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Serving Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming
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Blueprint For Tax Reform Unveiled
The Congressional House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) released his Committee's blueprint for tax reform earlier this month.
In what the Chairman termed "once in a generation" comprehensive tax reform, the plan will serve as the base from which comprehensive legislation would be drafted in 2017.
On the business side, the blueprint calls for top tax rates of 20 percent on corporate income and 25 percent on pass-through income, full expensing of capital investment, and the elimination of "many credits and deductions in the current system."
Which tax provisions (i.e., advertising deduction) stay or go were not specifically outlined in the proposal, with the notable exception that the deduction for interest expense would be eliminated. Printing Industries of America CEO Michael Makin met with House Speaker Paul Ryan last month, and it was clear his view was that many deductions should be eliminated in order to achieve a flatter, lower tax rate overall.
Clearly, the printing industry must continue to be vocal about the economic importance of preserving this deduction. PIA's Vice President of Government Affairs Lisbeth Lyons will be serving on a Tax Blueprint Working Group led by the National Association of Manufacturers that will provide input to Capitol Hill on the impact of the plan on manufacturers and possible changes or modifications. We will keep you apprised of any critical developments.
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Ask The Tech Experts
Ask The Tech Experts is a resource of PIA's Center for Technology and Research that features the responses to questions covering a wide gamut of topics.
If you would like to ask a technical question, simply email Dillon Mooney at dmooney@printing.org or call PIA's toll-free hotline at 1-800-910-4283.
How should I evaluate competing inkjet presses?
The specs are confusing. With regard to speed specifications, do your best to convert them to the same metric before comparison. Some manufacturers report printed pages per minute, but you should note that the page size may vary. Still others discuss web speeds, and some of the newer sheetfed devices will talk about sheets per minute.
The speed specification is intimately tied to a resolution, and you need to know it in order to make a reasonable comparison. Resolution specs are particularly tricky to compare. Often the specs given are the maximum resolution, which requires the press to run at a slow speed; you want to know the resolution at the speed you'll normally be using.
In addition, you may have different resolutions in line with the print direction and across it, which are dependent on the speed. Finally, the droplet size will impact the appearance, as will the device's ability (or inability) to produce multiple droplet sizes. In practice, prints from two devices quoting the same resolution may not look the same, so don't make a decision on print quality without evaluating printed samples.
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New WSPA Job Bank!
WSPA has just launched a brand new member service - a Job Bank where job seekers can post their resumes for free and members can post available positions - also complimentary!
CLICK HERE to visit the new Job Bank.
The bank lists not only positions in WSPA territory but in other states as well. Job seekers must first register to be able to post their resumes.
For WSPA member companies, you should already have received an email with your LOGIN ID and temporary password. If you would like this sent again, simply call our office at 844-237-1550.
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Printing Industry's Largest Wage And Benefit Survey- Please Participate
With the recent Department of Labor re-definition of exempt vs. non-exempt parameters, employers are analyzing their current employee compensation structure to ensure compliance. A crucial part of this analysis is compensating employees fairly, within the company and marketplace.
PIA's Wage & Benefit Survey is THE tool that can be used to help managers make these types of decisions. It's the most comprehensive survey available within the printing industry and provides salary/wage information on over 100 positions as well as current benefit practices.
If you participate in the confidential survey, we will provide you the report - a $250 value ($1,000 for non-members) - FOR FREE.
All WSPA member companies have been forwarded paper copies of the survey along with usernames and passwords should you wish to complete the survey electronically (CLICK HERE). Should you wish to participate online, go to http://www.cvent.com/d/cfqyjb.
Please take the time to participate and take advantage of the intelligence you will glean from the survey findings such as are you leaving money on the table? What are my competitors paying? And what are the prevailing benefits in the industry?
The deadline to participate is August 8, 2016 and the report should be available in October.
FAQ
1. Can I partially complete the survey and come back to it later with my earlier responses still there? Yes, Just go back to the survey link. You may have to re-enter your password.
2. Can print out my responses when completed? Yes, near the completion of the survey you will have a screen with all of your responses that you can print out. Note that you will have to hit the "FINISH" button at the bottom of that page to submit the results.
3. Can I see the jobs and job descriptions for the survey first? Yes, Click Here. There are plenty of open fields to enter other job titles that are not listed.
4. Who do I ask if I have a question about the survey? Contact Jim Kyger at 1-800-910-4283 (ext. 503) or jkyger@printing.org.
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Grow Your Business With Specialty Products
By selling imprinted products like mugs, corporate business gifts and bags to your current customers, you can increase your company's revenue and earn fantastic margins!
The best part is, it's easy to get started. There's no need for expensive equipment and no inventory to store. Adding promotional products to your repertoire is a simple way to become a one-stop shop for your clients. And as a member of WSPA you can take advantage of huge savings with ASI - the number one product sourcing organization in the industry.
Get started for as little as $99 a month. This is a savings of $70 per month over what non members pay. Already with ASI? Let them know you are a member of WSPA so you can start taking advantage of your member discount. What do you have to lose?
To get started today, call toll free at 1-800-301-9158.
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Sales Compensation Report Available For Just $99
One major category not covered in the aforementioned Wage and Benefit Survey is sales compensation (with the exception of salaried VPs).
Sp what do top printing sales reps earn across America? How is their commission structured? What percentage of companies pay on a value-add system versus gross sales?
These questions and many others are addressed in The 2016 Sales Compensation Survey of Printing Industries of America, available for purchase now.
Along with surveying compensation methodologies (salary, salary + commission, commission, etc.), we also attempted to gather information about these methods in regards to major production processes (heatset/coldest web; sheetfed; digital; mailing; fulfillment, etc.). Given the number of ancillary services added by many print providers the past decade, and that there have been marked differences between sheetfed and web compensation methods, it was important to differentiate the information gathered. CLICK HERE TO ORDER your copy for just $99. |
Five New State Laws Will Soon Affect Colorado Employers
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper recently signed five bills into law that will soon impact employers in a number of different ways.
Employers who do business in the state will face a new legal framework with respect to personnel files, classification of workers as employees or independent contractors for unemployment purposes, work status verification, and employment of workers with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Moreover, public employers will have additional challenges when it comes to employee whistle-blowers.
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Lessons From Lindgren:
OK But Should We Do It?
We've looked outside, thought about the client, their importance for the project and our likely competitors and have given it our best shot. But, before we pull the trigger, should we do the job for the price at which we've arrived?
Fortunately, this answer is easy. A modest amount of effort will tell us the amount of money we'll actually spend to produce the job. Basically, it's just the paper, buyouts and commission (if any) to which we could add the estimated hourly wages of the people who will work on the job.
Your estimating software can do this job by just changing the hour rates and eliminating the markups that it has built in. Chances are, we would find that this added up to a number substantially less than the price we're thinking about.
Not counted is the building, equipment or front office as they will be unchanged whether we do the job or not. The difference between what we'll spend and what we'll charge will help pay for those and get us closer to profit for them month.
Bob Lindgren is the President and CEO of Printing Industries Association of Southern California, the largest affiliate of PIA. Mr. Lindgren has more than 40 years of experience in the industry and is an expert in the area of print finance.
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Last Week To Participate In Dynamic Ratios
Financial Benchmarking provides you with the business intelligence tools you need to make informed decisions about your company. Many printing operations across the United States actually run their businesses based on the numbers they gleam from PIA's annual ratios studies.
PIA's Center for Print Economics and Management is thrilled to announce a new financial benchmarking tool, the Dynamic Ratios.
The Ratios have long been a compilation of accurate financial information from hundreds of printing and related graphic arts firms. They allow companies to gain access to financial and productivity benchmarks that can help your company become more efficient, productive, confident, focused, and profitable.
The 2016-2017 Dynamic Ratios Survey
In addition to the look-under-the-hood financial details PIA has provided for 94 years, the new Dynamic Ratios study provides an online, interactive version of the Ratios study.
The central features of the new Dynamic Ratios include:
- New 24/7 Secure Interactive Dashboard allows printers instant access to industry financial and operating averages as well as profit leader benchmarks.
- New Instant Graphics provides easy-to-understand information. The quartile system allows for you to view where your company is compared to your peer group or to the industry financial and operating averages.
- New Shorter Survey Option-a 70 percent reduction in required submitted information. Now printers need only provide 31 line items to participate. To gain the most from the survey, peer groups are recommended to fill out the long version of the survey.
- New Focus on Key Performance Metrics to simplify management decisions.
- New Peer Group Report - allows printers the option to custom design which printers they would like to sync with.
- New Trend Analysis between Years - for those printers that have participated in the past
- Legacy Reports and Database still available.
Why should you participate?
Participating members of PIA through their local affiliate (WSPA) receive a free copy of the Dynamic Ratios report and access to the online tool-up to a $1,500 value! CLICK HERE to participate. Deadline: July 31, 2016.
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Time To Hit the Links!
The dates are set for WSPA's golf tournaments in Denver and Phoenix. DENVERWSPA will return to the Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club on Friday, September 9th.Described by Golf Digest, as "one of the best places to play in Colorado," the Arthur Hills designed course is a links-style 18-hole championship course that makes use of dramatic elevation changes, native areas, panoramic views and wide, accommodating fairways to appeal to players of all levels. Tickets are only $125 and include greens fee, golf cart and lunch. Foursomes and individual tickets will sell out fast so be sure to sign up ASAP. Don't golf? Join us for lunch for just $25. Interested in sponsoring the tournament? Contact Golf Committee Chair Sandi Neumanat 602-228-5858 or sandineuman614@gmail.com CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR
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PHOENIX The Phoenix Golf Tournament will return with a vengeance on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the stunning Arizona Grand Golf Resort.
Join colleagues and friendly competitors from the industry for a day of fun on the links followed by the Par-Tee on the Green, where bragging rights will be on display and awards presented.
Tickets are only $99 and include greens fee, golf cart, lunch and two drink tickets. Foursomes and individual tickets will sell out fast so be sure to register as soon as possible!
Last year the tournament sold out quickly so book your foursomes early! Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in sponsoring the tournament? There are numerous opportunities still available including individual hole sponsorships - many helping to support future GCEF Scholarships. All sponsorships include signage at the event plus recognition in program and on website. Email current HIGH RES LOGO in jpg, eps or vector format. In-kind raffle prize donations are also welcome.
For details contact tournament chairman Gary Matchinsky at 480-829-8890 or garym@bctarizona.com.
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NPES-The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, will celebrate the print community convened at GRAPH EXPO 16 by hosting "Tango! A GRAPH EXPO Party," on Monday, September 26, 2016.
The upbeat mix and mingle event will be held at Mango's Tropical Café on International Drive in Orlando. Featuring tempting hors d'oeuvres, refreshing beverages, and entertainment with an intercontinental flair, Mango's is billed as International Drive's newest dining, entertainment, and dance club.
The party is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, after the exhibition hall closes for the evening at 5:00 pm. Shuttles will be available from the Orange County Convention Center to Mango's, and limited parking is also available.
The party is open to all GRAPH EXPO 16 attendees and exhibitors. For a video preview of Mango's CLICK HERE
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Weekly Photo Feature:
Are you Kidding Me?!
Each week, E-Connects shares incredible photos on just how lax individuals can be when it comes to safety. Some pictures showcase carelessness, others plain stupidity. The goal - to keep a safe work environment front and center on the minds of all of your employees. Pictured: One wrong turn, a little top heavy and boom!If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org. |
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Refer-A-Member For $50!
WSPA is only as strong as its membership base and wants to continually grow to service its members. You can help by being an ambassador and referring potential members our way!
What's in it for you for spreading the word? If you refer a member and they sign up, we will send you a $50 gift card.
Send your leads toll free to Michael Makin at 1-844-237-1550 (ext. 3) or email mmakin@wsprint.org.
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Quote For The Week
"How you matter is defined by the things that matter to you. You matter as much as the things that matter to you do."
John Green
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