Rough Seas Ahead
Dr. Joe Webb Tells It Like It Is

One aspect of this business that interests me is the growth or decline of the US printing industry. It's important to pay attention to the overall trend, no matter what part of the business you're in - buying, manufacturing, servicing, marketing, consulting, what-have-you. If your income is wrapped up in the printing industry, you need to know where it's headed.

Last week I tuned into a 4-minute audio clip on whattheythink.com (WTT). This free weekly "audio chart" is from Dr. Joe Webb, well-known industry economist, consultant and speaker, who is the Director of WTT's Economic & Research Center. Dr. Joe recently started a series of audio charts on the demographics of US industry segments, from 2000 to 2012.

This medium is neat. It's more interesting and a whole lot more valuable to hear Dr. Joe explain his data, in plain English, than to stare at a one-dimensional bar chart. I learned what's causing the decline in the industry and heard him offer suggestions for bucking the trend.

Visit www.whattheythink.com. On the lower right side, there's a box entitled "Dr. Joe Webb's Economic Blog." At the bottom of this box is the hyperlink called "See this Week's Audio Chart." Listen and learn.

Be forewarned: the news is not good. (Don't blame the messenger. Surely, you aren't surprised.) Dr. Joe talks about the long-term trend of decline in the number of US printing establishments.

The chart is simple and powerful. Dr. Joe forecasts the loss of 1000 shops per year, caused by such factors as consolidation, technology changes, the rise of office superstores, and electronic documents (like this one).

For professional print buyers, marketers and graphic designers, this overall trend is significant. Will our favorite printing firms survive and thrive? How will fewer printers affect pricing? Should we alter the terms of contracts in the next few years? And so on.

Now I know what a conference attendee meant when he stopped me on his way to the reception at our buyers conference last month. He'd just come from Dr. Joe's session on "It's 2018…Did Printing Survive?" and said as he whizzed past me, "I'm heading to the bar… I just heard Dr. Joe."

PS. Before you pour yourself a stiff drink (or step out onto a ledge), guess what? Dr. Joe just wrote a book about reinvigorating print businesses, called "Renewing the Printing Industry." It's for printers, suppliers, and even print buyers. Best of all…it's FREE! Go to http://www.mindfireincmarketing.lwcdirect.com/wtt_2008/.

Comments? Talk to me at mdana@bostonprintbuyers.com.

©2008 Margie Dana. All rights reserved. You're free to forward this email to friends and colleagues: please do! However, no part of this column may be reprinted without permission from the author.

2008 Print Buyer Conference Insights

Frank Romano presented several times during our Conference. One session was entitled, "The Digital Dilemma." Here's a snapshot of what Frank covered:

Digital printing is gaining traction, and more and more print buyers are discovering the value of short runs, on-demand approaches, and variable content. For short runs of promotional brochures and flyers, targeted direct mail, and electronically collated books, digital goes where offset litho cannot. This session covered all trends and technologies involved in digital printing, from toner to inkjet.

Plan to join us in November 2009 for the 4th Annual Print Buyers Conference! Stay tuned for details.

GRAPH EXPO Print Buyers Forum

October 28-29th, Chicago, IL

"Beyond Survival: How to Thrive in Today's Business of Print Buying"

Go to http://graphexpo.gasc.org/printbuyers.cfm to register.

GRAPH EXPO is the granddaddy of US print conferences, and if you've not been to one, now is the time. Our Print Buyers Forum stars Frank Romano, Peter Muir, and yours truly as we focus on you, the professional print buyer.

Come to Chicago and BRAINSTORM WITH PRINT BUYERS

In my mid-morning session on Tuesday, October 28th, I will be moderating a fast-paced Brainstorming Session with the buyers in the audience. My focus? The career path of a print buyer - how did you get here, and where are you going?

Where else can you tap into the ideas of professional print buyers to guide your own career growth? Come to the Print Buyers Forum and join in this exciting discussion. This is truly a unique opportunity.

Your Print Buyers Forum registration includes a FREE Exhibit Hall pass, which provides you access to the show for all four days of GRAPH EXPO!

Register today at http://graphexpo.gasc.org/printbuyers.cfm.

Job Bank Postings

NEW position posted for John Hancock Funds in Boston, MA. They're looking for a Document Center Operator.

They are also looking to hire a Senior Interactive Designer.

Two current positions exist at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, located in Boston Massachusetts:
Web and Social Media Manager and Traffic and Proofreading Manager.

For more details, visit our job bank page.

Print Buyer Poll for October

Buyers, with whom do you forge the most important business relationship when you work with a printer?

• My sales rep

• My CSR (Customer Service Rep)

• The estimator

• The owner/top brass

• The pressmen/women

• The prepress staff

• Other

• A mix of the above

Cast your vote on our home page at www.bostonprintbuyers.com.

Print Tips Archives!

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