Connected Fall 2015

SOMETIMES, IT’S ALL ABOUT

FAMILY

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE FALL 2015

THE CONTENTS

05Member News

Congratulations—Wins, Anniversaries, New Business

07Feature: Call it Amazing

Storyboard Makes the Case

10Expert Column:Strategic Selling

Improvement Tips for Sales Reps

12Expert Column:Human Resources

Relationships Shape Workplaces

14New Members

02 VMA On the Go

04 VMA Events

15 Find-An-Employee

BOARD ROSTER:CHAIRMANJohn Crammer, Best Label Company

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMANFrank Parks, The Parks Group

BOARD MEMBERS:Gil CaravantesCommerce Printing ServicesJohn Crammer (Chairmen)Best LabelChris CullenMoquin PressIan Flynn (1st Vice Chairmen)Direct Repsonse ImagingDava GuthmillerNoise 13Jeff JarvisSpicersFrank Parks (Immediate Past)The Parks GroupChris ShadixBelAire DisplaysCindy SonnenbergK/P CorporationStephen SprinkelSprinkel Media Network

STAFF ROSTER:PRESIDENTDan Nelson

DIRECTOR MEMBER SERVICESJim Frey

DIRECTOR MEMBER PROGRAMSLaura Vargas

DIRECTOR EDUCATIONBarbara Silverman

DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONSTodd Donahue

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORGabrielle Disario

MEMBERSHIP SALESShannon Wolford

FINANCIAL MANAGEREmily Gotladera

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST Maria Salita

VICE PRESIDENT INSURANCE SERVICESDavid Katz

INSURANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPSRenee Prescott, Crystal Carlson, Lena Nelson, Sue Benavente, Jessica Clark

DIRECTOR SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITSGreg Golin

DIRECTOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRSGerry Bonetto

HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST Cheryl Chong

EDITORNoel Jeffrey

ON THE COVER:Anjolina Reyna and Joseph Reyna pose at the Giants game. VMA provides programs all year to benefi t members’ businesses. The annual baseball tailgate is a party for families.

VMAVisual Media Alliance (VMA) and VMA Education are nonprofi t trade associations dedicated to providing a variety of benefi ts and money saving programs to creative, web, marketing and print businesses in Northern and Central California and Northern Nevada. We were formerly known as the Printing Industries of Northern California - PINC. Our purpose is to deliver what it takes to help our members become more successful and profi table in their businesses. To accomplish that goal, we provide personal and professional development programs for both owners and employees. Dues are based on each company’s employee count.

Th e Alliance brings Business Services to small and medium media companies and even individual creatives who are typically underserved in insurance and discounted business services.

Women in Business Communications

Women network and discover new ways to enrich, empower and strengthen personal

and professional connections. Th is luncheon talked about how women in business must express

themselves every day and in a variety of situations. It included how to be presentable and tap into an authentic voice while connecting to listeners.

ON THE GO

Barbara Silverman andDoreen Hamilton Ph.D Doreen Hamilton Ph.D and April-Chelsea Mosley

Kathleen Sullivan (Sappi), and Susan Rosenberg Battat (Lithographix)

Elise Campeau and Julia Connery

Business Development Expert Seminar for Creatives

2015 TYPO Conference

A powerful day of in-depth coaching and expert advice from our industry’s top leadership coaches and management consultants. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with like-minded business owners and, share experiences, learn from their mistakes and learn tools and practices they need to implement to help them grow.

Inspirational talks from well-known as well as up-and-coming designers. The conference covers more than just typography – it’s design, culture, society with a little bit of kerning.

Baseball + Tailgate: SF Giants vs. Washington Nationals

Attendees have fun joining VMA to watch SF Giants play against the Washington Nationals on August 15th.

So You Wanna Be a Graphic Designer?Inspirational stories from industry mentors while they share

their student experience, start up years, fear and joy, tricks of the trade, current work and clients, their global views on

design, with a Questions & Answers session to follow.

Shannon Wolford and family

Patti Mangan (Imagine That Design Studio) at the podium speaking Steve Decker (Zooka Creative)

John Carrozza and Peleg Top

Renato Salgade and Ian Flynn

Harris and Bruno employees Joseph Rodriguez and Chris Hogge with HP’s Eric Zirbel

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | FALL 20154

Visual Media Alliance Events Keep Us ConnectedAs a VMA Member you are able to attend our events for free or at special member rates. We offer VMA Members and the public numerous events throughout the year including social and professional events. These events are created with our members in mind to further acquire knowledge on special topics and to also connect with others in the industry. If you have suggestions, please let us know by contacting Laura Vargas at [email protected] or 800-659-3363.

LUNCH & LEARNInfographics: Telling a Story with Adobe IllustratorNovember 4 & 511/4 - Maggiano’s Restaurant, San Jose, 11:30am - 1:30pm11/5 - Delancey Street Restaurant, San Francisco, 11:30am - 1:30pmPresenter, Sally Cox, Instructional Designer, eLearning & Adobe Trainer, Virtual Producer, Tech Writer and founder of Kreatable, San Jose. Sally has traveled the U.S. and Europe as an Adobe trainer for 15 years —specializing in custom on-site Adobe training and consulting. Clients include Ledet & Associates, Academy X, Roundpeg, RIT, Stanford and others.

Women in Business Communications LuncheonDecember 2Il Fornaio, San Francisco, 11:30 am – 1:30 pmNetwork and connect with like-minded successful women and discover new ways to enrich, empower and develop your personal and professional life over lunch.

22nd Annual CrabFest Saturday, January 9, 2016 5:30pm-11:00pm Colombo Club, OaklandThis fun annual event features all-you-can-eat fresh Dungeness Crab, bread, salad and pasta followed by music & dancing. Fabulous raffl e prizes with proceeds benefi tting the VMA Education Fund. Includes food & wine. VMA Member $55/ Non-Member $65/ Table of 10 $495.

Places to be. Things to do. People to see.

UPCOMINGVMA EVENTS

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WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

We protect your business, so you can focus on growing your business. VMA Insurance understands your business. We make sure your most important assets – your facilities & equipment, your employees and your reputation – are fully covered. Our experts are specialists in your industry and will provide you with the right coverage for the right cost.

VMA Insurance. Peace of Mind.

VMA Insurance Services has been ensuring business success since 1986.

Contact David Katz Today! (800) 659-3363 • insurance.vma.bz

55

MEMBER NEWS


CONGRATULATIONS

Anniversary ImpactThirty years ago, husband and wife Paul and Lori Garcia decided to fulfill a dream of owning a business. Impact Printing, Hayward, opened its doors as a trade only print shop with one press operator and a 2-color Chief Press. They have greatly expanded to offer a variety of services including digital printing, mailing services, online ordering and a full service graphics and bindery department.

Impact Printing is certified as a Woman and Minority Owned Business and Bay Area Green Business. They take pride in offering excellent customer service and continue to run as a family-owned business with both daughters and a son-in-law. They thank all their customers for their continued loyalty and support.

WINNING WAYS

Members Capture Multiple Premier Print AwardsHearty congratulations are in order for Vintage 99 Label, Livermore and Watermark Press, San Francisco on their winning a Best of Category award in the recent PIA Premier Print Awards. A BOC earns the company a prestigious Benny. More congratulations go to the member companies listed below who were honored with Certificates of Merit and Awards of Recognition. Several companies won multiple awards, particularly Collotype Labels at both Napa and Sonoma locations. These companies were also Gold Award winners in VMA’s Showcase competition. VMA automatically submits Gold Award winners to the Premier Print Awards.

Members Winning Premier Print AwardsAMP Printing

Andresen San FranciscoBarlow Printing

Best LabelCollotype Labels

Collotype Labels - NapaCollotype Labels – Sonoma

Collotype Labels North America Wine and Spirits

Creative LabelsInkworks Press

K Hogan CoK/P Corporation - San Leandro Division

Moquin PressPacific Standard Print

RG Creations Inc.Vintage 99 LabelWatermark Press

VMA Members Take 2015 Gold Ink Awards Printing Impressions magazine has announced the winners of its 2015 Gold Ink Awards. This year’s winners were chosen from more than 1,000 entries submitted within 50 categories. VMA member firms came away with some glitter:

• Digital Printing, Labels & Flexible Packaging – Collotype Labels, Gold and Silver

• Digital Printing, Specialty – Direct Response Imaging, SF, Gold

• Packaging Labels – Collotype Labels North American Wine and Spirits

The 2015 Gold Ink Gala took place Sunday, September 13 at the Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place, Chicago. (www.piworld.com)

CDA Rebrands GhirardelliChen Design Associates, San Francisco’s client Bitter+Bottles was recently awarded 7x7 Magazine’s Reader Choice Award for Coolest New Boutique. An even greater challenge (and reward) was being engaged by new owner Jamestown Properties to refresh Ghirardelli Square’s brand and completely overhaul its website. In line with this, the rebranding and website aim was to raise the experience of visiting Ghirardelli Square to be worthy of its national historic landmark status and of living into the greater potential of drawing international tourists and discerning locals alike.

WIDE FORMAT INTRIGUES

Outlook WidensSpicers Paper Wide Format Expo took place on September 15 at Spicers Paper in Union City. Northern California graphic arts participants came to learn more about the fastest growing segment in the printing industry and enjoy the delectable barbecue as well. There were seminars, demos and top substrate manufacturers on hand to show their products and answer questions. Spicers Paper is committed to become a go-to resource for wide format needs. For more information contact your local Spicers Paper Sales Representative.

www.spicers.com.

15 at Spicers Paper in Union City. Northern

arts participants came

segment in the printing industry and enjoy the

CHANGES, ACTIVITIES

6 VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | SUMMER 2015VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | FALL 20156

Commerce Printing Joins Agfa Graphics’ GreenWorks Program Commerce Printing Services of Sacramento has become the newest member of the AgfaGraphics GreenWorks program. Commerce Printing Services actively sought ways to reduce its environmental impact and over the years, started utilizing soy based ink, FSC Certified paper, Greenergy and biodiesel fuel. The GreenWorks program accredits customers in the graphic communications industry who achieve greener outcomes through technology, products, services and practices. Commerce opted to go greener in its prepress area when the company switched to chemistry-free Azura TS plates and the Avalon CtP system from Agfa Graphics.

www.agfagraphics.us/greenworks

Member Named to Honors SocietyConstance V. Hill, President, VeraCentra, Napa, is among the 11 industry leaders who were inducted into Epicomm’s Soderstrom Society at ceremonies during the annual Soderstrom Awards Dinner in Chicago on September 12. The Soderstrom Society is an honors organization that recognizes the contributions of printing, mailing, fulfillment and marketing services executives, as well as industry supplier executives, educators, journalists and consultants.

http://epicomm.org/about-us/soderstrom-society/

ARB Digital Prints On Unique SubstratesIn August, Richard Romano, who specializes in wide format printing for WhatTheyThink.com profiled VMA member ARB Digital, Sacramento. “ARB Digital’s stock in trade is specialty printing, Romano wrote, producing one-off items printed on unusual substrates. Think wood, glass, metal, textiles and, of course, animal pelts.”

“Everything we print is different,” said Alvaro Rodriguez, owner and founder. “It’s very rare that we print the same thing twice. We’re looking for those customers that want to print on something that is not very common, and something that is not a huge run.”

In-house, ARB Digital has an Epson Stylus Pro 9900 and a Roland LEF-12 tabletop UV printer, and Rodriguez works with a partner in the Bay Area who has a Canon Solutions America Océ Arizona UV flatbed and an Esko router.

ALVARO RODRIGUEZ WITH A PRINT ARB DIGITAL PRODUCED FOR THE SACRAMENTO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM. ARTWORK BY POMEGRANATE DESIGN.

JEFF MURPHY (LEFT), AGFA AND GIL CARAVANTES, COMMERCE PRINTING

MEMBER NEWS

Power Selling Program LaunchesPIA is launching the Power Selling Program, an eight-week turnkey sales training program that features a unique combination of online training, weekly student projects, and live coaching sessions with the sales coach superstar, Leslie Groene. (See her column on page 10.) Julie Shaffer, PIA’sVice President, Digital Strategies, calls Leslie “the ideal mentor to help your sales team develop a razor focus on revenue generation and profit growth.” The program kicks off on October 12 and because there are private coaching sessions, participation is limited. For more information or to register, visit www.printing.org/powerselling.

Take Advantage of a Sales Tax ExemptionEveryone complains about sales taxes. So, why not take advantage of an almost 50% reduction in sales taxes on equipment? Regulation 1525.4 allows businesses in manufacturing to purchase manufacturing equipment at a reduced sales and use tax rate for purchases occurring on or after 7/01/14. To receive the exemption, you must complete an exemption certificate and give it to the seller. This won’t last forever! Download at www.pic-gov.org/salestax/SalesTaxExemption.html.

Fixed Price, FSC Chain of Custody Certification Available The Regional Affiliate Certification Group (RACG) now offers a program to the over $5M segment of the printing and packaging industry. Since 2010 RACG has offered a very successful program to the under $5M segment of the industry. Now it has launched a program for larger firms providing assistance, consulting and fixed pricing for FSC Chain of Custody Certification. Pricing, general information and program applications are available through the various PIA affiliates, on the RACG website (www.racgus.org), or directly from Marybeth Maloney at the RACG office, (508-804-4109).

NEWS YOU NEED

7VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | FALL 2015

Creative ForceSabine Lenz (left), founder and head of PaperSpecs, Palo Alto, is the program’s producer. She continues to do a stellar job developing content for the website, videos and the magazine. Connected talked to her about the program and she generously answered a few pertinent questions for us.

Q: Have you found that some printers are handling more than one aspect of a cross media campaign (ex. Email or video) or are separate companies needing to partner for consistency of look and feel across campaign components with the design company as orchestral conductor?

Sabine: There are indeed some printers that are taking on additional cross-media components. Yet the guiding force continues to be the design team behind it. While consistency of visuals is always important (how close can we match this PMS color on this poster to the RGB color on the website, etc.), it’s the tone of the cross-media strategy as a whole that is vital.

One of our favorite examples is a nearly-100-year-old North Beach hangout called Tosca Café that r.vH Design helped transform into a wildly successful restaurant. They did this by transforming the dated ambiance into a retro-chic vibe that they then duplicated on its website, menus, identity —even its coasters. If you know Tosca Café, you’ll recognize whatever digital or print piece you see as being from there instantly.

Call It AmazingBY NOEL JEFFREY

Storyboard makes the case for cross media—literally

Creative Force

VMA launched its Storyboard program in 2013 to help our local industry improve its image among the purchasers of print and other

media. It’s a key component of our Industry Promotion program. Storyboard’s focus is on the one thing that creatives of every stripe hold in common: a need to tell a story in the most effi cient and creative way possible.

The program practices what it preaches. Storyboard consists of these four components: A website, webinars, videos and a magazine that all work together. All have been well received with magazine

opt-in numbers reaching over 2,500 and another 2,000 webinar and website opt-ins—and over 53,400 individual website views as of last June.

We believe reaching print and media buyers with a compelling cross media message—and delivery using electronic and print media—is of critical importance for our

industry moving forward.Another vote of confi dence in Storyboard and

its cross-media theme came last spring when PIASC and PIA San Diego agreed to become

partners on this project and contribute to the program’s overhead. And we have

done this in a way to insure that no Southern California

printer advertisers will be delivered to any

Northern California audiences, addressing a past

sensitivity for our board and members.

8 VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | FALL 20158

Q: You’ve done a fantastic job of choosing cover art for the magazine that benefi ts from certain fi nishing techniques—Scodix enhancement, foil etc. Any hints about what might be coming the future?

Sabine: There are so many great options out there and they help us

enhance the cover story we want to tell. One of the ideas we have our hearts set on: scented inks. Just imagine a magazine cover scented like lemon cookies or cinnamon sticks, especially during the holidays! Then there’s laser die cutting, which off ers the most intriguing possibilities. And fl ocking, and…. :-)

Q: What are the basic elements of a good cross-media story? What makes one stand out?

Sabine: Our ideal cross-media story is one in which the design team and the client clearly “get it.” The challenge, we fi nd, is that most people think they know what a “cross-media” campaign is until you actually try to pin them down on what that means. Many still think it’s “put stuff on paper, throw some stuff on your website, and ooh! – we need an app.” A great cross-media story is one in which the subject does all of these things, but does so in a coordinated way in which one element reinforces the next, toward a specifi c goal. (See the box for a few good examples)

Q: What benefi ts do you see VMA members gaining from Storyboard?

Sabine: Much of the world seems to view print and digital as two opposing forces currently locked in a duel to the death. Obviously this isn’t the case.

First and most importantly, I think, Storyboard shows VMA members that print and digital can be deployed jointly in exciting, eff ective ways. This is why we dedicate so much space to “case stories” —in-depth, photo-packed features that tell you “how they did it.” It’s very easy to fall into the “let’s-just-post-our-fl yer-on-our-website” rut. Seeing other VMA members approaching cross media in new and interesting ways again and again reminds us all that you can pull off some amazing things, whatever your budget.

Reaching ObjectivesSupporting Storyboard from its inception, Dan Nelson, VMA President, remains an enthusiast. “Based on the data collected, the Storyboard program has been received with a tremendous response. It’s the fi rst industry promotion program that creates an enthusiastic and measureable following,” he says.

Since Storyboard itself is a cross-media program, that’s important. Its real world objectives are as well.

The Purpose• To promote VMA members’ local businesses and

what they do• To provide an opportunity for members to advertise• To provide an opportunity to promote local events• To create awareness of creativity that comes from

California• To tell the cross media story with panache and

enthusiasm • To use all of the storyboard components to sell

membership and ultimately insurance• To complement the other industry promotional

eff orts including VM Access and Guide

To date, it’s doing its job.

CROSS MEDIA THAT WORKShttp://www.vmastoryboard.com/case-stories/1803/master-of-packaging-metallica/

http://www.vmastoryboard.com/case-stories/2985/freestyle-clothing-exchange-rebranding/

http://www.vmastoryboard.com/case-stories/2517/adding-bounce-to-sfmomas-modern-ball/

AdsCheCk eaCh box as a guide:❑ Name correct? ❑ Address correct? ❑ Phone # correct? ❑ Ad copy correct? ❑ Offer correct, if any?

ad approval:❑ Ad approved as is

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❑ Re-Proof after corrections are madeFax Back To: (480) 966-4133

Authorized Signature: Date:

•Lookoveryourprojectandcheckforerrors;spelling,address,telephone#’s,copyorcontent.SouthwestGraphicsisnotresponsiblefortyposorincorrectinformation.

•SignthispageandfaxitbacktoSouthwestGraphics.

•AnyChangesfromthispointforwardmaycostyouintimeandmaterials.

•SouthwestGraphicsCannotprocessyourjobuntilreceiptofSign-Off.

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CheCk eaCh box as a guide:❑ Name correct? ❑ address correct? ❑ Phone # correct? ❑ ad copy correct? ❑ offer correct, if any?

email baCk to: [email protected]

• look over your project and check for errors; spelling, address, telephone number’s, copy or content. Process magazine is not responsible for typos or incorrect information.

• sign this page and email it back to Process magazine.

• any changes from this point forward may cost you in time and materials.

• Process magazine cannot process your job until receipt of sign-off.

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10 VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | SUMMER 2015

STORY | LESLIE GROENE

LESLIE GROENELeslie Groene is one of the coaching superstars in the world of corporate sales as well as a business development trainer, executive consultant and author. Her background is in the paper and printing industries as a sales rep and sales manager. She helps her clients focus on revenue generation and profit growth. She authored the business strategy book “Picture Yourself & the Life You Want” and is a nationally-renowned motivational speaker. To purchase her book or contact her please go to www.GroeneConsulting.com. Here is the link to her e-newsletter, http://www.groeneconsulting.com/Newsletter/2014.12/

Most of you are sales reps who scan the sales landscape for ways to improve. Here are some tips that will resonate with you!

STRATEGIC SELLING


1. Learn the Customer: Every time you’re with a customer, make it a point to learn something personal and professional about them. Don’t allow your time together to be so focused on the immediate business opportunity that you miss out on additional, long-term information. It’s the long-term information you gain that will help you retain the customer, and the longer you have a customer, the more likely they are to refer others to you. When you’re gathering information about the person, look for items that are of common interest to you both. These are the items that will help you propel the business relationship to the next level.

2. Opening the Sales Call: Always start off a sales call by covering three things: 1. Gain a clear understanding of the amount of time the call will take. 2. Make sure the customer knows what the objective of the call is. 3. Relate the reason for the current sales call to the previous sales call you had with the person, or to information you may have sent them. Connecting the

current sales call to something previous gives the customer the comfort of knowing you remember fully everything that may have already occurred.

3. Celebrate Your Customer’s Anniversary:For salespeople who have retained customers for a period of years, it’s special to recognize them and their relationship with you. It’s also a great way for your customers to realize how much you think of them and a great way for you to take the relationship to an even higher level through this personalized type of communication.

4. Hand-Written Business Cards:Next time you’re about to give someone your business card; take a moment to personalize it. If you take a moment to jot on the card your cell number, a home phone number, or some other piece of information that is not already on the card, you will suddenly make the person to whom you’re talking feel very special. Chances are the person will never call you on the hand-written phone numbers, but simply writing them on the card gives the person the feeling that you are placing them in high regard compared with others who you meet.

5. Speak With Your Face:I’m constantly amazed at the number of times I run across salespeople who clearly don’t believe what they’re saying. It is easy to spot in the person’s face and body language. They take on a whole host of non-verbal clues, ranging from non-expressive smiles with tight lips to eyes that lack any sense of direction. When we’re selling to a customer in person or on the phone, we have to make sure our entire face reflects the enthusiasm and excitement of our words. Why would we expect a person to buy from us if we’re not connected to and excited about what we’re selling?

6. Open Ended Questions:Don’t forget to use “umbrella questions” on every sales call. Umbrella questions are questions that work in any selling situation and are designed to provide you with additional information. Examples of umbrella questions include: Why? Tell me more. Share with me another example. Explain further. What are some other examples you could share with me? You get the idea — umbrella questions are ones that get the customer talking more about what they’re looking for. On your next sales call, challenge yourself to ask at least 5 umbrella questions.

7. Customer’s Goals and Objectives:Do you know what goals your customers have? Just think how much more effective you could be if you knew the goals of the person to whom you are selling. Find out what their personal and business goals are for the current and upcoming year by asking questions and listening to their answers. In addition, let them know that you have set goals for yourself. Explain your belief that it is essential for you to help your customers achieve their goals in order for you to achieve your own.

877-623-4969 CSA.CANON.COM

CHANGING THE WORLD OF PRODUCTION INKJET.

Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. Océ and Océ VarioPrint are a registered trademarks of Océ-Technologies B.V. in the United States and elsewhere. Océ ImageStream is a trademark of Océ-Technologies B.V. in the United States. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. © 2015 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved.

CANON SOLUTIONS AMERICA VOTED THE NUMBER ONE “COMPANY TO WATCH” AT THE 2015 INKJET SUMMIT. Recognized as the top “Company to Watch” at the 2015 Inkjet Summit, we are committed

to helping customers take their production print operations to the next level. That’s

why we’re pleased to present our newest inkjet presses. The Océ ImageStream™ 3500

inkjet press is the fi rst full-color continuous feed Océ inkjet solution to print on standard

offset paper providing offset productivity with the variable data print benefi ts of digital

printing. The Océ VarioPrint® i300 sheetfed inkjet press features innovative cutsheet

inkjet technology at a savings of up to half the operating costs of traditional toner-based

equipment. Discover how these production inkjet presses will revolutionize your inkjet

print production workfl ow.

SEE A SNEAK PEAK! VIEW THE INKJET INNOVATIONS VIDEO, AT:PPS.CSA.CANON.COM/THEFUTUREOFINKJET

Océ VarioPrint i300 sheetfed inkjet press

Océ ImageStream inkjet press

COMPETITIVELY PRICED TRUSTED PARTNER HIGH PRODUCTIVITYHIGH-QUALITY COLOR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

877-623-4969 CSA.CANON.COM

CHANGING THE WORLD OF PRODUCTION INKJET.

Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. Océ and Océ VarioPrint are a registered trademarks of Océ-Technologies B.V. in the United States and elsewhere. Océ ImageStream is a trademark of Océ-Technologies B.V. in the United States. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. © 2015 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved.

CANON SOLUTIONS AMERICA VOTED THE NUMBER ONE “COMPANY TO WATCH” AT THE 2015 INKJET SUMMIT. Recognized as the top “Company to Watch” at the 2015 Inkjet Summit, we are committed

to helping customers take their production print operations to the next level. That’s

why we’re pleased to present our newest inkjet presses. The Océ ImageStream™ 3500

inkjet press is the fi rst full-color continuous feed Océ inkjet solution to print on standard

offset paper providing offset productivity with the variable data print benefi ts of digital

printing. The Océ VarioPrint® i300 sheetfed inkjet press features innovative cutsheet

inkjet technology at a savings of up to half the operating costs of traditional toner-based

equipment. Discover how these production inkjet presses will revolutionize your inkjet

print production workfl ow.

SEE A SNEAK PEAK! VIEW THE INKJET INNOVATIONS VIDEO, AT:PPS.CSA.CANON.COM/THEFUTUREOFINKJET

Océ VarioPrint i300 sheetfed inkjet press

Océ ImageStream inkjet press

COMPETITIVELY PRICED TRUSTED PARTNER HIGH PRODUCTIVITYHIGH-QUALITY COLOR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY


STORY | BY CHERYL CHONG

Relationships Shape Workplaces on Many Levels

HUMAN RESOURCES

CHERYL CHONGSince Doug Moore has retired, Cheryl Chong has joined VMA as our Human Resources Director and your #1 source for assistance responsible for counseling on HR matters like family leave, discrimination, sexual harassment and wage and hour compliance. She has a Bachelors and Masters degree from Chapman University in Orange, CA, along with 20+ years of HR experience in the trenches. Think of her as an extension of your HR department, courtesy of VMA. Please feel free to reach out for answers or introduce your organization by calling 800-659-3363 or [email protected].


Time for a “Love Contract”?Considering the litigious world we live in today and the CA employer’s obligation to protect its employees from sexual harassment, it would be a wise idea to look at your workplace policies and draft one that discourages romantic relationships. However, this is not within anyone’s control.

An employer can try to limit its potential liability for issues that may arise from consensual relationships that occur between employees in the workplace. The concern that most employers should have is if and when the consent turns sour, the employees may have a claim regarding sexual harassment or discrimination claims. Even worse, what if the relationship occurred between a manager and subordinate. Think of the potential confl ict of interest issues, confi dentiality of work discussions, unwelcome speech or behavior (third party harassment issues) and favoritism.

Consensual relationship agreements or “love contracts” are a tool an employer can use to minimize or mitigate the potential for employee relations disasters that can disrupt the smooth fl ow of the operations at work. Such an agreement should state that consensual relationships should not cause disruption in the workplace or lead to sexual conduct/misconduct in the workplace. If an employer comes to know about a consensual relationship in

the workplace, they should discretely approach both parties and speak to them confi dentially about signing this agreement. That way, the employer can cover itself for any liabilities. The parties are spoken to about respecting workplace boundaries and to behave in a professional and appropriate manner in all workplace contexts.

The Art of Customer ServiceWhile there is a concerted push in every aspect of businesses especially in the private sector to provide excellent customer service to vendors, customers, etc., I often feel that there is a dearth or lacking of internal customer service. What do I mean by this? I often observe employees or internal customers lacking in the art of customer service within their organizations.

Employees often treat customers with better respect or pay more attention just because their customers are paying for services. But what of our internal customers? Don’t they also matter or matter just as much? When management and employees take care of each other, display respect, dignity, fair play and have teamwork, it makes employees more aware of their actions and have a good cause and eff ect. What comes sincerely internally will naturally have a more natural eff ect or aff ect outwards. In the world of ISO, one slogan that caught on with me is “Say what you do, do what you say.” Do unto others as you would wish upon yourself. Be mindful of our actions and it will become an innate and natural behavior to perform the same way with everyone, be it that they are paying or non-paying customers.

Spread love, kindness, joy, happiness and smile. Go the extra mile and eliminate egos and attitudes. Let it be for the greater good of having a warm and welcoming workplace since we already spend so much time there, much more than we sometimes get to spend at home with loved ones. So then it becomes the art of customer service.

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13VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | SUMMER 2015VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | FALL 2015 13VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | SUMMER 2015VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCEVISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCEVISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCEVISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE| CONNECTEDVISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCECONNECTED| CONNECTED| CONNECTEDCONNECTEDCONNECTEDCONNECTEDCONNECTED |CONNECTED| SUMMER 2015CONNECTEDSUMMER 2015|SUMMER 2015|SUMMER 2015SUMMER 2015FALL 2015SUMMER 2015 131313

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Easy Biz PrintingInhouse digital printing, large format printing and finishing. ASI Certification, Santa Clara.Elsa Kitts408-732-9903elsa.kitts@easyprintdesign.comwww.easyprintdesign.com

Benjamin LithoSince 1986 BLI, San Jose, has satisfied the rigorous demands of corporations and organizations best marketing departments. We provide high quality offset printing, digital printing, promotional products, corporate apparel, large format printing and on-line solutions. Ron [email protected]

Johnston & AlvesJohnston & Alves, Lafayette, offers fine design and branding for the wine industry. Call us for the design of one label or the development of your entire brand, from logos and ads to sales kits and social marketing.Gail Johnston925-285-7754gailpjohnston@gmail.comwww.johnstonandalves.com

Meadow At Meadow, San Francisco, we’re big fans of open space: Finding it, cultivating it, weeding out that open spot where your brand grows and rocks the industry landscape. We’re a talented team of hybrid designers/developers, experiences, personable, smart and a little quirky. We ask lots of questions, listen hard, dig deep and say it like it is, sprout inventive ideas and push the limits.Josh [email protected]

T I M E P R I N T I N GS O L U T I O N S P R O V I D E R

Time Printing Solution Provider Andy & Dena Poole purchased Time Printing in downtown Sacramento. Time Printing has been serving Sacramento since 1969 and will continue to be family owned and operated. We look forward to serving Sacramento’s need for Short Run Offset and Digital Printing. Additionally we are proud to be a part of the Allied Printing Trades of CA as a Union Shop. Our goal is to build a world class company delivering High Quality Sheetfed, Digital Printing, Design and Bindery. Andrew Poole916 [email protected]

Copacabana Design USA, Inc.A 360° creative solutions agency with a strategic emphasis on Graphic Design, Full Service Printing, & Direct Media Distribution. Copa, Santa Clara, develops a deep understanding of our clients’ mission, vision & objectives for brand creation and/or enhancement. Our eco-systematic approach allows us to provide a suite of solutions at a fraction of the cost of each individual service somewhere else. We are a multi-lingual, minority certified company with clients in the Bay Area as well as national and international. We enjoy working with start-ups and middle sized companies as well as companies who have a global reach or international presence. Jason Saldanajason.saldana@copacabana.com866-415-COPAwww.copacabanausa.com/

Hewlett PackardAt HP, we don’t just believe in the power of technology, we believe in the power of people when technology works for you. We believe in applying new thinking and ideas to improve the way our customers live and work. (Headquarters: Palo Alto).Eric [email protected]

NEW MEMBERS


15VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE | CONNECTED | FALL 2015 15

FIND-AN-EMPLOYEE PROGRAM

VMA CAN HELP YOU FIND-A-JOB AND FIND-AN-EMPLOYEE

VISIT VMA.BZ FOR MORE INFO

CREATIVE

ProofreaderProofreading Perfection! Have me review your document for spelling, content, punctuation and grammar. Whether a postcard, brochure or website, I do it all. BAY AREA – MORAN 4116

Graphic DesignerInterested in project management, graphic design, electronic prepress, buying, or estimating. Experienced in many facets of the print industry, I am a diligent worker with significant skills to offer an established or growing organization.BAY AREA – HOFFMAN 4120

Graphic DesignerGraphic Design, Production, Typography, Prepress, Digital Press OperatorEAST BAY – SMITH 4121

Production Artist/IllustratorExperience with all manner of digital media production, including the Adobe Suite, 3D modeling software, 2D and 3D animation, Photography, audio and video production, and website and interactive media development. NEVADA – LANKENAU 4119

PRINT PRODUCTION

Electronic PrePress (image assembly/output)More than 20 years of experience in electronic prepress, variable data processing & printing.BAY AREA – FRENCHWOOD 4122

Small Press OperatorI have been an offset pressman or press operator for the last 30 years. I have worked with two color offset press machines, Chief 17, 40-inch Heidelberg and GTO Heidelberg. SAN FRANCISCO – ROCHA 4117

PRINT MANAGEMENT

Pressroom SupervisorI am currently seeking a full time Supervisor or Journeyman level position within the manufacturing industry. I have 25 years experience in the printing industry running a multi-million dollar flexographic printing, laminating press.BAY AREA – VILLEGAS 4118

MARKETING

Customer ServiceI am currently seeking a position as a marketing assistant. I have experience in event production, social media marketing, public speaking, negotiation, community outreach, consumer relations, event management, program budgeting, written and verbal communication and brand representation.EAST BAY – FOX 4097

VMA Education. The Choice is Yours.Stay ahead of the game by learning new skills. We’re here for you. Because of you. Visual Media Alliance is a trade association helping the careers and businesses of our members to be successful. We offer over 100 public classes, delivered to you in-person, online and through customized training solutions.

DESIGN OFFICE

Workshops • Seminars • Webinars • One-on-One • Customized Training Solutions

View Website For Education Listings (800) 659-3363 • education.vma.bz

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Connected Fall 2015

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