After an opening welcome from John Boyle, president PrintNZ, Joan Grace, chief executive PrintNZ spoke about the GFC and how the print industry can work through the recovery. She said, “I am positive about the industry. It is a great industry to belong to. Our sponsors have said, ‘We think you are doing the right thing and we support you.’”
Muir’s keynote address mixed some hard truths about how companies are failing to incorporate technology successfully into their business and a fair amount of humour. He said, “There is incredible technology out there but you are not going to make more money by just buying it. When it comes to technology, you have to be interested in what’s new. You don’t have to buy it but you need an awareness of what goes on in your industry and your customers’ industry.
“Share with your customers where they can go. You all know where the technology can go but they need to know that. Someone has to show them what the technology can do and that someone can be you people.”
Muir pointed to two places that printers could look at. He said, “One, develop the most efficient workflow: look at people, processes and technology. So it’s people doing something with something. If you tell me work is slow, then you have time to improve your workflow. Reducing costs can’t lead to increase profitability, but think of what you could do if you created the world’s most efficient workflow. Two, sell for more. The old way was to say, ‘You need to do some printing.’ But now it should be, ‘I’ve looked at who you are and I’ve got some ideas to help you grow your business.’”
Grace and Boyle took time to thank the conference sponsors. Grace said, “We are grateful that these companies recognise the importance of professional development opportunities and what they offer the printing industry. They include principal sponsors Fuji Xerox, Heidelberg, hubergroup and Spicers Paper, and conference sponsors Aarque Graphics, BJ Ball Group, Cyber/Ryobi, Ferrostaal, Fujifilm, Geon, Konica Minolta and New Zealand Printer.”
