Newsletter
Issue No. 190 May 11, 2007

Bindery
Folding
- Miniature to Map
- Closed Gate
Presentation Folder Gluing
Stitching
- 10 pockets
- Loop Stitching
Trimming
Rotary Perf & Score
Gathering & Collating
Perfect Binding
Wire-O
Plastic Spiral
- Autospin 30mm elements
- 2.5:1 Oval Hole Pattern
Transfer Tape
Drilling
Round Cornering
Shrink Wrapping
Eyeletting
Film Laminating

Tabbing
Custom Index Tabs
Copier Tabs
Tab Reinforcing
Spine Reinforcing
Patch Edge Reinforcing
5 Hole Drilling

Finishing
Autoplaten Diecutting
Diecutting to 41"
Scoring & Perfing
Embossing
Foiling
Numbering

1. Intellectual Property. In a recent online post for WhatTheyThink.com, Frank Romano had some thoughts about the On Demand show Expo: "The press operator has long been among the elite of the printing workforce. But that is changing. The IT or MIS expert is now the key person. They are responsible for updating software, maintaining websites and networks, and dealing with databases." The make ready transition is the clearest example how our industry has changed. The tools of our trade have to a large extent been computerized and the people who can navigate those computer networks are incredibly valuable to the organization as a whole. For more, click here

2. What Cold War? If you still think USSR when someone says Russia, you need to get out more. Take a look at the special section Knowledge@Wharton did on Russia (click here). The country has the world’s largest natural gas reserves (and the second largest oil reserves behind Saudi Arabia), and a booming economy. Meanwhile Russian workers take more sick time than their European and American counterparts, there's a projected population drop from 143 million to 100 million by 2050, and Moscow is the most expensive city in the world for expatriates to live in. There is a huge Russian community in Seattle and future shop workers will come from that group. Perhaps future customers will come from Russia itself. Check it out.

3. Easy Does It. I read this article (click here) with humor at first because, as a rule, other people's dumb mistakes are funny. But then it hit me that the only thing that keeps me from qualifying for inclusion in this article is dumb luck. Leaving work to the experts isn't just a home improvement issue. It happens in business too. If I didn't know better, I'd ask readers to volunteer stories of finish work that you just knew your folks could handle but that turned into a nightmare because your employees just didn’t have the experience, knowledge, equipment, or expertise to get it done. Shipping a job out may cost a little more in the short term, but compared to paying medical bills, buying new equipment, or just placating a customer it's often a real bargain. 

4. Costly Mistakes. The state of Massachusetts recently canceled a $235k contract with a printer in Indiana because it mailed private information to the wrong people. The contract stipulated that Allison Payment Systems print and mail income tax coupon books to 411,000 taxpayers. The problem was 45 of those booklets—containing social security numbers—ended up at the wrong addresses. It just goes to show that the size of the mistake is less important than the gravity of it. When dealing with privacy issues mistakes simply can't be made. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure what leaves your shop is headed to the right place? For more, click here.

5. Health Concerns. The New York Times ran an interesting article about small businesses managing health care costs. While small businesses employ about 40% of the nation's work force, small business employees are one of the fastest growing segments of the uninsured. Without the economies of scale possible in larger corporations, small companies have less bargaining power with their insurers. Economies of scale is at the heart of Massachusetts' requirement for health coverage – by forcing the young and healthy to carry insurance, the hope is costs will be spread more evenly and insurance providers will have less incentive to drive up rates. It's an interesting subject for anyone, like myself, who has to balance the well being of workers with the well being of the company.

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www.seattlebindery.com

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