Emerald Event Center, Avon, Ohio. (msassn.org)

July 2020

JULY 29-AUGUST 1: SignConnexion 2020, hosted by the Mid South Sign Association, will take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (midsouthsign.org)

August 2020

AUGUST 23-25: The rescheduled ISA International Sign Expo will be taking place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. (signexpo.org)

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