Our Solutions News Blog was envisioned to gather and share information from the very best to help you and your business to become more effective.
A lot of people are confused by the many ways print is viewed compared with online media. People often think they accomplish the same things, but the reality is these two distinctive products can serve very different purposes. Here's what makes us all think the same about print.
1. Print is For Keeps... read on »
2. Print is Portable... read on »
3. Print Drives a Higher ROI... read on »
4. Print is Beautiful... read on »
5. Print Plays Well... read on »
6. Buyers Seek Print... read on »
7. Print is Credible... read on »
8. Print Puts Them In Control... read on »
9. Print is Personal... read on »
10. Print is Everywhere... read on »
Source: Xerox
Attend the HP Wall Décor course for Your AIBC or IDCEC Core Learning Unit Credit » read on
1. Interior designers do the same thing as interior architects?
A lot of people are confused by the many different job titles there are in the design industry. However, a very common mistake is to think that interior designers and interior architects do the same job. The reality is that these professions can involve many different things which are more often than not, very far apart. Generally speaking, interior design has more to do with the art of the building, while interior architecture is more concerned with the science behind it.
2. Interior design is all about décor
Interior design involves much more than just a good knowledge of décor. As we’ve mentioned in our previous article on the topic, the practice of interior architecture requires designers to consider pretty much everything to do with the building of an interior space that will affect human habitation, including materials, finishes, electrical requirements, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, ergonomics, and intelligent use of space. Interior designers with training in interior architecture will usually be present at, and have an important say during all stages of the construction process, from the initial plans right through to the finishing touches.
3. Hiring an interior designer is very costly
Depending on the scale of the project, the budget and the time frame you have in mind for finishing it, the price of hiring a professional interior designer can vary dramatically. In most cases, interior designers charge very reasonable fees and the value you get for your money will be worth paying for. If you’re not sure how much your interior design project would cost, you can simply enquire and decide if you are ready to pay for it.
4. Interior designers only work with very expensive materials
As every other professional, interior designers can work with both expensive and cheap materials and products. More importantly, they will work within the limits of the budget and requirements you give them as their client. You have to remember that the price of materials is not always crucial to getting the end result you desire. If you’re working with an experienced interior designer, they should be able to recommend you the best quality products at the most reasonable price there is.
5. You don’t need to have AN education to become an interior designer
There are many people out there that claim that they are interior designers, without having any formal education. However, as explained in some of the other points above, interior design is a very challenging and exciting profession that includes a variety of tasks and requires a great deal of skills and knowledge. The only way you can ensure that you have all these on board when applying for a job, even at an intern level, will be to obtain a formal qualification from a recognised organisation. A career in interior architecture and design can be difficult to get started and an accredited course in the subject will give you a head start by providing you the knowledge, skills, and qualifications you need to succeed.
6. Interior designers make all the decisions for you
Don’t expect that all decisions on an interior design project would be made by the designer you have hired. He or she will have a lot of recommendations on the way ideas can be implemented, but the final decisions will lie with you.
7. Interior designers can’t work with existing structures, materials and objects – they always want to throw everything old away
The truth is that interior designers always work towards achieving the goals in an interior design plan. If this plan involves the stripping of a building to its bare bones they would definitely need to throw everything old away. This is not always necessary and you can keep as much of your old stuff in your new house or space as you want.
8. “I don’t need an interior designer – I can do it on my own”
As we outlined earlier in the article, interior design is a very complex job. You can try and do some of its components on your own, but unless you have the training and understanding of interior design concepts, we think you shouldn’t start any project, small or big without a professional eye. There are so many examples of terrible design decisions that show that it is not worth risking your dream project, if you can leave it to the professionals. At the end of the day, you wouldn’t operate on somebody if you’re weren’t a doctor, right?
9. Interior designers always want to be trendy
Interior designers always strive to be aware of the new trends in their profession. However, they wouldn’t force you to do something on your project if you don’t like it or you think it doesn’t suit your needs. Trends are interesting to follow, but they are not something every interior designer tries to implement in their work.
10. Interior designers don’t need a plan for their projects
Interior designers can’t work without a plan for their project. They need to think about every single detail and plan in appropriate time for it. A good plan means that as a customer you will get an idea on the cost involved as well as the deadline for completion of each stage. Planning is a crucial part of the job of the interior designer.
11. Interior design doesn’t require a lot of time
Interior design projects can take a lot of time and this usually happens because the whole process requires the attention, skills and knowledge of the many other specialists who work with the interior designer. The designer needs to be able to speak everyone else’s language – from the plumber to the conservation officer, to be able to make the project plan work. This doesn’t mean that all interior design projects take years to complete – a complex, but very well organised job on a residential property, for example, can take around five months from start to finish.
12. Interior designers don’t need to work towards a budget
A good plan always comes with a clear idea of the budget the client has for it. There’s no such thing as “open budget” – interior designers should know what is affordable and what is not, because this can help them make some very important decisions. Give your interior designer a budget to work with and leave the magic touch to them!
Source: Id! Blog Written By: The IDI Team
We've compiled 101 Data Protection Tips to help you protect your passwords, financial information, and identity online...
Protecting Your Data
Keeping your passwords, financial, and other personal information safe and protected from outside intruders has long been a priority of businesses, but it's increasingly critical for consumers and individuals to heed data protection advice and use sound practices to keep your sensitive personal information safe and secure.
There's an abundance of information out there for consumers, families, and individuals on protecting passwords, adequately protecting desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices from hackers, malware, and other threats, and best practices for using the Internet safely. But there's so much information that it's easy to get confused, particularly if you're not tech-savvy.
We've compiled a list of 101 simple, straightforward best practices and tips for keeping your family's personal information private and protecting your devices from threats.
Click HERE to View the entire list of 101 Data Protection Tips
Table of Contents
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Securing Your Devices and Networks
Data Protection Tips for Mobile Devices
Protecting Your Identity
Protecting Your Credit
Protecting Your Data on Social Networking
Protecting Your Data Online
Data Protection Following a Data Breach
Writen By: Juliana De Groot | Source: Digital Gardian
Are your processes and B2B and B2C content, promotion-ready for sales to flourish this spring?...
It’s finally time to spring forward. You are more than ready to shed both the Covid and winter doldrums and get your business fired up for the warmer months ahead. But how exactly do you spring ahead for the best results?
#1 Review Current Processes
It’s time for some spring cleaning. Review all of your marketing and sales processes, and see what is working and what isn’t. If you have no idea, it’s time to put some monitoring processes in place so you can actually track results.
Once you have this information, you can focus more time and effort on the tactics that are actually working… and get rid of those that don’t.
#2 Prepare Your B2B and B2C Content Strategy
What are your sales goals and what kind of content are you going to produce to reach those goals? Who are the audience members you want to reach and how are you going to get your targeted content to them?
Ask yourself these questions, and write down your plan. Then, create an editorial calendar of the content you need, when it will be posted, how it will be distributed and tracked, and who is responsible for each element.
People want valuable information. Give them what they want!
#3 Talk To Your Team
How are things going with the people who help you run your business? Are your employees happy? Reach out to all of your associates, partners, clients, employees, and more to get their feedback. How can you make their lives easier?
Now is the perfect time to fix potential issues from becoming big problems, improving processes so your business runs as smoothly as possible, motivating others to do their best work, and thanking people for their help.
#4 Be Creative
The best way to get out of the “same old routine” is to make changes happen. Set aside some time to develop new ideas for your business… on your own and with others.
Hold “creative” brainstorming-sessions with your team members, have a business “field trip” or party at a fun, outside location, or just reserve some quiet time to think about resolutions to key issues.
By focusing on creativity, you may be surprised at how you can improve your business and jumpstart marketing, sales and more!
#5 Enjoy the New Season
Spring is a time for new beginnings. Why not give your business a fresh start?
Review current processes, develop a content strategy for the months ahead, and spend some fun time with your employees and associates to improve processes and develop new ideas.
You’ll have fun being creative, get organized and help boost sales… just in time to do more of the things you like to do outside in the warmer temperatures!
Want more help to boost sales with your Print and Signage?
Please contact us for free information, tips and assistance!
Source: StartupNation
Running A Small Business? Find The Benefits Of Signage...
Running a small business is already complex enough and it never seems that you have enough time to get the work done. One of the major things that can help to take down on the amount of time that you will spend answering questions at the business is by getting the right signs in place. By knowing about the benefits of getting the proper signage it will be very easy for you to see this is a great way for you to run your business and start to get the return on your business investment that you want to have.
#1 Helps People Find The Business
This is one of the things you should realize this can do without being spoken about. However, sometimes people will forget the signs that are up at the road will help people start to find the business. So you will want to make sure you have a sign at the road, but also on the building. This way people are able to find the business and know which building it is located in. If you are in an office building, then you will want to make sure your business has a label on the board by the elevators that can help to guide the customers or clients to the office that you are going to be working with.
#2 Guides People Around The Business
This is one aspect that a lot of major retail stores have started to take advantage of and that is the hanging signs are going to help guide people to the different sections of the store. However, even in a small business, this will help people in getting to start to learn their way around the location. So you will not have to be concerned about the customers coming up every five seconds to ask where something in the business is located at.
When you are using these signs to help guide the customers around the business, you need to make sure they are in a location that is easily visible. When it is easy to find the items, you will notice that people are going to be able to get from the back of the store or the entrance way to the area they want to be at without going to the desk and asking the employees who may already be busy taking care of other customers.
#3 Can Provide A Catchy Logo Or Color Pattern
A sign that you are having installed can start to provide you with the information that can help in getting a logo or color that can stand out from the rest. This is going to allow you to have a great time because people will start to see your name and logo, but also the colors and know exactly what they are talking about. What else is nice about the signs is some of them will allow you to add some characters onto the signs as well, which is going to help out in getting the great look you want to have and have an item that will set you off from everyone else.
#4 Helps With Branding Of The Company
We mentioned briefly on the logo and image of the business that you can have on the signs. What you will really like is this is going to help you start to build your brand. This will make it easier for you to have the right feedback for your business and know that people will start to recognize it and the name that you have for your business will often start to become associated with the logo and colors.
#5 Helps Announce Specials or Sales
When you are properly using the signs, you will notice that some of the uses can be to help you announce a special sale or a special you have going on in the store. So this will help you in getting the extra draw of customers that you never would have thought about reaching before for your business. So, this is going to be a great thing for your company and it will help you out in making more money than what you normally would.
A good example of this would be the sidewalk sales you see some stores doing. These sales are fairly obvious when you are walking up to the store, but not all the stores are located where you would be walking up to the store. So you will want to make sure you look at this because it can help you draw in crowds from the road if you have signs that are announcing the sales properly placed by the road.
#6 Provides A Warning To What Is Going On
When you think about the safety of your customers you need to realize one of the major concerns will be a wet floor. When your customers are on a wet floor and slip and fall, then you will be at fault normally. However, if you have the proper notification out about the wet floors and to use caution or even a watch your head type of sign you will be able to alert your customers about the hazards that are here in the business. You will not have to be concerned about the customers not being aware of the hazards that are in the area.
With a new year upon us and no sign of the pandemic slowing down anytime soon, now is the perfect time to refresh and replace the signage in your business... We have the Physical Distancing Signage you need! No job is to big or small.
Source: BusinessBlogshub.com
"We have been working with Fred and Brian's team at Dominion Blue for a few years now."
We recently completed a presentation centre for Heron - 28 modern townhomes in Richmond. Dominion Blue helped us print all the renderings and the neighbourhood photography in acrylic and also installed a vinyl location map on the wall for us. They were very diligent with their estimates and were able to efficiently organize the installation in a timely matter. The installation was flawless and completed relatively quickly. Clint, their head install also installed a rather difficult vinyl pattern for us at Axon Drivers Solution which the client loves.
This is our third project with Dominion Blue and it will not be our last. Thank you Dominion Blue team for your professionalism.
Here are the photos of the Display Centre: Heron
Thanks, Jacqueline
There are three trends which we believe will be very important in the coming twelve months. Let’s have a look at each of these.
#1 Homeworking
It's not just big business, it's all sizes and types and it could be permanent. For example, major UK banks have mothballed 60% of their back office buildings. They haven’t been mothballed until the end of Coronavirus, they are permanently out of use. Homeworking has become essential for many and it not only raises challenges of connectivity, but also for adopting new systems that are accessible by your entire team 24/7 via the Internet.
To help address this with our Dominion Blue clients, we've significantly improved and enhanced our web-to-print products with customization options that match your individual specific needs. Doing more with less people and resources has become a key challenge for us all and we are here to help you.
#2 Complete solutions
Customers are looking for efficiencies and so the more complete your solution is the more likely they are to embrace your products and service. The same is true for us, with more and more new customers seeing the need for print and signage. We don't just stop there however, we work with your team to carefully review each idea. Once we are all clear on the end-goal, we can coordinate everything from the design and print thru to fulfilment. This can include professional installations involving signage and custom projects like real estate presentation centres, in-store wall decor, point of purchase displays and more.
#3 Continued change
What’s going to happen over the next few months. No-one knows! We are all in a situation where we have to adapt to changes that we cannot predict. It is a scary time.
With hundreds of years of accumulative experience our team can help you with your pivoting and adapting to this ever-changing social and business climate. You don't have to go it alone. find out more »
As a child growing up in a declining neighborhood in Detroit, I dreamed that the burned buildings and vacant lots might be replaced with brilliant new structures that would invigorate the community. As I matured and took up architecture, I found myself in a world where faceless modernism seemed to decry the death of spirit. You could not tell what city you were in if dropped in the middle of downtown "anywhere." Most buildings had no meaning and did not feel part of any certain community. It doesn’t have to be this way. Architecture can strengthen Identity, Community and Purpose when buildings have meaning.
Architectures Impact On Vancouver is Alive & Well
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Throughout history, architecture has stood as a representation of society, reflecting the values, successes, and eventual downfall of civilizations over time. From the monumental structures to the residences and buildings that make up the fabric of a city, we can learn a lot about who the people were who inhabited them long before our time. By studying the built environment of the past, combined with modern-day research on psychology and the environment, we’re coming to understand the effects of architecture on people in entirely new ways, which begs the question: Just how does architecture impact society?
Alfred Waugh on Indigenuity in Architecture
The Architects: Vancouver Convention Centre
Woodward's Redevelopment... A Model for Cultural Sustainability
Vancouver's Oldest Prized and Praised Properties
Architectural tours of Vancouver with the AIBC
We are experiencing a unique cultural moment wherein a critical examination of our museums, monuments and arts institutions is no longer optional, but compulsory. The discussion will explore the responsibility of the architect today and the task of interpreting our legacy for future generations.
Some of the world’s most renowned architects – Daniel Libeskind (National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa), Robert A. M. Stern (Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia; the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas), and Billie Tsien (Obama Presidential Library in Chicago) – detail their process and purpose in designing these and other historic projects.
Source: 92nd Street Y
Based on Steward Brand's book, "How Buildings Learn"...
View the Six Part Youtube Series
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Part 1: https://youtu.be/AvEqfg2sIH0
Part 2: https://youtu.be/09pekAKuXjc
Part 3: https://youtu.be/ZSaWdp833YM
Part 4: https://youtu.be/GuKPknFLHno
Part 5: https://youtu.be/j_dozoqw4To
Part 6: https://youtu.be/HTSbtM12IZw
"Change is here to stay. Understanding the importance of resourceful thinking will allow you to be at the forefront of leading change."
Change in the workplace can create ripple effects throughout an organization. If you accept that leaders make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization, humans are imperfect, and outcomes can be challenging to foresee. Every human is vulnerable to what Daniel Goleman calls the “amygdala hijack.” When your fear takes over, it can affect your ability to make sound decisions. Sometimes your choices are not the best ones, and at times you don’t understand the impact until hindsight kicks in, and by then it’s often too late to turn back.
You may not be able to control external events; however, you do have the responsibility of leading you and making choices to promote positive change that aligns with organizational values.
Change is here to stay. Understanding the importance of resourceful thinking will allow you to be at the forefront of leading change. At times, change can be disruptive and overwhelming, and with the right attitude, a focus on business readiness, leaders can capitalize on change by learning to embrace change for what it is – possibility.
Leaders must consider the underlying intentions of the proposed change and keep in mind that sometimes uncomfortable change can bring desirable outcomes. For the future leader, change is the vital ingredient that must be welcomed and nurtured.
Here are 13 practical tips that office managers can implement to bypass the ego and graciously navigate change in the workplace:
#1 Manage Your State
To lead in this competitive world, one must accept change is inevitable. When you take responsibility for your state, despite your challenges, you show up to face the situation with a smile, and you leverage your strengths to enjoy the new experience. One way may be to embrace the opportunity by writing down responses to critical questions:
By asking these questions, you identify the importance and build the confidence to accept it.
#2 Success Leaves Clues
When dealing with change, often it’s the unknown that is scary. One way to break through the resistance is to imagine all the different possible outcomes and identify the best- and worst-case scenario. Ask yourself, “what’s the worst that can happen? Another strategy may be to connect with the last time you experienced a significant change and how you achieved the results you wanted. Identify the strategies you adopted and replicate.
#3 Focus On What Can You Control
It is essential to identify how much control over the situation you have. By putting things into perspective, you can identify the small things you can do to make the process easier.
If the change is beyond your control, adopt a reflective approach. Accept that there are things beyond your control and choosing to be uncomfortable will bring greater peace than waging a no-win war. Change is an opportunity to learn and grow rather than a setback.
Focus on what will produce results for you. Ask questions such as:
Focus on what you can influence to take the right action.
#4 Stay Grounded in Reality
Change is about being flexible. When the opposite occurs, you diminish your chances of being able to survive the transition. Your default thinking patterns will be out of alignment with the new environment, potentially leaving you behind. When you shift your thinking to a growth mindset, you identify that you may need to learn new skills, integrate new processes, or redirect resources. It is an opportunity for the business to become more efficient, effective, and productive. Identify a plan to respond to the change for you and by engaging the team, build a team plan in alignment with organizational change.
#5 Opt-out Of the Perpetual Negativity to Lead The Change
Sometimes talking a lot about your fears, anger, and frustration can be the worst advice. Harvard Business Review research highlighted that consistently espousing negative emotions hinders your natural adaptation process. That’s not to say ignore your feelings or bury them so they can pop up when you least expect it. Instead acknowledge your sense of anxiety, frustration, or anger and identify how it is influencing your thinking and disrupting your relationships. Look for the facts as everything else around the situation is a story you have created. Edit your story, look for practical steps that you can implement, and by doing so, you shift your focus from being problem-saturated to solution and future-focused.
#6 Remember What Victor Frankl Taught Us
Victor Frankl’s famous book, Man’s Search for Meaning, tells the story of how he survived the Holocaust by finding meaning in the experience which gave him the will to rise above it. He had returned home from years in Nazi death camps to discover his loved ones had all passed. Despite the tragic events, he recognized that he could not go back to the life he once had. He was free to find new ways to live, new opportunities to grow and build new relationships to share. Frankl’s story is an extreme example but a great reminder that even though you are never free from change, you do have the freedom to decide how you respond and what to do next.
#7 Lighten the Mood
Finding humor in situations can be a positive way to create light-heartedness to a problem. Rod A. Martin, a humor researcher, discovered that witty banter could lighten the mood and improve social interactions if the conversations are inclusive and respectful. Sometimes, sharing your struggles can be gold and reminding people that you are human.
#8 Look for The Silver Lining
Workplace change is a platform for a fresh start. Rather than getting caught up in the day-to-day things, invest time into the future you want to create within the workplace. Work out what you want to achieve, identify steps that will take you closer to your vision, break tasks down into smaller chunks, and identify timelines. Make sure to celebrate milestones as momentum generates motivation. When you look for the silver lining, you can use it to reinvent your professional persona and add new skills to your repertoire.
#9 Prioritize Data Over Complaints
Presenting an alternative idea if something isn’t working is the best way to lead the current course of things in a new and better direction. Another option may be to illustrate what works and what doesn’t by benchmarking. For instance, if a new program is introduced that you believe less effective than a previous one, compare results, prepare data, and plan a conversation. Data is a great way to shift an outcome in a different direction potentially.
#10 The Workplace Change Curve
Learning more about how workplace change works, organizations often refer to The Change Curve as a trusted and reliable tool. This model explains the transition process and emotions associated with change. It has been used to help people understand their emotional reactions to significant change. It provides a visual to predict how anyone in the process of workplace change is affected. The curve offers insight into how you know where you are on the curve and why and how other people experience similar emotions during transition.
#11 Water Cooler Conversations
If you want to stain the fabric of an organization, invest your energy into gossiping, whining, and closed-door conversations. When people don’t express their concerns in a resourceful manner, the impact creates ripples within the organization. Instead, leaders must lead by example, encourage teams to share concerns directly with them, and inspire colleagues to involve everyone in a decision that will impact everyone.
#12 Don't Let Communication Be An Afterthought
Communication must be a core component of the steps moving towards future actions. By creating an environment where all levels are on the same page, allows any communication gap to be identified and provides a space to mitigate rumors and speculation. Emotional drama permeates, and the fabric of the organization is stained. When leaders create spaces for employees to communicate their fears effectively, their concerns can be better addressed and alleviated. Empathy is the most excellent communication tool for leaders.
#13 Trust Your Instincts
Trusting yourself is vital once you have eliminated bias. If a decision is made within the organization that you feel is not in alignment with your values, then you must decide whether you want to continue being part of the organization in the future. Staying and hating is not an option. The more important question is, “what is your plan to buy-in to the change?” With the right attitude and actions, you will always find opportunities in the workplace change.
Source: Eden Blog / Written By: Angela Kambouris
In the face of a crisis or economic slowdown, resilient organizations ride out uncertainty instead of being overpowered by it...
How Did Business Create Resilience During & After The 2008 Recession?
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In 2008 we went through a worldwide recession and companies that implemented the strategy of resilience came back faster and even leaped ahead of their competition. Now Covid has thrust us into an equally challenging time. Find out how adopting resilience can help you though these unprecedented times.quickly. access the resilience resource centre »
Source: McKinsey & Company
Companies can structure their organizations and decision processes for resilience by embracing six principles of long-lasting systems:
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Source: Harvard Business Review / Written By: Martin Reeves & Kevin Whitaker
The essence of resilient leadership: Business recovery from COVID
Resilient leaders shift organizational mindsets, navigate uncertainties, and invest in building trust in order to develop a recovery playbook that serves as a solid foundation for the post-COVID future.
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Whereas organizations used to describe agile change as “fixing the plane while it flies,” the COVID-19 pandemic has rewritten the rules of upheaval in modern times. Those of us leading any organization—from corporations to institutions to our own families—are not fixing the plane in midair, we’re building it. Times like these need leaders who are resilient in the face of such dramatic uncertainties.
The first article in this series described the essential foundations leaders need in order to effectively navigate through the crisis.1 Resilient leaders are defined first by five essential qualities of who they are, and then by what they do across three critical time frames: Respond, Recover, and Thrive.
As we progress into the Recover phase of the crisis, resilient leaders recognize and reinforce critical shifts from a “today” to a “tomorrow” mindset for their teams. They perceive how major COVID-19-related market and societal shifts have caused substantial uncertainties that need to be navigated—and seized as an opportunity to grow and change. Amid these uncertainties, resilient leadership requires even greater followership, which must be nurtured and catalyzed by building greater trust. And resilient leaders start by anticipating what success looks like at the end of recovery—how their business will thrive in the long term—and then guide their teams to develop an outcomes-based set of agile sprints to get there.
Resilience is not a destination; it is a way of being. A “resilient organization” is not one that is simply able to return to where it left off before the crisis. Rather, the truly resilient organization is one that has transformed, having built the attitudes, beliefs, agility, and structures into its DNA that enable it to not just recover to where it was, but catapult forward—quickly. read on »
Source: Deloitte Insights / Written By: Bill Marquard