Sell More Printing: Breaking the 4-Minute Mile with AI

Dave Hultin / October 1st, 2024

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. Today, we’re drawing inspiration from a historic athletic achievement to explore how embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize your printing business.  

Breaking the 4-Minute Mile 

Before 1954, medical experts and athletic professionals deemed the idea of running a mile in under four minutes impossible. It wasn’t until May 6, 1954, when Roger Bannister accomplished this feat, that the barrier was broken. This achievement not only proved the experts wrong but also inspired many others to follow suit. Within a few years, over 50 athletes had broken the 4-minute mile, demonstrating the power of breaking mental and perceived physical barriers. 

Similarly, the adoption of AI in business has faced skepticism. For years, many have seen AI as a futuristic, impractical technology. However, continuing advancements and successful implementations across various industries have shown that AI can indeed drive significant improvements in efficiency, customer engagement, and cost savings.  

Training for AI Excellence

Roger Bannister did not achieve his record-breaking 4-minute mile by chance; it was the result of strategic preparation. In the same way, to achieve true AI productivity, businesses must train for it. Printers like you are already learning to leverage artificial intelligence’s full potential and break the barriers that hold them back; they’re signaling that it’s time for you to embrace AI excellence, too. 

Here are just a few of the many ways AI can help your printing business:

1. Improved Efficiency: AI can automate routine tasks, freeing time for more strategic work. For example, AI can assist with proofing, inventory management, and customer service inquiries. 
2. Enhanced Customer Engagement: AI-driven insights can help tailor marketing efforts to individual customer needs. AI can provide personalized recommendations and targeted marketing campaigns by analyzing customer data, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction. 
3. Cost Savings: AI-powered automation can reduce operational costs by minimizing manual labor and improving resource management. AI can optimize production schedules, reduce waste, and streamline supply chains.

Implementing AI in Your Printing Business 

To implement AI successfully, consider the following steps: 

1. Start Small: Begin with manageable AI projects, such as generating customer service responses designed to create upsell opportunities. 
2. Invest in Training: Ensure your team is trained to use AI tools effectively. Consider online courses, workshops, or partnerships with AI solution providers. \
3. Explore Available Resources: Leverage platforms like AI4Printers.com for comprehensive training programs tailored to the printing industry. 
4. Monitor and Adapt: Continuously monitor the performance of AI initiatives and be ready to adapt based on results. Collect feedback, analyze metrics, and make adjustments to improve outcomes.

When you’re ready to improve your AI effectiveness with training, remember that AI4Printers.com offers specialized training programs to help you and your team master AI tools. Training is the key to effective AI implementation. Visit AI4Printers.com to explore available resources and start your journey towards AI excellence today. 

Join the Conversation

How are you training your team to use AI effectively? Join the conversation on our LinkedIn post to discuss this article and share your experiences. 

Now it’s your turn! What have you seen that has inspired your sales and marketing efforts? Send a note about what you noticed to dh@mi4p.com and your sighting may be featured in a future article! 

 

This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of NPSOA magazine. For more information on how you can become an NPSOA member and enjoy the many benefits offered there, contact Member Services at membership@npsoa.org or head to their website at NPSOA.org.