The print is dead – long live the print
A world without print is impossible! Packaging, advertising, newspapers, posters and much more will never disappear. Prints are always and everywhere available (even without electricity) and have a higher credibility than digital content. In times of fleeting information, printing is the manifestation of knowledge.
With worldwide sales of over $ 2.7 trillion, printing is one of the largest industries and, despite all the doomed calls, is still a growing market.
BUT – The Internet has changed the rules for every business. Even for printing.
The new slogan is – digital transformation (analog -> digital)
In 2020, phrases such as „what can be digitized will be digitized“ and „whoever does not go with the times goes with the times“ are still valid.
Print service providers have to realize that digitization takes place WITH or WITHOUT them!
Old business models have to be questioned. The days of static business models are over!
The aphorism is: GO ONLINE !!! GO DIGITAL !!!
„Digital“ does not stop at the printer, but only begins there.
It must contain all business areas – CRM; MIS / ERP; E-commerce; customer communication; File and project management; prepress; production, processing; …
New technologies and artificial intelligence have made many things obsolete, but they are still used / applied because transformation processes are not consequent implemented.
Processes and communications must be standardized and automated.
Digital value chains must be built and used. You can learn and copy a lot from Amazon and online printers.
Customers have defined their own communication standard already – the smartphone and Google.
Digital awareness is therefore becoming increasingly important in the printing industry.
Print service providers must put learning at the center of their actions!
Transformation is only possible in a team! and everything has to be questioned.
Transformation process:
- Where do I stand with my company, where do I want to go?
- master plan; Where should the company be in 5 years?
- Form teams and distribute skills; include external support
- define, learn, accept and apply new rules
- Mobilize, motivate and involve employees
- Implement the master plan step by step
You can’t and don’t have to know everything yourself, you just have to know who you can ask.
Schwarz Consulting is on hand to offer advice and practical help with the exciting challenges.
published March 2020 by André Schwarz