- Digital Services Success Factor: People look for one main factor responsible for a company's success. In digital printing, NAPL has found many variables are necessary to make a company successful. One of the factors reported in NAPL's Digital Services Study 2007 is successful companies constantly identify and pursue new markets that appreciate the value of these services and are receptive to customized solutions.
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- Human Resource: The E-Verify program is a free, online program (available in all 50 states) that verifies if prospective employees are authorized to work in the US. To register for the program, contact the USCIS at 1-888-464-4218 or their website.
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- Currency Reproduction Regulations: Printing companies may be requested to reproduce images of currency, checks, bonds, stamps and securities of the United States and foreign governments. US law strictly restricts printed reproductions of these items. For guidelines from the US Secret Service regarding how these images should be reproduced, click here.
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- Graphic Designer Hiring: Find out how candidates handle constructive criticism. Ask them what they would do if a customer rejected one of their designs. Look for candidates who are flexible and can present a different design solution to meet the client's objective.
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- Financial: It is a total misconception that a company must have a good EBITDA--Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, to be attractive for sale. To find out what makes you attractive for sale, contact John Hyde (201-523-6313) or jhyde@napl.org.
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- Graphic Designer Hiring: Ask candidates to bring in favorite samples of their work. For each sample, ask the designer what the client's objective was, and have the candidate explain why specific elements (graphics, fonts, etc.) were used to convey that objective. Graphic design is a form of communication, and as such, is useless if it doesn't effectively convey the intended message.
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- Tip on Digital Printing Trend: When asked what percent of digital work is short-run printing versus variable-data printing in NAPL's Digital Services Study, respondents replied that on average, 68.6% is short run and 22.6% is variable.
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- Green: With the current business trend of becoming environmentally responsible, why not look into using wind power? One NAPL member won several large jobs because their company is using 100% wind power. Contact your local power company to find out who is a local provider.
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- Marketing: Printers should know who they're up against. According to a recent Print Buyers Online.com survey, 53% of the respondents rated printers as "fair" or "poor" in differentiating themselves from their competition.
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- Human Resource: Members of the National Guard and Reserve who have served for more than 90 days are entitled to return to pre-leave positions or a position of "like seniority, status and pay" (the duties of which the person is qualified to perform).
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- Tip for Sales Reps: Print buyers want their sales reps to be better informed and should be able to explain new printing and delivery options. Based on a recent Print Buyer's Online Quick Poll, 69% of the buyers said they know more about printing than the average sales rep.
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- Equipment Purchasing: When investing in new equipment, think ahead. Buy all the labor saving features you can, even if you don't need them now. This will pay you back in the future when you are are looking to trade in your old equipment. The used equipment market is good for high tech machines. Machines with old features lose value fast. Even third world countries are looking for the latest features.
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- Green: With more customers wanting to do business with environmentally friendly companies, look into getting Forest Stewardship Council certified - click here.
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- Financial: Intangible assets--a company's name, website, customer list, and the goodwill relationship that exists between the business and its customers, are some of the most valuable assets of many printing companies.
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- Marketing: To build credibility with your prospects, tell them about other companies in their industry that are already doing business with your company.
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- Trade Customs: Customer alterations include all work performed in addition to the original specifications. According to the industry's trade customs, all such work is subject to charges at the provider's (printing company's) current rates.
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- Compensation: According to NAPL's most recent report on industry compensation norms for sales reps, the largest percentage of respondents (24.7%) compensate their reps on a salary plus commission (fixed commission percentage) basis.
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