More to a company's image than just signage.

The last year or so has seen a shift in focus for me. Traditionally, my role of a sign maker and adviser has seen me do just that, a specialist consultant involved in a specific task. Since my recent(ish) CIM Marketing course, I've become more aware of how a company manages its image and profile (wittingly or unwittingly). This naturally does involve signage, but of course it involves so much more. Most companies seem to think that by having a new sign is the start and stop of how they portray themselves, but even for small independent traders this is far from the case.
For shops and offices this means a range of other areas they need to address. Is their building clean (inside and out)? Has the hoovering been done recently? Has any clutter been cleared away? Is the decoration in good order? Are the windows and frames cleaned and de-cobwebbed regularly? Is any landscaping tidy and well kept. Do staff wear branded staff uniform or are suitably dressed? Do interior displays look tidy, professional and easy to read? etc etc etc.
If you're in the building trade, does your van look clean, rust free and sign written? (of course) Do you and your staff look tidy and presentable (branded shirts, clean trousers, shoes not falling apart)?
Your image is also reflected in your stationery and websites. Do they look homemade? Have you put more than half an hours thought into it? Have you actually got a website? (You'd be suprised how many companies dont!)
All these things and more are all relevent to how your company is perceived in the market place. Depending on the level you pitch your company at will determine how much you would pay attention to the pointers above, but it is important to keep an ongoing eye to all of these aspects on a regular basis.