Brainstorms

Get Rid of That Hairy Arm!

A proven strategy to combat those people who always insist on last-minute changes.

Published

6 years ago

June 20, 2019

INSTORE Staff Instore July 2019 Issue

Ever had a client or even a manager interrupting and delaying jobs by insisting on last-minute changes? Then you may want to consider this strategy employed by advertising artists known as The Hairy Arm Tactic. According to the mythology, a graphic artist named Joe had a client who was forever insisting on “stupid changes.” Then something odd started happening: each time the client was presented with a newly photographed layout, he’d encounter the image of Joe’s arm at one edge of the frame, partly obscuring the ad. The client would look at it and yell: ‘What the hell is that hairy arm doing in there?’“ Joe would apologize for the slip-up. And then, as the client was stalking self-righteously away, muttering, “You gotta watch these guys like a hawk,” Joe would say: “When I remove the arm, can we go into production?” And the client, content to have made his mark, would call over his shoulder, “Yes, but get that arm out of there first!”

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."