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Size matters
Large companies more than any one, need the ability to delegate. If an organisation consisting of many people expects to be able to compete in today’s market place, it needs to easily trust its business partners to fully complete their obligations on time every time.
When choosing a picture framer for your organisation make sure they are structured enough to handle large orders. Some framers are more of back yard affairs run by one person that will have great difficulty in completing those 1,500 poster frames in ten business days. They may have to pay for their materials up front and would have a greater problem subjecting their cash flow to accounts.
Make sure you aren't going to some one that is too large for your requirements as well. Bigger outfits tend to be less flexible than smaller guys, causing trouble with that urgent job for the MD's surprise party tomorrow lunch time. They may also need minimum orders to commence a job.
The truth is, most corporate businesses that use picture framers need a mix of the two. Someone big to churn out the bulk orders of standard frames. And someone small for the extra flexibility when dealing with last minute high priority jobs. Many businesses use several picture framers, especially if there is more than one department getting work done. This can work well in spreading the risk. Although it is worth considering getting one framer to do all your work to streamline payments, familiarise them with your business and possibly to get a discounted rate.
Touch base.
Many people from the corporate world who deal with picture framers, are too busy to ever actually have a face to face meeting. Some of our clients have been dealing with us for over a decade & still haven’t made it into the workshop. While this can make it very efficient & convenient, it can also make for framing that's a little dull.
If you can physically turn up at your framers & see the range available, you may end up getting things framed in a much more sympathetic style.
For instance, you may have got something done in a recycled baltic timber frame in 1993, & liked what you saw. You then sent all your work back to that framer & told them to "just do what you did last time". Since then your business has grown in size & style, meaning that the brown frames don’t suit your clean white offices anymore. But because it's all you've had done, it's what you keep getting done.
You know you can have things done better. Though you've gotten used to the routine of the past.
Take a drive to your picture framer (or get them to come to you) & ask them what they have that could work better than what you usually get done. It may well be that the current method is the best. though it's good to keep on top of these things.
When you get to their shop, you may also be inspired by the other range of things they have available. There are things that you might have thought were un-frameable or you just didn't know how they would be done. Bring them along, ask the framers advice & you may well be pleasantly surprised with the result.
If nothing else, it can be nice to finally put a face to the voice over the phone.
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Delivery.
Many picture framers wail have some sort of delivery service and a few will pick up as well. If they don't provide these services, most if them will arrange delivery via courier for cost, or absorb the fee in large orders.
Consistency.
If you have an ongoing order such as an award certificate. Lend some weight to the consistency of the frames as apposed to making sure the awards don't look the same as last years. In other words, there's no need to change for change's sake
Identity.
Before you go to the framing shop, take a look at your corporate identity and colour scheme. If you are a modern business such as a telco with a blue logo, try integrating this into the frames. If you are a traditional business such as a lawyers practice with a burgundy logo, follow suit.
Lead time.
Keep an open dialogue with your picture framer and be very clear on how fast they can turn around what you want. It is no good if they can deliver substandard quality on time, or perfection a day late.
Payment.
Check with your framer if they will accept credit. The vast majority prefer COD and may be justifiably annoyed if you pick up a large job and say "Just send the bill through to accounts."
Reliabliity.
When your framing is done over an extended period or requires a bulk of materials, it is essential that you know your framer has the capacity to work with you to ensure the job is done correctly. Be sure to speak to them about possible pitfalls and try to find solutions to them before they arise.
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