Most business owners and HR professionals know that a diversified workplace has significant benefits, and gender diversity is critical. But do you know that the diversity of your firm compared to your competitors can affect your overall business success? If you are a woman in this industry or thinking about entering, you’ll want to read this. Having more women in key leadership roles isn’t just a good HR policy; it’s also directly related to the success of your business, according to a recent study from DDI and The Conference Board, titled The Global Leadership Forecast (GLF) 2014 | 2015, Ready-Now Leaders: Meeting Tomorrow’s Business Challenges. The study examined 13,124 global leaders and 1,528 human resource executives representing 32 different industries from 48 countries. Of the 2,031 participating organizations, those in the top 20% of financial performance indicated significantly higher numbers of women in leadership positons. Of the top 20% of surveyed businesses, the count of women in leadership positions was 37%, while those in the bottom 20% reported only 19%. The same went for women considered to have a “high potential” for leadership capabilities (or above-average employees with the potential to move into leadership roles). Firm’s Financial Standing Women as Leaders Women as “High Potential” Top 20% 37% 12% Bottom 20% 19% 8%   Women In Print: Still Room For Improvement When we compare these findings to the printing industry, numbers indicate that although we fall slightly below average, there have been strong improvements in the number of women leaders in print. Take a look at the 2013 Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) Key HR Metrics report, which analyzed 27 different graphic arts companies recognized for their outstanding human relations efforts that contribute to a successful workplace. The average percent of women in management positions at BWA award-winning companies was 26.4 or 33.4% less when compared to the DDI study of world-wide companies. While men in management positions averaged at 73.6%. (If your company has an outstanding HR program, consider entering the BWA competition. Learn more at www.printing.org/bwa.) Similar results are shown in the 2011 Visual Communications Journal study of 349 women in the industry by Dr. Twyla J. Cummings, Senior Associate Dean and Professor, Graduate Executive Board Advisor, College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology (posted on the PrintMediaCentr.com blog in July 2014). It indicates some key trends on how women are positioned in our industry today as compared to the findings of a similar study done in 2000. Here are just a few of the significant findings: More women have titles of Sr. Manager/Owner and Middle Manager compared to the 2000 study. There was a drop in the reported number for Sales/Marketing,...

Most business owners and HR professionals know that a diversified workplace has significant benefits, and gender diversity is critical. But do you know that the diversity of your firm compared to your competitors can affect your overall business success? If you are a woman in this industry or thinking about entering, you’ll want to read this. Having more women in key leadership roles isn’t just a good HR policy; it’s also directly related to the success of your business, according to a recent study from DDI and The Conference Board, titled The Global Leadership Forecast (GLF) 2014 | 2015, Ready-Now Leaders: Meeting Tomorrow’s Business Challenges. The study examined 13,124 global leaders and 1,528 human resource executives representing 32 different industries from 48 countries. Of the 2,031 participating organizations, those in the top 20% of financial performance indicated significantly higher numbers of women in leadership positons. Of the top 20% of surveyed businesses, the count of women in leadership positions was 37%, while those in the bottom 20% reported only 19%. The same went for women considered to have a “high potential” for leadership capabilities (or above-average employees with the potential to move into leadership roles). Firm’s Financial Standing Women as Leaders Women as “High Potential” Top 20% 37% 12% Bottom 20% 19% 8%   Women In Print: Still Room For Improvement When we compare these findings to the printing industry, numbers indicate that although we fall slightly below average, there have been strong improvements in the number of women leaders in print. Take a look at the 2013 Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) Key HR Metrics report, which analyzed 27 different graphic arts companies recognized for their outstanding human relations efforts that contribute to a successful workplace. The average percent of women in management positions at BWA award-winning companies was 26.4 or 33.4% less when compared to the DDI study of world-wide companies. While men in management positions averaged at 73.6%. (If your company has an outstanding HR program, consider entering the BWA competition. Learn more at www.printing.org/bwa.) Similar results are shown in the 2011 Visual Communications Journal study of 349 women in the industry by Dr. Twyla J. Cummings, Senior Associate Dean and Professor, Graduate Executive Board Advisor, College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology (posted on the PrintMediaCentr.com blog in July 2014). It indicates some key trends on how women are positioned in our industry today as compared to the findings of a similar study done in 2000. Here are just a few of the significant findings: More women have titles of Sr. Manager/Owner and Middle Manager compared to the 2000 study. There was a drop in the reported number for Sales/Marketing,...

Picture this: Upon returning to the office from GRAPH EXPO 14, you meet with your boss to talk about a current project. What impresses her (more than that deep-dish Chicago-style pizza you had) is that you now have solid solutions to implement that save your company time and money! Congrats to you, star employee, for discussing your challenges with the experienced, knowledgeable Printing Industries of America experts at Booth #3667. They’re here to answer your specific questions in person and help you find solutions related to EHS, integrated print, economic forecasting, and more.  We’ll show you just where you can meet them—at our booth, presenting seminars, and throughout the show. Julie Shaffer Vice President, Digital Strategies Years of experience—I’ve been in industry in one aspect or another for more than 24 years.   Main area of expertise—My expertise has evolved. In prepress, I have solid knowledge in image editing, layout and design, color management, workflow automation, proofing, and imaging. Having managed the Digital Printing Council, I understand digital printing and production and direct marketing applications. I’ve written books on PDF, social media, and web-to-print. Now I’m focusing on 3D printing and developing online training programs to help members learn all of the above and researching new and disruptive technologies that may impact the industry. Julie’s integrated print tip—“The USPS website is a great place to find case studies, templates, and tips for designing a direct mail piece. This great free resource is at www.usps.com/business/mail-it.htm.” Meet Julie—I’ll be demoing the new Integrated Learning Center at our booth, #3667. You can also find me presenting several seminars: “3D Printing: NEW Profit Pathway for Commercial Printers,” Sunday, September 28 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. in R8; then “Color Management for ‘Non-Techies’,” Monday, September 29, 4:00–5:30 p.m. in R31; finally a Computer Lab “Digital Print Design: 20 Things You MUST Know Now,” Tuesday, September 30, 2:00–5:00 p.m. Ed Gleeson Director of Economics & Market Research Years of experience—I’ve been in the industry for 8 years as an economic and market researcher. Main area of expertise—Tracking industry trends such as profitability, sales, pricing, cost, etc., and providing the industry with this information so they can make better informed decisions. Ed’s tip for profitability—“According to our Ratios database, small- and medium-size printers that are profit leaders are just as profitable as their larger counterparts. During the seminar, we’ll explore why profit leaders earn 4 to 5 times as much as the average printer.” Meet Ed—Join me forthe seminar, “Beyond Survival: NEW Success Strategies for Small & Medium Sized Printers,” on September 30, 8:30–10:00 a.m. in R36. Gary Jones Assistant Vice President, EHS Affairs Years of experience—27 years. Main area of expertise—Federal (e.g., EPA, OSHA, DOT, CSPC, USDA, FTC,...

Picture this: Upon returning to the office from GRAPH EXPO 14, you meet with your boss to talk about a current project. What impresses her (more than that deep-dish Chicago-style pizza you had) is that you now have solid solutions to implement that save your company time and money! Congrats to you, star employee, for discussing your challenges with the experienced, knowledgeable Printing Industries of America experts at Booth #3667. They’re here to answer your specific questions in person and help you find solutions related to EHS, integrated print, economic forecasting, and more.  We’ll show you just where you can meet them—at our booth, presenting seminars, and throughout the show. Julie Shaffer Vice President, Digital Strategies Years of experience—I’ve been in industry in one aspect or another for more than 24 years.   Main area of expertise—My expertise has evolved. In prepress, I have solid knowledge in image editing, layout and design, color management, workflow automation, proofing, and imaging. Having managed the Digital Printing Council, I understand digital printing and production and direct marketing applications. I’ve written books on PDF, social media, and web-to-print. Now I’m focusing on 3D printing and developing online training programs to help members learn all of the above and researching new and disruptive technologies that may impact the industry. Julie’s integrated print tip—“The USPS website is a great place to find case studies, templates, and tips for designing a direct mail piece. This great free resource is at www.usps.com/business/mail-it.htm.” Meet Julie—I’ll be demoing the new Integrated Learning Center at our booth, #3667. You can also find me presenting several seminars: “3D Printing: NEW Profit Pathway for Commercial Printers,” Sunday, September 28 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. in R8; then “Color Management for ‘Non-Techies’,” Monday, September 29, 4:00–5:30 p.m. in R31; finally a Computer Lab “Digital Print Design: 20 Things You MUST Know Now,” Tuesday, September 30, 2:00–5:00 p.m. Dillon Mooney Technical Consultant, Certified SHOTS Trainer Years of experience—34 years. Main area of expertise—Technical consulting and press and technical advice. Dillon’s cost-saving tip—“Preventive equipment maintenance is cost effective and helps ensure high-quality products. Quality will not exceed the most neglected subsystem on any press.” Meet Dillon—You can find me in and around the Printing Industries of America Booth #3667 or out meeting with vendors and scoping out the exciting new technologies. Ed Gleeson Director of Economics & Market Research Years of experience—I’ve been in the industry for 8 years as an economic and market researcher. Main area of expertise—Tracking industry trends such as profitability, sales, pricing, cost, etc., and providing the industry with this information so they can make better informed decisions. Ed’s tip for profitability—“According to our Ratios database, small- and medium-size printers that are profit leaders...

Picture this: Upon returning to the office from GRAPH EXPO 14, you meet with your boss to talk about a current project. What impresses her (more than that deep-dish Chicago-style pizza you had) is that you now have solid solutions to implement that save your company time and money! Congrats to you, star employee, for discussing your challenges with the experienced, knowledgeable Printing Industries of America experts at Booth #3667. They’re here to answer your specific questions in person and help you find solutions related to EHS, integrated print, economic forecasting, and more.  We’ll show you just where you can meet them—at our booth, presenting seminars, and throughout the show. Julie Shaffer Vice President, Digital Strategies Years of experience—I’ve been in industry in one aspect or another for more than 24 years.   Main area of expertise—My expertise has evolved. In prepress, I have solid knowledge in image editing, layout and design, color management, workflow automation, proofing, and imaging. Having managed the Digital Printing Council, I understand digital printing and production and direct marketing applications. I’ve written books on PDF, social media, and web-to-print. Now I’m focusing on 3D printing and developing online training programs to help members learn all of the above and researching new and disruptive technologies that may impact the industry. Julie’s integrated print tip—“The USPS website is a great place to find case studies, templates, and tips for designing a direct mail piece. This great free resource is at www.usps.com/business/mail-it.htm.” Meet Julie—I’ll be demoing the new Integrated Learning Center at our booth, #3667. You can also find me presenting several seminars: “3D Printing: NEW Profit Pathway for Commercial Printers,” Sunday, September 28 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. in R8; then “Color Management for ‘Non-Techies’,” Monday, September 29, 4:00–5:30 p.m. in R31; finally a Computer Lab “Digital Print Design: 20 Things You MUST Know Now,” Tuesday, September 30, 2:00–5:00 p.m. Ed Gleeson Director of Economics & Market Research Years of experience—I’ve been in the industry for 8 years as an economic and market researcher. Main area of expertise—Tracking industry trends such as profitability, sales, pricing, cost, etc., and providing the industry with this information so they can make better informed decisions. Ed’s tip for profitability—“According to our Ratios database, small- and medium-size printers that are profit leaders are just as profitable as their larger counterparts. During the seminar, we’ll explore why profit leaders earn 4 to 5 times as much as the average printer.” Meet Ed—Join me forthe seminar, “Beyond Survival: NEW Success Strategies for Small & Medium Sized Printers,” on September 30, 8:30–10:00 a.m. in R36. Gary Jones Assistant Vice President, EHS Affairs Years of experience—27 years. Main area of expertise—Federal (e.g., EPA, OSHA, DOT, CSPC, USDA, FTC,...