What factors make a company a top place to work? This is an important question considering the average time an employee stays in a job is only about 4.5 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To employers this means more time and resources spent toward recruiting and training new employees. People leave jobs for a number of reasons, including poor management practices (“I can’t get along with my boss”) and lack of motivation and engagement. But there are also many practices you can implement to make them want to work for your company and be a more satisfied, productive employee. We’ve compiled key stats from the print and graphic arts industry’s top workplaces. Based on data provided by the 2014 winners of the Best Workplace in the Americas program, we can say that 69.6% recognize employees and have an average voluntary turnover rate of just over 7%. Take a look at the infographic below and see how your company compares. And if you think you have a great place to work, consider entering the 2015 Best Workplace in the Americas program. Download the infographic, HR Secrets from the Industry’s Top...

If you think outstanding teachers deserve education awards, this story is for you. When Ben Franklin said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn,” he may well have been talking about Professor Dan Wilson, D.I.T., of Illinois State University. Dan is the Academic winner of the 2014 Education Awards of Excellence given to an individual who has pioneered a distinguished education service, program, project, or other accomplishment in graphic communications. Nominated for this renowned award by peers as well as students, Dan has impacted many lives. His dedicated work, both in and out of the classroom, has no doubt contributed to more students getting involved in the industry. We caught up with Dan to talk about his exciting career and how he’s paving the way for tomorrow’s graphic arts professionals. Why did you decide to become a graphic arts educator? I started out working in production running a lithographic press to help with college costs. Both of my parents were teachers, so when an opportunity came along to earn a graduate degree and teach a graphic arts class as a graduate assistantship, I jumped on it. Many people who have played a role in my development as an educator, but none more so than my early mentors, Dr. Ronald Glogovsky and Dr. Ervin A. Dennis. I worked for both of these gentleman as a graduate assistant, and they opened the door for me to move forward in my career as an educator. What has been the most fulfilling part of your job? A functioning graphic communications program is a complex thing and requires a dedicated, hard-working team. I am deeply appreciative for the many great educators that I’ve had the honor of teaming with over the years. My many current students and alumni of Illinois State University and the other colleges I have worked for—their development and successes in our great industry is what my career gratification is really all about. Tell us about the organizations you are involved in outside of the classroom. Right now I chair the accreditation committee for the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC). We accredit community college and university-level graphic communications degree programs across the nation. As accreditation chair, I am responsible for assembling the audit teams, coordinating reports, and assuring that our standards for accreditation are up to date. I’m also chair of the Great Lakes Graphics Association Education (GLGA) Task Force. Our main work focus has been getting a new scholarship program off the ground. The Illinois Graphic Communications Scholarship Program (IGCSP) is in its second year and providing funds to over a dozen print-oriented graphic communications students. You’ve written several industry...

If you think outstanding teachers deserve education awards, this story is for you. When Ben Franklin said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn,” he may well have been talking about Professor Dan Wilson, D.I.T., of Illinois State University. Dan is the Academic winner of the 2014 Education Awards of Excellence given to an individual who has pioneered a distinguished education service, program, project, or other accomplishment in graphic communications. Nominated for this renowned award by peers as well as students, Dan has impacted many lives. His dedicated work, both in and out of the classroom, has no doubt contributed to more students getting involved in the industry. We caught up with Dan to talk about his exciting career and how he’s paving the way for tomorrow’s graphic arts professionals. Why did you decide to become a graphic arts educator? I started out working in production running a lithographic press to help with college costs. Both of my parents were teachers, so when an opportunity came along to earn a graduate degree and teach a graphic arts class as a graduate assistantship, I jumped on it. Many people who have played a role in my development as an educator, but none more so than my early mentors, Dr. Ronald Glogovsky and Dr. Ervin A. Dennis. I worked for both of these gentleman as a graduate assistant, and they opened the door for me to move forward in my career as an educator. What has been the most fulfilling part of your job? A functioning graphic communications program is a complex thing and requires a dedicated, hard-working team. I am deeply appreciative for the many great educators that I’ve had the honor of teaming with over the years. My many current students and alumni of Illinois State University and the other colleges I have worked for—their development and successes in our great industry is what my career gratification is really all about. Tell us about the organizations you are involved in outside of the classroom. Right now I chair the accreditation committee for the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC). We accredit community college and university-level graphic communications degree programs across the nation. As accreditation chair, I am responsible for assembling the audit teams, coordinating reports, and assuring that our standards for accreditation are up to date. I’m also chair of the Great Lakes Graphics Association Education (GLGA) Task Force. Our main work focus has been getting a new scholarship program off the ground. The Illinois Graphic Communications Scholarship Program (IGCSP) is in its second year and providing funds to over a dozen print-oriented graphic communications students. You’ve written several industry...

Binders and Printers. A match made in heaven? This year’s BIA Annual Conference, one of the most popular postpress networking and education forums, is teaming up with the 2015 Print Leadership Summit in Minneapolis May 18-19 for a synergistic event that will surely have people talking. Here Valerie Price tells us about the benefits of the NEW BIA and why their upcoming conference is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for members.  Q: As the industry continues to advance, how can postpress companies stay ahead of the game? How can they retain a competitive advantage? VP: By always knowing what is happening within the printing environment, staying up to date with the leading-edge printers, and creating partnerships between print and finishing. Another best practice is educating printers on binderies and why it’s sometimes better to send their finishing to an expert rather than trying to keep everything in house. Q: The BIA rebranded in 2014. Can you tell us about the BIA’s fresh focus and the benefits it offers members? VP: Our new value proposition expands the member services. Not only can companies join the BIA directly now, but we also have our own industry-specific Ratios, training through the Integrated Learning Center, and many more unique advantages. BIA members now have access to the Human Resource listserv, moderated by PIA’s Jim Kyger, and have direct access to environmental, health, and safety resources with the help of expert Gary Jones. These are huge assets to smaller companies that do not have the resources. And that’s not all. BIA members also enjoy access to the monthly newsletter Bound for Excellence, Peer Groups, and so much more. Read the extended interview with Valerie Price, including an insider’s look at the upcoming BIA Conference, in the April issue of The Magazine (member login...

Binders and Printers. A match made in heaven? This year’s BIA Annual Conference, one of the most popular postpress networking and education forums, is teaming up with the 2015 Print Leadership Summit in Minneapolis May 18-19 for a synergistic event that will surely have people talking. Here Valerie Price tells us about the benefits of the NEW BIA and why their upcoming conference is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for members.  Q: As the industry continues to advance, how can postpress companies stay ahead of the game? How can they retain a competitive advantage? VP: By always knowing what is happening within the printing environment, staying up to date with the leading-edge printers, and creating partnerships between print and finishing. Another best practice is educating printers on binderies and why it’s sometimes better to send their finishing to an expert rather than trying to keep everything in house. Q: The BIA rebranded in 2014. Can you tell us about the BIA’s fresh focus and the benefits it offers members? VP: Our new value proposition expands the member services. Not only can companies join the BIA directly now, but we also have our own industry-specific Ratios, training through the Integrated Learning Center, and many more unique advantages. BIA members now have access to the Human Resource listserv, moderated by PIA’s Jim Kyger, and have direct access to environmental, health, and safety resources with the help of expert Gary Jones. These are huge assets to smaller companies that do not have the resources. And that’s not all. BIA members also enjoy access to the monthly newsletter Bound for Excellence, Peer Groups, and so much more. Read the extended interview with Valerie Price, including an insider’s look at the upcoming BIA Conference, in the April issue of The Magazine (member login...