Businesses around the country have responded to Future Print’s Transition Seminars, with healthy attendances and positive feedback from sessions already held in Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania.
The sessions, sponsored by Media Super and run by industry experts Richard Rasmussen and Bill Healey, have been designed to help business owners and decision makers who are contemplating change within their business.
Dozens of printers have taken advantage of the opportunity to gain a overview of the current ‘state of the market’, as well as vital information to help predict some likely directions in the industry landscape. They explore the range of options to consider when preparing for the future, and the inevitable business changes required.
Following the sessions, many attendees said they had been surprised by much of the information provided but felt much better equipped to decide on a future direction with a better base of knowledge and access to good support.
Scott Lovell, Managing Director of Think Big Printing in Tasmania attended attended the Launceston session and says he found it valuable in helping him consider and evaluate options which will align with future market trends.
“The session was very informative. It gave me an excellent perspective on what is happening in the industry and helped me clarify some of the options that we can consider in moving the business forward into the future,” he said afterwards. “Most importantly, the seminar was exactly as outlined in the brochure, so I got just what I was promised. It was great.”
Rasmussen says many businesses in the industry are not performing to their potential, while many others which are still doing relatively well also know they have to change to continue to meet the demands of a dynamic market.
“The challenge for business owners is to decide which direction to take and then effect the change required to achieve your professional and personal goals,” he says.
“In these sessions, our aim is been to give attendees a clearer idea of where the industry is going, help them understand how their business is performing and what its value is, and then explore various possibilities for the future – from growth strategies, to transition planning, and even exit strategies.”
Darryl Shoults from Riverwood business Artegra was at one of the Sydney sessions and says the broad data presented on market trends, together with information on sales strategies, collaborative approaches and subsidised training options were just some of the highlights.
“We’ve been in business for 50 years and over the past two or three have already started making changes to stay competitive in a changing market,” Darryl explains.
“We know that we need to continue to adapt, but the challenge is to decide which direction to take, and then to plan and implement those changes successfully. That’s where we were hoping the seminars would help.
“The Transition Seminars gave us a lot of sound information which not only confirmed that we were on the right track so far, but also gave us confidence moving forward. The case studies presented, and other options discussed, provided some very interesting ideas about possible courses of action and what we need to consider when planning for the future,” reported Darryl after attending.
“The sessions were focused, accurate and very informative, and it was also a great opportunity to meet other business owners, learn from their experience and make new business connections. I thought it was a very valuable investment of my time.”
As well as appreciating the information provided, delegates clearly valued the opportunity to access additional resources and support. A majority not only joined the Future Print program, but also signed up for the free Business Benchmarking Service, supported by Media Super and provided by industry leaders benchmarking.com. A number also registered for the Future Print Business Transition Planning Service, to get assistance in formulating a clear and actionable plan for their future.
The Future Print Business Transition ‘road show’ will continue to travel around the country during November, with sessions in Adelaide on the 11th, Perth on the 12th and Queensland in the following week – Southport on the 18th and Hamilton and Brendale in Brisbane on the 19th. To find out more go to the Future Print website, or click here to book your place at a session near you.