After the Pandemic, more people are evaluating their lives, which includes their work environment. As an employer, how do you keep your people engaged and rewarded, so they want to stay?

Here are a few ideas on how to decrease turnover so you don’t waste money training people who won’t stay.

Hire the Right People

If your impressions of prospects tell you they won’t fit in, then don’t offer them the job or you will end up with issues.

When interviewing potential employees, ask them situational questions to know how they would react in particular instances. Give them a tour of the business, being sure to mention cultural items at the business. This way, if they don’t feel they fit in, they will eliminate themselves.  

Offer Flexibility

Let new hires (and all team members) come in at a flexible time or leave at a flexible time as long as they get the work done.

This flexibility allows them to attend their children’s school functions, which will help them maintain their work-life balance. Or maybe it’s as simple as letting them work at home or a coffee shop at their leisure.

Compensate Fairly

If a prospective job applicant or a current employee can go elsewhere and make more with better benefits, why would they not take that opportunity?

Be sure to give out raises and bonuses when you can. If employees receive regular raises and bonuses, they will feel appreciated and less likely to look for another work opportunity. Do your research, so you know what others are paying.

Verbally Praise Your Employees

If employees finish a large project or hand things in early, be sure to thank them and applaud them publicly.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated. This doesn’t mean praising everyday tasks. That would be counterproductive because people wouldn’t see this as genuine. But when they take on a large project or a difficult task, congratulate them.

Provide a Future

Show new hires that there is room for growth, whether a new title or salary.

Show them that you value them and want them to be engaged with their tasks. Sometimes people get bored with doing the same job all the time. Provide new challenges and projects that they can look forward to doing.

Even though the average turnover is 10% to 20%, you can help keep your employees with a little extra effort. By appreciating them, helping them succeed, and more, you will be sure that you are doing all you can. We do all we can to keep your business as well. Check us out today!

People might think paper isn’t a big choice when starting a project. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Choosing paper is one of the first things you should decide on when starting your new project. No one sheet fits every project. Paper is three-dimensional and makes all the difference in how your project turns out.

When your rough graphic design is done, the next step should be to talk to your printer about choosing the right papers. Ask them for their paper suggestions so you can decide what would be best.   

Turnaround Times for Paper

Getting your quote early will help you know the turnaround time to expect and when you will need to provide the design to your printing firm to get it on time.

Durability of Paper

When choosing the right paper, evaluate whether it needs to be something that will last or if it’s something meant for a shorter lifespan. If meant for direct mail, you might choose something less sturdy. But if you are working on a marketing brochure, annual report, or a catalog, you will need something sturdier and more heavy duty.

Personality of Paper

Considering the life span, texture, color, and personality of the piece will determine what type of paper you should use. Ask yourself what impression you hope to make with this piece; then make sure your paper represents that well.

For example, if you are promoting the environment, be sure to use recycled paper. A non-profit asking for money probably doesn’t want to invest in top-tier quality because it might make the recipients think they already have enough money. However, if you want to represent quality and luxury, choose a paper that will represent that.

Use a coated, glossy, matte, or silk sheet for colorful, crisp images or photographic reproduction. For more of an understated type of image, use fluorescent inks and the more natural surface of uncoated papers. 

If you want to create a unique look, try a one-color printing job. Pair it with unusually textured papers or specialty papers. This is a huge trend in Europe and is making its way to the United States and Canada.

The Many Whites of Paper

Just when you think your project is easy because you want white paper, think again. There is blue-white, balanced white, natural white, soft white, and much more. You will definitely want to talk to your printer about these options. The blue-white is quite popular right now because it allows the various colors to shine through. Warmer whites are more comfortable for the eyes to read for long periods of time.

Other Paper Considerations

If you are looking to print on both sides with heavy ink, you will want to talk to your printer about choosing a heavier stock. If your project will be mailed, you will need to consider the weight to make sure it fits the USPS requirements; otherwise, it can cost you more to mail.

There are so many variables when it comes to printing your latest marketing project, and that’s why we are here to help. We offer sound advice with solid delivery on our promises. We want to help your business shine. Contact us today!

 

In today’s society, it’s common to try to one-up people, whether it’s with material things or with accomplishments. And to do this, we often compare ourselves to others. But this can do more damage than good. Let’s take a look.

Thomas Mussweiler, a professor of organizational behavior, says, “We’re wired for connection and belonging, but if we constantly compare ourselves to others, we’re putting our happiness, confidence, and mental health at risk.”

Our minds are conditioned to compare ourselves to others, so we know where we stand—if we are good at certain things or not. But when this act of comparing becomes the norm in every area of our lives, our mental health can suffer.

Are you guilty of the comparison game? If so, here are five things you can do to help.

5 Ways to Beat Comparison

1. Embrace Gratitude

Be thankful for what you have.

Write a list or meditate on why you are happy in life. This helps us shift our thinking to positive things rather than looking at what others have that we don’t.

Think about non-material things here as well. It’s great to be thankful for a house and car, but don’t forget those around you, too.

2. Set Goals for Yourself

Without comparing yourself to others, set healthful goals that will benefit you in the long run.

Maybe you want to exercise for the health of it (rather than to be smaller than your best friend). Or perhaps you want to read more books this year than you did last year. Maybe you want to earn a degree to broaden your horizons. Or perhaps you want to travel with your loved one so you can share more experiences with them (versus trying to have better FaceBook pics.)

Setting goals is great if you do it with the right focus.

3. Celebrate You

Start a real list of what you like about yourself.

Be careful not to make it sound like a resume. Be real. What are some things you do that you are proud to do? Are you a good baker? Are you good at cheering people up? Are you a giver? Are you creative? Be proud of who you are. 

Being humble doesn’t mean beating yourself up.

4. Praise Others

When you have good friends and family and even coworkers, it’s time to praise them.

It’s a great way to feel good about yourself while you do this. Lifting others up is good for the soul… even the person who is giving the praise.

5. Take a Break from Social Media

When we constantly look at others’ social media posts, it seems like their lives are perfect.

Well, we all know that’s not the truth.

These are only snips of things going on. We never know the whole story. So, why should we put pressure on ourselves to do the same things? We sometimes need a break from social posts to refresh our minds and help ourselves to focus on what really matters in life.

There are so many tempting ways we try to compare ourselves in life. But if we can remember to retrain our brains from comparing ourselves with others, we will be much happier.

At our printing firm, we want to promote you! We know you work hard, and that’s why we celebrate you, too. See what we can do to promote you and your business today!

Remaining positive when negative tension surrounds you is a skill worth mastering and sharing with others.

If you need a few ideas on how to create a positive outlook or cheer others up, here are some you’ll’ find helpful. 

Breathe.

Practice the 4-7-8 technique from Dr. Andrew Wile.

Try this breathing pattern: empty the lungs of air. Breathe in quietly through the nose for 4 seconds. Hold the breath for a count of 7 seconds. Exhale forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips and making a “whoosh” sound for 8 seconds. Repeat the cycle up to 4 times.

Focus on positive things in your life.

“Living in gratitude” is known to support our physical, psychological, and social health.

It can produce stronger immune systems, better sleep, feeling more joy, and help you be less lonely.

Take a few minutes each day to write down what you are thankful for: a job, family, pet, warm house, nice clothes, friends, etc. Happy chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) are released when thinking of joyous moments. No matter what situation arises, focus on something good.

Create a go-to happy book.

When things are tough, have a Pinterest page, a journal of happy thoughts, a picture album of favorite times, or other ideas that are easy to access. Then when times are tough, go right to that item.

Create a blissful playlist.

Having a playlist ready to go will help elevate your mood at the press of a button. Use music, Ted Talks, comedy bits, bloopers, or animal videos as an easy mood lifter.

Write notes to yourself.

Put up notes with positive quotes to remind you to focus on the positive things. Remind yourself to forgive those who bring you down. This is a healthy release of the negative in order to allow the positive in.

Go outside and look around.

Enjoy soaking up the sun’s rays. Breathe in the fresh air, no matter what season it is. Go for a walk in a new place or an old favorite. Taking time out of the office and home will open up your mind to new perspectives.

Laugh.

Studies have found that laughter lowers stress, anxiety, and depression.

It also improves coping skills, mood, and self-esteem. Watch a favorite comedian or call up a friend who makes you laugh.

Spend time with positive people.

It rubs off on us. Both negativity and positivity are contagious. Schedule time with those positive people so that you can encourage each other to stay positive.

Identify areas of negativity.

If you’re not sure when you are most negative, ask a coworker, friend, or relative.

Then attack your negativity with something positive.

If you are in a bad mood when you drive, try to change your self-talk while driving. Or, if you are negative at work, work on focusing on the positive items at work.

Give yourself time.

Changing your mental state isn’t as easy as it sounds. It takes dedication and work. It’s a focus that might not be natural to you. Be gentle with yourself. Take time to change by starting with one thing at a time.

No matter what area you are focusing on, we can help you have a positive printing experience. We promise to be on time, professional, and help you create beautiful marketing pieces.

In a busy world filled with lists and to-dos, how do you put out content that will rise to the top and be read by others?

Here are some great writing tips to help your newsletter get the attention it deserves.

1. Figure out who your audience it first.

Are you sending the newsletter to prospective customers? Or are you sending it internally to your staff? This will determine the tone of the language you use, be it formal or informal.

2. Determine the voice you want to use.

Most of the time, it’s best to write as if you are writing to a friend. Use a more casual tone so that everyone feels welcome to read it.

3. Keep it short.

Don’t over-write. Figure out your message, then tell it in as few of words as necessary to get the point across.

4. Organize your articles.

Put the most important article first, on the front side of the newsletter. Then add the following essential articles.

5. Use pictures and graphics.

Insert some visual aids in your newsletter. No one wants to read something that is packed full of tiny print.

6. Make sure there is some white space.

Don’t pack it full of text and graphics. The eyes need to have a break, so make sure to leave some space without anything in it.

7. Pick articles that other people will care about.

It might be interesting to you and your staff, but how does it relate to your readers? Think about it from their viewpoint. How will your article help them? Then write what will capture their attention and keep them reading.

8. Add a call to action.

Be sure to list your contact information on the newsletter so they can contact you to get more information.

Whether you are an expert or a novice newsletter creator, we can help get your message out. We offer excellent graphic design and printing to make sure your newsletter gets read. Contact us today!

Competitive advantages are the factors that allow your company to produce goods or services better or more cheaply than your rivals and are the key factors in what makes your business better than others.

If your competitive advantage can be easily copied or imitated, it is not considered a competitive advantage.

Your competitive advantage is the essence of your strategy, messaging, and marketing. According to Jack Welch, “If you don’t have a competitive advantage, don’t compete.”

Comparative Advantage vs. Differential Advantage 

Comparative advantages and differential advantages are the two different forms of competitive advantages.

A comparative advantage is your company’s ability to produce something more efficiently, leading to greater profit margins.

One way to achieve a comparative advantage is to increase your economies of scale. An economy of scale is the savings in costs your company generates when it increases levels of production. Greater production leads to lower production costs because it more evenly distributes the fixed costs.

A differential advantage is your company’s ability to produce unique products or of higher quality than your rivals.

Examples of a differential advantage include advanced technology, patent-protected products or processes, superior personnel, and a strong brand identity. High-end brands, such as Louis Vuitton, utilize a differential advantage. Their high quality and uniqueness allow them to charge much for their products. 

Economic Moats

Warren Buffet described sustainable competitive advantages like a moat.

The image is that your company is like a castle, and your competitive advantage is the moat surrounding the castle. The better your competitive advantage, the greater the moat. A large moat makes it nearly impossible for other castles (businesses) to attack your castle (company). This illustration provides an excellent analogy for what a sustainable competitive advantage can do for your business. 

You can create your own moat by strengthening your brand, raising barriers to new entrants through tactics such as regulations, and defending your intellectual property through patents. 

How to Create a Competitive Advantage

Competitive advantages are imperative to the success of your business. A competitive advantage technique can be found in many areas.

1. Find a focus area

Trying to be great in everything often results in excellence in nothing. Therefore, most businesses find it best to hone in on a focus area. This is a market niche in which your company can excel. 

2. Employ the best talent

Your employees will determine the success of your business. Therefore, employing passionate, talented people is imperative. Search for talent and reach out. It’s better to wait for the right person than hire the wrong one. 

3. Utilize rewards

Incorporate rewards into your business. You’re going to need to incentivize your employees to go above and beyond their call of duty by rewarding high performance. Examples of rewards include money or vacations. 

4. Foster experience

Now that you have amazing employees incentivized through rewards, the next goal is to keep them wanting to work for your business for years to come.

The greater experience your employees have, the better your business’s customer service. Avoid a high employee turnover rate by making your work environment a place your employees will want to stay for years to come. 

5. Speed

Customers care about speed.

The faster and easier it is to buy from you or use your services, the better. Look throughout your process to find ways to cut down on time and make it easier for your customers. 

Dominate 2022 by establishing an effective competitive advantage! 

Happy New Year! How crazy it’s already 2022! How was your 2021 marketing strategy? Whether splendid or slightly lacking, any marketing strategy has room for improvement.

In the new year, try incorporating (or reincorporating) direct mail marketing strategies. This long-standing proven method, with added new technology, is a perfect way to hit the ground running in 2022.

And the best part? It can start with a simple postcard.

The Many Benefits of Postcards

Postcards are highly effective.

Did you know that 86% of customers take the time to read through their mail? Due to postcards’ higher visibility, you can expect a higher response rate than any other marketing medium, along with a 70% higher brand recall.

This translates into a high return on investment.

Every $167 spent translates into about $2000 in goods sold. That’s a great investment! Increase your benefits by incorporating a fantastic postcard design. 

The Postcard Design

The postcard design is important and should complement your message and marketing strategy. Here are a few aspects of postcard design to keep in mind.

The material is part of the design, and it reflects on your company.  For example, if environmentalism is essential to your company, share that value with your customers by using recycled material. Or, if you want to send a message of quality, then use heavier material. If your postcards are high quality, then your customers will believe your products and/or services to be high quality as well. 

The size of the postcard is important too. Average-sized postcards are great and effective, but more oversized postcards will stand out due to their inherently larger nature. Try giving the 6-inch by 11-inch postcards a try. 

The two main finishes are glossy or matte. A glossy finish portrays elegance, while matte seems more professional.

A well-thought-out headline is important! You want the headline to sum up your main idea while prompting the customer to keep reading.

A call-to-action prompts the potential client to react in response to the postcard. Examples include requesting that the customer call, visit the store, explore the website, or like/follow social media.

Call-to-actions are most effective when there is a deadline associated with them. Therefore, many companies find it beneficial to offer limited-time deals. Along with driving customer interaction and sales, a call-to-action will help you determine the effectiveness of your postcard campaign for future use. 

Developing a Plan

According to Benjamin Franklin, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Set yourself up for success by planning your postcard campaign.

Set SMART goals. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. 

Set a budget. Don’t break the bank, but invest enough to see results. 

It’s important to be aware of the static and dynamic postcard costs. Static costs don’t change, while dynamic costs depend on the number of postcards you decide to send. The more postcards you send, the overall cost per card is lowered. Static postcard costs include copywriting and design, while dynamic costs include printing services and postage fees. 

Sending the Postcards

Next, you need to decide where you are sending these postcards. 

• Send the postcards to existing customers. Given that they already have shopped at your business before, these postcards would mainly promote another sale.
• Create or rent a new mailing list. This strategy will reach new customers, generating new business. When you create or rent this new mailing list, ideally, you’re going to try to find households within your target market demographic.
• Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM): In this strategy, you mail a postcard to every household within a geographic area. Sometimes specific demographics congregate in neighborhood clusters. If you can identify your target market within a neighborhood, this strategy is useful. If your business is close to a certain neighborhood, it may be helpful to let the locals know about you, and they may love your business out of proximity convenience. 

Repeat!

Send follow-up postcards.

Potential clients need to hear your company’s message about seven times before they decide to buy. The more familiar your business becomes to the customers, the better off you are. In marketing, familiarity generates sales because people are drawn to the familiar.  

Developing a postcard marketing campaign will set your business up for success in 2022!

The new year is a terrific time to focus on your health.

One of the greatest overall benefits to your health is eliminating or reducing your stress. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy when you’re stressed out.

1. Get regular exercise.

This sounds simple enough, yet most of us struggle with it.

Exercise can include parking farther away so you have a longer walk to work or the mall. It can involve swimming, playing basketball with a friend, and even window shopping at the mall. Just find ways to move around more and things you enjoy.

2. Keep a sense of humor.

Try to relax enough to laugh.

Read a joke book. Read a funny book or watch a funny TV show or movie. Have lunch with a friend who lightens the mood.

3. Try some relaxation techniques.

Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, or even getting a massage are great makes to stop awhile and take care of yourself. This is the best way to stay on top of your game.

4. Take time for hobbies.

Think about what you love to do: golf, swim, read, craft, paint, hike, listen to music, etc. Then add it to your calendar.

Schedule it in so you are sure to do it. It is not a waste of time; it’s necessary for your health.

5. Spend time with family and friends.

Take time for lunch, dinner, or coffee with others. This is an important part of staying healthy.

6. Get organized.

Take time to organize your stressors. This can instantly relieve stress.

When we try to do too much, it can put an unnecessary stress on our bodies. Write out a budget if you’re worried about money—schedule tasks with enough time to accomplish them rather than rushing to get them done in record time.

7. Get outside in nature.

Sometimes we need to disconnect from the Internet, email, social media and TV.

Being in nature can re-set our clocks and give us new perspectives on life. Go for a walk, a bike ride, a canoe ride, or just sit in a park and observe nature at its finest.

8. Get enough sleep and rest.

Did you know that sleep and stress are directly linked?

The CDC has said that the lack of sleep is an epidemic right now. A lack of sleep leads to elevated levels of cortisol in the blood, which leads to weight gain and brain fog. Try to go to bed at the same time every night.

9. Journal about your life and stress.

Write down all the things that come to mind. It doesn’t have to be organized or even well constructed. Just write. Free write so your mind can catch up with itself.

If you’re experiencing stress related to your marketing materials, we can help. We offer organized, high-quality printing that will take the pressure off of you. 

Do you marvel at beautiful artwork? Are you dazzled by the use of exquisite colors? And are you perplexed as to how images are chosen for certain marketing efforts?

That’s the job of a graphic designer.

Designers have training in choosing colors and images; they make the ordinary a work of art. 

Why You Need a Graphic Designer

Even if you have ideas of what you want, a graphic designer can bring that vision to life. That’s why it’s best to leave the execution to the experts.

Graphic designers know the rules and how to break them to create a compelling message.

They are trained in color, form, line, shape, size, space, and texture. And the principles they must learn have to do with: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, and rhythm.

Graphic designers adhere to the principles of design.

These basic principles achieve effective composition in creating balance and stability for the work. Most of us haven’t been trained this extensively, and that’s why we lean on the experts.

Graphic designers help with your professional image.

And that’s why we are here to help you improve your image and marketing materials.

Working with a graphic designer is fun and can be a great time to brainstorm together and come up with something that hasn’t been done before.

Designers are artists and have wonderful ideas. Our graphic designers are ready with fresh ideas and new artwork that will surely dazzle your eyes and help your business image improve. 

You know how a new haircut can change the way people see you? It can make all the difference in your level of professionalism.

And die-cutting can do the same for your marketing materials.

With die-cutting, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. With fresh, new die-cut marketing materials, the public will definitely take notice.

What is Die-Cutting?

It is a cut using a sharp steel blade that is formed into any specific shape you want.

It is then used to cut through the paper. It’s a lot like a cookie-cutter, except you cut paper instead of dough.

Just think what you could do for your dull, old marketing materials. It’s not just circles and squares. Die-cutting allows you to make stair steps, holes, rounded corners, sharp points, and much more. Make any point you want with fresh, new die-cut materials.

Creative Uses with Die-Cutting

You have probably thought about using die-cutting on your business cards to make them stand out in the pile of rectangles. But have you thought about using this technique on door hangers, postcards, brochures, and presentation materials?

The options are out there. It’s up to your dreams as to what you’d like us to accomplish for you.

Would you like your logo to stand out? We can do that. Or what about an image associated with your type of business?

Let’s say you are an architect, a real estate agent, or a builder. You could use a roof die-cut or a house. Or, if you own a restaurant, let’s create a basil leaf, a loaf of bread, a bowl of pasta, or whatever suits you. Or maybe you own a pet shop or dog training business in which we could cut out the shape of a dog.

No matter what item you choose to die-cut, it will freshen up your marketing materials and help draw attention to the most important aspects of your business as you see fit.

Need ideas? We’re here to help. Our die-cutting is top-notch and will serve your purpose of standing out in a crowd.