Getting on a bit now - 13years in retail followed by 17years in the signage industry (and counting)!So far I've looked after customers in every British county and a fair few abroad (including supplying signage for academies in Hong Kong and Australia!).In retail I've worked across lots of different roles - in customer service, trade sales, as Sales Manager on retail park showrooms up to 30,000 sq. feet, as an Area Sales Manager with a turnover on the area of £7m, and lastly as Marketing Manager - responsible for sales strategies / promotions / POS and advertising (before the days of social media).My experience in retail taught me a lot about customers and sales in general: customers like a bargain but not if it comes at a cost - in terms of quality. I still recall 30years later on how a customer once complained about the FREE scatter cushions I gave them as part of their sofa purchase - at the time I couldn't get my head around it - they were free after all. Now of course I understand fully that they'd paid a lot for their furniture and what use were the scatters if they didn't compliment the quality or look of the sofa - effectively all I'd achieved by giving something away was to lessen the customers satisfaction with their purchase.This was one of many lessons over the years which have helped me to develop my customer understanding.In 2007 I started my career in signage and quickly learnt that this was the industry for me! I love the opportunities it brings in terms of dealing with customers from all sorts of sectors - such as developing specialist signage with SLT teachers in SEND schools to large illuminated signage installed 14storeys up for construction companies with £billion turnover. It's true that you have to wear many different hats in this industry but the fundamentals remain the same from my early retail background - listen to the customer (ALWAYS) - understand what they are trying to achieve before providing advice; make sure to communicate through the process and above all, be there whenever you're needed.I've found that my own values are perfectly matched to that of my employer - Widd Signs. Founded in 1888, Widd Signs is accredited as being one of the original signage companies. The same founding values that made Widd Signs an instant success in the 19th Century runs through the business today: innovation, design, excellence and honesty.Visit www.widdsigns.co.uk for more information about services available or contact me direct on 07813010928.