The Right Questions

Just got back from the NAQP Owners Conference in Austin, TX. Good turnout, good vibes, and lots of good information. As usual, I thought that the highlight of the event was the presentation by NAPL economist Andy Paparozzi on the “New Normal” for our industry. Now let me be perfectly clear, I have heard the term “New Normal” to the point that I am heartily sick and tired of it. However, I forgave the title of the session and paid attention to the contents. Along with lots of numbers—including some pretty depressing ones on industry sales over the last year or so—Andy offered some solid advice on how to get ready for systemic changes our industry will face as we emerge from the recession. (Notice I refrained from using the term “paradigm shift.” That’s so last decade.) I hope to get him to reprise some of his findings in a future edition of QP, but in the meantime I thought I would share what he called “The Right Questions” that quick and small commercial printers should ask themselves in preparation for the pending economic recovery: “What are we doing better today than we did two years ago?” “What will we be doing better in two years than we are today?” “How are we becoming more valuable to our customers?” I heartily agree with Andy that if you answer “I don’t know” or “I don’t have time; I’m too busy with the day-to-day operations,” then you have problems that the recovery ahead is not going to fix. That is some serious food for thought.