Purchasing
The three places most people never visit on a print factory tour – and why you should make a point of inspecting them
I love exploring unusual places when I go on holiday. The well known tourist sites are very impressive. But everyone goes there. They are geared up for visitors. You rarely get an insight into the true culture of a place.
I prefer to try and discover less well known places. This often gives me a much better idea of what a place is really like.
Print buyers should think like travellers
Three things that you must not forget when you ask for a print price
I purchased a book online the other day. I was really looking forward to receiving it and getting stuck into it. Each day I was eagerly awaiting my postman. But the days rolled on. And on. And on.
Fortunately online order tracking meant that my book was eventually found and delivered. But can you imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t supplied the right information?
My book would have been lost in the postal systems forever…
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Avoid getting the wrong print prices: why buyers need to use signposting
Can you imagine trying to drive somewhere without proper directions?
Most print sales people need to visit a lot of new places every month. Imagine doing this without satnav. Imagine doing this without maps. Or road signs.
Chances are you’d end up very lost. You’d probably be late for your appointment.
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Why print buyers should think like cyclists (and work late less often)
I was delighted when Team GB did so well at the Olympics. It seems that British cycling has really entered a golden period.
But this success hasn’t come by chance. It has happened because the team have been constantly looking at how they do things. They have been regularly challenging what they do and how they do it. This is what has created their success.
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The vacuum effect: How to save up to 30% off your print costs without changing print prices
I have heard it said that the very first vacuum cleaners were actually designed to blow dust rather than suck it. Can you imagine the mess that would make?! To get a successful invention, it needed someone to challenge what was being done.
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Client Testimonial
I have worked with Matthew for just over a year now and he has delivered a number of highly successful training events for the IPIA during that time. He is very organised and produces seminars which are full of
Read the testimonial from Andrew PearceClient Testimonial
Matthew provided an excellent “Print Processes” training session for myself and some of my colleagues. The feature that I liked most about the training, was that the day itself was very interactive – which not only
Read the testimonial from Rhoda DayClient Testimonial
If you think you are on top of your print buying you might be in for a surprise! We asked Print & Procurement to undertake a print audit. Matthew said ‘’If we do not find savings sufficient to earn back our fee
Read the testimonial from Rod FletcherClient Testimonial
Matthew is a consultant who is totally committed to his clients and to delivering on his promises. He has an excellent understanding of both the challenges of the print channel and the opportunities it presents. As a
Read the full testimonial from Jacky MorganClient Testimonial
Apart from being a thoroughly decent chap Matthew is scrupulously professional, ruthlessly efficient and always delivers excellent results.
I genuinely have no hesitation whatever in recommending Matthew. He
Client Testimonial
In an industry renowned for its pressure, Matthew Parker delivers a very gentle but insightful intelligence about the ways of print. Somewhere between art and science there is a place that defines the balance of what
Read the full testimonial from Andy DowenRecent Posts
Do you struggle to find enough hours in the day? Whether you’re a full-time purchaser or managing a more general administration role, the pressure on your [more]
Why beating printing companies down on price is not the best way to reduce costs
For me, few things are better than standing on the summit of a mountain The route up a mountain is hard. There’s a lot of work [more]
Three reasons why print buyers should challenge supplier choice
My daughter was about to burst into tears I had asked her what flavor of ice cream she would like. She gave me the same answer [more]
Why print buyers who stick to cost-cutting are failing to do their job
Wouldn't a garden look bare without anything in the flowerbeds? My wife is a keen gardener. One of her most regular jobs is the weeding. It's [more]
Three specification questions that can reduce the cost of printed items by over 30%
The print industry is dying There are huge amounts of overcapacity. Printing companies are tendering suicidal prices. So all a print buyer has to do is to [more]
Three questions print buyers must use to challenge process and prevent 30-address syndrome
Can you imagine writing the same address over 30 times? Wouldn’t it be a complete waste of your time? Aren't there are so many better things [more]
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