Reverse Auctions
(Mon, Feb 06, 12)
The use of reverse auctions poses more problems than solutions when the products and services of graphic producers are being considered.
Retail Focus: Smart Phones and Printed Graphics
(Fri, Jan 06, 12)
Consumers are less dependent on sales staff to guide them through purchase decisions. As consumers become increasingly independent, the value of in-store graphics increases. This independence translates into positive news for the SGIA community.
Retail Dynamics Benefit the SGIA Community
(Mon, Dec 05, 11)
The retail sector has been slowly growing since 2009. The growth has been in stops and starts, but both sales volume and demand for retail space have been trending upwards. The slow growth in consumer sales has intensified competition among retailers
Making a Difference for Inner City Kids
(Mon, Oct 31, 11)
Through this innovative program, high-resolution images of selected children’s artwork are created, and then large-scale reproductions are produced and installed in exchange for a financial contribution. Proceeds from the artwork are used by Fresh Artists to deliver quality art supplies to severely under-resourced K-12 public schools struggling with empty shelves.
The Cure for "Business as Usual"
(Wed, Sep 28, 11)
It's virtually impossible to keep up with today's marketplace without input from the community. What's working? What's not? What are related markets doing that might be adaptable to our customer base?
A Convergence of Ideas
(Fri, Aug 05, 11)
It’s true that differentiating your company from the crowd is more of a challenge today than in the past. But leading companies are finding ways to achieve it. Looking beyond the typical capabilities of their sector to find creative opportunity is certainly contributing to their success.
Profitability in a Changing Marketplace
(Fri, Jun 24, 11)
Those of you with more than a few years invested in specialty imaging will remember when the ability to consistently make a quality print was enough to separate you from the competition and drive profitability. Print quality was a huge variable, and many companies were unable to deliver on a consistent basis.
Made in the USA
(Tue, May 10, 11)
The US is still the leading manufacturing nation in the world with 17 percent of global output. Using a financial comparison, current US manufacturing surpasses China manufacturing by more than 45 percent. And, US manufacturing is growing.
Linkedin with Industry Leaders
(Thu, Apr 14, 11)
The SGIA LinkedIn Group is a private group limited to those individuals working in the printing and imaging community. This keeps the focus of the group on target and the value of the resource at a maximum.
SGIA’s Focus on Business Development
(Tue, Mar 15, 11)
It wasn't long ago that print quality and repeatability were the primary competition points among imagers, and the companies that could successfully and consistently manage the imaging process separated themselves from the rest. Not so today.
Take Advantage of Supply-Chain Dynamics
(Tue, Feb 08, 11)
SGIA members have the tools and ability to focus their support model to best suit the goals of the customer's supply chain. Also, with more supply chains comes more opportunity for vendors to take on more responsibility and increase their value to the customer.
North America and India: Globalization Revisited
(Tue, Jan 04, 11)
Indian companies are taking steps to maximize the value they can bring to a partnership — primarily high quality, high-volume, low-cost screen-print production. I also was impressed with their values in respect to intellectual property and business relationships.
Business Development: Focusing on the Retail Sector
(Fri, Nov 19, 10)
SGIA has partnered with newmarketbuilders, a leading expert in the retail sector, to be SGIA’s “go-to resource” for information, and to help the SGIA community compete in the valued retail landscape.
The SGIA Printer Action Committee
(Tue, Oct 19, 10)
The SGIA community is moving in a positive direction, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We learned a valuable lesson from the recent economic challenges.
The 2010 SGIA Expo Promises to be a Record-Breaker!
(Mon, Oct 11, 10)
The SGIA community is growing because the Association is the leading resource for support of wide-format technologies. SGIA provides a valued marketplace, educational opportunities, industry information and community development throughout the year. And, 100 percent of the proceeds from the SGIA exposition are returned to the community in the form of services and support.
Obamadollars for Small Business!
(Fri, Sep 10, 10)
Additional tax relief for small business is certainly needed. The proposed change to section 179 would be retroactive to September 8, 2010. This will help leading graphics producers in the SGIA community take advantage of the latest technologies available at the SGIA Expo.
The Future is What You Make It
(Fri, Aug 13, 10)
- Emerging technologies are helping graphics producers improve their competitive position when they need it most.
- In today’s fast-paced world consumers are making purchase decisions closer to the product.
- customers are now seeing the value of a working with graphic imagers who are close to home and can deliver goods quickly and accurately.
US and Canadian Printers Succeeding in a Competitive Global Marketplace
(Tue, Jul 13, 10)
The value of mobility, maintaining high quality and active customer support has resulted in offshore work coming back to US-based businesses that can effectively meet customer needs in today’s dynamic marketplace.
Early 2010 SGIA Expo Numbers Indicate a Changing Industry
(Mon, Jun 14, 10)
Monitoring registration is one of the important information resources we use to develop services and programs that fit the community’s needs. Also, understanding the business interests of Expo attendees helps SGIA track and verify changes in the community. The early registration reports for the 2010 SGIA Expo indicate several interesting trends.
US Market Update
(Sat, May 15, 10)
Almost all SGIA members I spoke with see business improving. And, to their credit, they all appear to be working harder to get their share of the marketplace.
Fespa Provides a Good Example of Not Listening to Customers
(Tue, Mar 30, 10)
Another wide-format imaging tradeshow is the last thing exhibitors want. Attempting to rejuvenate the Graphics of the Americas tradeshow would not introduce a new market; it would only segment the existing market.
Too Many Shows...
(Mon, Mar 01, 10)
In today’s competitive market, exhibitors can’t afford to be pressured into shows where a low rate of return is expected. The cost of participating in all of the industry’s shows is detrimental to our community’s future.
Providing for Your Customers
(Mon, Jan 25, 10)
While some in the community see themselves as solution providers, what they are really doing is bundling services and support around their core product, which, in our case, happens to be producing graphics.
A Report from the SPIRE Meeting
(Thu, Mar 05, 09)
While it's no surprise that business is down for large format graphic producers, it's not down as much as other printing sectors. Emerging technologies are a big help. New capabilities help avoid commoditization. Imagers are employing these new capabilities in support of their customers.
“React, but Don’t Overreact”
(Mon, Jun 02, 08)
Our current research tells us the specialty imaging community is busy and most businesses are maintaining growth predictions that were established in late 2007. However, competition is high and margins are tight.
SGIA ’08: Three and a Half Days of Creative Inspiration
(Wed, Apr 30, 08)
SGIA understands the challenge of today’s fast-paced business environment. That’s why we’re crafting SGIA ’08 (Atlanta; October 15-18, 2008) to be the one-stop educational resource and marketplace for the progressive printer or imager.
One Step Back, Three Steps Forward!
(Fri, Mar 21, 08)
A good idea can start with anyone. But what happens once the idea is on the table? Does it hit immediate resistance because it’s different? Is there a knee-jerk reaction to judge the idea based on who put it on the table? In an innovative culture, once a good idea is hatched, it quickly weaves its way into other departments of the organization.
|
