 Welcome New Member Diversified Innovative Products!
We are thrilled to welcome our newest member - Diversified Innovative Products. DIP offers innovative "quick change " ink fountain systems and other products that save businesses time and money today, and preserve natural resources (water) for tomorrow. They design, manufacture, and deliver state-of-the-art products that are time efficient, cost effective, clean and simple to use. Visit www.dipworldwide.com. |
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News from Arizona's Capitol
WSPA's lobbyist Elaine Arena reports that things have been anything but easy in the Capitol lately.
In a marathon session lasting almost 24 hours, the Arizona Legislature passed the $9.1 billion budget and related bills for fiscal year 2016, which begins on July 1st of this year. Governor Ducey signed the bills on March 13, 2015.
Most programs that received general fund dollars took a hit, including K12, university and college budgets. In addition, medical providers that see AHCCCS (Arizona's version of Medicaid) patients will take another five percent cut in reimbursement. The Legislature expects to finish its work by the end of the month.
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 Proposed FDA Regulation Could Impact Print
The Food and Drug Administration is attempting to amend its prescription drug labeling regulations to require electronic distribution of the prescribing information intended for health care professionals instead of paper form.
FDA also is proposing that prescribing information intended for health care professionals will no longer be permitted to be distributed in paper form with the package. To review this proposed change, click here.
Although this rule does not affect the entire industry, the impact would be substantial to the hundreds of firms across the U.S. who produce this type of product.
What You Can Do to Help Fight This Proposal? Please provide feedback to the FDA to defeat this proposed rule by posting comments to the FDA website in support of printed PI's. The deadline for submitting comments is Wednesday, May 18, 2015.
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 Postal Increases The Postal Regulatory Commission approved both adjustments to First Class Mail services as well as for competitive express and parcel shipping changes. The First Class Mail retail service will remain at 49c, but with additional ounces increasing from 21 to 22c, and postcards rising to 35c. On average, First Class Mail rates will rise by just under 2%, with presorted letter and card rates rising by 2.422%, flats by 2.437% and parcels 10.18%. Other changes in the monopoly side of the business will see outbound international single-piece First Class Mail letter rates rise by 5c (or 4.399%) to $1.20, with outbound international postcards also rising to $1.20. These changes take effect April 26, 2015.
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 How Is Your Business Really Doing?
How is your business really doing? Have you ever taken the time to see if you are leaving money on the table or could be more profitable? Have you ever participated in the leading benchmark survey for the printing industry - the PIA Ratio Studies? The Ratio Studies have been published for nearly 100 years and provide participants with data they cannot get anywhere else! The Ratios help define what a successful firm's operating statement and balance sheet looks like. How? By publishing ratios of the top performers (Profit Leaders) in contrast with all other participating firms (within a market segment). As a company manager, this information is invaluable in helping you reach your company's maximum potential. Because gathering data is key to the success of this program, by sharing your company data (through the accounting firm Margolis Partners LLC), there is no cost to receive the survey results! If your chart of accounts is extremely different than the survey, for $150 (less than your CPA would charge), you can have the data entered for you --- CONFIDENTIALLY! Although firms have different product mixes as well as capital equipment, this year's survey will accommodate those differences as will the final report shared with participating companies. So why aren't you participating? This year's deadline to submit your information is May 15, 2015. Need more information? Click Here or contact Ed Gleeson at (800) 910-4283 (ext. 756) and he'll be glad to assist.
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 FAKE IRS Scam We've heard about a new telephone scam aimed at both individual taxpayers and businesses. The scammers use fake common names (e.g. Jim Peterson), Internal Revenue Service badge numbers, and even sometimes know the last four digits of the target's Social Security Number. The target is told he/she owes money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the target refuses to comply, they are threatened with federal tax court action, arrest or suspension of a business or driver's license. To lend credibility to their scheme, they generally provide fake IRS telephone numbers (e.g. 571-210-5952. If you receive such calls, don't entertain the request for money! According to the actual IRS, the first contact with taxpayers for any tax issue generally occurs by mail (with good old print!). Be aware!
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 See Print At Its Best - Attend the Print Excellence Awards
You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Print Excellence Awards of WSPA. Join industry leaders from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico at fun-filled evenings where "Simply the Best" printing will receive coveted Print Excellence Awards. The events will also feature the presentation of WSPA's Employee Recognition Awards, highlighting the efforts of amazing employees at member companies. Socialize with friends and colleagues you may not have seen in ages, see first hand some of the most beautiful print pieces produced in 2014, and cheer employees who have made a difference. Have you reserved your tickets yet? The Phoenix event will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at Rustler's Rooste. To reserve your tickets or a discounted table, click on PHOENIX REGISTRATION. The Denver event will be held on Thursday, April 30th at the Downtown Embassy Suites Hotel. To reserve your tickets or a discounted table, click on DENVER REGISTRATION.Detailed information on both events can be found on the WSPA Website.
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Deadline Looms to Recognize your Stars!
Everyone enjoys receiving praise for their work and what better way to recognize your key staff than for them to receive a WSPA Employee Recognition Award in front of their peers.
This year in conjunction with WSPA's Print Excellence Award events, held April 23 at Rustler's Rooste in Phoenix and April 30 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Denver deserving employees will be presented beautiful certificates recognizing their contributions.
How can your recognize your key staff? Simply download and complete the fillable PDF form on WSPA's website (www.wsprint.org/emp-recog) and return by email to June Crespo at jcrespo@wsprint.org or FAX (412-259-2016). You can enter as many employees as you would like.
The cost of each certificate is only $25 and you can recognize 5 employees for just $100. Deadline for submissions: March 31, 2015.
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Weekly Photo Feature:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Each week E-Connects will share incredible photos on just how lax companies can be when it comes to safety.
The goal - to keep a safe work environment front and center on the minds of all of your employees.
If ingenuity is the mother of invention, what is stupidity?
If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at
mmakin@wsprint.org.
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Quote For The Week
"Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing."
L.M. Montgomery
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