According to NSC, unintentional injuries and deaths in the United States remain at unacceptable levels with unintentional deaths reaching an estimated 126,100 in 2010, an increase of nearly 3% over 2009. All told, these tragic events cost Americans and their employers more than $730 billion, or $6,200 per household.

The theme for National Safety Month 2013 is “Safety Starts with Me” and will showcase weekly themes designed to engage everyone in safety and create a culture where individuals feel a personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. Themes include:

Week 1: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

Week 2: Employee Wellness

Week 3: Emergency Preparedness

Week 4: Ergonomics

Want to make your business safer? Help NSC celebrate its 100th anniversary and encourage your staff and coworkers to commit to safety by making a personal safety pledge. If you need to update your outdoor or indoor safety signage, contact the sign experts at your local Signs By Tomorrow to get started.

According to the International Signage Association, here are 7 of the most common reasons you might have to apply for a signage variance:

1. Permitted signage would not be able to be easily seen by passing motorists in one or both directions because existing buildings, trees, traffic (particularly large trucks), or other obstructions would block it from view.
2. Permitted signage could not be seen by passing motorists in time to safely react and stop at the business.
3. Existing signs on nearby parcels would substantially reduce the visibility or advertising impact of a conforming sign on your parcel.
4. Construction of a conforming sign would block motorists’ view of the road or otherwise endanger the health or safety of passers-by.
5. Natural land features would have to be removed or severely altered if a conforming sign was constructed (such as removal of trees, alteration of the natural topography, filling of wetlands, or obstruction of a natural drainage course).
6. Variance from certain sign regulations would be offset by increased building setback, increased landscaping, or other such enhancements, so that the overall effect would make the parcel look much better than it would if the sign was built according to code.
7. A taller or larger sign than allowed by the code would be more appropriate in scale because of the large size or frontage of the parcel or building.

When applying, you should be able to explain in detail the reason why you have selected this particular sign design, demonstrate how the sign will help your business and the local community, how it will improve the appearance of your property and any other benefits that may result.

Navigating this process is tricky business, but remember the sign experts at your local Signs By Tomorrow are always available to help guide you.

And while we don’t claim to be pros at social media strategy, we do strive to be good partners for our clients, which is why in today’s post we are sharing links to resources you may find helpful. Here are three types of industries and tips for how they are successfully using social media.

Education Industry
Social media has changed the way individuals communicate in education and have enhanced learning practices in and out of the classrooms. By tapping a variety of social media platforms, schools can manage brand image, communicate with alumni and increase awareness. Media Bistro put together an infographic that shows how educational institutions are using different social media platforms when it comes to marketing, external relations and advancement.

Government Industry 
Community engagement is perhaps one of the most positive benefits of social media. Government institutions, including military, local law enforcement and government officials have all taken advantage of social media to improve their services. For these institutions, social media not only sends important information in an instant, it facilitates positive conversations with communities and fosters trust. See five ways social media has helped government work better by Mashable.

Healthcare Industry 
Social media can be tricky for healthcare institutions which have to be cognizant of privacy issues and overall sensitivity. Yet there are numerous examples of how hospitals are getting it right in how they utilize social media to increase brand awareness and connect with their community, frequently by sharing stories of patients that tug at the heart strings. Social Health Institute put together an infographic of 13 hospitals using social media over a three month period.

We hope you find these tips helpful and wish you the best in navigating the tricky waters of social media.

1. Design a plan of attack.
Create a detailed plan that includes a checklist and step-by-step guide to organizing and executing the event. Break your plan into pre-, during and post-event steps and add important dates to your calendar with reminders. Finally, be sure to include all your event contacts so everything is at your fingertips when you need it.
2. Secure permits and verify local restrictions.
If needed, apply for a permit for the space where you would like to hold the event. Check on noise ordinances, fire and safety codes, restrictions on ticket sales, advertisements and seating. It is always a good idea to introduce yourself to the local authorities so you know each other ahead of time.
3. Determine the logistics and layout of event.
Take photos of the venue or event space and make specific notes on where you want to put vendors, tables, entertainment, seating, food, etc. Identify an area for vehicles with parking signs and make sure there is available space for the number of attendees.
4. Secure a power source.
Don’t get stuck in the dark. Food stations, DJ’s and computer stations will all need access to power stations. Make sure you clearly tell vendors to bring power cords if you are not supplying them.
5. Ensure the comfort of your guests.
Have drinking water on hand around the venue, shaded areas or tents with portable air conditioners, sanitary restrooms, a first aid kit on hand and medical personnel on standby.
6. Set up clear lines of communication.
No matter how big your venue or event site is, communication devices like walkie talkies and cell phones are a must. Make sure all key event organizers are connected via a communication device at all times.
7. Have a plan B.
The most notorious party crasher is the weather. Make sure you monitor it and set a rain date or cancel the event in plenty of time. Don’t forget to secure items if there are heavy winds!

Lastly, be sure to have fun and relax. And for stress-free event signs and graphics, be sure to turn to the pros at your local Signs By Tomorrow.

Floors Let’s start where many workers do, at the bottom of the proverbial ladder – or in this case, the floor. While some companies are splurging on trendy new flooring materials, they can be costly and not always durable. But that doesn’t mean your only option is ugly industrial carpeting. Why not spruce it up with custom floor graphics? Whether you go with branded elements like your logo or custom messaging or bring the outdoors in with graphics that mimic wood, stone or even grass, let’s give all those employees and visitors shuffling along staring at their feet something to really look at!

Windows The Federation for Small Businesses did a study of 1,000 city workers and found that 22% of workers got less than 20 minutes of sunshine a day. As a result, two-thirds of participants suffered with depression and four out of five blamed their lack of motivation on their sunless working environments. So embrace your windows – yet make them your own. The latest window graphics let as much or as little light in while allowing you to make a statement, from frosted or etched lettering to re-positionable graphics.

Walls Whether you want to inspire employees or customers or drive home your brand message in a big way, temporary, re-positional or permanent custom wall coverings can transform ordinary walls into interior design masterpieces. Generate landscapes, photographs and art that look hand-painted at a fraction of the time and cost, or even create custom wallpaper applied the same way as traditional wallpapers but made from your design of choice. For instance, one national company ordered custom wallpaper for its corporate offices that proudly displays its mission statement via a striking watermark treatment.

Ceilings
Finally, don’t forget about the space overhead. Encourage ergonomic neck stretches by getting your staff and guests to look UP every now and then. Again, ceiling graphics give you the flexibility to create an environment that is aesthetically pleasing and relaxing – or another opportunity to reinforce your brand.

So join Signs By Tomorrow in saying no to fluorescent lights, stark white walls and uninviting break rooms. Isn’t it time we, as employers, reward our employees with a fresh office environment that generates productivity and workplace happiness? Not to mention maybe more business from impressed customers – and that’s a win-win for everyone!

Don’t have time to read them all? Skip to the bottom to see our top 5 picks. Enjoy!

Online Lists of Top Business Apps

• 25 Best Small Business Apps for 2012 – PCMag.com
• 10 Brilliant Apps Small Businesses Should Use – Forbes
• 13 Apps for the New Year – Business Insider
• The Best Smartphone Apps for Business – Inc
• 25 Essential Business Apps for iPhone 5 – InfoWorld
• The 50 Best Free iPhone Apps of 2013 – PCMag.com

Our Top 5 Picks

1. Brainshark. At first glance, Brainshark is simply an easy way to view PowerPoints on your iPhone or iPad. Dig deeper, though, and it offers tools to create, share, and track mobile presentations. The app also helps you transform static content, such as text-heavy PowerPoints, into voice-enriched video presentations that can be accessed on demand. The app also delivers analytics to measure the effectiveness and reach of your content. Cost: Free
2. RingMindMe. How many times have you decided to be polite in a meeting and turned off your ringer? Later, you’re shocked to discover that you’ve been missing important calls and texts for hours on end. RingMindMe will remind you to turn your ringer back on when your meeting or event is over. It also has a snooze feature — they call it an “Extend” button — so you can deal with those meetings that run long. Cost: $1.99
3. TextPLUS. Conference via text message with TextPLUS, which enables users to text up to 20 people at once. It’s a fast and cheap way to communicate with employees and colleagues. Cost: Free
4. Square. Square is transforming the way we transact by empowering anyone with a smartphone or tablet to easily accept credit card payments. The wildly popular app was founded by the creator of Twitter in 2010. A key app for small businesses that lowers barriers of entry to accept payments. Cost: 2.75% per transaction OR $275/month with no transaction fees.
5. Evernote. Evernote helps you stay organized across your various devices, from desktops to smartphones. Evernote lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, and record voice reminders, and it makes all of these things completely searchable. The Web Clipper add-on lets you save anything you see online, including links, text, and video, into Evernote with one click. Cost: Free for basic version; $5/month for the premium version.

And with the International Code Council recently passing the first ever International Green Construction Code (IGCC) with its implications for signage, it seems an appropriate time to look at what the sign industry is doing to minimize its carbon footprint and protect the environment. So here’s a closer look at some things the sign industry is doing to be more eco-friendly—and that you can check to see if your preferred signage provider is implementing if sustainability is a priority for you.

Best Practices in Sustainable Sign Design and Production:

Life cycle. Although typically not the first thing that comes to mind, this can be one of the simplest ways to reduce environmental impact. The idea is simple: the longer a sign stays in use, the less it adds to the waste cycle. Things that can extend life cycle include choosing durable signage materials as well as using modular and other sign designs that allow components to be updated without replacing the entire sign every time.

Production. Today’s technologies have greatly improved digital printing and image production standards. Image printers with water-based paints and coatings with no harsh chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Additionally, improved cutting and other signage production techniques maximize material usage and yield less waste.

Installation. Another less-than-obvious way to provide eco-friendly signage is through installation methods. For instance, by choosing mechanical fasteners over adhesives, it can be easier to update signs (see Life Cycle above) while also eliminating VOC’s commonly found in adhesives.

Lighting. While there’s no doubt that signage sometimes needs to be illuminated to be effective, the type of illumination method you choose has a significant impact on the energy used. Solar-powered exterior lighting is the best option, but LED displays are another good option thanks to its vastly improved life span of up to 10 years.

Recycling. It will come as no surprise to anyone that a core tenet of any successful green signage approach is recycling – and fortunately there are many options available. From material take-back programs from leading brands like HP to recycling scrap materials, it’s becoming easier than ever to successfully recycle. And cutting edge closed loop recycling like that offered by flooring supplier Mannington Mills’ LOOP program can now even repurpose unusual materials such as post-use adhesive-backed graphic materials (think balled up, peeled off wraps) to be used as a binding agent in tile flooring materials, as they did after the Vancouver Olympics.

Finally, it’s important to remember that “green” practices that work in other industries may not work in signage. For instance, popular green building materials like bamboo may not meet fire and building codes or work with tactile letters and raised Braille characters to comply with accessibility sign guidelines.

Happy Earth Day!

With this win-win scenario, it’s no wonder that research from the National Conference on Citizenship shows the national volunteer rate reached a five-year high in 2012. So if you’re looking for ways your business can get involved in community service, here are 5 ideas to get you started:

1.       Research Your Options. There are numerous online resources you can use to find volunteer opportunities in your local community, including Serve.gov, Volunteer.gov and Volunteer Match. Also consider options that align with your business, whether that’s donating professional services or supporting a non-profit that’s also a client.

2.       Know What You Have to Give. What’s realistic in terms of what you can offer: One time support from one person? Multiple days with larger groups of volunteers? Regular weekly or monthly support? Different organizations need different levels of commitment so be clear from the start about your availability and make sure it meets their needs.

3.       Make It a Group Effort. Volunteering with others is personally enriching but can also strengthen connections with customers and staff. In fact, promoting your company as being committed to community service can be a great way to attract new employees as well as clients.

4.       Be a Virtual Volunteer. If you have a computer and the necessary skills you could lend a hand to a local organization over the computer, or offer to participate in advisory sessions via the phone or video conferencing.

5.       Serve On a Board. If you really want to give back, consider serving on a board for a local non-profit. Contact an organization you feel passionately about to see if there are board openings, or turn to online resources like Monster’s boardnetUSA.

Don’t let April pass you by without getting out and volunteering for National Community Service Month!

1-Spruce Up Display Windows

If there is one good thing about spring for retailers and customers alike, it’s window shopping. Foot traffic is on the increase, so take advantage of it by enticing passersby to pop in with eye-catching retail window displays featuring irresistible spring and summer products.

2-Transform Interiors

Draw inspiration from the season to redecorate your interior space. Wrap an entire wall with a temporary wall cover or mural of an outside scene to bring the feeling of spring indoors – and sell more of your newest trendy spring items. Or even use floor graphics to replicate a sandy beach or path.

3-If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em!

Spring is a time of fresh starts, so why not inspire your customers with spring products and projects you can advertise or even showcase with outdoor retail signs? Whether you set up a sidewalk sale or just put out a sandwich board, don’t miss the opportunity to profit from this renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm.

Happy Spring—and happy selling!

Planning: Lay the Groundwork

Start planning as early as possible, keeping in mind your local media could need up to 2 months notice to get your event into local calendars.

• Schedule a date. Ideally, plan for 2-3 weeks after opening to allow time for employees to become familiar with procedures and to work out any kinks.
• Brainstorm details. Decide what kind of grand opening you will have – formal and elegant with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and local dignitaries or a casual family-friendly event with snacks? Determine an itinerary of activities or entertainment.
• Set a budget. Remember to contact your local Chamber of Commerce and other area businesses for help planning your grand opening. Often times they will offer free or inexpensive promotions or support.
• Finalize the guest list. Put together a list of who you’d like to invite, including potential customers, officials and staff from your local Chambers of Commerce, local government leaders, business colleagues, other community business owners and the media.

Promotion: Spread the Word

Again, the sooner the better – and the more frequent. Post regular updates and reminders on social media, email or even on your front door.

• Send invitations. A personal invitation sent to your guest list via mail or email not only reinforces your brand, but also your professionalism. Follow up with a personal phone call to confirm and guarantee attendance.
• Maximize visibility. Use a mix of signage to really draw attendance, including window signs, outdoor pole banners, vehicle wraps and more. (Make sure you check with your local government for regulations regarding ADA signage.)
• Offer incentives. Give your community a reason to come. Offer discounts or free consultations for potential customers to better learn about your products and services. Reward anyone who “likes” you on Facebook with a coupon.

Publicity: Garner Positive Press

Effective publicity will not only boost your reputation within the community, but also maximize the success of your grand opening.

• Before the event: Send out a general press release announcing the details of your grand opening. Target specific news reporters, radio stations and TV stations to distribute a media advisory encouraging them to come out for the grand opening.
• During the event: Introduce yourself to any press that may attend. Make sure they know you are available for quotes, photos or any questions they may have. A simple “thank you” is appropriate since they will be covering the event.
• After the event: Send a follow up press release about the grand opening, including who attended, event announcements or details and a photo.

While at first this may be overwhelming for a new business owner just remember there are many organizations rooting for your success, including your local Signs By Tomorrow. Good luck!