Testimonials
“I am very happy with the layout that you put together for us. We are filling up the western side of the building's office space with a design company, a music company and a large format output device. We are going to be rebranding as the COT Media Group later this month. We now need to refine a few Standard Operating procedures to maximize the work flow. Things however are dramatically improved with the new layout. I will keep you posted and please feel free to have anyone contact me for a reference.”
Nigel Worme
Managing Director
COT Caribbean Graphics
Articles
NAPL's Leadership Excellence
Printing Plants Communicate to All Constituents
By Hal Ettinger
Buildings "Talk" To:
- Customers and Prospects
- Employees
- Suppliers/Vendors
There's an old sports adage that goes something like this: If you look good, you play good. Can the same be said about a printing plant? If it looks good, it prints good? If you don't think appearance matters, ask your customers, employees and even your suppliers what your facility says to them. Buildings' messages are not always subconscious and subtle - they don't just talk to people. They shout! And what they say can be as critical as pricing and service.
Your plant is much more than physical materials, such as concrete and steel. It's a reflection of your company and the image you wish to portray to the marketplace. Prospective printing customers aren't that different from prospective home buyers in at least one aspect: They form strong initial opinions within the first 30 seconds of seeing a property and walking through the door. So, if you think curb appeal and first impressions don't apply to industrial sites, think again. Customers and prospects notice such aesthetics as color, texture, order, and symmetry - right down to the floor tile under their feet. A good first impression in the parking lot and reception area means instant credibility for your organization.
New customers need in-plant amenities to reassure them that they're dealing with an experienced, successful print provider. Where do you escort them when they arrive? What do the viewing rooms and sales offices look like? What other services are you providing? Do you and your facilities look like you're a success?
Of Books and Covers
We are all taught not to judge a book by its cover, but printers and their customers know about human nature. And your employees know about the insides of your operation. The state of your plant extends beyond superficial appearance and your company's personality - it has a profound effect on their working lives. Is your shop neat and tidy, or messy and falling apart? Your answer could very well be a reflection of how you treat your employees and how they work within their environment. Employees tend to take things personally.
It's all about fostering a winning attitude. Think back to some of the places you've worked and the level of quality you produced there. Was there ever a lack of pride? If so, why? Your plant speaks volumes about who your people are employed by. And sometimes the message is subliminal.
People don't need to be spoiled by their employers. But most employees don't ask for much. The workplace should be comfortable, not too hot and not too cold. Controlling heating and cooling is so basic - and so very important. Even parking and entry access can be a big deal and shouldn't be ignored. And, of course, the plant should be safe and ergonomic. Demonstrate to your people that you value them and their skills. Take good care of your employees, and they'll take good care of you, as opposed to being preoccupied looking for a job with better working conditions.
Perceptions are vital to your recruiting efforts, too. When prospective employees tour your facilities, what do you show off? Are your training rooms impressive. Do you have a showcase conference room? Larger operations often require more than the bare necessities of locker rooms and toilets. If you have a fitness center, what kind of shape is it in? (Have you inspected its equipment lately?) Remember, narrow hallways and closet offices do not make for a nurturing environment.
Word Gets Around
Don't think for a minute that people in the printing industry don't talk to each other. When someone is running a shoddy operation, people know about it. Suppliers and vendors see a lot of plants - and they like to talk (especially if they don't get your business). If they are working with you, don't overlook the impact your plant can have on them, as well. If a facility is rundown and a supplier is treated unprofessionally, what kind of a response can you expect from them? They may look around and assume that not much is expected. (Could you blame them?) Low expectations can be implied in the way things look.
On the other hand, if your facility is snappy and efficient, their performance bar is raised. You conduct business with them in pleasant accommodations and they're made to feel important. Artwork on the walls or private, comfortable rooms can make a world of difference. What standards is your building communicating? Remember, it stands as an example of how and what its owner buys.
Like so many other things in life and business, good working conditions are too often taken for granted. Printing plants themselves go virtually unnoticed - unless something is wrong. Remedies don't have to be expensive, particularly if you're not considering a capital expansion for a new facility or major renovation. The fix could be something as simple as changing out wall paper, putting on a fresh coat of paint, hanging a new drop ceiling, or upgrading the cafeteria or employee locker rooms.
But the bottom line is that plant owners need to know what their buildings are communicating to customers, employees and vendors alike - and whether it's a message they want them to hear.
"Your building is talking…Are you listening?"
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