Dealing
with Papyrophobia
Forget about "swine flu." The real threat to
your business today is papyrophobia, or the fear of paper. An amazing number
of people have been talked into believing that using paper is bad for the
planet. But the fact of the matter is, printed paper is one of the most cost-effective
and eco-friendly means of communication we have. As an industry we need to
stand together and share the truth,
like the fact that paper is a purpose-grown renewable resource that is completely
biodegradable, while computers and related equipment are filled with hazardous
heavy metals, etc. A final thought to consider: print lasts. Documents printed
500 years ago are still readable, but those created by other methods only
ten years ago are inaccessible because they were created in obsolete formats.
The
Best Way to Build Your Business
What's the best way to expand your business?
According to a recent article on WhatTheyThink.com, its through networking.
Writer Barbara Pellow states, "Networking
is the single most powerful marketing tactic [for] accelerating
and sustaining success." She adds that, "...creating enduring,
mutually beneficial relationships links together a group of individuals who
become walking, talking advertisements for one another." A Nielsen Global
Online Consumer Survey concurs, finding that a recommendation was the
most important form of advertising. In fact, 90% of
the 25,000 consumers surveyed reported that they trusted recommendations
from people that they knew.
In other words, networking creates a community of colleagues
and friends who know and trust each other, and who can depend on and support
each other. And that is really the essence of PGAMA membership. Association
events are the perfect way to meet
other members
and form these valuable partnerships. DON'T MISS
THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH YOUR PEERS! The next PGAMA events
are: Adobe CS4 Training on October 22; Cocktails & Connections Happy
Hour on November 3, and Its OK to Print Seminar
on November 18. See Upcoming Events Below for full details.
Protest
Against Chinese Paper
Several paper companies and the United
Steelworkers of America (USW) have joined in filing an
Anti-Dumping Petition against Chinese paper. If the petition
is successful, it will result in the imposition of punitive
tariffs against the importation of Chinese paper. Under
the antidumping and countervailing duty statutes, the International
Trade Commission is expected to make a preliminary injury
determination in November 2009 and the Department of Commerce
is expected to issue preliminary determinations in the
countervailing duty and antidumping duty cases in December
2009 and March 2010, respectively.
Member
Benefit-Save 50% On ERP Supplies
Whether you already have an established
Employee Recognition Program (ERP), or are just developing
one; act now to save 50% on supplies from Printing Industries
of America. Sale
in effect for the rest of the year! It is always
a good business practice to recognize employees for a job
well done. Keeping your employees satisfied saves you the
rising cost of recruiting and retraining new workers, and
inspires your staff to a higher level of productivity. ERPs
can be even more meaningful if they are tied
to a meaningful date. There are no more recognition week
left for 2009, you could
kick-off your ERP now and honor all members of your
team at once with an End-of-Year Party. Or plan ahead for
next year-2010 offers many opportunities for such events,
including:
- Press Operators, Assistants and
Helpers Week-January
17-23
- Prepress Week-March 1-6
- Administrative Professionals
Week-April 18-24
- Shipping/Receiving/Drivers Week- May 14-20
- Mailers Week
(in conjunction with the anniversary of the creation of
the U.S. Postal Service)- July 25-31
- Customer Service Representatives
Week-October 3-9
- Bindery Week - October 3-9
Whichever way your
plant chooses to celebrate, be sure to take advantage of
this sale and get your certificates and plaques now. For
more information, go to www.printing.org.
Social
Media Used to Screen Employees
According to a June 2009 CareerBuilder
survey of 2,600 hiring managers, 45 percent of employers
reported using social networking sites to research job candidates,
more than double the percentage in 2008. An additional 11
percent of those surveyed say they plan to begin using these
sites as part of their screening process. Based on responses,
a greater percentage of employers found content on these
sites that lead them to disqualify candidates than to hire
them. Of respondents who screen applicants online, 29% use
Facebook, 26%use LinkedIn, and 21% use MySpace. Less popular
screening tools were blogs (11 percent) and Twitter (7 percent).
The businesses most inclined to use these sites are screening
tools were those that are dependent on technology and sensitive
information. Highest among these groups are information technology
and professional & business services firms. This should
be of particular note to printers who perform financial printing,
handle mailing lists and/or produce any sort of time sensitive
or proprietary material.
On a related note, the popularity of such
tools gives employees ample opportunity to imprudently criticize
their employer and/or supervisor, reveal secrets, and provide
other fodder for ill-intentioned competitors. As a precaution,
PGAMA advises members to have written statement that bans
individual statements about the employer or its business
to help protect everyone's job.
How
Green Is Print?
Here's some more information about the
true impact of printing on the environment to share with
your sales staff and clients:
* In 2008, more than 57% of paper consumed
in the U.S. was recovered for recycling-more than any other
material?
* The
pulp and paper industry gets more than 60% of its power
from renewable sources
* The average person uses 440 pounds of
paper a year which requires 500 KWH of electricity
to produce. That's the same amount of electricity required
by just one computer to run for only five months.
Get more facts like these to help market
the sustainability of our industry...and your business
at Its OK to
Print, a new seminar coming to
PGAMA on November 18. See full details in Upcoming Events
section below.
Members
in the News
Apple
Press owner Joe Macola
was featured in a great online article in the Maryland Gazette
recently. The article focused on a trade show held by the
Pasadena Business Association (of which Apple Press is
a part), and discussed the importance of staying
in the public eye even during a recession. See what Joe said
about why he exhibited at the show and his take on the economy
in the full
article.
Congrats to MOSAIC for
being listed on the EPA's new Top 20 Printers list of the
largest green power purchasers in the commercial printing
business. The company purchases 2,846,520 kWh (Kilowatt-hours)
of wind power annually, which is enough green power to meet
100% of their usage needs.
Welcome to our newest member,
Canon Business Solutions, a Canon U.S.A.
company. The firm provides solutions to help graphic communications
providers deliver the high-value services their customers
expect today. From advanced imagePRESS technology to workflow
solutions to outstanding customer service and support, we
can help your operation save time and money while you take
a step into the future. For more information contact Kemrey
Lee Heinold, at 703-442-1330.
Upcoming Events
| October 21 |
FREE USPS
Webinar: Customizing
Your Mail Pieces, 1:00–2:00 PM
EST. Get information about personalized marketing
strategies and how timely, relevant, and personalized
marketing can increase response rates. Register online
at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/801056931. |
| October 22 |
FREE Seminar: Design
Your Pants Off, 8:30am-Noon at
PGAMA (9685 Gerwig Lane/Columbia, MD 21046.) Attend
this educational workshop, presented by Adobe
Certified trainers, to learn about benefits for
creatives and printers of Adobe Creative Suite
4 Design Premium. Speakers will go over enhancements
to their traditional print production tools as
well as their web and interactive design products. *Attend
for a chance to win a copy of Adobe 4 Design Premium!* FREE for
members! $50 for non-members. Limited Seating-sign
up by October 15, 410-319-0900 or online at www.pgama.com. |
| October 30 |
Special Event: ASI Advantages
Roadshow, 9:00am-1:00pm at BWI Marriott
(1743 W. Nursery Road, Baltimore, MD 21090.) The
Advantages Roadshow is a sales-building experience
like no other. Enjoy one-on-one conversations with
leading companies, attend FREE educational seminars,
and find hot new items to show your clients. *BONUS*
PGAMA members are invited to a special briefing
on ASI services! Call Paul at PGAMA for info. To
learn more about the Roadshow, visit www.advantagesroadshow.com. |
| November 3 |
Webinar: The Principles
of Social Media, Noon-1:00pm. Tune
in to the first of five broadcasts (Tuesdays, Nov
3-Dec 1) in the Social Media Webinar series focusing
on using social media to communicate. Learn the
unwritten rules of engagement for using Twitter,
LinkedIn, Facebook and blogs. Cost is $55 per webinar
per connection or $250 for the entire series. Register
online at http://www.pine.org/Education/webinar_social_series.html#principles |
| November 3 |
Special Event: Cocktails
& Connections Happy Hour 5:30-7:30pm
at Franklin's Restaurant in Hyattsville, MD (5123
Baltimore Avenue, 20781.) Join us for another
strictly social gathering! No speakers. No agenda.
Just the chance to get to know others in our industry.
You never know who you’ll meet...and how
they could benefit your business! FREE
for PGAMA Members, $20 for Non-Members
(Includes drinks & hors d’oeuvres.)
You Must RSVP to Attend! Call PGAMA by October
28th, 410-319-0900/877-319-0906 Or online at www.pgama.com.
Space Limited to 100 so RSVP EARLY! Sponsored
by Hewlett-Packard and Coleman One. |
| November 8-10 |
Special Event: 2009
Converge Conference, at
the spectacular new Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando.
This event is a must-attend for any service provider
looking to grow and prosper in these challenged economic
times of the new information age. Learn more about
the conference, resort and transportation deals, plus
register to attend at http://converge.printing.org/Default.aspx. |
| November 10 |
Webinar: How and Why
to Blog: ,
Noon-1:00pm. This is the second of five broadcasts
(Tuesdays, Nov 3-Dec 1) in the Social Media Webinar
series, and focuses on blogging. Learn how to set
up, maintain, and use this incredibly easy method
to release timely information to an audience of
readers already interested in what you and your
organization offer. Cost is $55 per webinar per
connection or $250 for the entire series. Register
online at http://www.pine.org/Education/webinar_social_series.html#principles |
| November 18 |
Member Seminar & Vendor
Expo: Its OK to Print, 9:00am-4:00pm
at PGAMA (9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046).
Attend
this seminar and learn how to affordably promote
and expand your sustainable efforts. Attendees
will walk away better prepared to market their “green” processes
and practices—including getting listed on
the Maryland Green Registry—and informed
about other fast, easy, and budget-conscious things
that can be done to protect the planet AND boost
a bottom line. Cost is $30 per person and includes
lunch. Call PGAMA to register, 410-319-0900 or
sign up online at www.pgama.com. |
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