An American Printer CommentaryAndy & Julie PlataJune 22, 2018 On June 18, Fujifilm files a lawsuit against Xerox for $1 billion+ and hinted at the potential for additional actions by adding text to their suit about suspected SEC disclosure violations by Xerox’s 1st and 3rd largest shareholders, Carl Icahn and Darwin Deason. Fujifilm Cries “FOUL” T...

By Andy & Julie Plata Co-CEOs, the OutputLinks Communications Group June 12, 2018 In early June we were in Poing, Germany for the unveiling of the Océ LabelStream 4000 series, which marked Océ and Canon’s entry into the packaging market.  The elegance of the industrial-scale, UV inkjet platform for self-adhesive labels and selected flexible packa...

Developing Never-Thought-Of In-House Applications When it came time for Shaw Industries’ Content Delivery Group to do a print technology refresh, they knew it needed to be more than just swapping out old for new.  They set a goal to capture two major print streams that had historically been externally sourced.  To meet that goal, Shaw chose Konica...

By John Berthelsen, VP-Development, PGSF Trade show exhibitors normally have many representatives working their booth at industry trade shows. They are aware of the fact that their behavior and attitude can have an impact on successful representation of their company and its future. What they may not be aware of is the fact that it can also have an...

By Sid Chadwick “We’re kicking ass…. in May and June…..now I’ve got to convince a few that we’re not overworked….and we’re fortunate to have this new-found business…...”…..Sr. V.P., Sales & Marketing INTRODUCTION: He was relatively new to his organization…….he was still in that “getting to know each other --- honeymoon period.” His new employer had...

By Sid Chadwick “Care, and not fine stables….make a good horse…”……Danish Proverb INTRODUCTION: I’ll be going to a client next week, that’s slowly gotten themselves into what I’ll call “a tight corner”. Customers are not being taken care of, as they once were. One of my many initiatives will be to have customer contact personnel --- start writing “T...

By Sid Chadwick “An intellectual is a man who says a simple thing in a difficult way…an artist is a man who says a difficult thing…. in a simple way….”…….Charles Bukowski INTRODUCTION: With some frequency, I’m asked to review a client’s Compensation Plan….for Sales Reps….CSR’s…..Inside Sales Reps……Plant Managers……..and occasionally --- a company Pr...

An American Printer CommentaryBy Andy & Julie Plata Co-CEOs, the OutputLinks Communications Group Resigned On May 17, Xerox’s Board Chairman replaced five Board members (plus himself) with new faces. The new Board then appointed John Visentin to replace Jeff Jacobson as CEO. In most cases when a CEO is fired they are eligible for a severance packag...

An American Printer CommentaryBy Andy & Julie Plata Co-CEOs, the OutputLinks Communications Group Many in the print and mail industry may have already met or been involved with Mr. Visentin during his tenure five years ago in a Pitney Bowes spinoff. Pitney Bowes, Novitex, Exela In 2012, Pitney Bowes installed a new management team, and one of thei...

By Sid Chadwick  “It requires wisdom to understand wisdom…..the music is nothing if the audience is deaf…”……………………………..Walter Lippman INTRODUCTION: Over the last several months I’ve observed several “common threads of omission”… from sales, manufacturing and administrative leadership (….or….. lack of leadership): A President…..not requiring…. his S...