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Printing companies today need to grow in order to remain healthy.  As adding volume organically continues to be a challenge, growing by acquisition is a very realistic growth strategy.

Merging with or acquiring another company is a viable method of strengthening your company's financial position and provides the added volume necessary to stabilize pricing to attract and retain customers.

On November 19th in Denver, WSPA will feature a special session on M & A.  The 90 minute program will cover:

• The methods, advantages and pitfalls of employing acquisitions as a business growth strategy
• What to look for in a potential merger or acquisition and
• How to best position your company should you wish to sell.

If you have ever thought about growing your business by buying another company or someday selling your own company, this is a must-attend session.

The session leader is Paul Reilly, former Chairman and CEO of Cenveo, Inc., one of North America's leading graphic communications firms.  During his tenure with the company, Cenveo grew from $17 million to over $2 billion in sales, while completing some 60 acquisitions.

Mr. Reilly's firm, New Direction Partners, will compile a desktop valuation for printing and packaging firms attending. This valuation is worth in excess of $3,000 and is included in your registration fee of just $39!

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m. - Noon (followed by a light networking lunch)
Location: Veritiv (3900 Lima Street Denver, CO 80239)
Price: $39 for members

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Labor Standards will be holding a rule making hearing on proposed Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 32.

The hearing will be held Monday, November 9, at 2:00 p.m., at 633 17th Street, Second Floor, Suite 200, Denver CO 80202.

The purpose of this rule-making is to reflect the new state minimum wage pursuant to Article XVIII, Section 15, of the Colorado Constitution.

Proposed Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 32 would amend 7 CCR 1103-1 to increase the state minimum wage from $8.23 per hour to $8.31 per hour and the state tipped minimum wage from $5.21 per hour to $5.29 per hour effective January 1, 2016. If approved, Order 32 replaces the current Minimum Wage Order Number 31.

Any business that believes there will be a significant negative impact on small business, job creation or economic competitiveness may request that the Department of Regulatory Agencies require the rule-making agency prepare a cost-benefit analysis of a proposed rule or amendment. This request must be made to the Department of Regulatory Agencies by next Thursday, October 15, 2015.

Education funding continues to take center stage during the legislative interim. Still unresolved is how the state will fund the voter approved inflation funding going forward, about $346 million in FY18.  That doesn't take into account the amount that the Legislature shorted the schools over the past several years.

Both Governor Ducey and legislative leadership put forward plans to partially address the shortfall.  Ducey's plan calls for voters to approve temporary increased distribution from the State Land Trust. Republican leaders are looking to take funds from First Things First, use some surplus general funds and increase distribution from the State Land Trust. That would require two public votes. Voter approval is required for re-directing funds from First Things First as well as to make changes to the State Land Trust distribution.

Source:  Elaine Arena

If you want to be a leader, you need followers but "followership" is voluntary.  To get people to want to follow you, you should:

1. Become an information resource.  If knowledge really is the basis of success in the digital age, then people who have it are the ones everyone will turn to.  Become an expert in your field.  Share information willingly, and don't be afraid to express opinions that shape the data.

2. Don't rely on your job title.  Whether you are a manager, a senior VP, or the CEO, don't expect today's workers to be impressed with your ideas just because they originated in a nicer office.  Concentrate on knowing your subject, listening to others, and being willing to modify your ideas when necessary.

3. Be a good follower.  Sometimes you've got to let other take the lead.  They may have more experience necessary for a project, or skills you don't have.  Commit to helping them succeed so you and your organization as a whole will prosper. It will enhance your reputation as a leader.

4. Sell the team.  Forcing orders down employees' throats was never a good strategy (even when leaders could get away with it).  Learn how to motivate people, to persuade them, to get inside their heads so you can use language and offer rewards that they will respond to.  Be a salesperson, not a dictator.

5. Be honest at all times.  Employees are more skeptical than ever these days.  Your willingness to lay everything on the table will earn their respect.  They may not like the bad news, but they will accept it if they know exactly where you're coming from. 

Fact: Customer engagement is critical.

Fact: Social engagement can help.

Fact: Not everybody is doing it right.

According to SiriusDecisions' Social Media Intelligence Report, while 95 percent of B2B marketers have created corporate social media accounts, only 50 percent are active on a regular basis and only 10 percent feel they are able to "articulate the business value of social execution."  The report also shows that 30 percent are seeking an alternative to their current tool, 15 percent feel confident they are using the tool optimally and 13 percent say they are using a tool for measurement.

What's the key to a Millennial's heart?

Try social media.  Thanks to the Facebooks and Instagrams of the world, 62 percent of Millennials say they are more likely to stay loyal to a brand that engages them, according to the Millennial Consumer Trend 2015 Study by Millennial Branding and Elite Daily.  In addition, nearly half of respondents say the quality of a product or service, not the price, is the main factor for repeat buying.

Kick back and relax with friends and peers from the printing industry at WSPA's Phoenix Happy Hour this evening at Minder Binders! 

No suits, no ties, no hassles - just fun!  Meet PIA CEO Michael Makin and members of your local board of directors, catch up on the latest industry news or just have a nice cold one after a long day.  Hope to see you there.  Wednesday, October 7, 2015 (5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.).  Minder Binders - 715 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281.

Each week, E-Connects shares incredible photos on just how lax individuals 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.

Pictured: One misstep can lead to disaster.

If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org.

Don't forget that as a member of Western States Printing Alliance (WSPA) you have free access to the Technical Hotline of Printing Industries of America.

The hotline fields more than 1,500 calls a year from members seeking assistance.  We are just a phone call away at 1-800-910-4283.  The hotline can also be used for your questions relating to HR and EHS issues.

Are you on Twitter?

Follow WSPA and PIA CEO Michael Makin @ mmakinprint.  He routinely shares interesting tidbits on the industry and other fun posts.  He promises to follow you back!  LOL.

"The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it."

John Ruskin