feb17_images_digital

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TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Don’t think ‘What if they say no?’ Think ‘What if they say yes?’

15 Re-read the instructions I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to do something over because I misinterpreted the instructions the first time. The answer was right there. I just missed it. Read everything twice and write out what you have to do in short bullet points. Confused? Get clarification before you start. Many times changes have to happen because of comprehension challenges. Seek to understand, then to be understood. T he underbase doesn’t have to be white... A few years after I started designing on apparel I realised that the underbase screen doesn’t have to be white ink. Mind. Blown. It could be tan or grey or any other colour. Those choices affect the colours printed on top, but what if that could be controlled and become part of the design? What if we didn’t use an underbase at all? It’s the “What ifs” that are going to take you places. 16

mouth. How you react to things puts you in control. The people that are the strongest are the Teflon-coated ones. As my Uncle Bill says, “Quack, quack. Water off a duck’s back.” Just let it slide off. There always is a better way This applies to virtually everything. In this industry, there is always a better way to create art. A better way to sep- arate the files. A better way to make the screens. To print. To ship. To invoice. Are you looking for these solutions now? (Pro tip: you better believe that’s what your competition is doing.) 19

You only get paid what you negotiate Everybody I know says they are worth more money per year than what they are paid. Make yourself more

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valuable and marketable. Find better opportunities. Create your own. Also, ‘paid’ doesn’t have to mean money either. It could be more holiday days per year, reimbursement for more education, picking up the tab for association memberships or training, or any other thing that you might find valuable. Prove your worth and negotiate accordingly. Don’t think “What if they say no?” Think “What if they say yes?”

Talk to the customer Don’t be scared. Sure they gave you the order. I think a lot of salespeople are scared to talk to the customer

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again about anything to do with the job because they fear it will be cancelled or they will look foolish. Got a question about the art, the job or the ship date? Get out in front of that problem early and discuss it now. Don’t wait. A lot of problems in the shop can be easily answered with “Hey, I was working on your job and I just noticed that….” Get the info.

Marshall Atkinson is the owner of Atkinson Consulting, LLC, a service firm focused on the decorated apparel industry delivering process improvement and efficiency, sustainability, employee training, social media marketing, and long term strategic planning. He has over 20 years in the decorated apparel industry, is a frequent trade show and webinar speaker, and publishes his own blog. w www.atkinsontshirt.com

Let it go Steam coming out of your ears? Feeling angry? May- be you had to do something over again or someone

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said something to you that didn’t sit right. For every minute you spend fuming over the issue, that’s another minute of your day that won’t be enjoyable. Let go of the things you can’t control. That wise-cracking jerk in the office? His comments say more about his insecurities than anything meaningful coming out of his

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