Product Reviews

Snapshot: Two minute take-away on workplace design

Two minute take-away on workplace design

  • There is a relationship between improved office design and business performance, with direct correlation between better design and profitability
  • On average, firms with well designed offices generate 5% more profit than companies with poorly designed offices
  • Make sure layouts and office designs have a contemporary feel, showing they have been adapted to suit changing office behaviours
  • Green buildings are often more productive and better value for money
  • Create more common space. Collaborative and shared space is common in high performing organisation
Two minute take-away on hiring a high-performance salesperson
  • Patience is vital when recruitng new sales person. Good sales staff are like gold and it is very difficult to find individuals who will enjoy working with you and prosper
  • Make sure you can explain why a high-performance salesperson should join your firm. What is in it for them?
  • Define what you want and expect them to acheive in the first six months on a month-by-month basis
  • Research potential candidates
  • Identify where and what you want them to sell. If possible ask candidates to do a presentation
  • It they are not from the print business, have a plan in place to train them
Two minute take-away on working with apprentices
  • Sometimes, willing apprentices can be found in other areas of the firm, which brings benefits as they will have a broader understanding of your business
  • Speak to at least two colleges and training providers that support print apprenticeships and weigh up the benefits of what they are offering.
  • It's best to appoint an apprentice for a three-month probationary period before the training programme starts. This will help apprentice in understanding the work in much effecitve way
  • Regular reviews will monitor the apprentice's potential
  • Provide your apprentice with a broad and stimulating business experience
Two minute take-away on staff in the bindery
  • The age of average print worker is either late forties or early fifties. The industry is failing to attract young blood
  • The bindery in particular has problems recruiting young people because of its image as heavy, boring work
  • The bindery doesn't have the appeal of pre-press or the press, but it needs new young recruits just as much as other departments
  • The bindery is significantly the most important place in a print factory, and bored, unmotivated workers can do a lot of damage
  • Foresighted companies should give their bindery staff a sense of their contribution to the company and the value of their work, backed up with training and team building