The Problem Solver – The Need for Speed
(As reprinted from Issue 4/5, 1998)

If I were to ask you what is the most mundane and tedious task you face each business day, you might respond with paperwork, tax preparation, or inventory counting. But if you think about it, actually the most tedious and time-consuming task we are presented with each and every workday is probably inflating balloons. We inflate dozens, hundreds, even thousands at a time. The real question becomes – are we inflating these balloons in the fastest way possible? Here are some tips to make sure your technique for inflating balloons is quick and efficient.

1. Make sure the regulator you are using feeds the gas to the balloon as quickly as possible. There are many regulators on the market today. Some are fast and some are very slow. Regulator speed is the single most important event in the process of blowing up a balloon. As a professional, if your regulator cannot inflate an 11" balloon in less than 2 seconds, you might consider purchasing another that can. There may even be ways of enhancing the regulator you already own through changes of inner springs, regulator tilt or push down valves.

N.B. Do not make any changes to your existing regulator until you discuss the options (if any) with the manufacturer of that regulator. Helium and nitrogen are products we use every day and may take for granted. However, these gases are under tremendous pressure. Your regulator is the safety valve to these gases and is under immense pressure, too. Make sure your regulator is safe and well maintained to the manufacturer’s specifications.

2. Keep all materials as close to your hands as possible. You tie balloons to ribbon or string with your hands. Balloons, ribbon and regulator should all be very close to you, as the distance between them makes a difference in the amount of time you spend physically moving from one item to the other. I suggest securing your ribbon to something (perhaps the top of your tank or the far side of a double regulator) at about the same height as the regulator you are working with and within one foot of your regulator valve. This step keeps your hands in a position to move quickly from regulator to ribbon. This also keeps your ribbon or string from becoming a moving target for one to grab at and tie your balloon on to. Likewise, your balloons should also be very close to the regulator and ribbon.
   
   
3. Concentrate. Your eyes are an important link to your success at speed tying. There is a multi step process at work each time you inflate a balloon. Your eyes see a balloon. Your hand picks up the balloon. You place the selected balloon onto the valve. Immediately inflate the balloon, and while this is happening your eyes should be selecting the ribbon to tie this balloon on to. Your hands select that ribbon. Your hands tie the balloon to the selected ribbon at the very same time your eyes should again start the process of finding the next balloon to inflate. Now each of these steps takes time. The less time you spend on each step of this process, the faster you will be able to inflate and tie balloons. Unlike with magic, your eyes are much quicker than your hands, as they are actually prepping your hands for the physical task of inflating each balloon. Concentration will keep your eyes and hands in perfect sync as they help you inflate each balloon as fast as you possibly can.
   
   
4. Let gravity work for you, not against you. In the process of selecting a balloon to inflate, train your eyes to find a balloon you can easily pick up by it’s top, not by its neck. Pick up the selected balloon between your thumb and index fingers. Move towards and over the regulator valve and lower the balloon (with the neck down) onto the valve tip. You can even use your free hand to gently roll the lip of the balloon down further onto the valve tip just before you inflate. Make sure there is virtually no time wasted between placing the balloon securely on the valve tip and inflating the balloon.
   
   
5. Always use high quality materials. The regulators, balloons and ribbon you use should be the very best you can buy. As a professional you owe this to yourself and to your customers. As a professional, inferior equipment will slow you down and may break frequently. So-called party grade balloons may not be able to withstand your new found inflation speed, as this grade of balloon may break too easily. Decorator grade balloons will be able to withstand increased inflation speed with less breakage and will give you more consistent sizing, shape and color.
   
   
6. Be kind to your hands. Where would you be in this business without your hands? Invest in a good moisturizing lotion and use it often. Keep nails and cuticles manicured. Many balloon professionals use gloves, or tape up their fingers before tying. Sound silly? It shouldn’t. Think of tying balloons as an athletic event. A boxer tapes his hands before putting on his gloves. Basketball players tape their ankles, knees, wrists and fingers before a game. Many football players wear gloves to protect their hands and to get a better grip on another player or the football, so why shouldn’t a balloon professional do the same?
   
   
7. Practice. Like many athletes, good hand-eye coordination takes time to develop. Practicing your inflation and tying technique is critical to you saving valuable time.

Now don’t laugh, some of the suggestions above might sound ridiculous. But if you can save even one second when inflating every balloon each day you work, you and your staff can literally save dozens, maybe even hundreds of man hours each year. Sound crazy? Check out the chart below and think about how many balloons you inflate in a year.

Your Time Saved

Time Saved (in seconds)	Total Time Saved (1000 balloons)	Total Time Saved (10,000 balloons)	Total Time Saved (25,000 balloons)	Total Time Saved (100,000 balloons)
1	16.6 minutes	2.77 hours	6.94 hours	27.77 hours
2	33.2 minutes	5.55 hours	13.88 hours	55.55 hours
3	50 minutes	8.33 hours	20.83 hours	83.33 hours
4	66.6 minutes	11.1 hours	27.77 hours	111.11 hours
5	83.3 minutes	13.88 hours	34.72 hours	138.88 hours

We have all heard time is money, and it certainly is. The need for speed in balloon inflation will save you valuable time and hence, make (or save) you money. Don’t let you or your staff continue to waste precious seconds any longer, because those seconds could really be weeks of extra time spent inflating your balloons and deflating your profits. Challenge yourself to perfect your tying and inflating techniques and start counting the days and weeks of time saved in your busy professional life.

MZ