Deglobalisation – a unique opportunity to revive local industry!

The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.

Founding any business is a hard grind, and it can be tough to know exactly where to start. But there are a couple of essential pieces of the puzzle that would make the journey so much easier if only you knew about them at the start.

Suppose I could talk to a younger me. I’d explain the value of establishing a purpose, vision, mission, and values for my budding business (after telling myself to lose the earing and buy a couple 70’s muscle cars). If only I’d known the why, how, and where of my business at the beginning, it would have been so much easier to create the perfect value proposition for my customers.

The tragedy of many small businesses is that they begin with a great idea but lack an understanding or vision to guide them on where it should go. Without this crucial element in place, budding entrepreneurs often find themselves lost, trying to figure out what their business stands for and how best they can get there.

It’s never too late for a face-lift!

We can’t go back in time to help our younger selves, but it’s never too late for a face-lift! Looking at what your brand stands for and where you want it to go will tell you if the future is bright or heading towards disaster.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step. If you want people to embrace your brand, you must be clear about what your company stands for and why people should care?

Start by asking a couple of simple questions like, “Why do we exist?” or “What’s the point of our business?” to help you define your ‘Business Purpose’. The more you know why you’re in this game and what it means for customers to succeed with their goals, the easier it will be to find solutions!

Ensure that nothing gets left out when planning for success!

Next, visualise your organisation’s future and create a ‘Vision Statement’ to provide an image of what you want your business to look like in the years ahead – it will help guide all decisions and ensure that nothing gets left out when planning for success!

Forming a strategic vision will provide long-term direction and delineate the organisational activities to be pursued and the capabilities that an organisation plans to develop. It also injects a sense of purpose into how individuals in the company act towards their goals for future success.

Our ‘Mission Statement’ comes in next; what we do to create the future we want. The mission statement is like your business roadmap, telling you where to go and what steps to take. It should be clear so that all employees know their responsibilities in carrying out the company’s vision; if there are any unclear aspects or questions, make them more straightforward and use simple language that everyone can understand!

Values should be the foundation of your business!

How will we conduct ourselves to support and pursue our purpose, mission, and vision? That’s where our values come into play. ‘Values’ should be the foundation of your business and remain unchanged, passionate, and distinctive to ensure that you don’t lose sight or focus on what matters most.

A truly successful business with clearly defined business values relies on its people to work together, even when times get tough. The employees understand that it’s worth sticking around for the long haul, not just when things are easy but also during challenging periods (like pandemics and supply chain nightmares).

Once you define your purpose, mission, vision, and values, your ‘Value Proposition’ is the obvious next step. A value proposition is why people should do business with you instead of your competitors; it’s what sets you apart from the rest. It’s often the most critical factor in whether customers choose your business. This simple statement summarises why they should choose you over all other companies and speaks to their needs by communicating what you do and how it benefits them.

Stay true to your purpose, mission, and vision!

It can be daunting to keep up with the latest technologies and changes in the marketplace but remember that you have one powerful asset: your intellect. Use it to create a business strategy that is innovative and forward-thinking. Stay true to your purpose, mission, and vision, and build a value proposition that resonates with customers. With a clearly defined and well-articulated strategy in place, you can not only survive but thrive in any industry.

This article appeared in New Zealand Printer in April 2022

It can be overwhelming to be thrust back into the grind!

We’ve all been back at work for almost 3 months now (after hopefully having a relaxing Chrissy break), and for most, it’s gone by in a blur of activity. After a blissful period of relaxation and family time, it can be overwhelming to be thrust back into the grind. And while it’s great to hit the ground running, it’s also no wonder that people often feel a little overloaded. We want to get the best out of ourselves and those around us, so avoiding negative impacts on our physical and mental health is a great strategy. 

So, this is the perfect time to roll up our sleeves and dig into the nitty-gritty! Knowing what makes us tick allows us to craft clever solutions to bring out our inner champion in record time. If we take the time to understand our neurotransmitters’ critical role in regulating our mood, cognition, behaviour, and physiological processes. We can manage a simple strategy to significantly help our mental health and get us back to our best in no time. 

Several neurotransmitters and hormones are essential in regulating mood, behaviour, and physiological processes in the brain and body. These neurotransmitters and hormones often interact with each other in complex ways, and any system imbalance or dysfunction can significantly affect our physical and mental health.

When we complete a task, dopamine is released in the brain!

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the brain’s reward system and has a significant role in motivation and the completion of tasks. When we complete a task, especially one that requires effort and concentration, dopamine is released in the brain, creating feelings of satisfaction and reward. It helps us to feel a sense of accomplishment and encourages us to continue engaging in activities that promote our well-being and success.

The best way to get started is by identifying the critical tasks that need to be done and focusing on completing those first. This will help you to feel more in control of your workload and reduce stress levels. Delegate some tasks to others, where possible, to lighten your workload and free up time to focus on the essentials. It’s important to complete your essential tasks before moving on to something new.

Oxytocin also has effects on the brain and behaviour. It is involved in regulating social behaviour and emotions, such as trust, empathy, and generosity. Oxytocin has been shown to increase feelings of trust between individuals and plays a role in reducing anxiety and stress. 

It’s as easy as slowing your breathing down!

Practising mindful breathing is a fantastic way to promote oxytocin release and reduce stress. It’s as easy as slowing your breathing down and focusing on the present moment. This simple strategy can be practised anywhere and anytime, making it a valuable tool for managing stress and anxiety throughout the day.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. It is commonly known as the “feel-good” hormone because it promotes feelings of well-being and happiness. It also regulates social behaviour and can play a role in anxiety and depression.

The best way to optimise your serotonin levels is by undertaking regular physical activity and consuming a diet rich in whole foods (such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains) and low in processed foods and sugar. Sunlight exposure has also been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain, so spending time outside, particularly in the morning or early afternoon, can help promote serotonin production.

Spending time with people who make you laugh can definitely help boost endorphins!

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that can produce feelings of euphoria and well-being. They are released in response to pleasurable experiences such as laughter. Research has found that when we laugh, endorphins are released in the brain, creating a natural “high” that can help to alleviate stress and improve mood. Furthermore, endorphins have been found to promote social bonding, which may be one reason why laughter is often experienced in social contexts. So, spending time with people who make you laugh or engaging in activities that bring you joy can definitely help boost endorphins.

The truth is that no matter who you are, life can be hard sometimes, and there’s no one-size fits all solution to getting the best out of ourselves and those around us. However, it’s reassuring to know that taking a few positive steps can improve our mental health and ensure we get back to our best. Understanding how our moods, behaviour, and physiological processes are linked allows us to create effective mental health strategies to help us recover. 

Now grab a cup of your favourite tea, breathe deeply, and make sure you take proper care of yourself – because you deserve it!

This article appeared in New Zealand Printer in March 2023

An opportunity for fresh starts and renewed growth!

The days are longer, the air is warmer, and the holiday lights that twinkled around you are starting to fade. You’re heading back to work (most of you, at least!), so it’s time to eliminate the old and pump energy back into your business. No matter what kind of year you had in 2022, 2023 is an opportunity for fresh starts and renewed growth. 

Flexibility is the key in the modern business world, and adjusting quickly has become par for the course. So, tweaks to strategic plans and decisions have become essential for any business trying to stay ahead of the competition and reach its goals. 

By the new year, most business plans in our part of the world should have been in play for six to nine months. So, it’s time to ensure you can still hit your targets. But it’s essential to look back and ask yourself what worked well and didn’t— and why. Take time to analyse your current strengths and weaknesses so that you can make informed decisions moving forward. Doing so will help clarify which areas of your business need improvement and where your team should focus their efforts this upcoming year.

Set positive affirmations and reaffirm your goals!

Now that you understand where your business stands, it’s time to assess your goals for 2023! Make sure they are still achievable yet challenging enough that they push you outside of your comfort zone. 

The first step to business planning for the new year is to set positive affirmations and reaffirm your goals. By using positive affirmations, you can flip the script on negative thoughts. Don’t laugh; your words have the power to rewire your brain! An article from the National Library of Medicine in 2015 revealed that simply reciting positive affirmations can increase ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) activity. This is the part of the brain responsible for perceiving ourselves and managing emotions. 

With affirmations in place, it’s time to reassess your goals. They may be ok as is, or perhaps you need to break them down into smaller milestones to track progress. Once you have a clear idea of your goals for the coming year, create an action plan for how you will reach them, this should include refining budgets and assigning tasks to team members.

Be realistic when assessing deadlines!

Your goals should complement each other so that all business areas work together towards one common goal. Make sure to be realistic when assessing deadlines — if they are too tight, you may run out of time and resources before achieving your desired results. 

Also, consider any external factors (e.g., interest rises, shipping costs, general economic conditions, etc.) that might have changed and could impact your timeline and budget.

Once you have refined and set your goals and objectives, it’s time to define strategies and tactics for achieving them. You’ll want to create an actionable plan with specific steps for reaching each goal. You may already have something in place, but it’s time to check if it still works in the current climate. This is where you’ll determine which activities need to be implemented to meet those targets — such as launching a marketing campaign or developing a new product/service offering. Defining strategies and tactics also involve identifying potential risks to be addressed in advance if necessary (e.g., unexpected expenses).

Track progress accurately over time!

The last step in updating and creating a successful business plan is developing measurement tools to track progress accurately over time. Developing metrics will help ensure that strategies are being implemented correctly and provide insight into whether objectives are being met. This way, adjustments can be made if needed (e.g., bringing on additional personnel). Metrics should include both quantitative (e.g., sales figures) and qualitative data (e.g., customer feedback).

A successful business plan for 2023 doesn’t have to be overwhelming — just break it down into smaller steps! Start with realistic goals & objectives; from there, define strategies & tactics; lastly, develop measurement tools for tracking progress. And if things don’t go according to plan, remember that adjusting your goals is always possible – flexibility in the modern world is the key to success. 

This article appeared in New Zealand Printer in January 2023

If you’re lucky, you’ll talk to a foreign help desk!

We’ve all unwittingly accepted a role at the checkout of our local supermarket, so the chance of a chat when checking out your groceries is no more. And if you don’t like this new job (that you didn’t apply for!) and feel obliged to speak out, you’ll have to hold your tongue because there’s no one to listen to your complaint. Of course, you can make a call listen to the Ai prompts, and, if you’re lucky, talk to a foreign help desk because local support or, heaven forbid, someone to talk to in person is a thing of the past. 

I must be honest; I don’t believe there’s anything better than good old-fashioned service offered with a smile and a reassuring word. We’re lucky our industry still has more than its share of exceptionally talented suppliers happy to lend a hand. So, I asked a couple about their journey. 

I decided on three people recently recognised in the 2022 ProPrint Awards Supplier 50 category: Craig Walmsley, Country Manager for HP Industrial (Indigo and PWP) – Australia and New Zealand. Zaidee Jackson, National Business Development Manager – Sustainable Packaging at Ball & Doggett. And Anthony Jackson, National Sales Manager ANZ – Commercial HP Indigo.

Supporting the pathways around sustainable outcomes!

Zaidee Jackson’s role sees her supporting and partnering with a diverse range of customers, from printers, and converters, to government, council, and industry bodies, supporting the pathways around sustainable outcomes. 

Zaidee has been instrumental in creating the online platform ecoporium by Ball & Doggett. This network can influence, inspire, and educate customers, empowering them to make informed decisions and connect directly with specialists.

I asked Zaidee what she’s learned from being in her position that people should know. “At the core of what we, as an industry, need to reconcile is that we must collectively be on a pathway with sustainable impact at heart. We need to start being purpose-led and open to being educated about sustainability, and we need an understanding of why it’s simply good business”.

Creating space for all voices to be heard!

She then explained how she defined success in her field, “Creating opportunity for those around you to see value in themselves, ultimately creating space for all voices to be heard.” With leaders like Zaidee, the next generation is in good hands. 

Next, I spoke with industry stalwart Anthony Jackson, or AJ, as he’s affectionately known. HP Indigo technology was AJ’s nemesis throughout his sales career at Fuji Xerox and KM. When I asked him about his current position, he quipped, in true AJ style, “It was time to learn, appreciate and respect why ‘drinking the ElectroInk’ was the path forward”.

When I asked him what he liked most about his job, his response encapsulated why he’s such a good supplier, “Working with an energetic and talented team at Currie Group is one aspect. But the biggest kick is watching customers succeed with our implemented solution and building relationships with their sales and production teams – being a part of their journey.

Customers with beaming smiles kicking goals it’s infectious!

It’s all about our customer’s growth, sustainability, and happiness. These are my measures of success. Seeing customers with beaming smiles kicking goals, it’s infectious. Farming win/win relationships built on respect and credibility leads to success.”

Lastly, I spoke with Craig Walmsley about why he loved his role at HP, “I am constantly learning and often amazed at what is being produced from sites with incredible workflows, finishing, and new applications; every site is unique.

We are all in this together, our industry is a tight-knit community, and the more we share and collaborate, the better we will all be together.” 

The future would be bright with leaders like this!

The responses genuinely warmed my heart, and I knew the future would be bright with leaders like this. So, I finished by asking all three one final question; If you could change anything about your industry, what would it be?

Craig led off with, “We need to constantly develop and nurture new entrants into our industry, which may be school leavers or experienced people looking for a career change. I believe we can do more to attract more talent into our industry”.

Next was AJ, “Making it more attractive for Generation Z or iGen generation of people wanting to pursue a career in our amazing and creative industry”.

Impactful programs at internship and apprenticeship levels!

And lastly, Zaidee, “Impactful programs at internship and apprenticeship levels for young individuals to feel drawn to the industry. To feel connected so they can take the baton and lead through passion and sustain this industry that has provided so much to so many.

I couldn’t agree more with the final responses. If we work together to make our industry an attractive option, we’ll draw in new talent, new ideas and a different perspective. We need to encourage the younger generation to join us in this industry so that they can help shape it into something even better than it is now. 

This article appeared in New Zealand Printer in December 2022

The world is finally awakening!

Ever wonder how CEOs and other business leaders make decisions? It’s not all based on logic, despite what you may think. In fact, a lot of it has to do with the way our brains are wired. 

Let’s create a scenario to put this in perspective. The world has been effectively shut down for a couple of years after governments worldwide have massively overreacted to a situation. The world is finally awakening, and it’s obvious that we all need to be more adaptable in how we do things because rapid change has become a permanent reality of life on Earth!

After a couple of years of inactivity, there’s quite a lot of new equipment on the market, and you decide to pop over for LabelExpo to check out the latest and greatest. After walking the halls and talking to everyone, you’ve set your sights on the new HP Indigo V12, delivering 120 linear metres per minute with 1600dpi image resolution! 

You’ll need to light up all three regions of your brainstem!

To get that goal to the next stage, you’ll need to light up all three regions of your brainstem, with the hind-brain, mid-brain, and fore-brain all playing a role in your decision-making process.  

The hind-brain, or reptilian complex, is responsible for our basic instincts, such as fight-or-flight. This part of the brain is often associated with risk aversion because it helps us to avoid dangerous situations. In business, the reptilian brain might lead us to play it safe and avoid risks that could lead to loss. 

The mid-brain, or limbic system, is associated with emotion, which is the part of the brain that gives us feelings of pleasure and happiness. The mid-brain is often influencing our decision-making without us even realising it. When you make a purchase simply because it makes you feel good, that’s your limbic system at work! In business, the limbic system can be a powerful tool for marketing products and services. If we can tap into positive emotions like happiness and pleasure, we’re more likely to get people to buy what we’re selling. But for significant purchasing decisions, acting on feelings and emotions alone can be disastrous.

The neo-cortex is often used for strategic planning!

The fore-brain, or neo-cortex, is responsible for higher-level thinking, such as language and abstract thought. This brain part helps us see the bigger picture and make long-term plans. In business, the neo-cortex is often used for strategic planning and deciding where to allocate resources. However, because this part of the brain is so analytical, it can sometimes lead us to overthink things or get bogged down in the details. 

Knowing how the brain works can help you plan a strategy to cover all bases. And one of the best ways to get a project underway is to start with a SMART goal. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

In the case of equipment purchase, your plan would be based on the specific purpose of buying the press. It would have measurable benchmarks such as ROI, increased throughput, reduced overtime, etc., and it would be achievable in your financial position and relevant to your business operations. Lastly, it would have to take place in a reasonable timeline.

Asking yourself a question posed in four different ways!

For the next step, a form of Cartesian Logic is an excellent way to work through the situation. This method utilises 4 lenses rather than one to view the problem. And you achieve this by asking yourself a question posed in four different ways! 

What will happen if I get the HP Indigo V12? 

I’ll be able to produce more high-quality work in less time.

What won’t happen if I get the HP Indigo V12? 

I won’t miss deadlines or worry about the quality of my work.

What will happen if I don’t get the HP Indigo V12? 

I’ll continue to be stressed and miss the opportunity to win higher-value jobs.

What won’t happen if I don’t get the HP Indigo V12? 

My business won’t grow, and I’ll stay in the same position I’m in now, under-resourced and working hard to keep up.

Are you playing it safe or taking risks?

Using a SMART framework and Cartesian Logic will remove the fear from the reptilian brain because it no longer seems so risky. The limbic system still influences our decision-making, but we are fully aware of it and have planned our decision on more than just emotion. And finally, the neo-cortex has the details it needs without being bogged down. 

So, the next time you’re faced with a business decision, take a moment to consider which part of your brain is driving that decision. Is it based on logic or emotion? Are you playing it safe or taking risks? Remember, decision-making varies depending on what’s best for your situation. But by understanding how your brain works, you can make more informed choices that will help you achieve your desired results.

This article appeared in New Zealand Printer in November 2022