Every month in this column, I’ve ended with the words “stay positive and stay focused.” However, there’s a lot of anxiety and uncertainty in our industry right now. So as we head into a challenging new year, my advice is simple: concentrate on what you CAN DO to improve – and don’t worry about events you CAN’T CONTROL.
A helpful book I’m currently reading describes anxiety as “uncertainty multiplied by powerlessness.” So ask yourself, “what do I know and what don’t I know” – then do your best to move forward by dealing with what you DO know and what you’re in control of. Forget about events occurring around you that you’re powerless to change. This, I believe, will help reduce your anxiety. It’s helped me.
Over the years, Graphic Arts Magazine has always tried to help printers with timely information and business-building ideas. For example, our first-ever Survivor Event in October in Toronto and our new “Helping You Help Your Customers” column by Peter Muir have been well received. We will continue these efforts throughout 2012 and beyond. For me and for others in our industry, the cup must always be half full – never half empty!
Most of 2011’s good news involved successful companies re-inventing themselves by offering marketing services and/or getting into other growing markets such as wide-format and variable. Other companies just kept giving great service and putting out quality products, and as a result, kept their core customers. Companies like Nova Scotia’s Farnell Packaging Ltd. and Tower Litho of Toronto, celebrated 50 years and 40 years in business, respectively.
My personal congratulations go out to Alexander (Sandy) Stephens for his election as Chairman of the CPIA (Canadian Printing Industries Association), the respected national voice of Canada’s $9 billion printing industry.
I also wanted to mention Jay Mandarino, founder and President of Toronto’s C.J. Graphics – not just for his wonderful open house in early December that raised over $16,000 for his Skateboard Park and $1,500 for the Daily Bread Food Bank – but for his participation as a keynote speaker at our Printing Survivor Event in October. About 15 minutes before he was to give his talk, he was informed that his dear friend and business partner of almost 20 years, George Hurley, passed away. Yet he still managed to give one of the most inspiring presentations I’ve ever heard.
On behalf of Graphic Arts Magazine and its staff, and myself and my family, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joyous and healthy new year. And, needless to say, stay positive and stay focused.
