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This is the time of year to make resolutions – goals you set for self-improvement. But business owners and managers can also take the beginning of the year as the opportunity to set company goals. Here are a few starting points:

This year, I resolve to be more proactive in offering services that my customers find useful. Keeping up with new technologies and advancements may seem overwhelming, but finding a strategic partner who can work with me to identify avenues that will help my business serve current needs – and anticipate future ones – will go a long way in reaching this goal.

This year, I resolve to earn more market share by optimizing the ways I reach out to new customers. Personalized direct mailings through variable data printing, e-marketing or other customized solutions could help me meet my company’s objectives.

This year, I resolve to have greater control over my company’s brand. My packaging, advertising and collateral will have a consistent appearance and message. Choosing one partner to design, manage, print and distribute/mail everything relating to my brand will make branding much more effective.

If you detect a tilt towards our direction in these resolutions, we invite you to further explore our website to learn how PCI can help achieve your company’s goals. Get in touch, and let’s make 2012 even more successful!

PCI’s team members pull together every day to achieve great results for our customers. But this holiday season gave us the opportunity to pull together to help our Seminole County neighbors who are most deeply affected by today’s economy.

As a way of giving back to the community, PCI selects a charitable organization each year to assist through donations. The recent 60 Minutes episode documenting the struggles of homeless schoolchildren in Seminole County inspired this year’s choice: The Families in Transition (FIT) Program for Seminole County Schools, which was featured in the episode as the group providing food and assistance to local homeless families with children in the Seminole County public school system.

FIT was recommended during a meeting of PCI managers to choose this year’s recipient. Vice President of Sales Troy Barnes presented the idea to the group, which immediately approved.

“After the meeting, we reached out to Beth Davalos, the coordinator of FIT, and asked what she needed,” said Gabe Hernandez, PCI General Manager. “She said that donations of food and money would help them deliver the most services. So we decided to hold a company-wide food drive, as well as a call for cash donations. We also arranged for Beth to visit during our annual Holiday Luncheon to talk about her work and receive the donations.”

To spread the word about the food drive, Progressive Design Group – PCI’s in-house graphic design and interactive department – went to work designing a poster, which was prominently displayed throughout the building. Barnes’ office served as the drop-off center for food donations, where boxes and bags brimming with a wide variety of goods accumulated during the two weeks leading up to the Holiday Luncheon.

“When I saw the episode, I was very moved by what these families go through to survive every day,” said Dori Hejtmanek, PCI’s Creative Director. “Homeless people are part of our community. Their children are our kids’ classmates. Before they were forced into this terrible situation, they worked and lived like everyone else. This was not their choice. I felt there should be some way we could help.”

“It was a very good feeling to come to work in the morning and see new bags stacked by my door,” Barnes said. “Everyone got behind this effort. Most people didn’t even make a point of letting me know what they donated. We all knew that wasn’t the important part. It was a true expression of the spirit of giving.”

Davalos received PCI’s gifts during the Holiday Luncheon, held December 21 in the company lunch room. A video clip of the 60 Minutes episode was played just before her appearance. Davalos spoke about FIT’s ongoing work, and provided updates on the families who viewers had come to know through the episode. Although there were some hopeful developments, she noted that day-to-day life for the families profiled on the episode is still a struggle, with an uncertain future.

After her talk, Davalos was presented with a check by Hernandez and Barnes. In addition to the money contributed by employees, PCI donated $500.

“Beth was very appreciative, and she was taking some of the food to a family that day when she left our facility,” said Barnes. “This had an immediate impact on a family in need!”

“Everyone who saw that 60 Minutes episode wanted to contribute in some way,” Hernandez said. “We recognized an opportunity to help FIT with its important work.”

FIT accepts donations throughout the year. To contribute directly, click on:

http://seminolehomelesskids.org

To donate by check, make check payable to:

The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools-FIT

Mailing address:

1801 Tuskawilla Rd.

Oviedo, FL 32765

As Vice President of Sales for Progressive Communications, Troy Barnes is committed to growing the company’s business. But in his position as First Vice Chair on the Printing Association of Florida’s (PAF) Board of Directors, Troy is working to ensure that all Florida printers are able to get their fair share of business in today’s challenging economy.

Troy recently met with Florida legislators in Tallahassee as a member of PAF’s committee to encourage lawmakers to introduce the Buy Florida Act (HB 153/SB 538) during this session. As the proposed bill relates to the printing and graphics industry, passage would require state government entities and agencies to give reasonable preference to Florida printers when bidding out jobs.

“The graphics arts industry is the number one manufacturing employer in Florida,” said Troy. “Yet many state agencies give a large percentage of their printing purchases to out-of-state printers.”

A PAF-compiled analysis of printing purchase information by state agencies for the years 2007 through early 2011 provides eye-opening numbers, with some agencies sending up to almost 90 percent of print business out of Florida. According to PAF’s research, each $125,000 spent out of state results in one employee to a Florida printer.

Several states give preference to in-state printers because they recognize the economic benefits. For example, Michigan gives virtually 100-percent preference to in-state printers for printing purchased by state government.

“This is about keeping jobs in Florida, which is essential to Florida’s economic recovery,” Troy said. “And the printing industry offers jobs that pay well – the kind of jobs that any state would want to attract. There’s also the multiplier effect. People who have jobs have more money to spend, and they spend it locally, which supports other local businesses.”

This is the fourth year the bill has been proposed. “I’ve been told that this is about the average length of time for proposed legislation to be introduced,” said Troy, “so it’s actually typical.”

Troy attended in mid-October with the other PAF Board members and 10 PAF members, spending two days meeting with Florida state representatives and senators. Based on his conversations with them, Troy is optimistic of the bill’s chances of introduction in November.

“All the lawmakers we met with said they could support the bill,” Troy said. “They are very aware of the state of the economy and the need to create jobs and keep money in Florida. The time is right for this bill to be introduced and passed.”