It’s great to see media ‘eco calculators’ springing up that will help you compare and contrast the environmental credentials of the various print materials. I’d be interested in hearing how helpful you think these tools are/will be in the conversations you have with your clients.
Blogs
The sincerest form of flattery
I personally have a lot of time for the US-based Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), which has announced it will be holding its 2022 Sustainability Summit on 20 July in Boston, with the theme ‘The Power of Sustainable Print in the Digital World’. I daresay that flying to the US to attend is something of an eco no-no (for ‘eco’ read economic as well as environmental) but I reckon we would do well to have a look at the programme and replicate some of the discussion over here.
Be buoyed
By the time you read this Fespa Global 2022 will have been and gone. Did you make the trip, and if so, did you see anything that opened your eyes to new opportunities - and/or efficiencies? The next obvious question is, if so, can you afford the investment, or maybe more to the point, can you afford not to make it? For those of you thinking you could do with a helping hand on the finance front can I suggest you read what Compass Business Finance director David Bunker has to say in this month’s Talking Point interview. You may well be buoyed by his comments.
Here’s hoping you’re also getting a lift by what’s happening in terms of software developments and integrations that mean large-format PSPs have more opportunity than ever to gather and analyse data from across the whole of their operations - and to use that intelligence to become more efficient and profitable. Turn to p14 for a feature that delves into the situation. And while we’re talking software, the Zietgeist feature this issue focusses on no-code tools - what they are and how their use could benefit your business. They seem a no brainer!
As always, environmental issues get an airing too. Given the volume of ‘eco’ consumables hitting the wide-format print market it’s easy to think that ‘green’ considerations are all that are on the inks and media R+D agenda. But is that the case? You can read what the suppliers have to say starting on p18. Then you can get MacroArt MD Michael Green’s take on PSPs recovering used print for recycling, and read what MediaCo operations director Stephen Arthur has to say about being a truly sustainable print provider.
In a sector that never stands still, here’s to a summer of happy activity.
Investment interest
Are you spending much on new systems for your business this year? If so, and you would be interested in talking to me for coverage in the 2022 Widthwise Report, please get in touch as l’ll be conducting editorial interviews over the next couple of weeks with wide-format PSPs in regards to their strategic investment plans. Thank you.
Celebrations and jubilations
Well, did you party like no-one was watching over the jubilee bank holiday? If so, was it because you made a nice little profit from it? I’m assuming some of you must have. I’d love to see piccies of what you produced for the celebrations.
Berlin bound?
I just want to wish all of you heading out to Berlin for the start of Fespa Global tomorrow a decent journey and a worthwhile visit. Let me know if there’s anything that particularly catches your eye, and why! I’ll bring you news of launches as they happen - keep your eye on the www.imagereportsmag.co.uk homepage.
Take your partner
Companies have always worked together to deliver products and services that benefit the end customer and the partners involved, but we are certainly seeing more teaming up now – and making a point of announcing it – than we have before as the game changes and everyone jostles for advantage. ‘Partnership’ has become something of an overused word, often not reflecting the true nature of the relationship it’s referencing, but however it’s used I think we’re in for a lot more to come. Agree?
Keeping track
A new IoT solution to track people and assets has been launched by Actility, Abeeway and Favendo. The partner solution - called The Evaluation Kit - provides you with the required hardware, software, support and assistance on its implementation. The promise is that it delivers almost real-time data on the location of employees working off-site. Thought I’d highlight it - and ask if you already use anything similar?
Should you pay out?
Are your employees entitled to be paid for the upcoming Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday? The answer to that can be quite involved. However, law firm Rowberry Morris has prepared a guide that you may find useful. To that end I’ve uploaded it to the Image Reports website - it can be found at: https://bit.ly/3wxFHPE
Fespa update
I have been asked to remind you that there are now no Covid-related entry requirements to Fespa Global (Berlin, 31 May - 3 June). Michael Ryan, head of the expo, has confirmed: "In line with the relaxation of Covid restrictive measures on the German event industry, there are no longer any testing requirements or checks to enter Messe Berlin. Participants do not need to show that they are vaccinated, recently recovered or have tested negative for Covid-19 to enter the exhibition."
Show and tell
The UK debut of the EFI Vutek FabriVU 340i+ at CMYUK’s open house later this month, and knowledge of other customer events here in the UK in recent/coming weeks, makes me wonder how much appetite there now is for the bigger trade show. I’m not questioning that there's value in attending the likes of the upcoming Fespa Global in Munich, but do you still think attendance is a must-do, or a nice thing to do all other pressures allowing?
When ‘love you’ can be lethal!
New research by YourBusinessNumber has revealed that more than one in 10 people have sent a personal message to a client or colleague. The company no doubt released the info. as a means of marketing its own platform, which is one of a number that ensure no misguided meme ever reaches the wrong person again! But with so many of us now using our personal phones and computers for work purposes too, it might be worth looking into the availability of tech that might help safeguard your business rep. from easily made communications mistakes.
Safety first
Given it’s World Password Day it seems timely to ask if your company is one of the unfortunate number that have suffered from cyber crime of late. We keep hearing that it's on the rise, and especially among SMEs, so here’s hoping you’re managing to protect your data and your business.
Banking more on Bank Holidays?
Are you closed this coming Bank Holiday Monday, or do you work through? If the latter, how do you compensate your staff? Do you still pay extra time for Bank Holiday and weekend working etc? Just wondering how the pay and conditions landscape is changing…