IPEX thread, why have so many printers failed: the conclusions
Friday 17th June 2011
What is the biggest reason so many print businesses have failed? Conclusions
Opinions about the direction of an industry are rather more credible when they come from a mixed group of industry participants. This thread has had contributions from printers, print managers, suppliers and consultants covering a variety of disciplines.
The “2%” who are not leaving their heads in the sand and are forward looking are showing considerable growth. This is possibly because they are more easily able to stand out from this “98%”, the vast majority of printers.
The final summary:
There seems to be a consistent opinion now: printers that won't change from a reactive trade type approach to their customers, or simply can't learn the new skillsets necessary to proactively recommend innovative solutions which improve their clients bottom line - will ultimately fail.
The modern printer needs to provide a range of business solutions to the print buyers business problems. The way in which and the quality in how this is done is where the differentiation lies. Where external help seems to be needed is in making the business process changes to enable them to do that.
(WCA red highlighting)
To quote Carl above, "The ones that fail to adjust will simply not survive."
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- What do the conclusions mean for you? To get back to basics, a printer of any size needs to know : Printers clearly need and want a way forward, but don’t want to be tied into a consultant forever for no value. It may be we are not right for each other, but WCA can help. Contact us for an informal chat about your options and a future for your business that is cost effective.
exactly what they are doing now,
how much it is costing them,
which are the best (most profitable) types of products
What the competition is doing
Very Importantly - what the customer wants now and will want in the future
How to get and use the advantage of knowing all the above
How to prepare for the future
and how to make it happen
Printers don't always have the time to stop and look at these things
That's where an person from outside the company can help.