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Why join a trade association?
WHEN TRADING is difficult, some accountants will look at expenditure and cut back on the very things the company really needs: training, marketing and association membership etc. These are soft targets but cancelling them can quickly become an own goal. Training helps companies perform more efficiently with reduced wastage and improved quality. Marketing helps the company stands out from the crowd. Trade Associations, that's an easy saving of £1 a day: equivalent to 40mm of squeegee or 10cc of digital printing ink. At this point the accountant has swiftly severed his nose from his face.
The term ‘trade association' presents a rather fusty image of beribboned patriarchs sitting in high backed chairs discussing the qualities of the lunchtime port whilst drawing deeply on thigh rolled Havanas.
The reality is far from this. In the case of prism, printers both large and small, graphic and industrial, work with suppliers and service providers to deliver the best possible service to the membership. It isn't easy because the challenges keep coming in the form of mountains of legislation (from Westminster, local councils and increasingly Europe) that have to be reviewed and presented when relevant.
Prism offers access to some of the finest legal brains, courtesy Croners. In November there were twelve calls covering subjects including sickness, litigation, retirement and gross misconduct. Members were delighted with the support with comments including: absolutely superb; very efficient; and helped me right through the process.
The most telling comment was: ‘It's something you think you will never have to use. However, when you need it you realise what an essential service it is'. The remarkable fact is that the service is included in the price of prism membership. Members have saved themselves many thousands of pounds in legal fees and resolved issues without resorting to litigation, by using this phoned-based support service. Just what you need when the market gets tough. Simply because you are straight in how you do business, never assume everyone thinks the same way. There are some nasty bullies out there who think they can swindle you at will. The support of a trade association can make all the difference.
Running a small business can be lonely. It is easy for the owner to think he/she is the only person having to manage the juggling act so essential for success. It helps to know you are part of a total UK market worth £2.1bn (identified in a survey free to members). Prism's efforts to inform its membership of trends also includes The Wide Survey which looks at the wide format printing sector throughout Europe. Added together, the cost of these two surveys alone is greater that the Association's membership fees. Prism's energy purchase schemes and industry specific insurance will return the investment.
Soon the Association will offer the latest Planet Friendly Guide. This information packed publication helps members identify areas of the environmental marketplace they must navigate or could benefit from.
Prism is closely associated with Fespa who, with its global community of 50,000 image makers from 128 countries, provides access to a wealth of information, experience and market knowledge. Technical experts are available online to answer questions on many print techniques. Resources available through Fespa (via Prism) are unique regarding technical support and market data.
Your Trade Association is a crucial resource for companies of all sizes when life gets tough.
