The Need for Speed

If I were to ask you what is the most mundane and tedious task you face each business day, you might respond with paperwork, tax preparation, or inventory counting. But if you think about it, actually the most tedious and time-consuming task we are presented with each and every workday is probably inflating balloons. We inflate dozens, hundreds, even thousands at a time. The real question becomes – are we inflating these balloons in the fastest way possible? Here are some tips to make sure your technique for inflating balloons is quick and efficient.

1. Make sure the regulator you are using feeds the gas to the balloon as quickly as possible. There are many regulators on the market today. Some are fast and some are very slow. Regulator speed is the single most important event in the process of blowing up a balloon. As a professional, if your regulator cannot inflate an 11" balloon in less than 2 seconds, you might consider purchasing another that can. There may even be ways of enhancing the regulator you already own through changes of inner springs, regulator tilt or push down valves.

N.B. Do not make any changes to your existing regulator until you discuss the options (if any) with the manufacturer of that regulator. Helium and nitrogen are products we use every day and may take for granted. However, these gases are under tremendous pressure. Your regulator is the safety valve to these gases and is under immense pressure, too. Make sure your regulator is safe and well maintained to the manufacturer’s specifications.

2. Keep all materials as close to your hands as possible. You tie balloons to ribbon or string with your hands. Balloons, ribbon and regulator should all be very close to you, as the distance between them makes a difference in the amount of time you spend physically moving from one item to the other. I suggest securing your ribbon to something (perhaps the top of your tank or the far side of a double regulator) at about the same height as the regulator you are working with and within one foot of your regulator valve. This step keeps your hands in a position to move quickly from regulator to ribbon. This also keeps your ribbon or string from becoming a moving target for one to grab at and tie your balloon on to. Likewise, your balloons should also be very close to the regulator and ribbon.
   
   
3. Concentrate. Your eyes are an important link to your success at speed tying. There is a multi step process at work each time you inflate a balloon. Your eyes see a balloon. Your hand picks up the balloon. You place the selected balloon onto the valve. Immediately inflate the balloon, and while this is happening your eyes should be selecting the ribbon to tie this balloon on to. Your hands select that ribbon. Your hands tie the balloon to the selected ribbon at the very same time your eyes should again start the process of finding the next balloon to inflate. Now each of these steps takes time. The less time you spend on each step of this process, the faster you will be able to inflate and tie balloons. Unlike with magic, your eyes are much quicker than your hands, as they are actually prepping your hands for the physical task of inflating each balloon. Concentration will keep your eyes and hands in perfect sync as they help you inflate each balloon as fast as you possibly can.
   
   
4. Let gravity work for you, not against you. In the process of selecting a balloon to inflate, train your eyes to find a balloon you can easily pick up by it’s top, not by its neck. Pick up the selected balloon between your thumb and index fingers. Move towards and over the regulator valve and lower the balloon (with the neck down) onto the valve tip. You can even use your free hand to gently roll the lip of the balloon down further onto the valve tip just before you inflate. Make sure there is virtually no time wasted between placing the balloon securely on the valve tip and inflating the balloon.
   
   
5. Always use high quality materials. The regulators, balloons and ribbon you use should be the very best you can buy. As a professional you owe this to yourself and to your customers. As a professional, inferior equipment will slow you down and may break frequently. So-called party grade balloons may not be able to withstand your new found inflation speed, as this grade of balloon may break too easily. Decorator grade balloons will be able to withstand increased inflation speed with less breakage and will give you more consistent sizing, shape and color.
   
   
6. Be kind to your hands. Where would you be in this business without your hands? Invest in a good moisturizing lotion and use it often. Keep nails and cuticles manicured. Many balloon professionals use gloves, or tape up their fingers before tying. Sound silly? It shouldn’t. Think of tying balloons as an athletic event. A boxer tapes his hands before putting on his gloves. Basketball players tape their ankles, knees, wrists and fingers before a game. Many football players wear gloves to protect their hands and to get a better grip on another player or the football, so why shouldn’t a balloon professional do the same?
   
   
7. Practice. Like many athletes, good hand-eye coordination takes time to develop. Practicing your inflation and tying technique is critical to you saving valuable time.

Now don’t laugh, some of the suggestions above might sound ridiculous. But if you can save even one second when inflating every balloon each day you work, you and your staff can literally save dozens, maybe even hundreds of man hours each year. Sound crazy? Check out the chart below and think about how many balloons you inflate in a year.

Your Time Saved

Time Saved (in seconds)	Total Time Saved (1000 balloons)	Total Time Saved (10,000 balloons)	Total Time Saved (25,000 balloons)	Total Time Saved (100,000 balloons)
1	16.6 minutes	2.77 hours	6.94 hours	27.77 hours
2	33.2 minutes	5.55 hours	13.88 hours	55.55 hours
3	50 minutes	8.33 hours	20.83 hours	83.33 hours
4	66.6 minutes	11.1 hours	27.77 hours	111.11 hours
5	83.3 minutes	13.88 hours	34.72 hours	138.88 hours

We have all heard time is money, and it certainly is. The need for speed in balloon inflation will save you valuable time and hence, make (or save) you money. Don’t let you or your staff continue to waste precious seconds any longer, because those seconds could really be weeks of extra time spent inflating your balloons and deflating your profits. Challenge yourself to perfect your tying and inflating techniques and start counting the days and weeks of time saved in your busy professional life.

MZ

Twitpic has no character limit, making tweets as long as you like!!

IBA Conference St. Louis has been great! Sitting in a social media class. If you're not here...you missed something special. More later

Hope to Tweet more about it throughout. Some pics on Facebook, too (but later). Jan Iiams & Peggy Williams teach tomorrow.

Arrived at IBA Convention in St. Louis. Nice crowd expected. Social media speaker in for 2 day session. Troy Appril-nice job w/ decor

ISES tonight - everyone's slow but at least we're together in the downturn. Some see signs of small comeback, but many not so sure.

Cups made of corn - completely compostable so your party can save the planet! GREAT idea. http://ping.fm/cCKnZ

Waste happens everywhere so why leave recycling at home? http://ping.fm/dmPg9

Experts worry that the recovery may be weak, stymied by consumers’ reluctance to spend. The poor get poorer and the rich feel poor

Virtual Tote - upload 4 files/links 2 repository, then send coded txt msg & gain access 2 files http://ping.fm/A7tUs

SBC Update Weekend Edition of Today Show will be airing SBC interviews August 27, tentative schedule. See the show host in a balloon dress!

SBC Fashion Show-subdued crowd. Maybe just overwhelmed by talent of designers and their models or we're all just too tired!!

SBC Fashion Show - beautiful dresses, lots of detail work. Winners-it's a tie! Rie Hosokai & Sofie Vandewyer. Congrats to both.beautiful job

SBC Day 1 Tip-Bidou threads mono line up Link O Loon column. Start LOL column then tie mono line into each pair of balloons as u go up

SBC Tips Day1 Eduardo Seiti 660's make great wall linked together

SBC Tips Day1 Eduardo Seiti, excellent use of 660's made tube or as chandelier, cake or top hat.

SBC Tips Day1 Bidou uses water balloon weights double stuffed and always in groups of three. Much more stable than just one

SBC Tips Day1 Jean Eddy, like Burger King, "Would U like fries w/ that?" "Would you like me to light that 4 you?" Great way to upsell lights

QBN@SBC Q&A Claims World Balloon Convention will be best EVER! Sees US as leader in convention events. Needed something new.

QBN@SBC Interesting session. Almost as many Qualatex employees as attendees, but was informative event.

QBN@SBC Q&A 30,000 piece order to run special color (16" met. yellow, grey, truer turquoise, etc.)

QBN@SBC Q&A New bubble balloons packaged in a four pack with longer necks to link together easier. No black color.

QBN@SBC Q&A New bubble balloons coming next week - 10 Solid colors. Not recommended use in over 100 degree heat. 15" round bubble

QBN@SBC Q&A Asked about 6" Geo Donuts. They said possible as a one time run if many people band together to place large order (30,000 pcs.)

QBN@SBC Ted & Betty Vlamis explained black latex is toughest latex to make. Coloring is very difficult to get right.

QBN@SBC Ted Vlamis explains coloring in balloons is inorganic & fights w/ organic latex material. The more coloring the stiffer the balloon

QBN@SBC Ted Vlamis explains color in balloons is not organic like the latex. "We fudge it a little bit" with the "all natural" label

QBN@SBC World Balloon Convention Apr. 15-18 2010, Dallas. Special bonus Tour of Qualtatex plant in Dallas.

QBN@SBC Qualatex added more colors & sizes. Sees bubble balloons as their biggest additions. Considers them new category of balloon. Do you?

QBN@SBC Moment of silcene for Linda Bruce

QBN@SeBC New US gov't labeling requirements means if repackaging you too must re-label. Can take wording right from Pioneer bags

QBN@SBC Pioneer pledges to lead PR program to use balloons properly

QBN@SBC Best Balloon Practices will now be Smart Balloon Practices 4 legal compliance, marketing, proper handling espc. in California

QBN@SBC 13 new CBA's. Funny, nobody failed. Hmm.

Made it to Vegas. It's hot here as always...and the weather is too!! Booth setup later. Border Grill at Manadalay Bay-FANTASTIC!!

Waiting for Vegas

So this is it, this is how we get treated.

Check in at Continental.com. Get a boarding pass, but wait!! No seat assignment. Uh Oh.

Call Continental FIVE TIMES!!! We're booked with NO SEATS!! Need to show up 2 hours to 2 1/2 hours early to maybe get a seat. 2 hours on the phone to find that out. Three hours of sleep, rush to the airport, show up two hours early, place is mobbed. Get to counter - STILL NO SEAT!! Go to the gate (hurry up now) and guess what? NOBODY'S THERE!!

Wait another 20 minutes and they have overbooked a bigger plane, changed to a much smaller plane and loads of very "happy" people are being told they can't fly. Now there are four agents at the gate getting yelled at. FUN!!

And then they find us two seats - WHAT?? On the next flight at 1PM. Now we've been here since 6:50 AM.

Don't you just love flying??

Oh, and by the way, if you want to complain, Continental Customer Care is only open during the day. So while most of these issues are happening there is no one you can really talk to about it.

Later!! I hope :-)

So much for getting to Las Vegas early to relax a little before "Camp" begins for us.

To paraphrase the words of some Mad Man in the 60's, "Is this any way to run an airline? You bet it isn't!!"

Sitting in airport, bumped to Vegas. Losing half day. So much for early arrival to be ready!!

Always killing the arts first. Here's how and why http://ping.fm/A3dR5

"Let balloons rise to the occasion as a simple yet stylish way to fill a big space. The secret to a grown-up look? A simple color palette. Attach them to ribbons to make garlands for the ceiling."
saith Martha Stewart!

How to guarantee productive conversation and learning at banquet rounds http://ping.fm/Etmnv

Summer Balloon Camp Las Vegas - Andy and I will be tweeting and blogging all next week. Check in to see what we're seeing.

Don't say "tablecloth" anywhere near these patterned tables and chairs, offered for rent by Taylor Creative http://ping.fm/D5CuJ

Legislation Could Block Government Discrimination Against Resort Destinations. http://ping.fm/obPHL

Follow JetBlue on twitter for special discounts Today, NY to Nantucket = $8.00!!

Got customers that aren't worth your time and business? Write them a "we'll miss you" letter.

Life O' The Party (http://ping.fm/gfPSV)

Just set Hootsquite - Thanks Pat!!

The "ART" of Plagiarism

So much of what this and other industry publications are about is the encouragement to steal. That's right, I said steal! Steal our ideas, steal our plans, steal our thoughts about what the business of balloons has to offer. We're like P.T. Barnum who gave everything away in the name of publicity.

However, the thievery we can all accept is but a far cry from a very real and deliberate crime. The crime of plagiarism is an indiscretion of enormous proportions in our world today. Too often individuals or whole companies take credit for someone else's hard work and original thoughts. Any time you show pictures from a magazine or Web site that you do not own or have permissioon to use and call it your own, you are committing a crime. The crime perpetrated may seem petty. One may not even think they have done anything wrong, but they have.

Want some real life examples of plagiarism?


The names have been changed to protect the guilty!

Highway Robbery - Over the internet there are so many, many images to see from countless web sites. Unfortunately, cruising the web will have you sailing into stormy images taken from magazines (like this one), manufacturers brochures, even images from other web sites. I spied ABC Balloons from a northeastern state showing a number of original pieces blended very nicely with pictures from BALLOONS & Parties Magazine and other publications, as well. No credit was given for these images which gives ABC Balloons all the credit they DO NOT deserve. Shame on you ABC Balloons! Saving the worst for last...

Several years ago my retail company was exhibiting at a party showcase. One of my customer's, whose party we would soon be decorating, approached me at our booth looking very upset. She asked me if our company created all of it's own decor. Of course, I replied, and I reminded her of her visit to our warehouse where she had seen centerpieces being made. I asked her why she seemed so concerned. She told me I had better go visit the booth for XYZ Balloons, as they had a number of pictures in their portfolio that looked exactly like mine.

I ran (I did not walk) across the showroom floor to the booth for XYZ Balloons. Carefully browsing through their portfolio, I found dozens of purchased photographs and magazine clippings being touted as their own work. Practically their entire portfolio consisted of published photographs of my work, manufacturers studio photographed pieces, images from advertisements and do you know what else? They were showing your work, too! All the while XYZ Balloons was taking full credit for having designed and created this decor - both yours and mine!! I must tell you, this situation made me angry and upset, but I calmly talked to the husband and wife team at XYZ Balloons. I explained to them who I was, how I felt and what I needed them to do. I asked for our materials to be removed from their portfolio and I asked for a few of yours too.

I can assure you, this type of problem occurs every day. My solution probably was only a temporary stop-gap against XYZ Balloons. Though I hope not, they may still be pilfering all of our ideas and claiming them for their own. If I may speak for us all...give credit where credit is due. Steal my ideas, but let your customers' know the designs are mine. Cut pictures out from this and other publications and store them in a book of ideas. My Idea Book is clearly labeled for all to see.


For many years I have not cut and pasted single pictures with no names or captions to view. I have chosen to rip out entire pages of many publications and store them in my Idea Book. This gives my customers an opportunity to clearly see and understand that I can re-create this work, but the design is of someone else's creation.

Help raise the Art of Plagiarism above a crime of self-centered convenience.

Perhaps the etiquette of creativity is to (from time to time) embrace someone else's ideas and improve on them or re-construct those ideas with one's own artistic flair and plans for success. This process of creating and re-creating bypasses the plagiarism issue in an appropriate and professional manner. Try it - your business and your clients will appreciate your efforts.

What's In A Name

N.B. This article was written by me 13 years ago!! I firmly believe NOTHING has changed within our industry since.

For me, it all started with a "tree." The phone rang and on the other end of the line was a party planner asking if we make "balloon trees." Now my first instinct was to reply, "palm or maple," but not wanting to sound like a wise-guy, I opted for, "how many balloons would you like in your tree?" Whatever their answer was, it was blurred by my imagination running wild with the thought of balloons stuck in some tall woody plant with people climbing branches to release them from their tangled imprisonment. What else would happen to balloons in a tree?



As the years have past, new names have come across my desk and over my phone lines. There are puff balls - or are they clouds or perhaps clusters? There are cascades - but they could be corkscrews. Everyone makes packed arches - but are they triples, quads, quints, or just spirals? A double arch could be a zipper or butterfly arch. A balloon column sounds nice, but isn’t that a tree to some? Do we use a cylinder or a tank, a nozzle or a regulator? Hmmm...


Are 16" balloons ‘jumbo’ sized? Doesn’t that leave out 30" or 36" balloons, or larger? And whatever happened to the "paddle" balloon?


Other industries have come to standardize many of the items they sell. Is it time for our industry to follow? Do we need to differentiate our products like sub-compacts and sedans, or queen and king size beds?


Maybe that "tree" is the process of standardization taking place already. With regards only to the "tree," I kind of hope not!


However, much in the industry is standardized to a degree. There are 5", 9", 11" balloons and so on. 18" Mylar balloons are a standard size, or are they? How about those 20" or 21" stars. You probably pay more for them and just as sure you probably don’t charge more for them. Of course, there are those 10" and 12" latex balloons to add to the mix.


What about tank sizes? Surely to a compressed gas company there is some important difference between a 106, 107 or 110 size cylinder. A 285 versus a 292 cylinder must also carry some mystical reasoning as to why they are both offered. But in the end does such a small bit of compressed gas (helium or nitrogen) come to mean that much?


Now we come to packaging balloon products. A gross pack seemed to be (in the US) a fairly comfortable standard to rely on for many years. Then came 72 packs, 36 packs and even 12 packs which all made some sense as they were divisions of the original gross pack of 144. Hold on - here come what may be the more sensible 100 count and 50 count bags. Do we now need to rely on both types of counting for years to come? Possibly and probably.
How about Mylar (or is it metallized or foil?) balloons with their single packs, 5 count, 10 count, etc.?



A number of the items I have listed above are standardized to a degree. However, much of the standardizing may be from within the one company that is manufacturing or distributing the particular product. I don’t want to sound like a rant on paper here, but is it time for some real hard thinking about standardizing certain aspects of the balloon business to aid all concerned - the customer, manufacturer, distributor and reseller?



So next time a customer asks if you make "balloon trees," don’t hesitate to reply "palm or maple," and watch what happens.

2008 Goodbye, Good Riddance

You can’t possibly think we need anything other than a great big SO LONG to 2008. It can’t leave fast enough. All the troubles and woes of a world in a complete tail spin. I think we should all pretty much be car sick by now, don’t you??

So, what do we do? What on earth do we do? Well, for one thing we have got to hang on. Wait the storm out as best we can. That, of course, is so much easier said than done. But what else can we do? Most all of the “experts” have got this world crisis all wrong and I suppose that’s why we are where we are today. We listened to the experts and now we see they really haven’t a clue as to what to do. Just hang in there baby!

Second, we have got to position our own businesses as an ANSWER to the crisis. What’s that you say? “Mark, are you mad??” Well, maybe, but aren’t balloons the most cost effective way to decorate, to celebrate, to commemorate? Flowers be damned, Props? No way. Balloons are the way to go!! Celebrations will go on. Less of them to be sure, but they will take place. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, corporate affairs and holidays will still be events that occur. We may all wish to be more subdued in how we celebrate, but what is life without even a small bit of revelry?

Balloons will help everyone keep things in perspective as we must show the public we can still celebrate in a cost effective way. Creative balloon work will make your customers appreciate the true value of balloons and make your business have an increased value to those customers.And in today’s (and tomorrow’s) economy isn’t absolutely everybody looking for VALUE in everything?

Balloons – colorful, wonderful and a true value for everyone!

HELP - My Clients with $$ Won't Spend It!

So off I went to NYC tonight for an ISES (The International Special Event Society, http://www.isesnyc.com/) meeting featuring four very interesting speakers. The topic of the event was entitled "How Luxury Brands Use Special Events in This Challenging Economy."

The premise of the program was about how even the most affluent customers are now slower to spend and need "a reason to shop." Many brands are using special events to achieve the 'wow' factor with best customers.

I was really hoping to find out why MY higher end clients aren't buying. Well, they aren't buying most likely because of what I already knew and what they termed tonight "Luxury Shame." Quite simply upper class clients still HAVE money to spend. The problem today is though they still have the money, the appearance of celebrating is wrong for our times right now.

At work or at play, you just can't show the slightest bit of extravagance. Well, you can't let others see the extravagance. The upper class is still buying cars (so said the Director of Marketing for Bentley Motors), flying in private jets (according to the Blue Star Jet CEO) and drinking fancy champagne (as told by the Moët Hennessy USA Director of National Events who was just back from the Oscars as her company sponsored many of the events Post-Oscar night).

What seems to be working for the luxury clients are small private events. House parties, intimate restaurant gatherings; just doing things under the radar seems to be the best way to celebrate. Also important is connecting to a charity at more visible events makes for a good "hook" or a good reason to celebrate. This helps define ROI for companies.

How does this help me (http://www.lotparty.com/) or all of us sell balloons? Well, I'm still not sure, except to say balloons will save a client money, add value to an event with little cost and, in the end, help the almighty ROI numbers soar with all the money one could save by using balloons.