Last week, Fespa hosted its first ever Directors Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. It brought together 100 managing directors from a selection of the world’s leading printers. The aim of the two-day event was to discuss issues potentially affecting the future of our industry including increasing globalization, increased consumer sophistication and changing trends in consumer buying.
It emerged that printers are aware of the competitive nature of the future and voiced the need for training to help equip themselves with the necessary skills.
This got me thinking, do printers regularly evaluate their staff training to ensure they can utilise production equipment to its fullest and maximise on all potential opportunities and revenue streams? Are they taught additional ‘soft’ skills to sell innovative print solutions to clients? Do they employ sales or marketing personnel to help them attract new business and serve their existing customers effectively?
I would say the majority don’t. However, there are exceptions. The success of Fespa’s E-learning programme highlights this. Companies are signing up both trainees and highly experienced screen printers to enhance and improve existing skills and knowledge.
Suppliers are also a great source of information. They can show what can be achieved with their equipment and can keep you informed of new applications they have discovered.
Printers need to view training as essential to their future survival. In an industry where profit margins are increasingly squeezed, printers must rely less on price and more on differentiated and innovative products.
How many of your customers have asked about the carbon footprint of your printing service?
