Positive
Publicity for Printing
Printing Industries of America President Michael
Makin has announced the development of "The Fine Print" PR Toolkit
for members to use in promoting their own companies,
and to put the printing industry in a positive light—right
where it belongs. Created to convey the message
that print is important to brand recognition, as well as the sales process,
and that the industry is both environmentally and socially responsible; the
Toolkit Includes:
- Economic Statistics—employment, low-cost advertising for local
business, tax revenue, and more
- Environmental Facts—paper as a renewable
resource, vegetable-based ink, and more
- FAQs—talking points for printers
- Press Release and Letters to the
Editor—to assist you to respond
to negative publicity utilizing these pre-written communications to local
and national media
In addition, Printing Industries of America and The Print Council have also
collected other resources to help you convey the positive message of
print. These include:
-Print in the Mix: A Clearinghouse of Research on Print Media Effectiveness
-“Why Print? The Top Ten Ways Print Helps You Prosper” Brochure
-Industry Facts and Statistics from Print in the Mix
-The Green Guide for Graphic Communication
Check out “The Fine Print” PR Toolkit, as
well as the resources mentioned above by visiting www.printing.org/valueofprint.
Off-the-Clock
Work Policy
In this technological age, it is common for employees to claim that remote,
off-the-clock work is compensable. For example, a non exempt employee may
use the iPhone or Blackberry to send or check emails or to text for work
purposes, after they have clocked out. Depending on the time associated with
these tasks and the frequency that it occurs, such activities may be compensable.
Employers need to address the use of remote electronic devices in their company
employee handbook. There are three possible options employers can choose:
-Restrict all remote electronic usage
-Allow it with company permission or
-Allow all the time and let employees claim the time
Mailing
Services Support on the Way
In response to requests from the membership and the
growing importance of mailing services to members, Printing Industries
of America Center for Technology and Research is developing a FREE mailing
services support area. One of the first products
that will be provided is a survey of the different mailing software solutions
available, similar to the MIS survey that has been conducted for the
past five years. Stay tuned for news on this timely new membership benefit!
Say
Thanks to Your Press Operators
How valuable are your press crews to YOUR
business? Say "thanks" and recognize their skills,
efforts, and devotion during Press
Operators & Assistants Week, January 17-23, 2010.
Press Operators Week was created a few years back by Printing
Industries' Employee Recognition Program (ERP) and is in
conjunction with Printing Week. The ERP program has a 50-plus-year
tradition and has recognized tens of thousands of employees
in the printing industry at thousands of firms. Printing
Industries members can order our ERP certificates, or see
a list of recognition ideas that other printers have used.
For more information and to order, visit www.printing.org/page/2942.
Other upcoming events to plan for:
*March 1-6: Prepress Week (coincides with
the anniversary of the introduction of the first PostScript
Laser Printer)
*April 18-24: Administrative Professionals
Week (In conjunction with Administrative Professionals Day)
*May 14-20: Shipping/Receiving/Drivers
Week (in conjunction with National Transportation Week)
*July 25-31: Mailers Week (in conjunction
with the anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Postal Service)
*October 3-9: Customer Service Representatives
Week (in conjunction with Customer Service Week)
*October 3-9: Bindery Week (coincides with
the anniversary of the first patented folder)
Crayons,
Waterguns Used in Meetings
Small business owners are trying unconventional
methods to inspire creativity and communication at meetings.
Some managers have tried allowing workers to color on
paper for 30 minutes prior to a meeting in order to stimulate
'colorful ideas;" while another company lets employees shoot
one another with water pistols for being negative in a meeting.
Knowing that anonymity can also help
lower inhibitions a California firm tried giving workers
seven minutes to jot down as many thoughts as possible on
Post-It notes, without having to write their names, then
placing all the ideas on a wall for review.
The goal of these
activities is to foster participation,
which can be a major challenge if attendees
with valuable ideas are too reserved or timid to speak up.
Without their contributions, the meetings are less productive.
In addition, getting the conversation flowing more quickly
cuts down on lost time in the conference room that could
have been spent selling, prospecting, manufacturing, or serving
customers.
This article excerpted ""Boring Meetings? Get Out the Water
Guns" by Emily Maltby, first published in The Wall Street Journal
on January 7, 2010.
Tech
Tip of the Week: Be Proactive
Rick Hartwig, Manager, Environmental,
Health, and Safety Affairs for Printing Industries of America
says the hot topic for 2010 is EHS compliance. Printers
must be proactive with their EHS compliance programs. With
the change in Administration and the intense focus on regulatory
enforcement, OSHA visited more printers in 2009 than in past
years, and their plan is to increase the number of inspections
for 2010, in all regions and all areas. At the same time,
the type of violations and penalties are getting more difficult
to fight and reduce. Therefore, it is more important than
ever to be prepared and in compliance before an inspection
occurs. The money saved through prevention is well worth
it!
Member
News
The
Climate Change Business Journal has recognized EnerNOC for
assisting the Whitmore Group, a certified
green commercial printer and a Forest Stewardship Council
certified company, in its efforts to improve its energy
efficiency. Whitmore enrolled in the EnerNOC Demand Response
(DR) program to earn payments, protect its business from
energy grid issues, and strengthen its portfolio of sustainability
efforts. During DR events, Whitmore transfers projects
to other equipment and later shifts based on current conditions.
The company earns DR payments of approximately $17,000
annually from EnerNOC.
DirectMail.com has been
tapped by Capital Hospice, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit,
to manage its $2 million traditional mailing budget. The
agency will
handle all creative and production tasks, with the goals
to increase both response rate and donation
amounts.
Welcome the newest PGAMA member National
Academies Press (NAP). NAP was created by
the National Academies to publish the reports issued
by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy
of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National
Research Council, all operating under a charter granted by
the Congress of the United States. The NAP publishes more
than 200 books a year on a wide range of topics in science,
engineering, and health, capturing the most authoritative
views on important issues in science and health policy. Their
website is www.nap.edu.
WebbMason, a national print and brand management
provider, and RPM, a Texas-based leader for print management
solutions, today announce their merger. The newly-combined
business, operating under the WebbMason name and brand, begins
joint operations immediately.
Upcoming
Events
| January
19 |
FREE Webinar: Wage and
Hour Liability: A Ticking Time Bomb-1:00-2:00pm.
The IRS, the Department of Labor, the EEOC, state
agencies, and trial lawyers have put employers
on notice: Wage and hour issues are a “significant
problem with adverse consequences” and it
is increasingly likely that organizations will
be audited and their pay practices and decisions
will be assessed. To achieve this goal,
the Department of Labor has hired and trained 250
wage/hour investigators who will hit the streets
this month. Be ready for an inspection! Tune in
to this FREE broadcast to learn what they are looking
for, including: the proper classification of employees
and independent contractors, the proper treatment
of exempt and nonexempt employees, the proper calculation
of “regular
wages,” and
pay equity. Register at http://www.printing.org/node/5953. |
| January 20 |
Seminar: Interactive
Start to Finish-5:30-8:30pm
at Baltimore Museum of Industry(1415 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230) Join members
and guests of the Production Club of Baltimore
to learn best
practices and innovative ways to implement a successful
interactive marketing campaign, from launch to
performance report. Topics will include: email,
SEO, rich media and Google analytics. Join guest
speaker Matthew Kilmurry, Interactive Marketing
Manager at Crosby Communications, for Insight,
innovation and an Introspective look at e-marketing.
Cocktails and light dinner included. Free for Production
Club of Baltimore members. $20 for non-members.
Payments accepted via PayPal
or cash/check at the door. Billing
is no longer available.
RSVP required for this event: events@productionclubofbaltimore.org. |
| January 26 |
Seminar:
Women [and one Man] in the Environment-1:30-5:30pm
at The National Museum for Women in the Arts (1250
New York Avenue, Washington, D.C.) PGAMA member Derek
Smith & Associates, LLC is sponsoring
this event, which features executives from "Corporate
America" who will speak about the growing sustainable
market and what they want from print, paper, packaging
and design partners. Registration & list of speakers
at www.paperleadership.com.
Major credit cards, PayPal accepted. |
| February 4 |
PGAMA Tech Talk: Using
Technology to Track Clients & Prospects-Join
us for a MAGE Lunch & Learn hosted by
PGAMA’s
VP Paul Foster about FREE web-based tools that
can be used to create a “virtual assistant” that
will automatically update you when clients and
prospects are in the news. This info can help you
spot industry trends and give you an inside scoop
to make phone contact. Bring your laptop to participate.
Geared to all sales & marketing personnel and
LIMITED TO 20 ONSITE PARTICIPANTS. Simulcast available
on request. Cost is $15 for MAGE members or $25
for non-MAGE members. Includes lunch. Reserve your
spot by calling 410-319-0900 or sign up at www.pgama.com. |
| February 16 |
Save
the Date for the MD Legislators’ Luncheon-Plan
to join us for this annual meet and greet with local
elected officials in Annapolis,
MD. Look for more info in upcoming
PGAMA newsletters and emails. |
| February 19 |
Educational
Field Trip: Glatfelter Paper Mill Tour-During
this interactive tour of the Glatfelter Pulp and
Paper Mill, you will see how trees are used to create
paper and a wide range of other products, plus learn
how Glatfelter manages its environmental footprint
with sustainable forestry and other measures. A chartered
bus will pick up passengers at three Park ‘N
Ride locations: College Park Interchange (7:30am);
Rolling Road in Catonsville (8:15am); Warren Road
in Cockeysville (9:00am). Tour begins at 10:15am.
Box lunch on the bus following tour. Cost is $40
per person for members and guests of members; $50
for non-members. Sign up by February 5th on www.pgama.com or call 410-319-0900. |
February 28-
March 4 |
Printing
Industries of America Presidents' Conference,
Scottsdale, AZ-2010
is the year to reinforce the foundation of your
business. This year’s program was developed
with the intention of helping industry leaders
like you focus on the core elements of your business—those
things that can help you remain stable, as well
as increase profit margins. Topics to be addressed
Include: Communicating the Value of Print * Methods
for Cost Reduction * HR Issues * Economic Forecast
* And much more! Complete info and registration
at http://www.printing.org/page/3499. |
| March 15-17 |
National Environmental,
Health and Safety Conference: Printing for A sustainable
Future-at
the Sheraton Indianapolis, Indianapolis,
IN. The
one conference for the graphic communications industry
that intersects the needs of safety, environmental
and human resources. Today's workplace requires
multitasking -- and this conference provides you
with the tools and information to accomplish this
goal! Plan now to attend! More info and registration
at http://www.nehsconference.org/nehs10_site/index.html. |
| March 24 |
Save
the Date! Special
Event: Excellence in Print Awards Gala,
at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD. Come see
the big winners of PGAMA's annual printing competition,
plus enjoy the open bar, great food, and entertainment.
An essential networking opportunity! Look for flyer
with more details in your upcoming PGAMA communications! |
| March 25 |
Save
the Date! Production
Club of Baltimore Paper Show, 5:30-8:30pm
at Martin's West. See
the latest innovations in paper, media, and all
things production. Vendor space still available.
Contact JoAnn at
the Production Club of Baltimore. For more info
visit http://productionclubofbaltimore.org/calendar. |
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