Are we set for growth? That is a key question as we kick off the 2018 Widthwise Survey. Consider this a personal invite to take part what is our 11th annual poll of the UK and Ireland’s large-format orientated PSPs - the data from which will be analysed and presented in a ‘state-of-the-nation’ report in the spring. Current indications are that we are actually in a pretty good place, all things considered, and that yes, many companies can expect to see growth in 2018. Take a look at what Signbox MD Mark Bartlett has to say on the subject in the Taking Point interview.
Talking of growth, how do you as a company - and we as a sector - maximise the potential of large-format print? We’ve become much better at marketing over the years, but there’s always more we can do to get possibilities in front of a bigger - and perhaps more profitable - audience. Getting the wider creative community to understand all that digital inkjet technology and associated/integrated services can offer is how we’ll grow demand for new applications but, as we all know, reaching that disjointed ‘community’ can be an uphill struggle. Getting out to them is the key, because they sure aren’t going to come to us! Happily, an increasing amount of PSPs - and suppliers - are realising that and being very inventive in engaging with potential new clients and market makers. Yet, there is room to improve that ‘performance’ and Top Tips (px) this issue is all about conference speaking - a route to that wider creative audience that is practically unused by PSPs. Have you approached a niche market conference or exhibition organiser and suggested speaking to a roomful of people who could very well be new customers? Probably not. And what about brining the performance arts into the training room to help improve your customer engagement techniques? We focus on that dramatic development in the Zeitgeist piece.
As technical developments continue apace - see the What to Watch features - and new opportunities continue to open up for players in the large-format digital inkjet space, here’s to PSPs continuing to find ways to build business in the expanding marketplace.