Economic Turndown?

Is the economy as bad as the press says it is? I've been talking to printers who say business is down, but when asked, none of them report doing any sales activities. The amount of business walking in the door is down, but they really don't know how there customers are fairing in this recession.

The cure here is to get out and talk to your top 25 customers and find out what is happening in your market. When was the last time you did a mailing? When was the last time you got a new mailing list? When was the last time you vertified the mailing list you have with a telephone call?

No one needs to be sitting around idle in the shop. Talking to customers and asking for the order is going to be the best way to get out of any sales slump.

By the way, I am finding there are a number of printers making money during these hard times. They are getting out and calling on customers, especially new customers, and asking for new business. There are others who are taking the time to use the technology they have to streamline production. It isn't all doom and gloom. I think it is a good time to be in printing.