Issue 23 – 2006
1. Off-shore not high on the Agenda –say State Government Representatives
Yesterday Printing Industries’ representatives including Ray Keen, Victorian Regional President, Regional Councillors and Phil Sayers, Business Development Officer, met with State Government Representatives from the Department of Premier and Cabinet. “Our primary objective for this meeting was to voice the concerns of our Members to ensure that State Government printing stays in Victoria and does not go off-shore”, said Phil Sayers.
Andrew Hockley, of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, claimed that the State Government is opposed to the off-shore printing of Victorian Government work. He also claimed that the shift towards a sole print management provider to service the Government’s print requirements is a measure to effectively analyse and manage the costs of the Government’s Printing requirements. The government is aware that duplication of print orders does occur and cost savings can be made. The Government is not looking to reduce its printing costs by going off-shore. The government will only allow off-shore printing as a last resort, however given current free-trade agreements, the whole of government tender is open to US print broking companies.
As an outcome of the meeting, Printing Industries has been invited by the State Government to establish an “Advisory Board” with the purpose of establishing Key Performance Indicators and parameters in which the successful print management company will have to operate. The key performance indicators will be designed to maximise opportunities for Victorian Printers. This gives Printing Industries the ability to communicate directly with the State Government on an ongoing basis throughout the life of the tender, to ensure that the print management company operates with the interests of Victorian Printers at the forefront.
Discussions will continue between Printing Industries and State Government.
2. Frankie J Holden Rocks the AGCA
The Australian Greeting Cards Association held its Annual Awards Dinner last Tuesday evening at Crown Casino in Melbourne. The awards celebrate excellence in design and this year’s awards maintained the momentum of continuing excellence. All of the finalist cards were on display on the evening and the excellence was clearly evident. Hallmark Cards trumped the night, winning 13 of the 23 categories and won the Australian Card of the Year and Runner-Up Card of the Year. Congratulations to Hallmark, and thanks once again to Australia Post for their Patron Sponsorship. Just over 150 people attended and were entertained by the lovable Frankie J Holden. It was Frankie’s 3rd year as MC and all we can say is each year it keeps getting better. To view all the winning category entries and the overall card of the year, go to www.greetingcardassociation.com.au
3. Workplace Agreement Workshops
Printing Industries will be conducting half day workshops regarding workplace agreements exclusively for members. The workshop will include a presentation from key personnel from the Office of the Employment Advocate and will give your business a thorough understanding of the new types of agreements available under the Workchoices Legislation.
Sessions will be held:
Melbourne Tuesday 20 June 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
Hobart Wednesday, 28 June 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
Melbourne Wednesday 12 July 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
If you would like to attend one of these sessions (cost $100 including GST per person), please contact Jim Hargrave or Elaine Brodie.
4. The Change-Resistant Printing Industry? I Don't Think So.
I've always been amused by the contention that the printing industry is resistant to change, when in fact, the only thing that never changes is the lament that the industry is resistant to change. The following list shows the changes the supposedly "change-resistant" printing industry has gone through in the last 30 years.
You
will notice that a twenty-year production veteran could possibly have had to
adapt to two or three major changes to their jobs during their career. The list
above even "skips" the changes that products like QuarkXpress and Adobe
Photoshop have brought to the market. These changes are rarely sudden, but are
incremental, year by year, escaping detection until one decides to thoughtfully
reflect on matters. So what hasn't changed?
Some would say that while
the technology has changed, the culture of the industry has not. It is still
resistant to change. To me, culture makes little difference. Market forces and
opportunities are more important. It's far more essential to watch behavior,
because people often say one thing and do something else.
Courtesy Dr Joe Webb, www.printforecast.com – Issue 25
5. Wage Survey
The results of the April 30 Wage Survey will be mailed next week to all companies who participated. If you didn’t manage to get your survey back in time for the deadline this survey and you would benefit from having this data, please think about contributing next time. The Wage Survey results are only available to member companies who participate.
The latest unemployment data showed that the unemployment rate has dropped below 5 percent for the first time since the ABS moved to a monthly labour force survey in 1978. The seasonally adjusted figure fell from 5.1 percent to 4.9 percent over the month of May. The strength of the labour market is confirmed by the participation rate, that is the proportion of the working age population engaged in the labour market to the total number of people of working age, which rose and remains at a historically high rate. Full details available here.
7. Business Indicators
Business inventories rose over the March quarter while profits declined significantly. Profits were down by 8.7 percent over the quarter, however over the year to March profits grew by 14.0 percent due to strong growth in previous quarters. The measure of wages paid by business rose by 7.7 percent over the year and shows that wage growth remains strong.
Profits in mining grew soundly while the other industry classifications presented in the publication such as manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade showed lacklustre or negative growth over the quarter. Full details are available here.
8. Immigration: Recognition of Overseas Skills
Trades people who were trained overseas can have their skills assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), an Australian Government agency. Members who employ overseas-trained skilled labour may be interested in the new TRA website, which is designed to be easier to use, especially for migrants for whom English is a second language. The site is at: www.workplace.gov.au/tra
9. Superannuation - Beat the 30 June deadline
If you want to take advantage of the benefits of the Government's co-contributions payment or the tax rebate for spouse accounts or if you can save tax by making an additional super contribution in this financial year, then you need to take action quickly. If you have not already done so then make sure Print Super receives your contributions prior to 30 June.
(advertisement)
10. You need to focus on your print jobs, not your networks
“I often get asked, in the printing industry, if I can suggest a contact for computer network support (it seems to be a black hole in this industry). We use Total Network Support. They have become a business partner with us by offering the highest level of network/IT support. Because of our relationship with them we have the right structure and tools to run our business smoothly.” – Troy Riley – (Director) – Bambra Press
Total Network Support is Australian owned and operated, and provides professional services, hardware, software and technical support. Using our services is just like having your own multi-skilled, multi-person IT department, with expert assistance, ongoing maintenance, and a comprehensive understanding of the technology needs of your business.
TNS - Microsoft Gold Certified Partner & Microsoft Small Business Specialist.
For Total Network Support call 1300 TNS TNS (1300 867 867) Web: www.tns.com.au Email: sales@tns.com.au
11. Training Courses
Costing and
Estimating for
Printers July 10,
11
Print Sales July 20, 21, August 3, 4
Customer Service that Excels September 13
Print Production Management October 11, 12, 13
New Manager/Supervisor October 4, 5, 6
Go to Printnet or contact Michelle for a complete list of our upcoming training courses.
12. What’s On
To find out What’s on in the world of print go to What’s On
And Finally
A German family head out one Saturday to do some shopping.
While in the sports shop the son picks up an England football shirt and says to his sister, “I’ve decided to be an England supporter and I would like this for my birthday. ”His big sister is outraged by this and promptly whacks him round the heard and says, “Go talk to your mother.”
So off goes the little lad with the white and red football shirt in hand and finds his mother. “Mum?” “Yes son?” I’ve decided I’m going to be an England supporter and I would like this shirt for my birthday”. The mother is outraged at this, promptly whacks him around the head twice and says, “Go talk to your father.”
Off he goes with the football shirt in hand and finds his father. “Dad?” “Yes son?” “I’ve decided I’m going to be an England supporter and I would like this shirt for my birthday.” The father is outraged and promptly whacks his son around the heard 4 times and says: “No son of mine is ever going to be seen in THAT!”
About half an hour later they’re all back in the car and heading towards home. The father turns to his son and says: “Son, I hope you’ve learned something today?” The son says, “Yes, Dad I have.” “Good son, what is it?” The son replies:
I”ve only been an England supporter for an hour and already I hate you German B*stards”
The Team at Printing Industries Association of Australia
18-20 Queens Avenue
Hawthorn Vic 3122
Ph 03 9291 5333
Fx 03 9819 6292
michelle@printnet.com.au
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