Quality comes with a higher price tag

Rich Darby,
Chief Operations Officer

After negotiating a contract with one of our suppliers, I gained a great deal of respect for the way they do business. Their representative didn't give us a deal, a coupon or budge on the price and I respect that; because quality comes with a higher price tag.

When I refer to quality, I don't just mean quality products. I am also referring to the company manufacturing the products. A quality company will employ people who will go out of their way to explain the details and introduce some of their business tools; and that brings more value to Trigard than a few dollars off.

What are you gaining from your suppliers? Are they giving you low ball prices? Or are they giving you something much more valuable? In my time as a business owner, I have found that quality products come from quality manufacturers; because they give more than a product, they build relationships.

As a resolution for the upcoming year, make it a goal to build relationships with your suppliers and increase the value of the products you are buying.  In the long run, the relationships you build will bring more value to your company; more value means more buying power and more buying power means lower prices for your customers.

Here is to a happy and prosperous new year! Happy New Year!

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/thursdays.


Enhance your showroom for 2014

Trigard Memorials' 180 system wall displays work with any wall type and are available in two versions. The basic display features miniature bronze samples in a smaller wall footprint, and the premier display (shown above) features full size 24" x 14" memorials with smaller bronze companion memorials. 

Both wall displays are organized into three tiers - a proven good/better/best system - and can be customized for your unique business.

Call Customer Service at 800.798.4900 or download our order form to begin designing your 180 system. Be sure to ask about our new SimuMetal samples that can help dramatically lower the cost of your display without sacrificing quality.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/thursdays.


Design tip of the week

If you are sending your logo to be included on your customized Memorial Security plate, be sure to send vector art as an *.EPS file. That file format ensures that your logo will look pristine and clear.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.

How do you want to be remembered?

Linda Darby,
Chief Executive Officer

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is in full force with only a few days left before Christmas. The holiday season is about cherishing and spending time with those in our lives and taking the focus off ourselves. We sometimes get stuck in a rut of our daily routines and the holidays allow us to get our heads out of the paperwork to remember; to remember how blessed we are to be able to spend the holidays with our families; and to remember those we have lost throughout the years.

"When a loved one becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure," is a quote that we at Trigard Memorials try to remember everyday. How do you want to be remembered? When you are gone and your family gathers around for the holidays, will they remember you the way you want to be remembered? As families gather, its a great time to remind them to take the time to talk with their family about how they want to be remembered; maybe even make a plan to get their wishes put in writing this coming year.

From everyone at Trigard, may you and your family have a blessed holiday season.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.


Product highlight: Remembrance medallions

Remembrance medallions by Trigard Memorials are a unique addition to existing niche fronts, mausoleums and memorials. A stronger alternative than ceramic cameos, our bronze medallions feature exquisite detail in traditional oxide or the vibrant color of Brilliant Impressions®.

Whether a family is celebrating a special date or they want to add beauty and value to their loved one's memorial with our cutting-edge technology, our medallions are an affordable option.

Call Customer Service at 800.798.4900 for details and pricing.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.


Design tip of the week
Though photo quality may look okay to families, our design team looks at it from a professional standpoint to ensure you receive the best quality marker with the given images.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.

The vaule of versatility

Ethan Darby,
Sales Manager

You know us for memorials, urns, crypt, and niche plates, but did you know that we are also a plaque and sign manufacturer?

Through our plaques and signs division, I work with a variety of organizations, including parks, schools and golf courses. The signage industry is extremely competitive with projects typically going to the lowest bidder. Our prices are competitive, but we can offer something more valuable than low prices - versatility.

How many different signs are at a memorial park or cemetery? If you own or manage a property, do you rely upon multiple companies? Wouldn't it be nice to have one place for all of your projects? At Trigard, we can be that flexible provider because we can adapt to your needs.

Do you have donors that you need to recognize? Do you need to designate sections of your cemetery? Do you need something as simple as bathroom signs? We can do that. What could be more convenient for you than one-stop shopping for your signs and memorials?  If you have any questions or want more information, please call me at 800.798.4900 or email me at ethand@trigard.com.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/thursdays.


Product highlight: Plaques and signs
Trigard Plaques and Signs helps dedicate buildings, recognize years of achievement and even welcome new families into their homes.

Our clientele includes Walt Disney World, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Performance Racing Industry, McDonalds, the PGA, Chicagoland Speedway, the Ronald Reagan Ranch and numerous state and local businesses.

We would be delighted to add you to our list of clients, no matter the size or scale of your project. Call 800.798.4900 or visit Trigard Plaques and Signs online and tell us what you are celebrating. We will work with you to find the best way to commemorate your special milestone.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/thursdays.
 

Design tip of the week
If you do not want an accent option on your Classique memorial, please write NO ACCENT in the design box on the order form so we know that section wasn't overlooked.

This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.

Collaboration is key

Jeff Miller,
Vice President of Business
Development

The holidays are here. Are you as busy as you were during the summer? Most of us aren't, which makes this the perfect time to connect and network. Extend an invitation to have lunch with a potential customer you have been talking with for a while; invite them to tour your facility and meet your staff. Show your long-time customers how much you appreciate your partnership; visit their facility or bring lunch for their employees.

Why does this matter? Why should you spend time networking with funeral homes? Did you know 98 percent of all families use a funeral home for assistance following the death of a loved one? Families see funeral homes as the first resource; therefore, collaboration is vital. While I was a practicing funeral director, I was often asked for recommendations on cemeteries, monuments and memorial providers in the area. It's a clear example of the importance of funeral homes knowing you and the services you offer.

Let's make it a goal for 2014 to put aside any past concerns about partnerships and reach out. Do you need help strategizing a networking plan? Call me at 419.290.7707 or email me at jeffm@trigard.com. 
 
This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.
 
 
Product highlight: Collage memorials

Allow families to use their own photos to tell the story of their loved one's life with our Collage memorial.  They can submit one special photograph or provide us with a series of pictures and our designers will work with them to create a memorial as unique as the life it celebrates.

Call Customer Service at 800.798.4900 for pricing and details.
 
This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.
 
 
Design tip of the week

If you do not completely fill out your order form, this will delay the process of getting a design. Please fill out all areas of the order form so we know exactly what you need. 
 
This article originally appeared in Modern Memorialization, Trigard Memorials' weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/Thursdays.