Why Is Creativity Important and Powerful?

By Nash Lin

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Many times in my life, I come across things and events that makes me ask, "Why are things done this way when there is a better alternative?" I've worked for many companies who have their daily operation done in the orderly and conventional manner. These companies totally turned me off because I find that I can do those operations at a much faster and efficient manner just by giving a slight creative modification.
Worse thing could happen is when you are working with people who are conformed to their daily activity. They are so conformed that even if you give them a 1 minute solution to a 1 hour operation, they will conveniently reject the solution just because, "I like to do it this way, because I'm used to it." There is nothing wrong with this mindset because you can't force people to change their thinking, unless it affects their pay cheque, right?
So why is creativity so important? With creativity, you explore possibilities to improve things, you bring new ideas to people and stimulate new ideas to others. If you are working in the digital art and media industry, continuous improvement is important because technology and ideas advance so quickly that you will soon be obsolete. At least at the bare minimal, you must be able to catch up with the trend.
Why is creativity powerful? Being creative gives you an opportunity to improve someone's life, be it your boss or your client. If you are good enough, you might be in-charge of your project or becoming your own boss! If your dream is to watch your concept developed into a complete project, you will have to seize the opportunity with good creativity. Concept is king, and if you have the concept and creativity, you have a high chance to lead the team.
When you are providing more value to someone, you will benefit at the same time, either in monetary form, gain recognition, etc. If you are an artist and you are creative enough to create an art piece that not many people can achieve, you are considered outstanding. Your value to your boss, your client or the industry will be higher in comparison with other colleagues or competitors.
If you are a normal digital artist and you are able to create quality assets at a shorter time, you are also giving more value to your company and you might be promoted. Don't get me wrong that I see benefits at the end result of being creative. Benefit comes in as a sub-result when you are successful with creativity. However, you should always be asking "how can I provide better or higher value to others?"
Do not think that creativity only exist in the art sector. You can become creative in almost anything you do in your daily life. You explore avenues to improve your environment, your work and even your relationships with friends and family. However, do not be afraid to try new things or activities. Creative people are risk takers, they have a new idea and they try it out. Even if an idea doesn't work, it is still a step closer to actualizing your idea.
Many will doubt their own creativity level, but there is one fact you have to know, that is everyone possesses creativity within them.

Nash Lin is an expert in multimedia and animation industry. He has 7 years of creating animation for games and 3D video trailers. To find out more about animation, visit www.ilearntoanimate.com

How to Find the Perfect Logo for Your Business

By Stuart Withers

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Assess your business niche
The most important consideration to make when creating a logo for your business is to know your industry. For example, if you are a painter and decorator, then most of the designs for your industry will probably include some sort of practical graphic design, such as a paintbrush. However, if you are an upmarket fashion shop, then your niche will probably focus on classy fonts and minimal designs. Knowing your business niche is critical to successful design, as it provides a representation of your knowledge and authority within your niche.
Assess your competition
Observing the logos of your competition is a great way to work out what is successful and what is not. Look at some of your most successful competitors and take on board what is included in their graphic designs. Is it imagery or font? Is it a mixture of both? Is it full of colour or rather minimal? Establish this and you'll be putting yourself in a great position to consider your own design. You shouldn't try and copy your competitors, as you'll want to be unique. Instead, take the core concepts and then develop these into your own design.
Assess your own business
This is crucial to forming a graphic design that properly represents your business. A good logo says all that is needed about a company. Potential customers often choose whether to contact a business or not based solely on their logo. Therefore, work out your brand values, work out your stance in the market, and then think about a design that reflects these elements. As an example, if a business was in the care sector, then a homely, warm graphic design would work well. However, if you were a solicitors then a sleek, font focused silver design would work best. It's a fact; imagery is everything in the business world.
Customise your design
The last thing you want to do is choose a generic design for your business that can be used by many others. This will just make you blend into the background and won't give you an individual edge that makes you stand out. A standard clip-art design from a logo website will not do you any favours. It may be cheaper than hiring a designer, but as the logo is the visual voice of your business, if you invest a little you will get a lot back.

There you have it, take this advice and you'll be on the road to logo stardom. If you need assistance then Cascade Group are a graphic design agency in London that provide their services to clients across the globe at highly competitive rates. Check them out.
http://www.cascadelondon.co.uk/

Implications of Motion Graphics in Online Animation

By Sunny Singh Arora

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Motion graphics is simply graphics in motion. That is, graphics which are not static but otherwise. It's the graphics only by which a video is known, hence the better the quality of graphics the better would be their effect on viewers. The idea and purpose behind putting graphics in motion is to make viewers feel the same movement of things in a video as they would feel in a video shot from a real camera in real surroundings.
Online animation uses the concept of characters, which could be of an animal or a person. These characters are made to act and behave in a way similar to real actors. This is done to make the video look as real as possible. The major advantage with such videos is that though they look and give the feel similar to that of a real video, they are animated. This makes them most sought after videos these days as they have several advantages associated with them. Some of which are:
1. They can be used in all the sectors such as in entertainment, gaming, training, educational or commercial sectors.
2. They can very well advertise a new as well as old product. They can also demonstrate the use of a product.
3. They are quick to gain attention of even the people with the shortest attention span.
4. Their cost of production remains low as they are produced from a single location with the help of special software.
5. They can easily break the large, complex data to diffuse them into smaller packs, each one simplifying the message. This is done to present information in parts, thus finally presenting a large piece of information in an attractive way.
6. They can target an audience of any kind and type. For instance, characters can be made of several kinds and types to cater to the tastes and preferences of a specific audience.
7. They can be given the shape of an imaginative as well as real story to make the information as dynamic and real as possible.
8. They give an identity to a business and create an image into the minds of viewers.
9. They are capable enough to capture even the minutest detail which may not be possible with a video shot with a real camera.
Motion graphics with texts, photographs, sounds and images etc makes a video come alive in front of its viewers.

Online Animation is largely made up of character animation that gets played to their optimum with the use of Motion Graphics. A professional video production company helps businesses achieve their objectives through animated videos.

Chinese Business

By Tomas Donovan

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Understanding Chinese cultural business practices helps to prepare your company to handle all the intricacies and tactics that this part of the world brings. Such preparation will also get you the best deal possible both in the short and long term. All too often business owners and negotiators accustomed to Western business practices are caught unprepared by these Chinese cultural business practices.
This is somewhat understandable since the Chinese culture itself has many of their significant differences covered by their obvious capitalistic methods. Unfortunately, the negotiating tactics that are used are very different from those familiar to Western business owners. Here are a few solid international business tips you can follow when negotiating with Chinese cultural business officials so that you understand exactly your position and what you are getting out of this process.
Avoidance: Perhaps one of the most common techniques used by Chinese negotiators is to simply avoid direct negotiations. This can be quite confusing since the idea of not directly negotiating seems like such a waste of time and effort to the uninitiated. However, this can be a powerful tactic since it provides valuable information on the seriousness of your offers, business sense and intent. When faced with avoidance, simply have your representatives restate your position on each meeting and patiently wait for this tactic to cease.
False Agreement: A seldom used tactic but one that can be quite disconcerting. Here you are faced with what seems to be total agreement but no commitment. Often this is done by the junior members of the Chinese organization that you are negotiating with while the main bosses are either not
False Deal: One of the most common and trickiest tactics used by Chinese businessmen is the agreeing rather quickly to a deal, especially when you are purchasing products or materials that they make. Usually they reinforce their commitment by slashing their prices, but the truth is that the prices were highly inflated in the first place. The key here is to find out their prices beforehand and stick to the prices that are what they really sell for.
Inflation: Another common tactic which on the surface resembles "Avoidance", but instead of not meeting with you or avoiding negotiations, they talk up how big a deal this could be and speak in almost wild terms. Here the key tactic is to keep your cool, stick to your negotiating position and wait for all the "wild talk" to die down.
Overlook: Did you ever see something that you wanted and the salesman kept talking about one aspect of that product, but ignored another. Sure enough the part of that product they ignored turns out to ruin it. Here, the standard Chinese tactic is to push one aspect of one part of the deal while overlooking another part that they hope to sneak through. Here, you want to make sure you cover all parts of the deal equally early in the meeting and identify what they are overlooking so you make sure you get the deal you want.
Following successful international business tips means a little more preparation and focus, but the results will be worth it when you land the right deal.

If you are interested in Chinese cultural business practices, check this web-site to learn more about Chinese cultural business practices.

7 Secrets of Successful Selling to Retailers

By Yohan Jacob

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So you've invented the next great gadget, and you're sure it'll be a hit. In fact, you've got cartons of inventory stored in every room of your house that you're itching to sell. Your friends and family said they "love it", but how can you get retailers to "love it" enough to place an order with you?
Below are 7 secrets of successfully selling to retailers. While most of the secrets are common sense, it amazes me how many entrepreneurs, inventors, and small manufacturers trying everything except these 7 secrets.
1. Know the retailer you want your products in
Not every retailer will buy your product. Most retailers have a niche that they fill. Find out which type of customer will buy your product. Is a bargain shopper or an upscale trendsetter? If you sell low-end kitchen gadgets, perhaps a mass merchant like Walmart or K-Mart would be a better fit for your products versus Bed Bath and Beyond or Macys.
2. Know your product and why retail buyers should purchase it
Why should a retail buyer buy your product? Is it price, features, or something else? Be prepared to thoroughly discuss the features & benefits of your product, how it is better or different than similar products on the market and why a retailer would want to carry it. Without knowing what single thing differentiates your product from the thousands of similar products out there, you are just wasting your time in getting a retail buyer's attention.
3. Know your program before calling a retail buyer
I'm talking about things like order minimums, "floor and ceiling costs", suggested retail price, pre-paid freight versus collect, packaging specs, payment terms, returns to vendor, etc. Retail buyers will ask you some very tough questions and you need to know the details of your program, forwards and backwards.
4. Know what marketing or sales promotions you will provide to drive sales
If you think your job is done once the retailer gives you the first purchase order, you are unfortunately mistaken. Don't worry... a lot of small vendors forget this as well. Your post-sales job is to help retailers sell through the inventory that they just bought from you. As the retailer sells through your inventory, what do they do next? They buy MORE from you. Whether it is funding in-store promotions or simply listing the retailer's URL on your website, driving more customers to your retailers is a MUST-DO action step.
5. Know what type of retail packaging will fit on the retailer's shelf
Retailers will want to know what type of packaging your product comes in because they almost always have very limited space to work with - is it a bag with hanging hook or is it something they will have to put on a shelf?
Big-box retailers (like Target, Walmart, Sears, etc) will definitely want to see the product AND the packaging. They are VERY specific about their store image, their customer and their available "real estate". They want your product in their hands for review before proceeding any further
You don't necessarily HAVE to provide samples-but be ready to if they request them. Some retailers need to see, feel and smell a product before carrying it. It is acceptable to charge for samples, especially if they are big ticket items or difficult to ship.
6. Know what press clips, awards or accolades your product has received
You will want to show retail buyers these things because oftentimes, these things will SELL your product for you. Favorable press shows a retailer that your product is "worthy" of being on their shelves, that it has real salability. Retail buyers hate to buy a product that has been untested in the "real world" or has not received any press, awards or accolades.
7. Know if you want to handle the sales function yourself or outsource it to someone else
While most owners of small companies think they are capable of selling to retailers, in actuality, they cannot. Taking care of a retail account once the sale has been completed is just as hard as the sell itself to the retailer. If you are not comfortable with sales, consider outsourcing this function to an independent sales rep. Usually, independent sales reps work on commission-typically 10-15% of any sales they land for you. You can usually find sales reps on industry trade websites, trade publication ads or through word of mouth.

To learn more secrets in successfully selling to retailers, visit http://www.retailbound.com.
Copyright 2012 Yohan Jacob All rights reserved. To reprint this article, you must use the article in its entirety, along with the resource box below.
Yohan Jacob is known internationally as the Retail Coach. A noted author, retail consultant and retail coach, Yohan shows entrepreneurs, inventors, and small suppliers how to stand apart and get their products sold to retailers in a competitive marketplace. Visit him online at http://www.retailbound.com.

8 Tips To Increase Your E-Commerce Sales

By Senay Johnson

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As e-commerce continues to grow in Canada, and be a staple in the States, it's important that you get the most out of your e-commerce site, especially if you're a small business.
Here are 8 tips guaranteed to increase your e-commerce site. How do I know? They are best practices I've implemented with my clients and seen tremendous results.
TIP #1 | MAKE YOUR E-COMMERCE SITE VISUALLY APPEALING
This first tip connects to branding and making a first impression. An e-commerce site that isn't cluttered, has a great home page and professional images, and a logical flow communicates quality and professionalism. This "halo effect" means customers will associate your product with quality and be more likely to purchase.
An easy way to determine how effective your home page is through Google Analytics' Visitor Flow chart. If you see that customers are landing on your home page and then immediately leaving (shown by the 'drop off' %), then 'Houston, we have a problem'.
TIP #2 | MAKE IT EASY TO NAVIGATE
A great user experience means easy navigation and easy navigation means more sales. Make sure your product categories are logical and comprehensive. Make your logo clickable and redirect to the home page. Top vs. side navigation is more common and more effective. Don't get caught up in what's easiest for you as the merchant and the backend, think about what makes sense for your customer.
TIP #3 | USE UP-SELLING AND ADD-ONS
This is something big retailers do really well. By simply featuring complementary items such as "You may also like these products" or suggesting pairings like "People that purchased this product also purchased these items", you not only expose the customer to more products, but you make it easy for them to purchase. Remember, time is money for both you and your customer. The more time you save them, the more products they're likely to buy.
TIP #4 | MAKE THE SHOPPING CART HIGHLY VISIBLE
This is one of the most important components of any e-commerce site but it's often overlooked by small business owners. Position the shopping cart in plain view (normally in the upper right hand corner), ideally show a shopping cart icon and at the least visually show the number of items currently in the cart. A best practice is to show the actual items in the cart. And be sure to make checkout easy with a simple click of a button.
TIP #5 | MAKE IT EASY TO CHECKOUT
In reviewing one client's e-commerce analytics and visitor flow, I noticed that customers were spending a lot of time between the shopping cart and help, ultimately abandoning the cart. It became obvious that they couldn't figure out how to checkout. After a few minutes of frustration they simply left the site. Once a customer has a less than perfect user experience with your site, they are highly unlikely to come back.
Another sales killer is asking the customer to set up an account before they check out. Again, this goes back to "time is money". By simply removing this one step from a client's site, their sales went up by 55% within 3 weeks.
TIP #6 | COLLECT E-MAIL ADDRESSES AT CHECKOUT
Making it mandatory for a customer to provide their e-mail address at checkout ensures three things (1) that you can easily contact them if there is a problem with their order; (2) if they abandon their cart you'll have a way to possibly finish the sales and (3) your customer database grows. A lot of e-commerce platforms pre-populate the checkout fields, make sure that the e-mail address is a mandatory field.
TIP #7 | SET UP A CART ABANDONMENT PROGRAM
The industry average cart abandonment rate is 65% but most e-commerce sites have a rate of 80% or higher. Think about it, that means that out of every 10 customers who start to purchase a product from your site, only 2 will complete the transaction. What does that mean in terms of sales? Calculate your average sales per transaction and multiply by 8 and then by the number of days your e-commerce is open and well, you get the picture. Most cart abandonment programs boast a 15% retrieval rate and it's as simple as sending an e-mail to those lost customers asking if there was something wrong with their experience, if there is anything you can help with and providing a link to finish their order.
TIP #8 | SET UP A LIVE CHAT
Most newer e-commerce platforms already have this function built-in. If you're using an older platform you may have to buy the add-on, but it's well worth the money. There's a multitude of live chat programs out there, from the simple call-to-action (CTA) button to pop-ups after a customer's been on the site for a specified amount of time. Live chat helps to humanize your site and the customer's shopping experience, avoid any potential negative user experiences and close sales.
So if you want to increase your e-commerce sales easily and quickly, try implementing one, several or all of these tips.

Have more tips to add? Let us know in our comment section.
Want help increasing your e-commerce sales? Contact Me for a FREE 30-minute Consultation and review of your e-commerce site.
Happy Selling!

The Interesting History of Signage

By Richard Asset

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Although the word signage can be traced back to the French word enseigne, the meaning has changed somewhat over the past few centuries. This is because the modern French meaning of enseigne can be translated into flag or banner. These are not the signage types that are discussed in this article. This article discusses the history of the painted and sometimes carved advertisements that started to become predominant during the Middle Ages to advertise for shops, inns or taverns.
The First Signage Appeared More than 2000 Years Ago
Both the ancient Egyptians and Romans, as well as sometimes the Greeks, were known to have used signage to advertise building that offered certain services. There are still many well preserved historical examples of Roman signs, including signs that use an image of a bush to indicate a tavern or drinking establishment and signs that use the image of 3 balls to indicate the ancient equivalent of a pawnbroker. Some of these signs that can be traced back to the ancient Mediterranean have evolved over time to become the modern trademarks of companies and businesses still in existence today.
Religious Signage
Religious signage was also used by certain religious groups of various origin. This included first the fish and then the cross of Christianity, the Crescent and the Star of Islam and even the sun and the moon for certain Pagan religions.
The First Legislated Signage
In 1389 King Richard III of England was the first person to introduce laws that compelled British landlords to erect signs outside their drinking establishments. This legislation was put into place so that inspectors could easily identify where ale was sold so that the quality of said ale could be checked. This was because at this time the quality of drinking water was not very good and ale was the usual replacement.
Trade Signage
In large towns and cities where a number of people practiced the same or similar trade it became important to be able to differentiate between tradesmen. Because of this a variety of signage image devices came into being such as a rooster used to indicate the surname Cox, this was known as a rebus.
British Pub Signage
A law compelling publicans to exhibit a sign was introduced as early as the 14th century (see legislated signage above). Because these signs were used to attract peoples attention they became elaborate over time and often included parts of local nobilities coat of arms, This gave rise to names such a The Green Dragon or the Stags Head.
The Use of Signage is Curtailed
Signage was a prominent feature on the streets of London up until 1762, at which time it was decreed that the amount of signage had become both a nuisance and a danger in the narrow ally ways of the city. Laws were therefore introduced to limit there usage.
The Most Well Known Modern Signage
There are two well known versions of modern signage that can be found in two of the worlds greatest cities, one in London at Piccadilly Circus and the other at Times Square, New York. The signage in New York already has a history of more than 100 years.

The author is a digital printing and signage specialist who has worked in the Cape Town Printing industry for over a decade.