Colin Sinclair McDermott, aka the Online Print Coach, launched Print Mastermind in 2023. His ambition was to create a vibrant community where print professionals could connect, share their experiences, and learn from each other.
“I’m on a mission to help as many print companies as possible, but as the Online Print Coach, I am limited by the time I have available to deliver one-to-one coaching,” says Colin. “Print Mastermind can reach a broader audience, delivering focused training and fostering a sense of collective growth.”
Sam Morgan, co-owner of Signspeed and one of the founder members of Print Mastermind, agrees. “The ability to connect with other print professionals, discuss suppliers, and share knowledge has been invaluable. It’s like having an extended network of colleagues who understand the intricacies of our industry.”
Print Mastermind Building Confidence and Expertise Through Shared Learning
With years of experience running print businesses and working within a major print corporation, Colin is very familiar with the challenges faced by those in the industry.
First and foremost, Print Mastermind is all about the training. However, as Colin adds, “What I’ve realised is that people come for the training because they’ve got a gap in their knowledge, but they stay for the community. As the community grows and people get more involved, they’re also getting much more value from it. My job is to ensure there’s a blend between quality and relevant training, combined with the shared knowledge and networking benefits of the community.”
For Sam and her business partner, Donna, who took over Signspeed in 2000 with no prior business ownership experience, Print Mastermind has been a source of both knowledge and confidence. “Neither of us had a background in running a business,” explains Sam. “Print Mastermind has provided us with invaluable support and industry-specific guidance.”
Print Mastermind offers a range of resources, including training videos, online meetups and forum discussions, all designed to help print businesses thrive. “The training has been invaluable,” says Sam. “It’s helped us stay ahead of the curve and implement best practices across several important areas, including marketing and operations.”
Key Features of Print Mastermind:
- Community Forum: Connect with peers, share challenges, and brainstorm solutions in a supportive online environment.
- Expert Coaching: Benefit from Colin McDermott’s years of experience through structured coaching programs and resources.
- Targeted Training: Access industry-specific training materials, including videos and downloadable resources.
- Operational Tools: Utilise helpful tools and templates to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and increase profitability.
A platform for growth
During this year, membership of Print Mastermind has grown significantly, and Colin says this benefits the whole community. “The more people we have, the better it is for everyone because shared knowledge is important. Print Mastermind is a safe place where people should feel confident and comfortable enough to share experiences, feelings and ambitions. This is particularly important to me and how I want the platform to develop.”
Sam agrees, “We’ve gained a network of industry-specific professionals to talk to when we need advice. On Print Mastermind, there is no such thing as a bad question. The first thing I do now is I’ll go into the community and ask the question. Invariably, someone else is likely to have had that problem, and they are happy to share what they have done to resolve it.”
Colin concludes, “We have big plans for the future, particularly around growing the community, adding resources and also having regular meetups across the country. Online meetings are a great way of keeping the community together, but it is at face-to-face meetings that meaningful relationships are formed.”
For more information on how to join Print Mastermind, or try a 14-day free trial, email colin@theonlineprintcoach.com or visit the website at www.theonlineprintcoach.com.
You can contact Sam Morgan at sam@signspeed.com or visit her website at www.signspeed.com
