Prepare for New Changes in Employee Training
No one ever said change was easy. But that’s never stopped you in the past, has it? Those of us in the printing industry have always had to learn new technologies, incorporate new equipment, and provide new services to our clients. Change and learning are part of our DNA! Another industry experiencing major change is education, where there is a significant growth trend in online learning. You may have heard about more and more college students taking virtual classes, while some are even earning their degrees entirely online—amazing! This trend is also very evident in employee education. Today, eLearning is a $56.2 billion business and is expected to grow to over $100 billion by 2015. In fact 40% of Fortune 500 companies are turning away from traditional instruction-based learning and investing in online learning (ELearning Magazine, 2013). But it’s not just the huge corporations that are benefitting from virtual education. Printing Industries of America is set to launch a variety of Web-based, industry-focused workshops via a brand new online platform, the Integrated Learning Center. Whether you call all it eLearning, Web-based training, or virtual education, the Integrated Learning Center platform is developed to provide a one-stop-shopping solution to your training needs. This platform raises an exciting opportunity for progressive print and graphic arts companies that view online learning as a competitive weapon, rather than merely an added cost. High-quality employee performance, a key to business success, relies significantly on high-quality training. Online learning, as evidenced in the statistics below, can prove to be more efficient and effective than traditional learning methods and results in greater productivity and competitive gains. Need more convincing that virtual training is right for educating your staff? We’ve highlighted five of the most valuable benefits for our industry members as they apply to both managers and employees. 1. Quality education on demand Managers: One of the biggest differentiators between online and instructor-based learning is that you can access it virtually any time, anywhere. Since most eLearning programs allow unlimited access, managers have greater flexibility in scheduling training time for employees. Employees: Education is a valuable career asset. eLearning is proven to increase knowledge retention by 25% to 60% over traditional learning methods. (Corporate eLearning Exploring a New Frontier, WR Hambrecht) And since eLearning is self-paced, employees can learn at rates appropriate to their individual knowledge level. 2. Less time and expense compared to off-site learning Managers: Time and money—two resources most managers wouldn’t mind saving. Recent research shows businesses save at least 50% by replacing traditional instructor-based training with eLearning. Additionally eLearning cuts instruction time by up to 60%. Employees: Those who have online training are more valuable employees. According to a new report by IBM, companies that use eLearning tools and strategies have the potential to boost productivity by 50%. Plus companies that offer eLearning generate about 26% more revenue per employee. 3. Greater ability to adapt to industry changes compared to competitors Managers: Looking to boost your competitive edge? Seventy-two percent of companies stated that eLearning helps them keep up to date with changes in their industry, which helps them to remain competitive within their niche. (CertifyMe.net) In fact, firms that offer Web-based learning are 46% more likely to be the leader in their industry. (Bersin & Associates) Employees: Looking to advance...
read moreSouthern California Printer Purchases New Eight-Color KBA Rapida 105 Sheetfed UV Press for Added Capacity
DALLAS—April 16, 2014—KBA North America announces that K-1 Packaging Group, a designer and manufacturer of high-end, graphic packaging materials for retail items located in City of Industry, CA, is anticipating the arrival of its new…
read moreBack to Reality: A look at real, successful augmented reality applications
This blog has been adapted from an article by Steve Deitz, President/Creative Director, 900lbs of Creative, and keynote speaker at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3,Dallas, TX. Remember when companies first began talking about applying augmented reality to printed materials? What seemed like science fiction is becoming, well, reality, and providing some uniquely creative, engaging marketing pieces for companies. If you’re not familiar, augmented reality adds new layers to the traditional print campaign. Using their mobile device, a reader scans a flat, 2D marker. The result is 3D virtual content that appears, simultaneously, layered on top of the 2D marker and the physical world. It also adds an additional layer of interactivity and creates a visual, tangible storytelling experience. Basically, it blends the user’s physical world and digital content into a single, multidimensional image. But does augmented reality really work in the real world? Well, try feeling the sensation of driving over rugged terrain or the experience of redesigning your homes—all through print! Here are a few campaigns that showcase how companies are successfully marrying this technology with traditional print campaigns. Drive a Land Rover How would you like to experience the adventure of driving a Land Rover vehicle? The car company designed a fold-out cover for the November 2013 issue of Esquire magazine that engaged readers with a white-knuckled virtual ride over rocky terrain. The cutting-edge spread featured three augmented reality-enabled pages that delivered a multi-sensory experience, including audio and vibration. Plus first-person perspective images gave readers the feeling they were in the driver’s seat. This campaign reached Blippar’s “Top 5 Most Liked/Shared” augmented reality experiences in history. Try Before You Buy with IKEA No one enjoys buying a piece of furniture only to find it doesn’t fit in your house or go with your décor. IKEA created a solution. Using the IKEA app and their catalog as the marker, the company was able to let their customers “test drive” IKEA products in their homes before making a purchase. The results were thousands of customer-shared pictures posted on social media sites, and the campaign’s positive effects are still being felt today. Imagine Your Lego Creation One of the first companies to put augmented reality into action, Lego created a package in 2009 that, when held up to a kiosk in their store, would display a 3D finished version of that product. The marker is the printed imagery on the front of the box. Today, kids and parents can get the same experience at home when they hold their mobile device in front of the Lego catalog and engage their imagination when they see what they can create. This feature has proven to be an effective sales tool for the company. Looking toward the future, augmented reality is a reality for many companies, with uses from engagement marketing to displaying information about your surroundings, like Google Goggles (app available for Android and Apple) to staying connected with devices like smart glasses. Whatever the medium, augmented reality applications will continue to expand. As printers this is an important trend to keep up on and discover ways you can use it to your advantage. Learn more about Steve Deitz’s session, The New World of Experiential Marketing, at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, happening June 2–3, in Dallas,...
read moreBack to Reality: A look at real, successful augmented reality applications
This blog has been adapted from an article by Steve Deitz, President/Creative Director, 900lbs of Creative, and keynote speaker at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3,Dallas, TX. Remember when companies first began talking about applying augmented reality to printed materials? What seemed like science fiction is becoming, well, reality, and providing some uniquely creative, engaging marketing pieces for companies. If you’re not familiar, augmented reality adds new layers to the traditional print campaign. Using their mobile device, a reader scans a flat, 2D marker. The result is 3D virtual content that appears, simultaneously, layered on top of the 2D marker and the physical world. It also adds an additional layer of interactivity and creates a visual, tangible storytelling experience. Basically, it blends the user’s physical world and digital content into a single, multidimensional image. But does augmented reality really work in the real world? Well, try feeling the sensation of driving over rugged terrain or the experience of redesigning your homes—all through print! Here are a few campaigns that showcase how companies are successfully marrying this technology with traditional print campaigns. Drive a Land Rover How would you like to experience the adventure of driving a Land Rover vehicle? The car company designed a fold-out cover for the November 2013 issue of Esquire magazine that engaged readers with a white-knuckled virtual ride over rocky terrain. The cutting-edge spread featured three augmented reality-enabled pages that delivered a multi-sensory experience, including audio and vibration. Plus first-person perspective images gave readers the feeling they were in the driver’s seat. This campaign reached Blippar’s “Top 5 Most Liked/Shared” augmented reality experiences in history. Try Before You Buy with IKEA No one enjoys buying a piece of furniture only to find it doesn’t fit in your house or go with your décor. IKEA created a solution. Using the IKEA app and their catalog as the marker, the company was able to let their customers “test drive” IKEA products in their homes before making a purchase. The results were thousands of customer-shared pictures posted on social media sites, and the campaign’s positive effects are still being felt today. Imagine Your Lego Creation One of the first companies to put augmented reality into action, Lego created a package in 2009 that, when held up to a kiosk in their store, would display a 3D finished version of that product. The marker is the printed imagery on the front of the box. Today, kids and parents can get the same experience at home when they hold their mobile device in front of the Lego catalog and engage their imagination when they see what they can create. This feature has proven to be an effective sales tool for the company. Looking toward the future, augmented reality is a reality for many companies, with uses from engagement marketing to displaying information about your surroundings, like Google Goggles (app available for Android and Apple) to staying connected with devices like smart glasses. Whatever the medium, augmented reality applications will continue to expand. As printers this is an important trend to keep up on and discover ways you can use it to your advantage. Learn more about Steve Deitz’s session, The New World of Experiential Marketing, at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, happening June 2–3, in Dallas,...
read moreBuilding the Future: Four Top Technology Trends to Get You There
This blog is adapted from the article “The Future of the Print Industry” by Joseph Puopolo, CEO, Printchomp, and featured speaker at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3, Dallas, TX. What’s one word to sum up the future of print? Adaptation. Yes, what seems to be the law of nature also holds true for the print industry, along with many others. Those who adapt and effectively use new technologies will survive, while those who don’t … well, let’s say that it pays to listen to experts. But deciding which technology to invest in can be a major challenge for many print companies. Here, one expert, Joseph Puopolo, CEO and Founder of Printchomp, a 15-year leader in the tech industry, offers insights into trending technologies and how printers can use them to their advantage. When Puopolo set out to find the most effective solutions for both printers and customers, he came to a realization. He noticed that, among the thousands of printers he’s worked with, four major trends stand out that are critical to future success. The future belongs to those who adapt to these changes in technology. Trend #1: Automation If you want to significantly reduce inefficiencies in your print shop, workflow automation is a must. This is a growing trend in both work and order flow. Automation has shown to be the most effective way to increase turnaround time and lower waste. Sales are rising too, thanks to the latest automated systems. While traditional sales methods still hold their importance, printers are building more intuitive automated lead-generation engines to help fill the new customer deficit. Learn more about automation as Poupolo presents “Automating the Flow of Data In and Out of Your Organization” at Printing Industries of America’s innovative 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3, Dallas, TX. Trend #2: Specialization A customer goes to a customized printer and gets a price quote. Then that customer takes the same job to a generalized printer and gets an entirely different quote! If your print shop has ever had to deal with a situation like this, you know why product specialization is growing. It allows for efficient product delivery at a reasonable price to the target customer. Specialized printers’ margins are often better than the generalized Jack-of-all-trades printers who may offer a wide range of products, but are often forced to rely more heavily on trade printers for most of their fulfillment. Trend #3: Integration In an on-demand world, customers don’t want to use multiple systems or go through multiple people to get what they need. Go through any fast food drive-through, and it’s clear—people just expect things to happen. Printers need to integrate their clients with their operation to be successful in the future. One way to do this is to eliminate manual processes. Allow clients to order from their own internal systems and send data directly to you. Provide a vertically integrated system with the flexibility to source from multiple geographic locations. Trend #4: Contextualization As input mechanisms change, the context in which customers are ordering print is shifting considerably. Now with new technology, like Web apps, ordering patterns are different, and mid-level managers are adopting a Web-first approach to sourcing. Geography, turnaround times, and product needs are affecting customers’ context, and buyers—even those with established relationships—are looking...
read moreBuilding the Future: Four Top Technology Trends to Get You There
This blog is adapted from the article “The Future of the Print Industry” by Joseph Puopolo, CEO, Printchomp, and featured speaker at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3, Dallas, TX. What’s one word to sum up the future of print? Adaptation. Yes, what seems to be the law of nature also holds true for the print industry, along with many others. Those who adapt and effectively use new technologies will survive, while those who don’t … well, let’s say that it pays to listen to experts. But deciding which technology to invest in can be a major challenge for many print companies. Here, one expert, Joseph Puopolo, CEO and Founder of Printchomp, a 15-year leader in the tech industry, offers insights into trending technologies and how printers can use them to their advantage. When Puopolo set out to find the most effective solutions for both printers and customers, he came to a realization. He noticed that, among the thousands of printers he’s worked with, four major trends stand out that are critical to future success. The future belongs to those who adapt to these changes in technology. Trend #1: Automation If you want to significantly reduce inefficiencies in your print shop, workflow automation is a must. This is a growing trend in both work and order flow. Automation has shown to be the most effective way to increase turnaround time and lower waste. Sales are rising too, thanks to the latest automated systems. While traditional sales methods still hold their importance, printers are building more intuitive automated lead-generation engines to help fill the new customer deficit. Learn more about automation as Poupolo presents “Automating the Flow of Data In and Out of Your Organization” at Printing Industries of America’s innovative 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3, Dallas, TX. Trend #2: Specialization A customer goes to a customized printer and gets a price quote. Then that customer takes the same job to a generalized printer and gets an entirely different quote! If your print shop has ever had to deal with a situation like this, you know why product specialization is growing. It allows for efficient product delivery at a reasonable price to the target customer. Specialized printers’ margins are often better than the generalized Jack-of-all-trades printers who may offer a wide range of products, but are often forced to rely more heavily on trade printers for most of their fulfillment. Trend #3: Integration In an on-demand world, customers don’t want to use multiple systems or go through multiple people to get what they need. Go through any fast food drive-through, and it’s clear—people just expect things to happen. Printers need to integrate their clients with their operation to be successful in the future. One way to do this is to eliminate manual processes. Allow clients to order from their own internal systems and send data directly to you. Provide a vertically integrated system with the flexibility to source from multiple geographic locations. Trend #4: Contextualization As input mechanisms change, the context in which customers are ordering print is shifting considerably. Now with new technology, like Web apps, ordering patterns are different, and mid-level managers are adopting a Web-first approach to sourcing. Geography, turnaround times, and product needs are affecting customers’ context, and buyers—even those with established relationships—are looking...
read moreHeidelberg’s XL 75 Anicolor Digital Offset Press Launch Exceeds Expectations
KENNESAW, GA—April 14, 2014—Heidelberg threw a hotly anticipated coming-out party for its groundbreaking XL 75 Anicolor digital offset press on March 19, at the company’s North American Print and Packaging Technology Center…
read moreU.S., Canadian Printers Invited to RYOBI MHI Open House in Metro Atlanta
MARIETTA, GA—April 9, 2014—The eight-up RYOBI 920 series press with built-in LED-UV instant curing technology will be shown in continuous live demonstrations May 7-8, at the RYOBI MHI North American Demonstration Center in metro…
read moreWhat You Need to Know About I-9 Employment Verification: How to Get Your Firm Ready for ICE
Today, many companies employ more diverse workforces. Do you have the up-to-date Form I-9 to prove that every employee in your firm is identified and verified to work in the U.S.? If not, your company could face serious fines. HR professionals and business owners may know that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently stepped up employer audits, and two printing firms have already been targeted this year. Luckily, the firms received advance notice from ICE about the audit and contacted Printing Industries’ Human Relations Department for help. Every day many companies are receiving an audit notification, or Notice of Inspection (NOI), from the ICE. When you receive this notice, you have only three days to produce the Forms I-9. If you are unsure if your firm is prepared for ICE, read on! Avoiding Problems with ICE Unlike the kind brought on by freezing temperature, this type of ICE can be avoided easily by following a few easy steps to prepare. If you are an HR professional or business owner, taking the right precautions can make a big difference in whether you pass or fail a Form I-9 audit. Review the Fact Sheet: Form I-9 Inspection Overview to learn more about the audit process. If audited, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation, which may include a copy of the payroll, list of current employees, Articles of Incorporation, and business licenses. Have new hires? This video will help you ease the process and explain to your new employee why the Form I-9 is necessary and how to complete it. This Employee Information Sheet is also a useful tool to highlight the I-9 process for new hires (there’s a Spanish version available as well). You, as the employer, are responsible for completing sections two and three of the Form I-9. Find a video explaining the details of Section Two here and Section Three here. Penalties You could Face These HR resources can help streamline the process for ensuring that you are in compliance with Form I-9. However, in the case that you do not meet all of the inspection criteria, these are the penalties you should be aware of: If corrections for a technical or procedural violation are not rectified within 10 business days, you could receive a fine for all uncorrected violations. When an unauthorized worker is knowingly hired or continually employed, ICE will require their employer to cease all unlawful activity, institute a fine, and may criminally prosecute the company. The firm may also be debarred and ineligible for some government benefits. The fees for knowingly hiring or employing unauthorized workers ranges anywhere from $375 up to $16,000. If your company fails to produce a Form I-9 or violates other requirements, your company can be charged from $110 to $1,100 per violation. More Resources Many of the HR-related questions we receive from our members deal with training, orientation, performance appraisals, and more employee matters. Check out the Employment page for forms, guidelines, posters, and other tools for employee relations. Your company works hard to create an enriching environment for your employees—diversity in the workplace and a strong company culture that differentiates your firm and inspires success. Printing Industries of America wants to recognize you. Enter the 2014 Best Workplace in the Americas Program. We spotlight...
read moreWhat You Need to Know About I-9 Employment Verification: How to Get Your Firm Ready for ICE
Today, many companies employ more diverse workforces. Do you have the up-to-date Form I-9 to prove that every employee in your firm is identified and verified to work in the U.S.? If not, your company could face serious fines. HR professionals and business owners may know that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently stepped up employer audits, and two printing firms have already been targeted this year. Luckily, the firms received advance notice from ICE about the audit and contacted Printing Industries’ Human Relations Department for help. Every day many companies are receiving an audit notification, or Notice of Inspection (NOI), from the ICE. When you receive this notice, you have only three days to produce the Forms I-9. If you are unsure if your firm is prepared for ICE, read on! Avoiding Problems with ICE Unlike the kind brought on by freezing temperature, this type of ICE can be avoided easily by following a few easy steps to prepare. If you are an HR professional or business owner, taking the right precautions can make a big difference in whether you pass or fail a Form I-9 audit. Review the Fact Sheet: Form I-9 Inspection Overview to learn more about the audit process. If audited, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation, which may include a copy of the payroll, list of current employees, Articles of Incorporation, and business licenses. Have new hires? This video will help you ease the process and explain to your new employee why the Form I-9 is necessary and how to complete it. This Employee Information Sheet is also a useful tool to highlight the I-9 process for new hires (there’s a Spanish version available as well). You, as the employer, are responsible for completing sections two and three of the Form I-9. Find a video explaining the details of Section Two here and Section Three here. Penalties You could Face These HR resources can help streamline the process for ensuring that you are in compliance with Form I-9. However, in the case that you do not meet all of the inspection criteria, these are the penalties you should be aware of: If corrections for a technical or procedural violation are not rectified within 10 business days, you could receive a fine for all uncorrected violations. When an unauthorized worker is knowingly hired or continually employed, ICE will require their employer to cease all unlawful activity, institute a fine, and may criminally prosecute the company. The firm may also be debarred and ineligible for some government benefits. The fees for knowingly hiring or employing unauthorized workers ranges anywhere from $375 up to $16,000. If your company fails to produce a Form I-9 or violates other requirements, your company can be charged from $110 to $1,100 per violation. More Resources Many of the HR-related questions we receive from our members deal with training, orientation, performance appraisals, and more employee matters. Check out the Employment page for forms, guidelines, posters, and other tools for employee relations. Your company works hard to create an enriching environment for your employees—diversity in the workplace and a strong company culture that differentiates your firm and inspires success. Printing Industries of America wants to recognize you. Enter the 2014 Best Workplace in the Americas Program. We spotlight...
read more