Letters, feedback, get it off your chest: 17 June 2009
Andy Vels Jensen – aka Rock Bottom – continues to hit a high note with readers, while James Cryer offers some more of his observations on the industry. Why not write in and share your thoughts on this, or any of our other stories.
Re: State of the industry: Andy Vels Jensen tells it straight at the NPA National Print
Andy's speech was brilliant in content together with a fine balance of humour, the later often sadly lacking in corporate presentations. His final paragraphs are worthy of exploring further, in considering creating "one industry organisation, representing the total industry and backed by all 100,000-plus industry members.”
Having survived over 30 years in the print industry I have witnessed not only the continued fragmentation of the industry but in some cases the total obliteration of parts, such as typesetting and pre-press. The changing technological landscape and consolidation of companies on both sides of the fence, printers and suppliers alike, together with the emergence of printers with totally digital solutions has continued to challenge the relevance of what were once very strong industry associations.
I support Andy's view that the time is right, now, to create a single industry organisation, not only would this help with presenting a polarised view of the industry to all but would also help the suppliers in being able to consolidate their support and subsequent spend, rather than the fragmented avenues that currently exist. At the end of the day the support of the suppliers is critical.
To achieve such a body one could take a leaf out of Soccer Australia's book where they were able to put all ego's, history and previous agenda's aside to create a single entity with one view supported by all ... the promotion of the world game in Australia. Without it they realised that they would never be able to raise the profile of soccer to a sustainable level.
Andy has through a very entertaining speech presented a challenge that I believe is worth pursuing, however without total support it will be as useless as a chocolate fire screen.
Steve Smith
Pre-Media Consultant
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As specialists in the search for and recruitment of staff within the printing industry, we see the ebb-and-flow of humanity at close quarters. And like another recruiter who commented here recently (I didn't know there were any others!) we understand the need for belt-tightening that has occurred within the industry.
But while it's very easy to throw people over-board to lighten the load, it's not always the smartest strategy long term.
Many companies have now lost continuity of process and compromised the loyalty of remaining staff when they see how easily "expendable" their colleagues are.
During these challenging times, smart companies are employing alternate strategies to the old-model of "bodies overboard".
They are re-defining job roles, and seizing the opportunity to re-deploy key staff more effectively. There are encouraging job-sharing. They are offering extended time-off, or re-scheduled holidays, LSL, etc. They're exploring creative opportunities such as four-day weeks, more part-time positions, more contractor roles rather than full-time positions.
I guess this can all go under the heading of "sharing the pain" - rather than the traditional knee-jerk reaction of retrenchments. We live in a more fluid, flexible and pragmatic age where there are alternate mechanisms and strategies that weren't available a decade ago.
JDA is seeking to respond to this challenge by bringing together a range of specialist consultants with specialist skills covering OH&S, staff training, industrial relations and staff retention strategies and even succession planning (ie, how you the boss, can get to play more golf). This is our contribution to the recovery process and we're happy to discuss how these approaches may help printing companies prepare for the good times.
James Cryer
JDA Print Recruitment