2017 – How Long Has This Been Going On?

It feels like for the umpteenth year we head into January thinking when do things start to get better and back to normal? But isn’t the truth of the matter that actually this is now ‘the norm’ and really despite all that is thrown at us isn’t it as much about how we deal with it that determines our success or failure?

You could be forgiven for staying in bed all year with price hikes for imported goods and an economic downturn on the horizon but I was told long ago that if you sit around waiting for something bad to happen guess what? Something bad will happen!

Yes 2017 is full of uncertainty but much of it is beyond our control so I truly believe that you control what you can, prepare well for what you can’t and look for new and innovative ways in which you can achieve your goals.

One of the certain challenges that face us in 2017 is the price rises to paper, board, ink, plates and other consumables. We can’t control the things that are impacting the prices increasing but we can affect how this is communicated and be positive, supportive and creative in how we help clients offset those increases. Thereby achieving the best outcome for both parties.

And if, as many predict, we do see the economy dip this could in itself provide opportunity to some. In print we could well see another flushing out of the poorly run, under-invested print companies (still required in my opinion) and the good, the well run and the forward thinking companies that remain could, for a change, benefit as homeless clients look for a new home for their publications.

So for us in 2017 we’ll be working hard to:-

• Provide even better service and value to our clients.
• To be different and search for solutions to client needs
• Driving efficiency and be even more innovative in an effort to create margin, not simply to be the cheapest price because the cheapest doesn’t always represent value
• And finally look to handle change effectively and make the most of the opportunities 2017 will bring

And if, in doing so, we can provide our clients and potential clients with continuity, predictability and comfort in an uncertain world then 2017 will have been a good year.