This past week I listened to a consulting team from Heidelberg deliver a webinar, titled, "Industry 4.0 – Profit Matters". Content was solid, relevant, and well-presented. As the Program rolled forward, I found myself asking two questions. Will anyone follow up on this webinar’s content, and put its profound principles

'Backroom whisper on the street' is that regional association presidents have a central mission, a central focus: “Make it to retirement, for maximum retirement benefits so be sure to preserve your cash.” That no more commercial printing companies are being created is a false narrative, fake news.

Our great industry is very possibly shrinking faster after the Pandemic than during it. Customers have learned that fewer employees can get the job done, and fewer suppliers are better than too many mediocre suppliers.

“Commercial printing company owners, as a general rule, seem to know the cost of almost everything in production, but  not necessarily the values of what it takes to develop new business.“ What does your Sales Literature say about your most impressive, latest capabilities and Customers’ Benefits?

Different commercial printing operations have different equipment and different personnel. No two suppliers generate the same “value-added” or “profit numbers” -- serving the same customer markets. It is partly from this analysis that a company can begin to purposefully select its market differentiation.

Is this unique moment in time just another shiny object? Organizational focus, sense of purpose, cohesion, and discipline are critical. At the start of almost every race, those best prepared take the lead.

Many Commercial Printers see the potential but don’t have the resources in place to create the “connectivity” with their “ready to move” customers. Do you have one just one supplier who can provide support elements for growing your business?

Effective Leadership does not hide behind social smokescreens. There’s a mindset that says effort and resources required for mediocrity even failure tends to be no less than that which is required for success.

How much-needed improvement can you probably develop using your organization's current talent? Where do you go for excellent suggestions and critical discussions for improving your organization's direction and performance?

For years, we've advised clients to try to never have only one bank. It almost always works better for the banking customer to have two supporting banks. Several clients experienced the wisdom of that advice when their "primary bank" told them their "PPP Quota" was already filled, and "We’re so sorry."