Leading by Leading (Not by Example)...
Greetings CMYK Enthusiasts and Citizens of The Printerverse! I hope your summer has been cool, your business has been hot...and you’re getting ready for fall and drum roll...TRADE SHOW SEASON! We’ll get back to that, but let’s start here first.
As a print production person, I am used to working behind the scenes and doing whatever it takes to get the job done, knowing fully well there won’t be a windfall of cash or accolades for my efforts. I’ve termed the producer mindset to be "all guts, and no glory," and that realization is something any producer must come to terms with very early in their career, or it won't last.
Now and again however, the curtain parts and the magician(s) who make everything happen from behind, get thrown into a spotlight...a well-deserved, completely overdue, and bright spotlight, that allows everyone else a chance to see and understand what is REALLY going on back there. Such is the case with a recent article (http://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/357941/37) in Trade Show Executive about Chris Price, vice president of Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC).
The reason I wanted to share this with you might not be as obvious as you think. Sure, I work with Chris and the team at GASC, and yes they have given me the opportunity to create and manage a show floor feature at their GRAPH EXPO and PRINT shows. And of course I am eternally grateful for the exposure The Printerverse has given me and my Website. But, the reason I am sharing this with you is because of the story being told in this piece: VISION!
I am not going to recap the article. You should read it. But what I am taking away from it is that the future is in OUR hands, and with some help and a lot of work, we have the ability to create it for ourselves. For print service providers, an investment in a new press can open up multiple revenue channels, testing and using new substrates can get you into new projects and new markets, software/service investments can automate processes and help you fine tune workflow to increase profits. Target the markets you want to enter and set goals on how to get there. Don’t focus on the way things are, focus on how you want them to be then, like Chris Price, make it happen! And yeah, if it was easy everyone could do it...so lead by leading, not by example!
- Categories:
- Business Management - Marketing/Sales
Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse at Print Media Centr, a Print Buyerologist, international speaker and blogger, host of Podcasts From The Printerverse, cultivator of Print Production Professionals the #1 print group on LinkedIn, Girl #1 at Girls Who Print, host of #PrintChat, the founder of International Print Day and the founder of #ProjectPeacock. She is the recipient of several industry honors and is on the Advisory Board for the Advertising Production Club of NYC.
As the Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse, Deborah provides ‘printspiration’ and resources to print and marketing professionals through Print Media Centr. She has 25+ years of experience working in advertising as a Print Producer and now works behind the scenes with printers, suppliers and industry organizations helping them create meaningful relationships with customers and members, and achieve success with their social media, content marketing, event marketing and sales endeavors.
Twitter: @PrintMediaCentr
