Printing company leaders often face a dilemma: Should they invest in new customer accounts and/or employees who show potential, even if the immediate returns are modest? The answer is nuanced, requiring a balance between optimism and pragmatism.When a business...
Few items raise more concerns (complaints?) than the subject of meetings. Small or large, routine, or ad hoc, brief, or multi-day, meetings in organizations are known to be an unavoidable evil. We can do better. While there are helpful books on the subject (including...
I read with great interest the story of Saks’ acquisition of both Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. These three fierce competitors in the luxury department store arena came together less than two years ago with the hope of...
For a primer on developing an effective mission statement, download the digital version of “Understanding & Implementing Strategy & Planning” here. It can be argued that many industries are challenged by a rapidly changing and uncertain operating environment....
As a long-time sports fan, I am taken by the number of head football coaches who are shown the door at the end of the season. There are many reasons for this; the most obvious being too many losses as is the case with my team this year (and the year before that,...
In his most recent report on the current state of the industry, preeminent economist Andy Paparozzi highlights major concerns and priorities for printing company owners and executives for the coming year. Top concerns are centered on increasing sales, controlling...