Registration Now Open! Three-part Print Management Seminar Series starts August 6, 2024.
Do you know everything you need to know about running a successful print operation? Do you wonder if yours could be running better, or more profitably?
Whether you’re a printer that mails, a mailer that also prints, an in-plant operation, or another variation, if your business involves a print operation, then you know how critical proper management of it can be. From having an efficient workflow, knowing how to improve weak areas, to accurately evaluating performance and maximizing financial opportunities, print shop managers and supervisors need the proper knowledge and tools to operate successfully.
This webinar series is designed with these needs in mind. Over three days, print industry expert Howie Fenton will deliver the information and teach the skills and strategies to help you and your staff keep your print operations at top-level. Whether you’re a seasoned manager looking for insight and to review fundamentals, or new to the print side and getting a handle on setting up your operation, this seminar series will have valuable, actionable information you need. Three sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes, will be presented live via Zoom on August 6-8, 2024, at 1 PM ET. Attendees will also have access to recordings for two weeks after the live sessions, so that the information may be reviewed and better retained and implemented.
To learn more about each session, as well as our presenter Howie Fenton, continue reading below. For an additional introduction to what these sessions will cover, please watch Howie’s June 18th webinar, “Print Management Basics”, available on the Mailers Hub YouTube channel.
Registration is $169 for Mailers Hub subscribers, and $249 for non-subscribers.
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The series is available as a block – attendance is not required at each session, but sessions are not available for individual registration. Please email Mailers Hub with any questions.
Part 1: Evaluating and Improving Your Print Production Workflows – Tuesday, August 6, at 1 PM ET
This seminar is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to evaluate and optimize their print production processes. Participants will begin by exploring the current state of their workflows, identifying common issues such as integration challenges, missing meaningful data, and the complexity of managing multiple workflows.
Through myth-busting sessions, participants will learn that effective workflow management strategies can vary widely, from lean six sigma and best practices to agile methods. Practical tools, whether pen and paper, spreadsheets, or integrated software, will be examined for their role in streamlining operations across different printing technologies and production types.
The seminar will delve into the core components of workflow, emphasizing the necessity of efficient staff training, robust procedures, adequate equipment, and ongoing staff development. Attendees will understand how workflow impacts manufacturing costs, turnaround times, competitiveness, and the ability to innovate and create new products and services.
A significant focus will be on practical tips for mastering existing software, overcoming common technical issues, and reorganizing plant layouts to eliminate bottlenecks. Participants will learn to measure and address rework, reduce unnecessary touchpoints, and leverage automation tools to enhance productivity.
Through case studies and real-world examples, Howie Fenton will illustrate the impact of poor workflows on productivity and cost, and how addressing these issues can lead to substantial annual savings. The seminar will also cover the integration of modern workflow tools such as print MIS, web-to-print solutions, and prepress PDF workflows.
By the end of this seminar, attendees will be equipped with actionable strategies to identify and repair inefficiencies in their print production workflows, ultimately leading to improved performance, increased customer satisfaction, and higher profitability.
Part 2: Benchmarking Performance Against Printing Industry Leaders – Wednesday, August 7, at 1 PM ET
In today’s competitive printing industry, understanding and implementing effective benchmarking strategies is critical to achieving operational excellence and staying ahead of the competition. This seminar, will provide participants with comprehensive insights into the principles and practices of benchmarking performance against industry leaders. Participants will learn how to identify key performance indicators (KPIs), measure productivity, and apply best practices to improve their own operations.
The seminar will begin with an introduction to benchmarking, explaining its definition and importance within the printing industry, and providing an overview of the industry’s landscape and key challenges. Participants will then explore methods for identifying and measuring relevant KPIs, and examine case studies on successful KPI implementation. The course will delve into various benchmarking techniques, focusing on comparing performance to industry leaders and utilizing financial metrics such as Sales Per Employee (SPE) and Payroll as a Percentage of Revenue (PAPR). The role of volume and growth metrics in benchmarking will also be covered.
To help participants improve productivity and efficiency, the seminar will provide strategies for increasing productivity through better measurement, identifying and eliminating bottlenecks, and understanding the impact of automation and advanced technology. Financial and operational metrics will be discussed in detail, including how to create report cards and performance summaries, and analyze and act on financial data to drive improvements.
Customer feedback and innovation are crucial components of the course, with participants learning how to collect and leverage customer feedback, build new products and services based on customer needs, and review case studies on successful customer-driven innovation. Best practices and tools will be explored, offering an overview of industry-leading tools and software, practical tips for implementing best-in-class solutions, and success stories from top performers.
The seminar will conclude with guidance on developing and executing actionable plans based on benchmarking results, setting goals and measuring progress, and creating a culture of continuous improvement within an organization. By the end of this seminar, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to benchmark their performance against industry leaders and implement strategies to drive significant improvements in their printing operations.
Part 3: Making More Money With Your Printing Operation – Thursday, August 8, at 1 PM ET.
This seminar, is designed to equip print professionals with actionable strategies to boost your bottom line. The seminar will start by addressing the current challenges in the printing industry and the importance of understanding and managing costs accurately. Participants will learn about different cost and pricing strategies, with a focus on the budgeted hourly rate (BHR) and how to ensure costs are up-to-date and competitive. The session will emphasize the necessity of precise cost calculations to maintain profitability and competitiveness.
The seminar will delve into various workflow improvement approaches. Quick tips for mastering existing software, identifying often overlooked color issues, and overcoming computer and network problems will be provided. Participants will explore more intensive strategies, such as DIY software, training schedules, cross-training staff, managing color quality, fast preflight processes, and overcoming bottlenecks. The seminar will also cover the most substantial efforts that yield the greatest results, including using measurements to improve workflow, identifying issues with flowcharts, and buying middleware to bridge gaps across different areas.
Myth-busting sessions will clarify misconceptions about management strategies, tools, and technologies used in the printing industry. Whether dealing with quick printing, commercial printing, or digital mailrooms, participants will discover that all workflows share similar problems and require similar diagnostic tools and solutions.
Participants will gain insights into enhancing productivity and reducing costs through automation and strategic use of software solutions, such as web-to-print, print MIS, and prepress automation. The seminar will highlight the importance of training and quality process control methods like Lean, Six Sigma, and ISO standards.
Marketing and sales strategies will also be a key focus. The seminar will cover how to build awareness programs, utilize effective sales tactics, and implement customer feedback systems to enhance service offerings and increase customer satisfaction.
By the end of this seminar, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to identify cost-saving opportunities, optimize workflows, and implement pricing and marketing initiatives to significantly improve the profitability of their printing operations. This course is ideal for print production managers, business owners, and anyone involved in the financial and operational aspects of a printing business.
Presented by Howie Fenton
Howie Fenton has served as a leading consultant to the graphic arts industry for nearly 4 decades years, advising commercial and in-plant printers, book publishers, large format printers and franchise companies. An accomplished author, Fenton has penned five books along with countless articles and blogs, establishing himself as an authority in the field. His reputation as a dynamic speaker and expert consultant is well-earned.
Fenton’s expertise lies in benchmarking operational and financial performance, analyzing industry best practices employed by market leaders. With a remarkable history of serving over 500 companies, Fenton’s track record boasts a consistent ability to enhance any workflow or production strategy he encounters. His wealth of experience has led to national speaking tours, including prestigious events such as Apple Power Tools for Publishing, Agfa Across America, Banta Technovation, PIA Orientation to the Graphic Arts, and Xerox Innovate. With over two decades of experience at organizations like GATF, PIA, NAPL, and InfoTrends, Fenton has honed his skills to a fine edge, which led to the inception of his own enterprise, Howie Fenton Consulting.