We live in a world that’s saturated with data. Data can be ignored (like, did you really need to see how many new Facebook mentions you received in the last 90 seconds?), or data can be used for productive purposes, such as uncovering new sales opportunities. Today, I have two sales-related data stories to share with you. One is a data failure, and the other is a data success—first, the failure. Sales Data Fail Several years ago, we made a change in our office and installed a new water dispenser with an inline filtration system, replacing the previous dispenser that required us to swap out jugs of fresh water five gallons at a time.     If you look at the picture above, you can see the water lines coming out of the wall. We moved into the modern era and no longer had to carry water! A few of my team joked that it looked like the water was now being delivered by Ethernet! Digital water, who would have guessed?!? After the installation of the new system, I called the original water delivery service and canceled all future deliveries of those five-gallon jugs. The vendor confirmed that they’d cancel


Are you searching for a game-changing boost for your printing business? Look no further! At MI4P, we believe that remarkable partnerships begin with meaningful conversations. If you’re eager to expand your leads, increase profits, and sell more printing, our “Proven Process” is tailored just for you. Join us on a journey towards greater success, backed by over 30 years of hands-on printing expertise and innovation. Your success is our mission! Here are 10 reasons you and your print business should partner with MI4P. 1. A (No Pressure!) Plan for Your Print Business Incredible partnerships begin with great conversations. Curious about expanding leads or growing profits? During our “Proven Process” for helping you sell more printing, we’ll start with an unhurried conversation to learn who you are, your goals and challenges, and work on sharpening your marketing and technology to maximize your success. This personal consultation is convenient, flexible, and totally FREE. 2. Timely Print-Focused Content Updates Want to build trust that converts casual print buyer relationships into tangible returns? Content is one of the most effective ways to turn readers into customers, with companies that blog earning 67 percent more leads per month than brands that don’t. From smart social


Have you ever felt like you can’t do everything on your own? Or maybe you’ve wondered if your team is working as efficiently as possible. Of course, you have! Whether your team is small or large, it has the potential to accomplish much more collectively than you could alone. If you’re leading a team, you might be familiar with various personality assessments like DISC, Kolbe, Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, and CliftonStrengths (formally known as StrengthsFinder). In my experience, these assessments don’t always provide the substantial team productivity boost you were hoping for or answer the question, “How does this help me sell more printing?” But don’t worry; there’s a new tool that might just change the game for you: the Working Genius. The Working Genius Model The Working Genius model was created by Pat Lencioni. If you’re not familiar with Pat Lencioni, he’s written classic leadership books such as The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Death by Meeting. Lencioni has an amazing way of revealing business truths in an entertaining and accessible format, and he’s done that with his latest book, The 6 Types of Working Genius. The Working Genius model stands apart from other personality assessments and tools by helping


Did you know that the earliest known form of printing dates back to 200 BC in China, where ink and paper were used to create stamps? Or that one of the oldest existing books, The Diamond Sutra, is printed on a 16-foot-long scroll from 868 AD? Print has come a long way since then – its use now extends far beyond books and scrolls and is used in various forms, from newspapers and magazines to packaging and billboards. The Informed Print Buyer Today’s print buyers are more informed than ever. But how much do they know about the fascinating world of printing? To help you connect with your print buyers on a deeper level, here are a few facts that could come in handy when you need to entertain them. Helvetica: The Unfading Classic Helvetica, the font that appears everywhere, has a remarkable history. Designed in 1957 by Swiss typeface designer Max Miedinger and designer Eduard Hoffmann, it derives its name from “Helvetia,” the Latin term for Switzerland. What’s truly bizarre is that this unassuming font gained a dedicated following, inspiring documentaries, merchandise, and even its day of celebration on April 21st—known as “Helvetica Day.” It shows that a simple font


Running a printing business is no easy task, and one of the most critical factors that can make or break your success is effective leadership. Strong leadership plays a pivotal role in steering your print company towards growth. It’s not just about managing the day-to-day operations; it’s about inspiring and guiding your team to reach their full potential and drive the business forward. What’s the Big Deal About Print Leadership? A great leader sets the tone for the entire organization, print or otherwise. Your vision, passion, and commitment can be contagious, motivating your team to share your drive and dedication. By fostering a positive and creative work environment, you encourage your employees to think innovatively, leading to improved solutions and a competitive edge in the market. Solid leadership also directly impacts customer experience. When your team is inspired and focused on delivering excellence, it reflects in the quality of your services. Satisfied customers become loyal supporters and brand advocates, amplifying your business through word-of-mouth referrals. Strong leaders are also adaptable and resilient. They embrace new technologies, staying ahead of the curve and remaining competitive. The truth is, as a printing business leader, your actions and decisions influence the success and


Iconic printer Benjamin Franklin once said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Continual business growth is something that’s always expected but never really explained. How do you grow? When is the right time to take those bold next steps? These are questions that More Than Ink Printing in Jacksonville, Florida, has contemplated and recently answered. Introducing More Than Ink Printing In 2005, More Than Ink Printing began as a small newspaper print company. As the years went by, the company grew steadily and became a well-known local print shop. Today, the company employs roughly thirty people and is run by President and Co-Owner John Christiansen and Vice President and Co-Owner Aaron Canaday. Together, they’ve put their long history in the print industry to work and expanded the business. In 2017, the company’s focus shifted towards newer technology and becoming the leading printer in the area. “We’ve been growing steadily ever since, adding new people nonstop and doing all sorts of new things along the way,” explains Aaron Canaday. “One of those things has been building a larger facility, which is one more step in getting us to that next level we’re


If you’re a word nerd like me, you already know the trick to getting unstuck in any word game – you change your perspective. From rearranging the letters to spinning the board around to silently asking things like, “Is paczki* a word?”, you do whatever it takes to get your brain to engage in a different way. *(Paczki is a word, by the way, a 23-pointer!) If you’ve been feeling stuck in your ways and are looking for a fresh perspective to boost your print business, you’ve come to the right place! Here are a few tips on changing your perspective and taking your printing company to the next level. Start with why. First things first, ask yourself why changing your perspective is important. As the old saying goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” In other words, if you want to see real growth and success in your printing business, you need to be willing to try new things and think outside the box. So, how do you go about changing your perspective? Here are a few tips: Look at your business from your print buyer’s perspective. It’s easy to


Printers from across the nation gathered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this past weekend for the National Print and Sign Owners Association conference. What an incredible time of learning, connecting, and growing the future of the print industry! While events like these often leave you energized, all of your intentions can easily fall to the wayside when you find yourself back in the midst of the daily grind. That means there’s no time like the present to put your newly acquired knowledge into practice. Maximize your post-conference momentum with our top eight strategies! 1. Reflect on key takeaways Dedicate time to mentally process the information, insights, and experiences gathered at the conference. Make a list of the most important lessons learned, ideas that resonated with you, and trends that could impact your work or industry. Mapping out key takeaways will help you create a follow-up action plan. 2. Organize and review conference materials Sort through any pamphlets, business cards, and promotional materials collected during the conference. Review them carefully to ensure that no crucial information is overlooked and to refresh your memory on essential topics. 3. Restructure your personal notes Since notetaking during conferences can be somewhat scattered, it’s important to


Don’t miss the opportunity to join us at the 11th Annual NPSOA Owners Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Held from March 16-18th, this annual event is always one of the highlights of our year. We look forward to seeing and connecting with you there! It can be challenging to step away from the daily operations of your business, but it’s essential for your success. To get the most significant benefit from your time out of the office, you need to set goals and plan to make the most of this break. After all, if you’re investing money to attend a trade show, don’t you want to get something in return? Get the Most Out of Your Visit to NPSOA Conference with These 10 Tips!  To ensure your hard-earned money and time are used efficiently, here are ten strategies to capitalize on this event and attain optimal returns. 1. Do Your Homework Before attending a trade show, you must do your homework to understand all available opportunities. To ensure you are adequately prepared for success, arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and resources to help you reach your goals. Here’s a list of items worth researching before getting started: The


Every business owner knows that customer service is critical to staying competitive. But what about communicating expectations? Do you ensure your print buyers know what to expect when doing business with you? Recently, I received an email in response to an order placed by someone in our organization. It impressed me so much that I printed it out and shared it with the team. The message was short but concisely expressed precisely what the customer (me, in this case) could expect in their journey. This got me thinking—how often do we communicate these expectations with our own customers? This email response above created anticipation for the next interaction. It made me want to follow their guidelines even though they weren’t even stated. It eased my mind, knowing that there wasn’t going to be any guessing. Even more important, it makes me want to do that for my customers. It’s simple and didn’t cost a dime. The Benefits of Setting Print Buyer Expectations Upfront Setting expectations upfront is a great way to create trust and credibility with your print buyers. It gives them an idea of how your business operates and helps set up the foundation for a successful relationship between


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