NPES Chairman's Perspective

Hank A. Brandtjen, III
NPES Chairman
President, Brandtjen & Kluge, Inc.

(NPES International E-commerce Website, March 19, 2008)  Have you been paying attention to the election primary process? It's hard not to! What amazes me is the 'spin doctoring' applied to every sentence uttered. I know I'm getting older (which definitely beats the alternative, but that's a separate subject), but the use of the word 'doctor' in the context of politics is truly an oxymoron.

A doctor is supposed to examine you, tell you what's wrong and then take steps to heal (i.e., mend, make well, restore to health, cure) you. Conversely, a spin doctor takes whatever is said or done and flips it 180 degrees the other way, as if nothing was wrong in the first place! Without going off on another tangent, this subject got me thinking about the state of our industry today, and where we go from here.

My company, which has been in business since 1919, was struggling in 1933; the depression was hurting everyone. While those in our industry knew that action was needed, determining exactly what to do was unclear. That year my great grandfather met with industry representatives from 25 other companies and the upshot was the formation of the NPEA (National Printing Equipment Association) ---- a trade association ---- a forum for people to convene and discuss the problems of the day that offered solutions.

In 2008, the value and strength of this association, now known as NPES (the acronym doesn’t exactly match the current name of our association, but that’s a separate subject), endures and is proudly celebrating its 75th Anniversary. Today, our association is over 400 members strong and my company is still involved.

While the economy today is certainly not comparable to 1933, I do believe there are economic pressures at play for us all that are, or will impact our companies' performance. In short, I am not too proud to admit it ---- I need help to separate the ‘spin’ from the facts! Fortunately, just like my great grandfather back in 1933, I’ve got a forum for exchanging information, insights and guidance ---- NPES!

NPES Leadership Forums
NPES Leadership Forums, our association's newest member resource, are comprised of eight to 10 top-level executives from NPES member companies. Each Forum group meets three times a year, serving as a 'surrogate board of directors' for its participants. Guided by a facilitator, participants delve into each member's specific situations and/or challenges. Then together, Forum members formulate positive, action oriented 'take-home' solutions. The bond between Forum members is strong because each member's connection to the group is based upon a foundation of candor, confidentiality, commitment and a willingness to share their expertise.

NPES 2008 INDUSTRY SUMMIT
If you attend only one industry update event this year ---- this should be it ---- the NPES 2008 Industry Summit, March 31-April 3 in New York. (Visit www.npes.org for complete program and registration information.) This three and a half-day event brings together PRINT OUTLOOK 08 with three other key sessions: the PRIMIR Spring Meeting, NPES Market Data Committee Meeting and the NPES Board of Directors Meeting. The co-location of these events provides an unsurpassed venue in which to enhance your industry knowledge and maximize your networking opportunities while minimizing your time away from the office.

NPES Annual Conference
It's not too soon to mark your calendar for the NPES Annual Conference, November 15-17 at the Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Suppliers on the leading edge know the future of print is changing. Industry consolidation, surging international markets, converging cross-media technologies, and many other forces are paving a road for change at the speed of thought. How will these changes impact your bottom line? Here, you will participate in the strategic conversation with industry leaders and peers who are driving a new path toward the new model of print. With provocative tutorials from industry leaders and world-class level networking, you'll return home with new insights and tactics ---- and better poised to move your business forward.

The Doctor is In
NPES has all the 'diagnostic tools' we need to boost the 'health' of our companies so that they continue to be nimble, resilient and successful. As for me, I'm looking forward to my regular company 'check-up' as I lean on my peers for their expertise and guidance in my Leadership Forum group. No, wait… I just heard the economy is doing really well! Proactive Inclusion… the cure for 'spin.'