Getting a Handle on Your Time

In her best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” author Marie Kondo identifies high levels of clarity and focus that result from eliminating unnecessary items from our personal and professional lives. Removing “clutter” brings with it an almost overwhelming sense of relief and an ability to spend more time and attention on the things that matter most. The same principal can be applied to our quest to make more efficient use of our time. To “de-clutter,” we must first identify and yes, write down how we spend our time…

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The Longest 30 Seconds of My Life

Imagine working on a big, big, big order.* *By “big,” I am talking about income equal to six months of what you earn now. We’re. Talking. BIG. That is what I was working on. A large printer wanted their inside sales team trained. I’d flown thousands of miles from home to meet the client, the team he wanted me to train, and the other players involved. I’d come up with a plan for how I was going to turn the inside sales reps into sales monsters. It was typed into…

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Make Time for More Time

Ask any busy executive for a list of their most pressing needs, and having more time will probably show up among the top three items. No surprise. Getting a handle on this important but elusive idea requires a different way of thinking. The paradox of time is that we have all there is. How is it then, that there never seems to be enough? The notion of “time management” is a flawed concept, since we really can’t manage time, we can only manage ourselves, our activities and most of all,…

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Manage Your Cash, or It will Manage You

Companies typically don’t go out of business because they lose money in a month, or a quarter, or for the year. They go out of business because they run out of cash. It can just as easily happen to those companies who are making a profit. These operators sometimes lose sight of the fact that cash flow and showing a profit are not the same things. As Joe Becker would always say, “Cash is king!” And he was right. The cash burn begins the moment you get the order. Paper…

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How to Handle the Charity Request

They come in weekly, even daily during certain times of year: “Is there any way we could convince you to donate the printing/signage/promo? We are a nonprofit.” The natural, snarky response, of course is, “Well, we’re not.” But I advise against that. Instead, try this: “Every year, we budget a certain amount of money to provide work to nonprofits like yours. If you would like an application for next year, I’d be happy to send you one.” Then, create and send out a document which allows you to learn more…

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Four Tactics to Achieve Operational Excellence for Your Company

The printing industry continues to evolve, with technology advancements, changing customer preferences, and economic fluctuations reshaping the landscape. To thrive in this sector, achieving operational excellence is crucial for printing companies. What is operational excellence? Operational excellence encompasses a range of strategies and practices aimed at optimizing operations, enhancing customer relationships, and ensuring profitability. Let’s explore four main points you can use to achieve operational excellence in your business. Embrace Technological Advancements In the general commercial printing industry, technology is a driving force behind achieving operational excellence. Printing technology continues…

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