Are You a Leader or a Laggard?
Every week bloggers (I am no different) write on topics that are designed to make you think in new ways. This week I am really going to challenge you. First, feel free to exclude yourself from this if you are a printing company executive who is running things smoothly, leading and making money. For the rest of you, here is the challenge. Is there anyone who is truly spending time “leading” their printing organization? Not running it. Not putting out fires. Not managing it day to day. Are you truly leading? Do you have a vision for the future and a plan of how to get there? An idea without a plan is just that—an idea.
Here is what I often observe in this industry. The top-level people focus on survival. Is survival important? Of course, times are tough. However, this is not a strategy but simply a temporary Band-Aid. I hear executives say we don’t know what we want to do or where we want to go or even where we should begin. Yet, at the same time, they are spending time looking at equipment purchases or trying to “pick off” salespeople from other companies. Not good.
I hear executives share that they are drowning, buried, covered up, swamped, coming up for air, in the weeds, up to their eyeballs, running ragged. Well, you get the idea. Not good.
So, is there anyone out there who is running a printing company and wants to become a true or better leader? A leader who can create a vision and passionately help their company and team grow in an exponential manner. Is there someone who wants to understand how traditional media and digital media are different yet intersect to create amazing opportunities? Is there a person who wants to really understand what sales are about in 2013? And finally, is there a person who also wants to learn what is expected in marketing in our new world?
- Categories:
- Business Management - Marketing/Sales
Ryan T. Sauers has spent nearly 30 years running, leading or consulting with printing, graphics, promotional and visual communications-related organizations. Sauers is CEO of two companies, Sauers Consulting Strategies LLC and End Resultz Inc. that among other things, owns magazines and is a media firm. Key areas of focus of the firms include sales training, marketing strategy, personal branding, leadership development and organizational change.
Sauers is a frequent national speaker and columnist. He has been recognized as one of the top 80 CMOs globally and achieved the top designation of Certified Marketing Executive through Sales and Marketing Executives International.
Sauers is an adjunct university professor teaching leadership and communication courses to current and aspiring leaders. He is a Certified Myers Briggs, DiSC and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (one of few in the U.S. to achieve all three rigorous certifications related to human communications, personality and behavior).
Sauers has completed his doctoral-level coursework in Organizational Leadership and is now (ABD - All But Dissertation) working on his dissertation on why some entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve initial and long-term success, whereas countless others do not.
Sauers is the host of the Marketing Matters radio show in Atlanta that later becomes a global podcast. He also is the host of the Community Connections TV show that comes out in video and podcast form. Sauers is the author of the best-selling books, Everyone is in Sales, and Would You Buy from You? More info at RyanSauers.com or call (678) 825-2049 or email Ryan@RyanSauers.com
