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Bindery
Folding
- Miniature to Map
- Closed Gate
-
In-Line 8pg Gluing
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
UV Coating
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
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Newsletter
Issue No. 274 March 11, 2011
A Taxing Audit
I found this article, “10 Ways to Avoid a Tax Audit,” in the Wall Street
Journal filled with some very good advice, not the least of which is “Choose
your tax return preparer with care.” According to the author and attorney,
Barbara Weltman, the IRS even offers some tips for selecting a tax preparer
(click
here), which includes the warning to avoid tax preparers who guarantee
results, who base fees on a percentage of your refund, or who tell you they
can get you a larger refund than a competitor. My experience in the
accounting trenches years back confirms many of these suspect practices. The
checklists are worth checking out. Here’s the WSJ
article.
New Businesses for New Business
Did you know that start-ups are at the highest rate in 15 years? What caught
my eye, though, was who these entrepreneurs are. According to Inc.com,
Latinos and Asians were busiest creating new businesses, and immigrants were
“twice as likely to start businesses …than native born.” And what industries
are seeing the most start-up activity? Surprisingly, construction and not
surprisingly, the services industry. Are you tapping into these potential
sources for new business? For the full article,
click here.
Managing for Innovation
I’m generally wary of management gurus who say they have all the answers,
but this piece about making tough decisions by ex-Microsoft COO, Bob Herbold,
in the Puget Sound Business Journal made a lot of sense to me. First, he
suggests we identify “one or two things that will vastly improve your
company” and then develop and act on a plan to make it happen, including
hiring new talent, if needed. He says we should forget consensus decisions,
but demand accountability from leaders, and, my personal favorite,
“institute tight-fisted cost controls.” We all know directing a business to
get the most out of employees is a tall order given our cramped budgets
these days, but I do think there’s always room for improvement and creative
ways to manage better.
Click here for the entire Business Journal article.
B2B Social Media Marketing
As you may know, I’ve dipped my toe into the social media waters, but am
still very much a newbie. So, I was interested in this excellent posting on
Inc.com about using these sites to find folks who might do business with
you. The author, J.J. McCovey, suggests looking through “Twitter lists of
other users and follow people with the titles you’re looking for.” For
instance, if the majority of your customers have the title “print buyer” or
“marketing director,” you can search for those titles. (Twitter is the
favored social media site for small businesses, according to the 2010 Social
Media Marketing Industry Report, which surveyed 1,898 small business
owners.) The article has many other terrific, easy-to-understand and enact
ideas for making the most of your efforts. Check it out
here.
Green Guide
We were recently made aware of the Printing Industries of America’s “The
Green Guide for Graphic Communications: Growing and Profiting through
Sustainability.” While I am somewhat ambivalent about much of the so-called
“green” movement, this document presents some straightforward and helpful
information that can be useful for us in the industry. Like others who have
implemented many, albeit basic, green initiatives, I have yet to promote
them. PIA suggests we leverage this work to customers and stakeholders via
press releases, periodic reports about progress on larger initiatives, and
by joining other “green marketing opportunities in the your community.” It
makes sense to take advantage of every advantage we have. You can order the
Guide, free to PIA members,
here.
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