Issue 48 – 2005

 

1.         Printing Industries presents to Careers Teachers.

This week we presented information about the Printing Industry to the Annual Careers Teachers Conference at Monash University, Gippsland Campus.  Our message was:

• Print is a growth industry, and work experience for interested young adults is available
• RMIT at Brunswick has an open door policy for Career Teachers and students
• Industry tours are available and can be organised by Printing Industries
• Printing Industries can assist with any students wishing to explore options further
• Printing Industries can advertise students wishing to join the industry at no cost
• More information is available on the www.printingcareers.com.au website

If you would like to make connections with schools in your local area I would encourage you to do so.  If you need assistance with this, please ask Michelle Eeles.

 

 

2.         Ideal Organisations Deliver Better Results:

The unnamed but large organisation referred to below is one of the more effective ones, with a high level of mutual trust amongst its “employees”.  Replace the term “officer” with “manager”, and consider your organization.

 

• Layers of accountability (and therefore authority) are defined by units of command, not rank. Seven layers exist from commander in chief to private soldier, no more and no less.
• Officers, not their women / men, are held accountable for the results of the units under their command.
• Officers are held accountable to do their best to provide for the safety and well being of their men / women before they take care of their own.
• Everyone is held accountable for doing his or her best; no less is accepted.  “Motivation” is taken for granted.
• Recognition is given by principals on the basis of overall effectiveness.
• “Incentive plans” for “increasing motivation” would be simply unthinkable as patently immoral and destructive of morale.

 

If you’d like further info on how some of the most effective businesses are using these principles please email Tony Duncan

 

 

3.         Printing Industries at National Manufacturing Summit

At the National Manufacturing Summit in Melbourne next week, Jim Atkinson from Penfold Buscombe and Tasmanian Regional President for 2006, and Tony Duncan Regional Manager – Printing Industries, will represent the Print Industry. The objective of the summit is to develop an agreed plan for tackling the challenges to Australia’s manufacturing sector. Issues to be covered include: Manufacturing and the global economy; Innovation in Manufacturing; Skills for our manufacturing future; and Investment in Manufacturing. As the 4^th largest manufacturing sector, Print is a key component of the Australian manufacturing base – this year alone spending close to $700 million on new technology. We will report back in next week’s newsPrint on some of the outcomes – hopefully actions and not just a talkfest!

 

 

4.         Tis the Season………..to chase debtors (again!)

Help yourself, help your staff, help the industry – chasing money at this time of year is your top priority (getting work out the door can be delegated)!

 

Develop an action plan, identify your top ten problem accounts and go after them.  Do not worry about losing business from non-payers – you’ll pick it up in the New Year from those Printers who shut their doors because they ran out of cash.

 

Here are some tips from the Better Payment Practice Group worth handing / gluing / stapling to your accounts and sales people:

1.  Ensure you are aware of your major customers’ Christmas opening hours to avoid wasting time when chasing payments
2.  If payments from customers are due during close-down periods, attempt to negotiate earlier payment dates
3.  Do not let credit limits get out of hand because of extended payment times over the December and January period
4.  Do not get behind with your own invoice and statement schedules over the Christmas period
5.  New customers seeking large credit facilities over the Christmas period may be hunting for credit from unsuspecting (and busy) suppliers
6.  Ensure you obtain as much information on new accounts, including credit checks, no matter how busy you are
7.  Do not supply new goods or services if your customer has exceeded reasonable overdue periods, regardless of their credit limit
8.  Plan and budget your own expenditure over this period because, inevitably, payment terms can be disrupted over December and early January
9.  Take action on those accounts that are beyond credit limits now. Do not wait until the New Year when your debtors will have other pressures
10.  Use the quiet, close-down period to review your terms and conditions, ensuring they are up-to-date and that they include reference to interest terms

 

(Remember: Profit is opinion, Cash is fact)

 

5.         Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business

The Minister for Small Business and Tourism, the Hon Fran Bailey MP, recently launched the revamped Australian Government small business program, Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business.  The program replaces the previous Small Business Assistance Program, but retains the main elements of the program, including business skills development, small business incubators and the small business field officer program.  The focus of the revamped program is upon young entrepreneurs and succession planning.  Currently, only 9.5 per cent of small businesses are currently operated by Australians under 30.  Printing Industries is applying for a specific grant focussed on improved support for small and medium members.

For further information visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.

 

 

6.        Training Courses

Lean Manufacturing – Continuous Improvement                                                     December 14, 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm

OH&S 1 Day Refresher Course for previous 5 day people                                       January 31, 2006

The New Manager                                                                                               February 7, 8 and 9, 2006

Print Production Management                                                                             April 11, 12, 13

Costing and Estimating for Printers                                                                      July 10, 11

 

Go to Printnet or contact Michelle for a complete list of our upcoming training courses. 

 

 

7.        What’s On

To find out What’s on in the world of print go to What’s On.

 

 

 

And Finally

Did you know that a crack travels through glass at approximately 4,830 km/hr?

 

 

 

The Team at Printing Industries Association of Australia

18 - 20 Queens Avenue

Hawthorn  Vic 3122

P  61 3 9819 6144

F 61 3 9819 6292

michelle@printnet.com.au

www.printnet.com.au

 

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