Are we disconnecting rather than connecting the right things? Join a few dots, and the fireworks Print creates will amaze!
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One of the print sector’s ultimate destinations is Connectivity, but it’s a multidimensional journey and a multifaceted term. The spectrum of connectivity in industry covers integration, workflow, and automatisation to connect processes to reduce costs and increase speed and consistency. It also covers creating a narrative and relationship with the marketplace and customers.
Creating ‘connectivity’ in industry with a customer or prospective customer has always been the goal, but the terrain and script have changed. A different approach to communicating and influencing is required to gain interest and connect. I wrote about this, which also covers connecting all internal teams and individuals as custodians of revenue. See my article, ‘Why is sales too important to leave to salespeople? It’s very complimentary to sales warriors, so don’t worry!
I was recently discussing post-Drupa takeaways with a large Global vendor who said it was surprising with all the great embellishment capabilities on offer, the power of haptics to differentiate a piece of print, create huge value and be a point of differentiation, the main thrust of conversations around investment was reduced cost of ownership, reduced costs of production. Are we not connecting the creation of value bit? Are we missing the skills to connect? Are we missing the means to really do so? Is connecting to new customers a maze?
All can be sorted but should we be concerned the pendulum has become stuck on one side only? For the time being or not?
For the graphics and visual media sector, print service providers sit well in the ‘Internet of Things’ and have a great opportunity to capitalise on delivering value through cross-media integrated marketing supply chains.
Connectivity in industry is a key to manufacturing supply chains enabling reduced costs and increasing speed. As an objective, this goes hand in hand with creating value in the eyes of a customer. They are conjoined. Low-cost manufacturing does not mean selling at low cost it means you have the ability to flex your prices, maximise a margin or compete with those who have greater internal process connectivity.
Connecting meaningfully with clients creates a bigger margin; it is a fact!
Connectivity, in its fullest sense, is linked to all areas and functions of a business, both internal and external, and should be the driver of growth facilitating, New processes, New experiences, New features, New customers, New offerings, and New models. Profitability
FutureCurve discusses alignment and connectivity to customers and markets a lot and reminds us again staying aligned with what customers and employees value and recognise needs constant adaptation. We need to thrive and connect meaningfully a compelling customer value proposition.
Our marketplace has been disrupted, resulting in offerings becoming commoditised so we need to reposition and differentiate, take a fresh look at. Need to invigorate innovation and knowledge around offerings. If you have neglected the outside bit for a while, as we are all spinning plates, take a bit of time to look at connectivity on the outside and across your customer-facing teams; that’s where the profit lies more so.
To discuss growth, connectivity in the print industry, change and development initiatives, call me.
Marcus Clifford 0774 381 8806.
