Plan
Ahead for Flu Season
The federal government anticipates
a severe flu season, and is urging employers of all sizes
to establish procedures to ensure maximum workplace health...
Get
Inspired-Sustainability that Works
It's easy for organizations
(and vendors) to tout the benefits of green, but hard numbers
and facts are what prove the point...
3
Essential Management Skills
Whether you are a new or aspiring
manager, or a seasoned veteran, here are three critical
skills you must have to be a good manager...
Positive Thinking on Printing
Looking for a couple more
ways to convince a hesitant client about the benefits
of print? Consider these facts...
Tip
of the Week-Improve Your Cash Flow
If your business
lands a new major account, it is not inappropriate to try
to negotiate a decent upfront cash payment...
What
NOT to Say to A Prospect
If you've managed to penetrate the voicemail
firewall, and actually have a real, live person on the phone, here are
some worn-out lines you should NOT use...
Member News
Uptown Press receives honor...
Upcoming Events
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EEO-1 Reports
Due 9/30
The Employer Information Report, (EEO-1) must
be filed by all affected employers by September 30. Filing
materials should have been received by all employers
by mail in August.
Who
must file? All private employers who are either
subject to Title VII and have 100 or more employees;
or employers who are subject to Title VII and have
fewer than 100 employees but the company is owned or
affiliated with another company, or under centralized
ownership, control or management that legally constitutes
a single enterprise employing a total of 100 or more
employees.
EEOC’s preferred method for completing
the 2008 EEO-1 report is through its web-based
filing system using
their provided employer login ID and password.
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Plan
Ahead for Flu Season
The federal government anticipates
a severe flu season, and is urging employers of all sizes to establish
procedures to ensure maximum workplace health. To that end, the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated its flu preparation materials
for employers. The guidance focuses on preventative measures that both
employers and individual employees can take to reduce the spread and impact
of the virus. In addition, employers are encouraged to examine their sick
leave policies to determine if they contain enough flexibility to absorb
any sort of significant shortage of employees to reduce loss of productivity.
For comprehensive information on how to prepare for and address the coming
flu season, check out the following links:
http://www.printing.org/page/3089#pandemic
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
PGAMA also has available a downloadable PDF from the CDC. "Preparing
for the Flu: A Business Toolkit." This 10-page document includes an Employer
Fact Sheet, a Workplace Poster, an E-mail Template, and other Communication
Resources. Download the PDF from pgama.com in
the Members Only Section under "Special
Reports." (Member login and password required.)
Get
Inspired-Sustainability that Works
It's easy for organizations (and vendors) to tout the benefits
of green, but hard numbers and facts are what prove the point. Printing
Industries of America implemented several sustainable practices at its headquarters
in Pittsburgh to be greener, and save money too. Their ideas are things every
plant can consider:
- Installed Thermal Dryer with Recuperative
Oxidizer
· Duel-Dry integrated dryer/oxidizer system combines high-speed
drying capability with air pollution control.
· The unit operates at web speeds up to 3,000 feet per minute
and has an integrated thermal recuperative oxidizer built directly into
the unit to destroy VOC emissions before they enter the atmosphere.
· The recuperative technology saves on natural gas consumption.
- Sub-micron Recycling Filters for Fountain Solutions
· Sub-micron recycling filters remove the contamination from fountain
solutions, keeping it clean and fresh.
· Fountain solution remains consistent throughout the production
run.
· Use results in reduced wastewater discharge and more consistent
color and less fountain solution troubleshooting and higher productivity
with greater customer satisfaction.
- Motion detectors in Bathrooms
· Often restroom lights were not turned off overnight or on weekends
when the building was unoccupied.
· The installation of motion detectors is part of our electrical
energy conservation program. This initiative resulted in monthly savings
of 12,160 kilowatt hours away of electricity.
3
Essential Management Skills
Whether you are a new or aspiring manager,
here are three critical skills you
must have to be a good leader:
- Act like an adult-Be as honest, comfortable and empathetic
about your own issues and shortcomings, or you'll never
be able to do the same for others.
- Do the work, hands on-Learn the basics
of your trade and industry before you get promoted. No
matter how smart you are, it's the only way to engender
respect from employees, and learn how to make effective
management decisions.
- Become adept at finance, selling, presenting,
negotiating, and business communications.
This article excerpted from "Aspiring Managers:
Learn to Behave Like An Adult" by Steve Tobak; first published
on BNET.com.
Positive
Thinking on Printing
Looking for a couple more ways to convince
a hesitant client about the benefits of print? Consider
these facts:
- Consumers consider mail to be a safer method
of communication than the Internet. Repeated stories about
data breaches involving hundreds of thousands of accounts
reinforce this belief every day.
- Print is portable and does not require a device with
Internet access to read it. Plus, print is not a source
of viruses or worms that can destroy computer systems;
nor can it be hacked. A final bonus: print can even take
on a specific physical shape to have even more impact.
Tip
of the Week-Improve Your Cash Flow
If your business
lands a new major account — say $750,000 to $1 million
in annual sales — it is not inappropriate to try to
negotiate a decent upfront cash payment from the new customer.
Cash flow, from weekly to monthly rates, are a major challenge
for many print service providers across the industry at the
moment, that such a shot in the arm can work wonders. Only
you, your senior executive colleagues, and perhaps the sales
rep that landed the account, may know best how to approach
this delicate issue.
What
NOT to Say to A Prospect
If you've managed to penetrate the voicemail
firewall, and actually have a real, live person on the phone,
here are some worn-out lines you should NOT use:
I am reaching out to you...
Mr. Jones is going to be in your area on Friday...
We'll exceed your expectations...
I would like to have a conversation about...
I sent you some information a couple of weeks ago...
I would like to conference with you
If these conversation non-starters sound
familiar, it's probably because you've heard them yourself
from various scripted telemarketers. Don't make the same
mistake, and talk about your shop and its capabilities. Instead,
ask the client about their business in as much detail as
they will offer, explaining that you hope to come back later
with a specific proposal designed to meet their goals and
boost their sales and profits.
Member
News
Congratulations to Uptown
Press,
winner of a Baltimore
Regional Employer Institute Award. The company was recognized
in the area of Preparing Youth for the 21st Century
Workplace for "...helping young people realize
success in the printing industry. The company works closely
with state, regional and local-level Career and Technical
Education programs to ensure that students are receiving
top-quality professional preparation. Uptown Press leverages
resources to overcome unforeseen barriers and works with
students and businesses to connect youth with valuable
internship opportunities."
Upcoming Events
September 30-
October 2 |
Workshop:
Total Immersion VDP, at Printing Industries
of America in Sewickley, PA. VDP is no longer an
interesting possibility—it
is now a driving force behind marketing campaigns everywhere
and it offers printers higher margins and great opportunities
to differentiate themselves from their competition.
The trick is in the execution. Find out what you need
to succeed in this workshop. Member
cost is $695 per person. Complete details and registration
at http://www.printing.org/vdp. |
| October 1 |
FREE Seminar: 10 Things
Keeping CEO's Up at Night, 10:00am-Noon
at PGAMA (9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia). If you're
a printing company owner, president or manager
wondering how to increase profits in a down economy,
this is the best two hours you can possibly spend.
Member firm Heidelberg will give concrete answers
to questions like: "How can I reduce make-ready
times and save on labor and material costs with
the equipment I already have?" "Am I
really making money? How do I calculate actual
production costs for specific customers?" "How
do I get G7 certification?" This is a FREE
presentation for PGAMA members! Register
online at http://sso.us.heidelberg.com/pgama. |
| October 5 or November
9 |
Workshop:
Harnessing the Power of Green,
8:00am-4:00pm at CCBC Hunt Valley Center
(10111 McCormick Road/Hunt Valley, MD 21031). This
hands-on, day-long workshop, will guide participants
through an interactive process of (1) understanding
the value of going green to the bottom
line, (2) identifying quick wins for their organization,
and (3) learning how to create a “sustainable” organization.
Cost: $250 per person, which includes Continental Breakfast
and Lunch. At the close of class, participants will
receive a certificate of completion from the Community
College of Baltimore County.
To Register: Call the Community College of Baltimore
County (CCBC) Registration Center at 443.840.4700.
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| October 13-15 |
Employee Education
Event: Intro to Printing Class, at
PGAMA, 9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046. Give
your CSRs or managers an understanding
of how the entire printing process works with
this 2-and-a-half day course. A great training
tool for new employees! Cost is $295 per person
for members/$495 for non-members. Includes all
course materials, lunch everyday, and a field trip
to a printing plant. MAGE members get a $100 discount
on fees! Sign up at pgama.com or call the office,
410-319-0900. |
| October 14 |
FREE Seminar: Employers'
Rights in the Age of Social Networking &
Blogging, 6:00-7:00pm at Intelligent
Office (300 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.)
This seminar will give employers timely information
about their rights concerning employees online behavior,
policies related to social networking, and more. RSVP
to: coordinator@intelligentoffice.com.
Be sure to mention that you are a PGAMA member and
the $20 attendance fee will be waived. Light refreshments
and parking included. |
| October 22 |
FREE Seminar: Design
Your Pants Off, 8:30 am-Noon at
PGAMA (9685 Gerwig Lane/Columbia, MD 21046.) Attend
this educational workshop, presented by Adobe
Certified trainers, to learn about benefits for
creatives AND printers of Adobe Creative Suite
4 Design Premium. Speakers will go over enhancements
to their traditional print production tools as
well as their web and interactive design products. *Attend
for a chance to win a copy of Adobe 4 Design Premium!* FREE for
members! $50 for non-members. Limited Seating-sign
up by October 15, 410-319-0900 or online at www.pgama.com. |
| October 30 |
Special Event: ASI Advantages
Roadshow, 9:00am-1:00pm
at BWI Marriott (1743 W. Nursery Road, Baltimore,
MD 21090.) The Advantages Roadshow is a sales-building
experience like no other. Enjoy one-on-one conversations
with leading companies, attend FREE educational seminars,
and find hot new items to show your clients. Visit
www.advantagesroadshow.com for more details. |
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