Efficiency

[NTG999]

I am always looking to be more efficient, sometimes so I can accept more work, sometimes so I can go home early!
For framing it's just me with no plans to change that, I do have help with accounts, cleaning etc
I use a Morso, and sometimes buy on chop. I use Keencut Excalibur for board cutting and Keencut Futura for mounts. Pretty much every job is a one off, I have considered a CMC but one of the main efficiency benefits seems to be if you need a few mounts the same colour? I currently use BBEst which I am happy with but I was looking at FramR pricing software if it would give me the opportunity for time saving?
Any input welcome plus any general efficiency tips

[Fruitini]

When we moved shop locations 5 years ago we moved into a premises occupied by the only other retiring picture framer in town. It was only just round the corner - literally 30 seconds walk. We expected to get busier instantly as we expected our own regular trade to follow us and also to inherit the previous incumbents trade. We needed to be more efficient to be able to handle the increased workload and approached it in a number of ways. Firstly we took on a dedicated front of house manager to make the sales (and the coffee!), deal with collections, manage the shopfront etc. This instantly freed up all the time spent designing/selling/nattering which clearly takes up a huge chunk of time for one man bands. We inherited a much bigger workshop which allowed us to build our space from scratch taking into consideration workflow patterns and appropriate places for stock/machinery etc when planning the layout. As far as frame building efficiencies the biggest factors were gained from upgrading our morso to a double mitre saw and investing in a Valiani CMC. I too was dubious about the time savings that a CMC would make before we made the jump but I couldn't imagine life without it now. Not only does it allow you to be more creative and accurate but the time savings, especially if you aspire to getting busier is a huge factor.

[NTG999]

That's interesting, what make of saw and dust extraction did you go for?

[Justintime]

I'd agree about the CMC, game changer. Double/triple/35 windows? No problem!
My best game changer lately has been Calendly, the appointment booking system. £100 p/a. I've integrated it into my website and can just whatts app a link if going to my website is too much trouble for people. It has saved me so much time that was spent on the phone with customers. I rarely speak to them before they come in these days. I'm appointment only.
Postal sacks from eBay, hung next to where you create the various board waste. Offcuts get ripped up and into the bags straight away.
FramR is great, so much more customisable after Estlite.

[Fruitini]

I picked up a bargain antique Brevetti Prisma from a forum member with a 1HP SIP bag extractor. Cuts like a dream considering its age. The prisma has a slightly bigger footprint to the morso but not hugely so. Effective but not perfect dust removal. We only have the one workshop space so all cutting and assembly goes on in the same area. Not ideal but we manage ok.