Pro Urban Gardening Tips

The founder of Mesh Creative Group and Aris Graphics, James "Jim" Alton Bechand caters to various clients' creative needs by improving their marketing plans and offering a one-stop shopping approach. Outside of his professional pursuits, James Alton Bechand enjoys golfing, cooking, collecting art, and gardening.

Gardening is a great activity that not only offers relaxation but also an ideal method of sourcing organic and freshly grown produce. People with limited or no balcony space can start container gardening.

Containers can grow a variety of fruits and vegetables as long as the plants are spaced properly and receive enough nutrients and sunlight. Don't forget to water and apply fertilizer as required. Also, go for perennials instead of annuals since they are cost-effective and last longer. You can also use seeds from already eaten fruits or vegetables to cut down on expenses.

To maximize space, be strategic in the choice of plants to grow and consider vertical gardening since most plants like tomatoes and cucumber grow upwards. If permissible, convert the lawn, perennial flower garden, and other forested areas to an edible garden. Edible permascaping involves replacing ornamental flowers in gardens with edible plants. 

Three Types of Competitors to Search for in a Competitive Analysis

With extensive sales and marketing experience, James Alton Bechand worked as a salesman for almost 20 years before establishing his first company, Aris Graphics. In 2004, he founded Mesh Creative Group, a marketing agency for small to medium-sized corporations. At Mesh Creative Group, James Alton Bechand helps companies in developing strong brands.

One of the first steps to build a strong brand is to research and study competitors within the same industry. This process is called competitive analysis which involves the evaluation and categorization of all competitors to compare their weaknesses and strengths.

There are mainly three types of competitors: direct, indirect, and tertiary. Direct competitors are those that offer the same products and services in the same industry. These companies target exactly the same audience as the business doing competitive analysis.

Meanwhile, indirect competitors offer the same product or service within the same geographical area. However, indirect competitors target a different audience or serve a different need.

Lastly, tertiary competitors sell products or services similar but not equal to the business doing the competitive analysis. Although tertiary competitors cannot be considered a threat, they can quickly choose to become indirect or direct competitors with a few strategy changes.

Expected Advancements in Graphics Production

In 2000, James Alton Bechand founded Aris Graphics, Inc., a full-service firm that produces graphical marketing displays and provides consultations for a growing clientele, which includes Fortune 500 companies. Before setting up the company, James Alton Bechand worked in the graphics industry for more than fifteen years.

The graphics industry has evolved over the years. But, the pace of change is set to quicken as we enter another decade. New technological advances in graphics production are expected to change the industry in the nearest future. One of the anticipated changes is the integration of augmented and virtual reality into print production. Incorporating these elements is expected to heighten users' experience. These changes will enable customers to interact and immerse themselves with the subject matter of the print product.

Another expected advancement is the spread of 3D printing in graphics production from the niches it serves presently to the mass market, as costs are driven downwards by technological evolution. Also, expect minimalist designs to come up sharply in the next few years, with more images and icons replacing word content, adhering to the saying 'less is more.'

On the economic front, there could be increased reliance on outsourcing to freelance professionals instead of utilizing in-house staff. Such a trend would be in line with the rapid growth of freelancing and the gig economy. It's also crucial as a cost-saving strategy and an avenue for obtaining fresh ideas.

Designing an Effective Point of Sale Display

The founder of Mesh Creative Group, James Alton Bechand is an expert in sales and promotional advertising with numerous awards for excellence in graphic production. James Alton Bechand offers clients a comprehensive brand-building solution through the company, including digital branding strategy, advertising, and point of sale marketing design.

Point of sale displays can be a crucial part of your brand’s success and there are a few important elements to consider when building one. First, you should understand your product and how best to present it to your audience. Failing to understand how customers expect to find your product can lead to a large reduction in engagement.

Also, think about how the display will impact the shopping space. Products should be easy to restock and the display itself can’t take up too much space. Remember, a good display doesn’t rely on obstructing customers. Rather, you want to catch their eye and draw them in to convince them to buy. Focus on practicality and good design.

Benefits of Collaborating with the Mesh Creative Group

James Alton Bechand served as a salesman for more than a decade, during which time he set records at numerous firms while driving overall profitability. An expert in the fields of printing and marketing, James Alton Bechand owns and operates Aris Graphics in New York and Mesh Creative Group in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Since its founding in 2004, Mesh Creative Group has engaged in projects for high profile companies that range from Pepperidge Farm and Nestle to Energizer and Pitney Bowes. The company, which focuses on branding, packaging, point of sale, and advertising projects, offers numerous value-added benefits to clients that include:

1. Assistance with brand development to drive sales while gaining a strong return on marketing investments.

2. Access to idea-centric solutions that are backed by sound strategy and drive results.

3. Expertise in traditional and digital marketing methodologies that are customized to each client.

4. A resource-driven approach that involves lean teams and agile implementations based on the needs of each client.

Visiting the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Saratoga Race Track

Niagara University alumnus James Alton Bechand owns and operates Aris Graphics and Mesh Creative Group, which he founded in the early 2000s. An accomplished salesman and creative design professional, James Alton Bechand has claimed numerous Pop Times Awards for Excellence in Graphic Production. In his free time, he enjoys horse races at the Saratoga Race Track.

Since its inception in 1863, the Saratoga Race Track has hosted flat and harness horse races. The venue, which also houses a casino, dining options, and other attractions, allows fans to experience races from a bird’s eye view from the Whitney Viewing Stand.

The Whitney Viewing Stand is situated on the Oklahoma Training Track, across the street from the Saratoga track. Named after one of horse racing's most philanthropic families, the stand opens at 6:00 AM each morning during the racing season before closing at 10:30 AM. The stand serves as a beautiful local landmark and is designed to mimic Saratoga’s 1892 Judges Stand. Moreover, visitors can enjoy nearby Congress Park that features a historic wooden carousel.

The Importance of Packaging to Improve Brand Image

Print and marketing entrepreneur James Alton Bechand is the founder of Aris Graphics and Mesh Creative Group. The winner of numerous Pop Times Awards for excellence in graphic production, James Alton Bechand works with small businesses to improve their product packaging.

Packaging matters. Good packaging can generate tons of sales for brands. Poor packaging, on the other hand, can kill a brand in so many ways. The first is by not attracting customers. The packaging is the first thing a customer sees and is how he or she judges a product worthy of purchase. Getting it wrong is detrimental to sales and the brand’s reputation.

Another way is product damage. If a product is not ideally packaged to go through the supply chain channels, without succumbing to sub-optimal conditions, customers can be turned off. So, while companies may be tempted to go light on the packaging to save costs, they should be mindful of how such a tactic could hurt their sales or lead to high product returns.

To do packaging right, brands can involve customers in the design process to get their perspective rather than basing their decisions on internal opinions. They should also align their product packaging with their own brand story and consumer expectations while differentiating it from the competition.

A Look at Mesh Creative Group’s Work for Pepperidge Farm

An accomplished entrepreneur and printing industry executive, James Alton Bechand holds a bachelor's degree from Niagara University in New York. James Alton Bechand serves as the founder of two companies, Aris Graphics in New York and Mesh Creative Group in Connecticut.

The former firm maintains an impressive portfolio of completed projects in the areas of digital work, packaging, point of sale, and advertising. In addition, Mesh Creative Group works extensively in the area of branding, and has developed materials for Pepperidge Farm among other high profile clients.

Mesh Creative Group’s work for Pepperidge Farm focused on branding efforts for an annual national sales meeting that provides performance updates and goal setting for the organization. In addition to developing a theme, logo, and welcome materials for the event, Mesh Creative Group provided presentation templates to ensure a common design and thematic focus throughout the meeting.

For additional information and to view Mesh Creative Group’s branding efforts for Pepperidge Farm, visit www.meshcreativegroup.com.

Three of the World's Top Golf Courses

Huntington, New York, resident James Alton Bechand possesses professional expertise in the marketing and print industries, and is the founder of Mesh Creative Group and Aris Graphics. In his spare time, James Alton Bechand maintains a variety of personal interests, including golfing.

The world’s top golf courses are situated in many different countries around the globe. The following three courses are known for offering some of the best golf on the planet.

1. Royal Dornoch Golf Championship Course. Located in Scotland, this course is situated in a relatively secluded area, and is known as one of the world’s most natural golf courses. It is set beside the ocean and open year-round, and players visit from around the world to golf this technically challenging course, which is considered one of the finest golf courses in Scotland.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links. This Pebble Beach, California-based golf course is set beside the Pacific Ocean and known as one of the most beautiful golf venues on the planet. Many of the holes on the course were specifically situated next to the rocky coastline by the course's architects, one of which was Jack Neville.

3. Royal Melbourne East Golf Course. Located at one of the most distinguished golf clubs in Australia, this course features manicured greens, superb bunkering, and a range of unique shots. The course includes seven home paddock holes, and begins and ends on the main site.

The Lithographic Works of the Kellogg Brothers

James Alton Bechand is a Huntington, New York, professional who founded the marketing firm Mesh Creative Group and the printing company Aris Graphics. Passionate about printmaking, James Alton Bechand has a particular affinity for old prints, including those created during the 19th century.

While many art lovers may be familiar with the works of Currier & Ives in New York, similar prints made by the Kellogg Brothers in Hartford, Connecticut, are not as well known. From 1830 to 1880, the company produced commercial work that covered major events of the era, with depictions of the Mexican-American War and the U.S. Civil War rendered from first-hand descriptions by correspondents. The subjects of the company’s prints also included historical events, daily life, religious scenes, sports, animals, and noteworthy figures such as U.S. presidents.

Currier & Ives and the Kellogg Brothers were in heated competition for decades, with teams of lithographers at each company sometimes copying their competitors’ original works. One example is the popular "Household Pets” print that featured a mother, child, dog, and cat, which Kellog is reputed to have copied from Currier & Ives.

With interest in the lithographic medium waning in the 1870s, Kellogg moved its focus to handbills, business cards, and other commercial projects. It ultimately became part of Connecticut Printers, a firm that operated until 1990.

The Real Value of Flawed Pennies

Aris Graphics and Mesh Creative Group founder James Alton Bechand has spent close to 20 years assisting clients with marketing and branding needs Outside of managing his businesses, James Alton Bechand’s interests include coin collecting.

Coin collectors have been around since antiquity. Numismatics, as it is commonly called, is the study of currency, such as paper, coins, and metals. More than just being a hobby, numismatics informs collectors and historians about the culture that produced the coin. In the US, the study of coins revealed in the last century that flawed pennies have come to be valued at more than the mere one cent.

There are a number of examples of these coins to illustrate how flaws have increased the value of the currency. The first example is of the Bronze Lincoln, which was made by mistake during WWII. The Mint decided to switch from using bronze to using copper, except an omission resulted in the production of the bronzed coins. Today, there are 15 to 20 of these coins, which fetch anywhere between $150,000 and $200,000.

Another example of a flawed penny that is worth a lot more than its value is the 1992 Close AM Reverse. The penny’s flaw appears on the back where the word AMERICA appears. The A and M touch, which differs from the pennies printed the same year (1992). Today, one of these pennies, in new good condition, would fetch close $20,000, and a used one would sell for between $2,000 and $3,000.