10.30.2013

Daylight Savings Time - Tips for making sure the signage lights when the sun goes down

You can tell how a society has evolved by the signage in place. As early as mid-19th America, most in-town signage was as simple as a big wood sign with a big, identifiable symbol on it so those who couldn’t read could tell what the store was about. Nowadays signs are fully-lit and designed to stand out like a rose in a clover bed.

The competition for signage space has never been more intense. With competitors either next door, across the street or in another part of town, making sure you signage stands apart is crucial. Especially at all times of the day. Making sure your sign is seen all hours of the day is equally as important.

If you are one of those who get around to changing the timer on the signage during Daily Savings Time, ‘when you get around to it,‘ you run the risk of losing prominent short-term business before the change is made. That hour you leave your sign on in the dark is typically during evening rush hour. Customers making the commute home or to their favorite local establishment either won’t see your sign in that hour, will see and think you are closed, or think business is bad enough that you can’t afford to keep the lights on.

To make sure Daily Savings Time isn’t allowing competitors to steal your customers, we recommend the following steps to keep the lights on.

1 - Online resources to keep track of Daily Savings Time

Since the schedule for Daily Savings Time continues to be tinkered and toyed, having online resources to keep track of the latest updates is always recommended.

• http://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/
• http://www.worldtimezone.com/time-usa12.php
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time

2 - Set internal calendars to note of the changes

Most businesses have an online calendar of some sort. Most use Microsoft Office, Google Business Apps Calendar, iCal on the Macs...each one has a scheduling system which allows for to set up appointments and email, text and pop up reminders leading up to the event. Setting an event remember for changing the clocks will go a long way to helping to remember the occasion.

3 - Keep a process written on hand

Many stores having more than one location. Assuring that the procedures are in place so every store knows to make the changes are in place help. Also, sending out email newsletters reminding location owners of the calendar update is also a great practice.

4 - Do a practice run, or two

Especially good for new locations, setting the sign to turn on early one night a week before to make sure the timers will adapt to the change will assure that all changes will be ready to go on Daylight Savings night.

So the lights won’t go out on your business...

...in the heart of the Q4, please make it a point to put these plans into practice.