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Serving Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming
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Print Markets Still Strong!
The printing industry continues to lead other US manufacturing industries in most growth categories according to the June report from the ISM-The Institute for Supply Management.
Based on their June surveys print ranks number one in shipments, new orders and production out of 18 industrial sectors.
Also, print was ranked number two in employment growth and number three in order backlog. This and other updated information will be further discussed in the upcoming special PIA Flash Report on the outlook for print and the economy through 2018.
If you would like to be put on the complimentary email list for PIA's Flash Reports, please email June Crespo at jcrespo@wsprint.org.
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OSHA is taking a step back with implementing its new rule on injury reporting and anti-retaliation.
In May of this year, OSHA finalized a controversial new rule that requires companies to start submitting copies of their injury and illness records in 2017. The rule also had provisions requiring companies educate employees on how to report injuries. In addition, they need to be informed that those who report injuries will not be retaliated against.
OSHA also said it would take action against companies that had incentive programs, as well as mandatory universal post-accident drug testing. OSHA feels both of these activities discourage injury reporting. In response to a lawsuit by several manufacturing trade groups challenging the legality of the rule, OSHA has delayed the anti-retaliation aspects until November 1, 2016.
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That Pain In Your Wallet May Be Caused By Insurance Fraud
Like the scene out of a movie, an "inside job" unfolds: A jewelry store owner makes the conscious decision to defraud his insurance company. Initially, the owner's actions look legitimate: He submits a claim for a stolen ring, and supplies an invoice for the ring to his adjuster. His fatal error was substituting the ring's real invoice with one that was more than $10,000 over the ring's actual value.
What the owner failed to take into consideration was his insurance company's determination to fight fraud. In claims for theft, the insurance company verifies the reported value of the stolen property. What they discovered in this case resulted in felony insurance fraud charges against the store owner.
Victimless Crime?
Many people see insurance fraud as a victimless crime. After all, who's really getting hurt-some big bucks insurance company that won't even notice a few thousand dollars missing? Outwardly, it may seem impersonal. But, when the multiple layers of the effects of fraud are peeled away, the real victim is revealed: you. Costs related to insurance fraud are passed on to consumers through higher premiums.
Insurance companies take fraud very seriously. Employees are trained to prevent, detect, and eliminate fraud to protect policyholders, the public, and the company and its employees. Proven anti-fraud tactics lay the groundwork for a firm stance on eliminating fraud and prosecution of perpetrators.
Fraud can be committed at any type of business and comes in all shapes and sizes: arson, suspicious medical bills, a staged car accident or slip and fall incident, padded invoices...the list, unfortunately, goes on. The tactics are as varied as the perpetrators.
There's no one better to stop fraud in its tracks than policyholders themselves. To report suspected insurance fraud of any kind, immediately contact your state's fraud bureau or the insurance company. Depending on the type of fraud, you may also contact the following:
- National Insurance Crime Bureau - 1-800-835-6422 (for suspected property/casualty, auto, homeowners, liability, and workers compensation fraud)
- Medicare/Medicaid - 1-800-447-8477
- Medical providers - call your state's medical board or chiropractic board
Source: Federated Insurance
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Have You Updated Your Print Access Listing?
One of the greatest ways to promote your business is with Print Access.
Last year Print Access, our Association's online Buyer's Guide had more than 100,000 visits. This online service, exclusively available to WSPA/PIA members, is the printing industry's "who does what" search engine.
Although every member is entitled to a listing, not all have created profiles or regularly update their profiles. With more than 240 product categories, including 100 commonly-searched product groups, anyone wanting to take full advantage of being found in a web search should take the time to update their profile. Each member has a designated individual profile along with a unique password. Forgot your password? Click the "forgot password" link above the User Name and follow the instructions, or contact June Crespo toll-free at 844-237-1550 or jcrespo@wsprint.org.
To access Print Access CLICK HERE.
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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. |
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Lessons From Lindgren:
Discount For Cash
In some industries, a discount for prompt payment is almost standard. Generally, this has not been the case in printing.
In considering this as a policy, it's worthwhile to consider the possible results. the classic discounted terms were "2 % 10 days, net 30 days." On their face, they provided a 2 % bonus for an acceleration of payment by 20 days - that's equivalent to 36.5% annual interest.
In practice, clients frequently paid in 30 days and took the discount anyway. In both cases, more was being paid by the seller than it's worth. Of course, one could mark up the quote by 2 % and it would cancel the impact, but if that would work, why not mark up the quot by 2 % and not offer a discount?
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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Almost all companies have a paid vacation policy which is an important benefit and a real help for people who need a break from working every day. A good vacation policy should provide for vacation picks (usually in seniority order), limit the number of people who can take off at one time and establish blackout periods (if necessary) to accommodate work peaks. An essential point that is frequently overlooked is the necessity of mandating vacation for employees in sensitive positions. For example, if at all possible, accounting personnel should be required to take two weeks consecutively as embezzlement schemes tend to come to light when their operator is absent.
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We Need Your Input In Wage And Benefit Survey!
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 30, 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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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 Neuman at 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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Open Door Policy: What It Hinges On...
Communication is only possible when you are accessible, so an open-door policy is essential if real communication is to occur.
Your staff must be able to come to you to ask for help, to share information and to consult with you on both business and personal issues. If people resist coming to you for any reason, there will be only one result: You will become isolated from your own department.
As a manager, your job is to make it easy for communication to occur from the employee to you and back again. That's why you cannot isolate yourself behind closed office doors.
Bear in mind, too, that newly hired and relatively inexperienced employees may feel very much intimidated by your position. As a result, they will fear coming to you-even if you are a cordial, friendly manager.
What it means: Having an open-door policy doesn't mean that your door must be open every minute of the day. You may have a compelling reason to shut yourself away from time to time. You may need uninterrupted quiet to think, plan or reach a deadline. The key to a workable open-door policy is to establish regular times when you are accessible-the more the better.
In closing: Share your goals and concerns with the staff and delegate authority clearly. That way your people will know which situations they can resolve on their own, and which ones merit a knock on your door frame.
Source: Managing People newsletter
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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. Some are just plain fun. The goal - to keep a safe work environment front and center on the minds of all of your employees. Pictured: Leaning ladder of lunacy.
If you come across a funny pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org. |
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Some Of The Best Things In Life Are Free
As a member of WSPA, you are automatically a member of Printing Industries of America, the largest graphics arts trade association in the world. PIA's website has literally hundreds of free resources for you and your employees. Have you checked out www.printing.org/free?
If you need any assistance logging in to access the free member content, simply call PIA's Member Central at 1-800-910-4283, ext. 770.
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Quote For The Week
"There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up."
Booker T. Washington
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