How can printers discuss what to do in the coming year, without first taking a cold, hard look at reality? That's why TMC opened with a compelling review of the State of the Industry by Andy Paparozzi, NAPL's Chief Economist. The picture wasn't pretty, but it wasn't all bleak either. As Andy asked: "Is the Sky Falling? " And his answer was that though there's lots of blame to go around -- from The Fed to Moody's and everyone in between -- it's not yet Chicken Little time.
Here's what time it is: Time to play Offense, not Defense. Could it be that Andy comes from NAPL President's home state of NJ and is also reeling from the recent NY Giants win of the Superbowl? No, Andy's not the sports fan Joe is. Instead, Andy's been doing what Andy does -- seriously surveying the industry nationwide, and this is what he's found...
In every region and every printing business size category, the economy is the biggest concern. This is the first time since Black Monday 1987 -- the first time in 21 years! -- that data has shown this broad concern throughout all sectors of the industry. Here's what else he found: Most printers are still playing defense not offense. Perhaps there's a lesson here from our football Giants afterall.
-- Rhona Bronson
