Some positive print news
A positive news piece comes from Canadian print firm Associated Labels. Last year, it completed a year-long water-well project in Kagulu, Uganda. The family-run firm set itself the goal of building a community well in the East African village, having learned that its residents lacked access to clean, safe drinking water. It is estimated that more than 1.1 billion people across the world also lack access to safe water. According to Associated Labels, women in this rural sub-Saharan community have had to walk as far as nine miles each day to the nearest source of water for their families.
Are you a social animal?
During her ’09 visit to Australia, digital printing guru Barbara Pellow said that today’s (and hopefully tomorrow’s) print supplier should seriously consider using social media strategies to connect with customers and that way seek to increase business. Seems this new way of communicating can be made to work when the right strategy is developed. First stops: sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Interestingly, I recently read a report on the topic, which revealed that 45% of senior marketers worldwide cited social networks as
a “top priority” for 2010. Meanwhile the study indicated that, of US print businesses, 43% are not involved at all in social media and one-third of those offering marketing services are not involved at all in social media. I suspect these figures are dramatically higher in Australia.
More (or less) Ipex
Last month, ProPrint revealed that the Australia’s print industry contingent for Ipex was currently the ninth largest in the international roster in terms of pre-registrations. But as I researched this month’s Ipex Veterans feature (see supplement), I was surprised to find many past local Ipexian regulars deciding to stay home this year. Something to do with the economic downturn that is supposedly over?
Finding the right person
One frustrating process for potential customers is trying to find the right contact on a supplier’s website – info@; salesenquiry@; or themanager@ could very well finish up with the receptionist and take days before the appropriate person tackles the enquiry. Chances are that it’s the same on your website. Dozens of printers’ sites don’t even give any email address at all, let alone the name of the managing director or sales manager (or even the receptionist!). On your website, see if a prospect is likely to find it easy to contact you.
Is the future really this bleak?
A recent Monash University study on government funding and education showed a massive $2.2bn would be needed to meet the Commonwealth’s training targets in the next three years. Meanwhile, TAFE teachers are predicting dismal outcomes for the current system. Some 70% of those interviewed said their college did not have sufficient resources to meet industry needs and 58% admitted they had been forced to turn away students in the past two years. Hopefully the graphic arts side of the equation is faring better than this.
Henry Mendelson has decades of experience in advertising, and has long been a keen observer of the print industry.
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