Small Business Tips: How to Decrease Turnover

After the Pandemic, more people are evaluating their lives, which includes their work environment. As an employer, how do you keep your people engaged and rewarded, so they want to stay?

Here are a few ideas on how to decrease turnover so you don’t waste money training people who won’t stay.

Hire the Right People

If your impressions of prospects tell you they won’t fit in, then don’t offer them the job or you will end up with issues.

When interviewing potential employees, ask them situational questions to know how they would react in particular instances. Give them a tour of the business, being sure to mention cultural items at the business. This way, if they don’t feel they fit in, they will eliminate themselves.  

Offer Flexibility

Let new hires (and all team members) come in at a flexible time or leave at a flexible time as long as they get the work done.

This flexibility allows them to attend their children’s school functions, which will help them maintain their work-life balance. Or maybe it’s as simple as letting them work at home or a coffee shop at their leisure.

Compensate Fairly

If a prospective job applicant or a current employee can go elsewhere and make more with better benefits, why would they not take that opportunity?

Be sure to give out raises and bonuses when you can. If employees receive regular raises and bonuses, they will feel appreciated and less likely to look for another work opportunity. Do your research, so you know what others are paying.

Verbally Praise Your Employees

If employees finish a large project or hand things in early, be sure to thank them and applaud them publicly.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated. This doesn’t mean praising everyday tasks. That would be counterproductive because people wouldn’t see this as genuine. But when they take on a large project or a difficult task, congratulate them.

Provide a Future

Show new hires that there is room for growth, whether a new title or salary.

Show them that you value them and want them to be engaged with their tasks. Sometimes people get bored with doing the same job all the time. Provide new challenges and projects that they can look forward to doing.

Even though the average turnover is 10% to 20%, you can help keep your employees with a little extra effort. By appreciating them, helping them succeed, and more, you will be sure that you are doing all you can. We do all we can to keep your business as well. Check us out today! Call today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Remaining positive when negative tension surrounds you is a skill worth mastering and sharing with others.

If you need a few ideas on how to create a positive outlook or cheer others up, here are some you’ll’ find helpful. 

Breathe.

Practice the 4-7-8 technique from Dr. Andrew Wile.

Try this breathing pattern: empty the lungs of air. Breathe in quietly through the nose for 4 seconds. Hold the breath for a count of 7 seconds. Exhale forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips and making a “whoosh” sound for 8 seconds. Repeat the cycle up to 4 times.

Focus on positive things in your life.

“Living in gratitude” is known to support our physical, psychological, and social health.

It can produce stronger immune systems, better sleep, feeling more joy, and help you be less lonely.

Take a few minutes each day to write down what you are thankful for: a job, family, pet, warm house, nice clothes, friends, etc. Happy chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) are released when thinking of joyous moments. No matter what situation arises, focus on something good.

Create a go-to happy book.

When things are tough, have a Pinterest page, a journal of happy thoughts, a picture album of favorite times, or other ideas that are easy to access. Then when times are tough, go right to that item.

Create a blissful playlist.

Having a playlist ready to go will help elevate your mood at the press of a button. Use music, Ted Talks, comedy bits, bloopers, or animal videos as an easy mood lifter.

Write notes to yourself.

Put up notes with positive quotes to remind you to focus on the positive things. Remind yourself to forgive those who bring you down. This is a healthy release of the negative in order to allow the positive in.

Go outside and look around.

Enjoy soaking up the sun’s rays. Breathe in the fresh air, no matter what season it is. Go for a walk in a new place or an old favorite. Taking time out of the office and home will open up your mind to new perspectives.

Laugh.

Studies have found that laughter lowers stress, anxiety, and depression.

It also improves coping skills, mood, and self-esteem. Watch a favorite comedian or call up a friend who makes you laugh.

Spend time with positive people.

It rubs off on us. Both negativity and positivity are contagious. Schedule time with those positive people so that you can encourage each other to stay positive.

Identify areas of negativity.

If you’re not sure when you are most negative, ask a coworker, friend, or relative.

Then attack your negativity with something positive.

If you are in a bad mood when you drive, try to change your self-talk while driving. Or, if you are negative at work, work on focusing on the positive items at work.

Give yourself time.

Changing your mental state isn’t as easy as it sounds. It takes dedication and work. It’s a focus that might not be natural to you. Be gentle with yourself. Take time to change by starting with one thing at a time.

No matter what area you are focusing on, we can help you have a positive printing experience. We promise to be on time, professional, and help you create beautiful marketing pieces. 

Call today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

How to Use Digital Printing Services for Your Business

Digital printing is the process of printing digital-based media using physical products, such as printing logos on t-shirts. At The Print Cafe, we have over 35 years of experience in the printing industry. We are skilled at providing high-quality digital printing services for personal and commercial customers.

You may need digital printing services for your business, and not even realize how it can help you. Here are some suggestions of how our NYC print shop can put your digital print onto various products to benefit and enhance what you do.

Using Digital Printing Services

Doing what we do, to help you do what you do.

Uniforms

Branded uniforms are marketing products in their own right. Whether you need t-shirt print services, sweatshirts, or jackets, we can print your logo or business name on apparel appropriate to your business. Alternatively, if you sell clothing or accessories with your logo on it, we can help with that, too. We can even print specific designs on apparel for you to sell. We can provide you with a quote for t-shirt print services and design requirements.

Signage

If you have a physical location, you can use our sign printing services to attract foot traffic. We can provide professional standard signage for internal displays, window displays, and shop signage. Have a more professional look in your store, office, or warehouse using digital print signage. You can also use digital printing services for health and safety signage and more.

Quick Turnaround

If you provide personalized products for your customers or need custom products designed, using your local NYC print shop can enable you to fulfill orders quickly and efficiently without losing quality. Outsourcing to a third-party print shop allows you to still meet your demands without investing in the equipment or staff training required to offer this in-house, all with a quick turnaround.

Promotional Materials

If you use any type of physical promotional materials, you should consider using digital print services to allow you to create an exceptional product that shows off what you are about in the best possible way. Designing promotional material can be time-consuming; however, working closely with a print shop means you can benefit from their experience to produce the best products for your marketing. Our extensive range of promotional materials at The Print Cafe, LLC allows you to develop the proper scope of items to have this order fulfilled quickly, so you don't waste any time spreading the word about your company.

Easier Direct Mail

Using mail marketing can be tedious, but digital print services can be a valuable tool in cutting down the time it takes to mail out marketing materials. Digital printing can change small variables digitally, so you don't have to do it manually. This means that what was once a time-consuming process could be done quickly via technology. The speed and use of this type of equipment mean you can lower costs and run a more effective direct mail campaign without losing the personal touch this offers to the recipient.

Contact Print Cafe for Your Digital Printing Needs!

There are many ways to use digital printing within your business. If you want to find out just how beneficial this service can be for your company, contact us today to discuss your requirements.Call Today 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

Paper Supply Chain Challenges and 

How To Address Them Head-On

 

As Covid restrictions continue to lift across the US, many employees are returning to their offices and businesses are experiencing rapid growth—but now we are now faced with a challenge: supply chain interruptions.

 

Supply chain issues have been interrupting manufacturing processes over the last few years—and the printing industry is no exception. We’re seeing it in the decreased availability of paper stocks, the increased cost of raw materials, and labor shortages. Because of the decreased demand for print products during the pandemic, mills reduced their inventories down to the lowest levels in history. And with the post-pandemic surge, they saw a dramatic depletion in their supplies finding themselves unable to keep up with the increased demand.  

We know, everyone is wondering when will the supply chain stabilize?

That’s the million-dollar question to which nobody seems to have a solid answer. Experts predict that some stabilization is likely toward the end of 2022, or possibly into the first quarter of 2023. 

One thing all experts agree on in riding out this storm of uncertainty is that communication with your customers is key. Talk to them sooner rather than later about maintaining flexibility in their offerings and the projects they’re doing.

Check out these 3 tips when it comes to getting ahead of stalled supply chains:

1. Actively communicate and communicate often

Keep in close contact with your customers as things are fluid. Let them know about any fluctuations in stock or availability and the importance of maintaining flexibility as things will be changing and adjustments will need to be made. Be prepared to offer enhanced customer service as your customers are adjusting to changes.

 2. Revamp products and displays

This is a great opportunity to get creative with your customers by offering incentives (free delivery/shipping, rewards, punchcards, etc.), increased value-driven content, and discounts on future purchases. 

 3. Make forecasting a priority

The best way to weather this storm of uncertainty is to stay informed so you can communicate important changes to your customers and make educated predictions and decisions to best benefit your customers and your business. Call Today 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 

How to Write a Newsletter That Will Get Read

In a busy world filled with lists and to-dos, how do you put out content that will rise to the top and be read by others? Here are some great writing tips to help your newsletter get the attention it deserves. 1. Figure out who your audience it first. Are you sending the newsletter to prospective customers? Or are you sending it internally to your staff? This will determine the tone of the language you use, be it formal or informal. 2. Determine the voice you want to use. Most of the time, it’s best to write as if you are writing to a friend. Use a more casual tone so that everyone feels welcome to read it. 3. Keep it short. Don’t over-write. Figure out your message, then tell it in as few of words as necessary to get the point across. 4. Organize your articles. Put the most important article first, on the front side of the newsletter. Then add the following essential articles. 5. Use pictures and graphics. Insert some visual aids in your newsletter. No one wants to read something that is packed full of tiny print. 6. Make sure there is some white space. Don’t pack it full of text and graphics. The eyes need to have a break, so make sure to leave some space without anything in it. 7. Pick articles that other people will care about. It might be interesting to you and your staff, but how does it relate to your readers? Think about it from their viewpoint. How will your article help them? Then write what will capture their attention and keep them reading. 8. Add a call to action. Be sure to list your contact information on the newsletter so they can contact you to get more information. Whether you are an expert or a novice newsletter creator, we can help get your message out. We offer excellent graphic design and printing to make sure your newsletter gets read. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

 

 

       Developing A Competitive Edge

Competitive advantages are the factors that allow your company to produce goods or services better or more cheaply than your rivals and are the key factors in what makes your business better than others. If your competitive advantage can be easily copied or imitated, it is not considered a competitive advantage. Your competitive advantage is the essence of your strategy, messaging, and marketing. According to Jack Welch, “If you don’t have a competitive advantage, don’t compete.” Comparative Advantage vs. Differential Advantage  Comparative advantages and differential advantages are the two different forms of competitive advantages. A comparative advantage is your company’s ability to produce something more efficiently, leading to greater profit margins. One way to achieve a comparative advantage is to increase your economies of scale. An economy of scale is the savings in costs your company generates when it increases levels of production. Greater production leads to lower production costs because it more evenly distributes the fixed costs. A differential advantage is your company’s ability to produce unique products or of higher quality than your rivals. Examples of a differential advantage include advanced technology, patent-protected products or processes, superior personnel, and a strong brand identity. High-end brands, such as Louis Vuitton, utilize a differential advantage. Their high quality and uniqueness allow them to charge much for their products.  Economic Moats Warren Buffet described sustainable competitive advantages like a moat. The image is that your company is like a castle, and your competitive advantage is the moat surrounding the castle. The better your competitive advantage, the greater the moat. A large moat makes it nearly impossible for other castles (businesses) to attack your castle (company). This illustration provides an excellent analogy for what a sustainable competitive advantage can do for your business.  You can create your own moat by strengthening your brand, raising barriers to new entrants through tactics such as regulations, and defending your intellectual property through patents.  How to Create a Competitive Advantage Competitive advantages are imperative to the success of your business. A competitive advantage technique can be found in many areas. 1. Find a focus area Trying to be great in everything often results in excellence in nothing. Therefore, most businesses find it best to hone in on a focus area. This is a market niche in which your company can excel.  2. Employ the best talent Your employees will determine the success of your business. Therefore, employing passionate, talented people is imperative. Search for talent and reach out. It’s better to wait for the right person than hire the wrong one.  3. Utilize rewards Incorporate rewards into your business. You’re going to need to incentivize your employees to go above and beyond their call of duty by rewarding high performance. Examples of rewards include money or vacations.  4. Foster experience Now that you have amazing employees incentivized through rewards, the next goal is to keep them wanting to work for your business for years to come. The greater experience your employees have, the better your business’s customer service. Avoid a high employee turnover rate by making your work environment a place your employees will want to stay for years to come.  5. Speed Customers care about speed. The faster and easier it is to buy from you or use your services, the better. Look throughout your process to find ways to cut down on time and make it easier for your customers.  Dominate 2022 by establishing an effective competitive advantage! Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

 

 

 

 

How Print Promote's the Success 

of Trade Shows & Events

Nearly every industry and market that you serve either participates in, hosts, or attends tradeshows and events. Events are a beneficial way to grow sales because they combine exposure to a large number of potential leads with the ability to interact personally. Events offer big benefits to businesses of any size and keep brands relevant in their industry. Driving event success in order to net positive gains is key. Understanding the predominant needs of your clients when it comes to attending or hosting events will assist you in helping them achieve the greatest success. Read on to discover the major priorities of event planners, top print products essential for events, and what topics to cover in your conversations to increase engagement and boost your sales.

What takes precedence?

When it comes to event planning, creating a meaningful experience for attendees tops the list of major priorities. Pre-event communications, like direct mail, set the stage in building anticipation and informing attendees of necessary details. Once onsite, the overall aura of the event, both visually and experientially, should feel welcoming and beneficial to the attendee. Safety must be well-communicated, covering not just pathogens and personal space, but preparedness for physical safety too. Structuring an environment that focuses on the safety of attendees is paramount. Signage plays an important role in informing, directing, and building trust. Posters, banners, floor decals, and swag bags keep the momentum going. Following-up right after and continuing the conversation long past the event not only make the event more meaningful for attendees but also serve to build loyalty and brand recognition that pays off big time down the road.

Essential print products

Emphasizing the theme of the event and encouraging engagement throughout every aspect of it helps in developing new and cultivating existing relationships. Done right, events establish brands as industry thought-leaders and educate potential customers about the industry, products, or services. All of this requires printed materials, and the top print products for events include:

• Banners – welcome attendees, capture attention, and add visual appeal to the space
• Postcards – perfect for save-the-dates, promoting registrations and sending reminders and messages of thanks
• Floor Decals – apply step-by-step directions as well as clever branding concepts
• Portable Signage – interior and exterior signage like retractable banners, A-Frames, and magnets draw attention, provide direction and boost brand awareness
• Yard Signs – bring people in, create awareness and promote enthusiasm for the event
• Labels – a top way to identify and differentiate as well as build and communicate company brands
• Apparel – events aren’t events without wearables like t-shirts and polo shirts that not only promote brands but offer residual marketing goods that people appreciate
• 

  What you need to consider before your sales call

  Both exhibiting at and hosting events are ideal strategies for building brand awareness, establishing a brand as major player in the industry, and launching new products and services. Having a solid game plan and creative ideas will help you better support your clients. Here are a few game-changers to consider:

  • A strong visual presence separates a company from all the other booths at the event.
  • A solid plan to engage those attending events virtually is a must. Send swag bags in advance to the virtual guests and provide their event materials in branded presentation folders.
  • To attract quality leads, align marketing materials with the audience of each specific event, keeping the content relevant and personalized.
  • During a trade show or event, you have approximately 10 – 15 minutes to “wow” attendees. Make their experience memorable with company branded brochures and product handouts.
  • Start marketing at least sixty days prior to the event and integrate campaigns with social media to increase interest and create a buzz.

  How to get started

  To get rolling in the events space, there are a few things you can do right away:

  1. Consult your local Chamber of Commerce, schools, and Universities to learn of upcoming events. Talk to colleagues, event planners, current customers, and industry influencers to gain additional insight on what events might be on the horizon.
  2. Have a booth of your own. Participate in a show of an industry you serve. It’s a great way to gain exposure and acquire new clients.
  3. Compile a list. Begin inquiring about events with your current customer base during day-to-day interactions. Screen prospects for those likely to attend or host an event.
  
  

  1. The Takeaway

     A well-planned event with cohesive, branded print materials that illuminate the theme will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression and foster enthusiasm for the next engagement.  Check it all out at:www.printcafeli.com