VMA Connected Q4 2017

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

FALL 2017

THE CONTENTS

04

07

08

09

011

Showcase winners celebrate their victories

Feature: Statistics Tell a Story

Strategic Selling

Government Affairs

Five strategies that work

New minimums, taxes and initiatives to know about

Expert Column: Human Resources

Commercial and Quick show different results

Vacation messages make a difference

03 13 14

Member News New Members VMA Events

COMMITTED TO THE INDUSTRY Spicers has always been committed to the paper business. Our approach is rooted in long-established relationships with our mill suppliers, dedicated teams of sales and customer service professionals, support of industry initiatives and a steady, available inventory of paper products.

As a leader in the industry, we are also committed to the future. Our ongoing investment, strategic acquisitions and organic growth position Spicers for success—for generations ahead.

SPICERS.COM

VMA MEMBERS CELEBRATED

Installations and Networking Events

Among the installations this summer were two new digital presses; one at Pyramid Graphics, South San Francisco and the other at Medius Corporation, San Jose.

In addition, Konica Minolta held an event at AT&T Park with featured speaker, Jim Hamilton, InfoTrends, presenting The Value of Digital Print Enhancement.

And, the grand tradition of VMA at the ballpark continued on September 30th with a tailgate party behind the office building and an enthusiastic group of graphic arts fans at the game. Seats at AT&T Park were in the celebrated Virgin America Club Level.

Ron Sarne and Laurence Vincent of HP with and Cayne Lee of Pyramid Printing and Graphics.

BALLGAME IMAGES: KIMBERLY BECK RUBIO STUDIO NETWORKING IMAGES: JIM FREY

Cayne Lee, Pyramid Printing & Graphics; Michael Iburg, JP Graphics and Jim Bender, GPA, at Pyramid’s recent open house showcasing their new HP 10000.

Michael Zain of Medius Corporation, and Elizabeth Gleason of Canon Solutions America at Medius Corporation open house showcasing their new Canon Océ VarioPRINT i300.

BOARD ROSTER: CHAIRMAN

Ian Flynn, Andresen

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

John Crammer, Best Label Company

BOARD MEMBERS:

Gil Caravantes Commerce Printing Services

Showcase Winners

John Crammer Best Label Chris Cullen API Group Ian Flynn Andresen Dava Guthmiller Noise 13 Jeff Jarvis Spicers Frank Parks The Parks Group Chris Shadix Dome Print and Marketing Solutions San Francisco Division Stephen Sprinkel Sprinkel Media Network

Brian Warbis (left) and Jeremy Redman (right) of Konica Minolta present the Grand Award – Digital to Erwin Krolop (center) of Multi-Color Corporation for their entry Kenwood Artist Series.

The crew from Vintage 99 Label (L-R) Brian Lloyd, Jeff Stone, Bill Bartee & Samantha Gomez, enjoy celebrating their wins!

STAFF ROSTER: PRESIDENT

Dan Nelson

DIRECTOR MEMBER SERVICES Jim Frey

DIRECTOR MEMBER PROGRAMS Laura Vargas

DIRECTOR EDUCATION Barbara Silverman

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR Gabrielle Disario

MEMBERSHIP SALES Shannon Wolford

FINANCIAL MANAGER Emily Gotladera

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST Maria Salita

VICE PRESIDENT INSURANCE SERVICES David Katz

Liz Gleason of Canon Solutions America presents Kathy & Jeff Main of AMP Printing with a Judges Choice Award for their entry, “Napa Valley Vintners Invite You.”

Dominic Gianneschi of Razorfish accepts the Grand Award for Design for Web for the Acura Explore NSX from Rusty Davis of Canon Solutions America.

Dan Nelson, VMA president, presents Judith McKim of Watermark Press with a Grand Award for booklets for their entry “Viewbook.”

INSURANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS

Renee Prescott, Crystal Carlson, Lena Nelson, Sue Benavente, Jessica Clark, Diedra Lovan, Jimmie Thompson

John Dowey of Heidelberg stands with Bryan Moquin, Marcio Riberio and Kelly Moquin of Moquin Press along with Brian Warbis of Konica Minolta. John is holding the Best of Show for Print entry, Ammunition, printed by Moquin Press.

DIRECTOR SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS Greg Golin

DIRECTOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Gerry Bonetto

HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST Cheryl Chong

EDITOR

Noel Jeffrey

G R A N D AWA R D J U D G E S C H O I C E

ON THE COVER:

Best of Show Winners for Design, Print, and Labels pose with their awards. BeeLine Press won for Design; Moquin Press for Print and MCC Label for Labels and Packaging. photography: jim frey.

4

G R A N D A W A R D I N I N N O V AT I O N

Showcase Results

Here are the winners of the 20th annual Showcase Awards held by Visual Media Alliance. The Awards were distributed and the Best of Show winners revealed at a celebration dinner in August at Scots Seafood, JCK London Square, Oakland. Since 1997, the VMA Showcase Awards have been recognized as one of the most prestigious symbols of printing and design excellence throughout Northern California.

20TH ANNUAL NORTHERN CA + NV PRINT AND DESIGN COM

Receiving this prestigious accolade shows customers that these companies are among an elite in the industry.

Their employees can feel proud knowing they do exceptional work for a highly regarded company. A Showcase Award is one of the most powerful promotional tools a business can have to brag about its customers, employees and company.

These participants separated themselves from the rest!

AUGUST 24, 2017 • OAKLAND, CA S C O T T ’ S

S E A F O O D

R E S T A U R A N T

Visit showcase.vma.bz to order or download an awards booklet.

Winners’ Paybacks An Abundance of Benefits

Awards Received by Company Company Name

•

Increased name recognition in the industry and with potential clients.

AMP Printing

•

Best of Show winners receive a full page ad in the Visual Media Guide.

Barlow Printing

•

Gold Award winners in the print or new media categories receive a free entry of their winning piece into PIA National’s Premier Print Awards, an international competition to covet the highest honor, the “Benny.” Winners reap additional benefits of company exposure internationally!

Gold

Silver

4

1

Beeline Group

2

Best Label

1

4

1

CMYK

1

1

Decca Design

2

1

News media exposure through Visual Media Alliance, Printing Industries of America and more.

•

Recognition of winners via the Visual Media Alliance (vma.bz) and Showcase (showcase.vma.bz) websites.

Minuteman Press of Berkeley

Additional recognition of winners through the following mediums:

Moquin Press

10

3

Multi-Color Corporation - Napa

27

8

Razorfish

2

Unicorn Printing

1

Vintage 99 Label

4

3

Watermark Press

5

4

o

Visual Media Guide: Annual printed directory delivered to over 7,000 creative and print firms in Northern California.

o

Connected: VMA’s quarterly mailed newsletter to members about the latest news in the industry.

o

VMA’s Digest and eDigest: a monthly mailed newsletter and email newsletter eblasted bi-weekly.

•

Winners will have exclusive use of Showcase Awards logo for their stationery and collateral material.

•

Winners receive a packet of promotional materials they can tailor to their individual companies.

•

Gold, silver, bronze and special award winners receive beautifully framed certificates. Duplicate certificates with and without frames are available to order to share with clients or employees.

•

Custom metal-print awards for superb winning entries selected by judges.

•

Ability to order duplicate certificates and metal-print awards for clients or employees honoring achievements of a great partnership.

PPA

1 GA

1 BENNY, 1 COM

1 GA

1 COM

1 GA

1 COM

2 BOS

2 AOR, 2 COM

1 BOS, 1 GA

5 AOR, 16 COM

2

Western Web, Inc.

2

1 GA 1 COM

3

1 GA

2 COM 1 AOR, 2 COM

5

Thank You to Awards Sponsors: Bay Digital

Heidelberg

Ray Morgan Company

Canon

International Paper

Spicers Paper

Direct Response Imaging

Konica Minolta

Veritiv

Neena Paper

Visual Media Alliance

Visit the website, showcase.vma.bz, for more information.

BEST OF SHOW IN DESIGN

VMA

2

•

•

Bronze

BEST OF SHOW IN LABEL

BEST OF SHOW IN PRINT

BEYOND OPPORTUNITY

LIVES ESSENTIAL Au t

workflo ting ws a t om

s ep

NOW IS THE TIME TO TRANSITION YOUR BUSINESS TO INKJET

”

Canon Solutions America offers three insightful books to make your inkjet transition successful, your work flow efficiently, and tips to help your customers reap the benefits of inkjet technology.

Discover them at: PPS.CSA.CANON.COM/INKJETBOOKS

in g

rs

at

gr

The market for production inkjet printer output continues to grow at rates that make most other print sectors envious. Inkjet’s flexibility in productivity, rapid turnaround times, and ability to print variable data — while providing attractive profit margins — is making inkjet a tool that print services providers and in-plant printing operations can’t live without. — Marco Boer, I.T. Strategies

Inte

“

hop

Inkjet page volume in the U.S. is forecast to grow 20% per year between 2015 and 2020, resulting in 60% of all digital impressions.*

in kjet into y

ou

INKJET WORKFLOW

The latest publication in our series of three inkjet books!

877-623-4969 CSA.CANON.COM

Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. © 2017 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved. *InfoTrends, “U.S. Production Printing & Copying Market Forecast” 2016 “Global Production Printing & Copying Market Forecast: 2015 – 2020,” 2016

Offset Printing

BY DAVE ERLANDSON, GENERAL MANAGER, CASLON

A

TRENDS

recent Caslon survey shows offset run lengths are stabilizing. The graphs below show results from two segments: Commercial Printers with more than 10 employees and Quick/Small Commercial Printers. In each case the majority of respondents indicated that offset run lengths are not changing and in each case the number of respondents who reported increasing offset run lengths exceeded the number of respondents reporting declining run lengths.

Note – this data is from mid and small size offset print shops. It does not reflect what is happening with the large magazine publishers as they are seeing significant declines in print volumes.

Declining run lengths has been a lead indicator for declining offset print volumes. Thus with run lengths stabilizing, printers are becoming more optimistic about their offset business.

Our survey shows that surprisingly 68% of the commercial printers and 43% of the quick printers are forecasting an increase in offset page volumes, while only 5% and 24% respectively are forecasting declines.

While in our surveys we have found that printers are typically overly optimistic about the growth of their businesses, these results indicate a more positive outlook for their business than just a few years ago.

This doesn’t mean I’d want to be out selling offset presses as over half of the commercial printers and two thirds of the quick printers do not plan to buy another offset press. They have plenty of capacity now and they expect that inkjet technology will be the next technology of choice.

While data shows that overall print volumes are declining, it seems the declines are concentrated in certain applications: magazines, directories, forms and newspapers. The survey shows there are sectors of the printing industry that are doing okay with their offset production.

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

| CONNECTED | FALL 2017

7

STRATEGIC SELLING STORY | LESLIE GROENE

Successful Selling Strategies LESLIE GROENE Leslie 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 nationallyrenowned 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/

8

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

1. Customer’s Goals and Objectives: Do you know what goals and objectives 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.

that particular step. Most people are amazed to find that a couple of activities take the majority of time.

By knowing this, they can work to alter their selling process. Plan now so the upcoming year will be your best year ever.

3. Know Your Customer’s Customer: How much do you know about your customer’s customer? It doesn’t matter if you sell B2B or B2C, the question still demands an answer. I work with too many salespeople who, when asked this question, have only a shallow answer or no clue at all.

Take the time to find out all you can about what motivates your customer’s customers. Spend time with them, talk to them, (most importantly listen to them) and get to know what drives their decision-making process. When you can identify this information, you can then provide your customer with even better solutions.

4. Have you Learned Something New: There is always something new you can learn about your customers, whether they are newly acquired or longterm accounts. Use each sales call as an opportunity to hone your skills. It’s amazing how customers change.

Unless you have up-to-date knowledge about them, you will soon find they’ve changed and you haven’t. After each sales call, ask yourself what you learned about the customer and, of course, make sure you record it in your customer profile.

2. Prospecting Timeline: At certain times in the year, most people are working hard to make their numbers. Yet, at the same time, many have no idea how long it takes to turn a prospect into a profitable customer. Creating a “prospecting timeline” can help you to benchmark past experiences and streamline future ones. Begin this process by examining a few recent customers, and then break down the key activities you went through.

Your goal should be to determine the specific activities that were the most time consuming, and then figure out a way to shorten the time spent on | CONNECTED | FALL 2017

5. Benchmark Your Sales Goal: At the end of each day and each week, compare your accomplishments to your overall sales goal. If you achieved the volume you needed to hit your goal, congratulate yourself. If you didn’t, identify at least one thing that did go right and might help you achieve your goal in time. Always find something positive to end the day with. Before you leave, don’t forget to set up the next day or week. The last thing you want to do is use those very productive first minutes of the day doing anything but selling.

Healthcare Complexity, Simplified!

Let VMA simplify your life with: Choice, Proven Cost-lowering Strategies, Exceptional Customer Service, Time-saving Simplicity, Time-saving Technology, Premium Human Resource Support Shannon Wolford 415.710.0568 shannon@vma.bz

David Katz 415.489.7614 david@vma.bz

VMA Insurance Services (800) 659-3363 • insurance.vma.bz VMA Insurance Services has been ensuring business success since 1986.

Lawson Drayage, Inc. Machinery Moving, Rigging & Heavy Transportation for Any Industry

Industry trusted PrIntIng & LabeLIng equIPment mover for over 50 years! > Machinery Moving and Rigging > Facility Relocation > Storage and Warehousing > Pier Pick Up and Delivery > Crating & Special Packaging of Machinery & Equipment san francIsco bay area 3402 Enterprise Avenue Hayward, CA 94545 Phone: 510-785-5100 Fax: 510-785-8156

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Online: www.lawsoninc.com | Email: sales@lawsoninc.com

Rooted in Tradition – Growing Toward the Future

Join us for Career Day Looking for new employees or planning for the future?

You won’t want to miss Career Day on October 20.

Cal Poly Graphic Communication (GrC) graduates hit the ground running!

Post on the GrC Job Board Reach soon-to-be graduates and seasoned alumni.

CAREER DAY DATES

www.jobs.grc.calpoly.edu

Fall October 20, 2017

Learn More

Winter January 26, 2018

Visit www.grc.calpoly.edu Call 805.756.2645

Spring April 19, 2018

A

VMA Education. magazine The Choice is Yours.

ClieNt

PhoNe

CoNtaCt

Fax

authoRized sigNatuRe

date

CheCk eaCh box as a guide: ❑ Name correct? ❑ address correct? ❑

Phone # correct?

❑ ad copy correct? ❑ offer correct, if a

Stay ahead of the game by learning new skills.

• 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.

magazine • signBecause this page and it back to Process magazine.

We’re here for you. ofemail you.

Visual Media Alliance is a trade • anythe changes from thisand pointbusinesses forward may costof youour in time and materials. association helping careers members to be • Process magazine cannot process your job until receipt of sign-off. successful. We offer over 100 public classes, delivered to you in-person, onlineemail and through customized training solutions. magazine baCk to: process@switchstudio.com

magazine

DESIGN

PRINT

MARKETING

OFFICE

PROGRAMMING

View Website For Education Listings (800) 659-3363 • education.vma.bz Workshops • Seminars • Webinars • One-on-One • Customized Training Solutions

925-400-4165

Putting Your Inspiration On To Media

…. Ensuring that your creative genius doesn’t go unnoticed.

Ray Morgan Company has over 60 years experience supporting client’s who take the time and effort to design the perfect document that will carry their message.

Let us help you provide your clients with the best quality imaging on any media substrate with the most competitive support programs in the industry.

Digital Presses - Flatbed Printers - Copiers – Scanners – Outsourced IT Services

Sales, Service & Supplies From 22 Locations in California & Nevada Call Us For A Free Imaging Technology Assessment 925-400-4165 * www.raymorgan.com * pressforsuccess@raymorgan.com Sales & Service 22 locations in California & Nevada

EXCLUSVE VMA PRINT TOWEL PROGRAM “Think Green, Think Clean, Think Prudential.”

PR UD E N T I A L I S D ED ICAT ED T O SU ST A I N A B I L I TY

Prudential Overall Supply is a uniform provider with solutions for businesses requiring uniforms and textile rental programs.

We offer a variety of types and sizes of towels. All our printers towels are manufactured for maximum absorbency with egyptian cotton, sized to fit the job. Our cleaning systems are designed to clean towels soiled with solvents and inks in order to create a safe, economical and ecologically friendly working environment.

Reusable textiles offer a clean green solution compared to home wash and disposable products.

To sign up and start saving through our preferred agreement contact Ashley Carroll, Key Account Manager AshleyC@pos-clean.com CAREER & CASUAL FACILITY PRODUCTS PROTECTIVE APPAREL 800-767-5536 PrudentialUniforms.com CULINARY APPAREL NAPKINS TOWELS P R UD ENTI A L I S . . .

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• Sacramento: $10.50 per hour for employers with 100 or fewer employees (larger employers faced a rate hike to $11 on January 1, 2018).

• San Francisco: $14.00 per hour.

• San Jose: $12.00 per hour.

• San Leandro: $12.00 per hour.

San Francisco Bans Pay Inquiry

GOVERNMENT

AFFAIRS

Minimum Wage Hikes GERRY BONETTO Gerry Bonetto, Ph.D., is Director of Government Affairs. In this capacity, he represents the commercial printing industry before the California legislature and state regulatory agencies. He can be reached at gbonetto@ roadrunner.com.

C

alifornia’s state minimum wage rate is $10.50 per hour. This is greater than the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. You are required to pay the higher state minimum wage. The California cities below increased their hourly minimum wage as of July 1, 2017 to the following rates (which exceed the state minimums and which must be paid if your business resides in one of these cities): • Emeryville: $14.00 per hour for employers with 55 or fewer employees, $15.20 per hour for businesses with more employees.

• Los Angeles (city and county): $10.50 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees, $12.00 per hour for businesses with more employees.

• Milpitas: $11.00 per hour.

The City of San Francisco (SF) now prohibits employers from asking job seekers about current or prior salary or wage rate or pegging starting pay to prior pay. The SF Ordinance is based on the following rationale: When employers consider applicants’ salary history in setting salaries of new hires, past patterns of gender bias and discrimination repeat themselves, causing women to continue earning less than their male counterparts and less than they would have earned except for their gender.

In addition, the SF Ordinance: • Prohibits employers from releasing salary history information for any current or former employee to a prospective employer without written consent, unless required by law; • Allows an applicant to voluntarily “without prompting” disclose prior salary, in which case the employer may consider the prior salary but may not peg the applicant’s salary based solely on prior salary or justify paying the applicant differently than other employees doing substantially similar work; • Permits employers to discuss a job applicant’s salary expectations without inquiring about salary history.

The state legislature will likely pass a similar law (AB 168) which will make the SF ordinance applicable statewide. Thus employers throughout the state should examine their pay practices and determine whether they have relied on prior salary history for determining pay. If so, they may want to adopt a policy now to stop doing so.

California Packaging Waste Initiative The Legislature and Governor Brown set a goal of 75 percent recycling, composting or source reduction of solid waste by 2020, they called for the state VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

| CONNECTED | FALL 2017

9

and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to take a statewide approach to decreasing California’s reliance on landfills.

To accomplish this goal, CalRecycle funded a study to identify the amount different materials contribute to the state’s waste stream. The study found that packaging (i.e., cardboard, paper, plastic, metals and other materials used to enclose or protect products) represents roughly one-quarter of California’s total disposal stream.

CalRecycle, therefore, has focused efforts since 2012 on engaging stakeholders to identify and explore opportunities relative to packaging as one part of a comprehensive set of strategies to reach the statewide goal of 75 percent. By early 2018, CalRecycle hopes to produce a statewide packaging that will act as a framework for new legislation in 2018 and beyond.

CalRecycle identified possible mandatory measures that could be used by manufacturers and packaging suppliers to reduce packaging waste.

These include: • Mandatory source reduction plans and programs • Extended producer responsibility for the recovery of packaging waste • Minimum recycled content packaging requirements • Landfill bans on recyclable packaging • Advanced recycling fees on packaging materials These measures could have a great impact on the packaging and packaging waste supply chain in California, especially manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers—virtually anyone who comes into contact with packaging and packaging waste in California.

The industry is taking an active role on this initiative—having submitted written comments and participated in the September 19 and October 10 workshops at CalRecycle in Sacramento.

Universal Health Coverage – California The California Nurses Association continues to press for the passage of SB 562—legislation that would provide “health care coverage” for all Californians.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon had blocked Assembly action on the bill after it passed the California Senate because, as he said, there was no funding mechanism in the bill.

Rendon then announced the creation of a “Select Committee” on “universal coverage.” In a press release the Nurses Healthy California campaign sees “the committee as a clear reaction to the statewide pressure 10

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

| CONNECTED | FALL 2017

from our campaign and grassroots supporters.” The Group resolved to continue organizing, and argues that a Select Committee just delays the legislative process.

Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) and Dr. Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg), the chairs of the Assembly Select Committee on Health Care Delivery Systems and Universal Coverage, respectively, will hold hearings beginning in the legislative interim to develop plans for achieving universal health care in California.

Speaker Rendon stressed that the hearings would provide a new opportunity to determine the best and quickest path forward toward universal hearth care.

Overcoming potential federal and constitutional obstacles and examining funding mechanisms will drive the committee’s activity.

New Local Sales Tax Rates The sales tax rate changed on October 1, 2017 for the following cities. At the same time, a new identification code and acronym will apply to each city.

City

New Code

New Prior Acronym Rate

Rate as of 10/01/17

San Pablo

609

SPRS

9.00%

8.75%

City of Corcoran (King County)

603

CRCG

7.25%

8.25%

City of Lindsay (Tulare County)

607

LDSG

8.75%

9.25%

City of Seaside (Monterey County)

605

SEDG

8.75%

9.25%

Here are some do’s and don’ts for crafting an effective outgoing message:

HUMAN RESOURCES STORY | BY CHERYL CHONG

New I-9s, Vacation Messages

U

CHERYL CHONG Cheryl Chong is VMA’s 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 cheryl@vma.bz.

SCIS has released a new version of the I-9 (Form I-9 07/17/17 N) which is used by employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired to work in the United States. The previous I-9 form could be used through September 17, 2017. On September 18, 2017, employers had to start using the new form. Employers should also continue to follow existing storage and retention rules for any preciously completed Form I-9‘s.

USCIS also made some revisions related to the List of Acceptable Documents. Documents required for the form must be unexpired and must be provided to the employer no later than 3 days of hire. If an individual is hired for less than 3 business days, section 2 must be completed no later than the end of the first days of employment. Further information can be obtained on the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central.

Make Sure It’s the Right Message It may seem like a simple task, but if your out-ofoffice message is unclear or incomplete, it can cause problems while you’re out and when you return. For instance, if you don’t clearly state the dates you’ll be gone, your office coworkers and clients might send you multiple emails, inundating your inbox and making it difficult for you to catch up when you return from vacation. And if you don’t include the name and contact information in your outgoing message for the coworkers who can help in your absence, your vacation time might get in the way of ongoing projects in the company.

A good out-of-office reply incorporates the following elements (try to keep these as clear and concise as possible): • The exact dates of your time off — If you are simply re-activating the message you used during your last vacation, make sure you change the dates, and double-check to ensure they’re right. Be sure to also have an expiration date for the out of office message.

• The reason for your absence — People might still attempt to get in touch with you if they think you’re on a business trip or at a conference. They’ll be less likely to try to contact you if they know you’re on vacation. If you truly are on vacation, do not attempt to check your inbox. Not only will it be confusing to customers and vendors when you respond, it takes the magic out of the vacation.

• The people who can help while you’re out — Provide their names, phone numbers and email addresses. If you handle multiple areas, specify each person’s area of expertise so colleagues and clients know exactly where to go for assistance.

While you’re writing and activating your response message, sidestep these pitfalls: • Giving too much detail/trying to be funny — Sure, you’re excited about your upcoming week, but send too much information in your message and people might think you’re bragging. And unless you’re a comedy writer, resist making jokes — they can easily be misinterpreted and give the wrong impression.

• Committing a colleague’s immediate help — You can’t predict how quickly your coworkers will be able to respond to emails in your absence, so make sure you don’t promise their immediate assistance.

On that note, ask your colleagues for permission before you provide their email addresses and phone numbers in your out-of-office message; they might have a big project coming up that will make them too busy to serve as your back up.

• Telling people you’ll respond as soon as you return — You’ll have lots to catch up on the day/ week you get back, so avoid saying you’ll return emails in a particular time frame. You don’t want to make a promise you might have to break.

• Typos — Your out-of-office message could go to anyone, from your manager to your top client.

Avoid embarrassment by proofreading it carefully.

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

| CONNECTED | FALL 2017

11

Now you see it.

Now you see even more.

No longer are you confined to choosing between a paper you can afford and a paper that makes your projects shine. With Accent Opaque, more choices and more opportunities to impress always appear before your eyes. To learn more about the full line of Accent offerings, and to request printed samples, visit AccentAGame.com. Š2017 International Paper Company. All rights reserved. Accent is a registered trademark of International Paper Company

Accent Opaque ÂŽ

NEW MEMBERS BigMouth Highcon-Americas, West Region

Highcon makes the world’s only digital creasing and cutting machines. Designed for paper, paperboard, microflute and labels, Highcon’s machines can die cut both digital and offset print and enable capabilities and efficiencies never before possible, including complex setups in just 15 to 20 minutes.

Paul Gardner (801) 231-8519 paul.gardner@highcon.net www.highcon.net

BASYS Processing, Inc.

BASYS provide services and solutions that include terminals, virtual terminals, e-commerce, mobile and point-of-sale; customized to fit any need. We are dedicated to working one-on-one with you to design the perfect solution for your business. VMA members can save up to 40% off your current processing fees with no contract terms. BASYS is Personalized Payment Processing.

Jenny Shoemaker-Miller (913) 529-2393 jmiller@basyspro.com https://basyspro.com/vma/

BigMouth, San Francisco, is a marketing think tank. We generate brand ideas that sell — from fundamentals to the wildly unconventional. We welcome intriguing assignments of all sizes. All we ask is that you bring an open mind. Services include: research, brand strategy, naming, logos, websites, videos, advertising and digital marketing.

Todd Spina (415) 539-3778 todd@bigmouth.com www.bigmouth.com

Pacific Printing & Paper

With a combined experience of over 35 years, PrintedUnion.com brings to you unparalleled service and cost effective savings, backed by a 100% guarantee. And because we work so closely with labor unions and are a union printer, we are sensitive to the demands and needs of your busy schedule and budget.

Andrew Goett (408) 293-8083 andrew@printedunion.com

Dynamite Digital

Large format printing company in San Francisco working with local businesses around the Bay Area. Ideal choice for full service wall murals, vinyl banners, signs and complex orders. Areas of expertise include event signage, retail branding and interior office branding. Trade printing available.

Contact us for a free quote.

Rory O’Neil (415) 546-0792 www.dynamitedigital.com

Acclaim Print & Copy Centers

Our mission is to provide you with the highest-quality products and services possible in a timely fashion and at a competitive price.

We promise to listen to you and help you achieve your business goals. We will always be there with honest, expert advice and quick, friendly customer service.

Our goal is to meet and exceed your expectations.

Dan Karas (925) 829-7750 Dan@acclaimprint.com www.acclaimprint.com

VM Access Goes Mobile!

Now Visual Media Access is available on all your mobile devices from smart phones to tablets. Try it out today at vmaccess.org.

NOW FEATURING: • Location based search • Single search box • Easy to use category search • 12,000 impression a month • As a member, your company is listed. Make sure your company information is up-to-date!

VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

| CONNECTED | FALL 2017

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UPCOMING VMA EVENTS

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

Women in Business Communications Holiday Luncheon

December 7 Metropolitan Club, San Francisco Girls Just Gotta Have Funds: 5 Steps to Becoming a Wealthier Woman Presented by Sarah Tolson Certified Financial Planner Tolson believes that women have the ability to empower themselves with the knowledge they need to take control of their finances. Learn more and celebrate the season.

Management Webinars

Employee Handbook 101: What you should include Friday, December 8, 2017 • 10:30 – 12 noon Free for members • $90 for non members Register at vma.bz or contact Laura@vma.bz.

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VISUAL MEDIA ALLIANCE

| CONNECTED | FALL 2017

In/Visible Talks Design Conference

January 11, 2018 In/VisibleTalks is a design conference about the creative process that brings people together through a conversation about the art of design. invisibletalks.com

CrabFest

Jan 27, 2018 Colombo Club in Oakland Three words: Off the charts. Enjoy this annual VMA BYOB (bring your own bib) winter feast on all-you-caneat Dungeness crab. A fun night out socializing with old friends and meeting new friends. After filling up on delectable crabmeat, dance the night away to live music from “Ticket to Ride” making another awesome appearance at this annual event.

Event information and registration at www.vma.bz

Color2018 #Color2018

January 13-16 San Diego, CA

Mark your calendars—January 13–16 when the Color Conference heads to San Diego, CA. Learn from the industry’s top color managers, technical experts, and brand thought-leaders about latest trends and techniques in color management.

Save $100 off your registration!

Use promo code VMAColor18 at check out!

Discount deadline: Nov. 15

www.printing.org/color

665 3rd Street, Suite 500 San Francisco, CA 94107

SHEET FED | HEATSET WEB | OPEN WEB | DIGITAL | WIDE FORMAT | BANNERS | MAILING SERVICES

live green, print green ®

SIT BACK & RELAX

LET US BE YOUR ONE STOP PRINTING & MARKETING CommerceSOLUTIONS

& MA RKE TING SOLUTI ON S

Give us a call and one of our printing consultants will be available to help you.

916.442.8100 • www.commerceprinting.com