After an utterly fantastic Project Peacock event providing Printspiration to a room filled with print customers and PSP’s eager to learn about, and get their hands on the amazing print and paper samples shared by the Peacock Partners, I had some time to actually hang out in Chicago. One of the unexpected activities turned out to be a seat for Hamilton.
I had seen the show two years ago. Since then I have become a sing-a-long fan of the soundtrack and fascinated by the incredible story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States. How founding? Well, he never became President, but we still use his treasury system today. He was in the `room that it happens’ for sure.
The show takes us on a journey starting with Alexander Hamilton arriving in America as young man from the Caribbean to the uprising that leads to the Revolutionary War, into the Revolution and out as a free nation, through some of the years after when the laws and systems of our intended democracy were being created, and spoiler alert —- our story ends shortly after Aaron Burr kills Hamilton in a duel.
What struck me as an interesting juxtaposition between the show and the print industry was a reprise from good ole’ King George from England, who after retreating was more than delighted to point out to his former subjects that winning the war was one thing, leading is another. The song is appropriately titled What Comes Next?
And that is my question to all of us… What Comes Next?
We have successfully navigated an American trade show revolution and as far as I am concerned, we all won. Merges and acquisitions on all fronts are providing interesting headlines in trade pubs and even more interesting, diverse, nimble and forward-thinking organizations who not only embrace the rampant change in our industry but welcome it vs. cower in fear.
It feels to me like everyone is in their corner waiting for the 1st round bell to ring… not to fight each other, but fight for print and our industry with the best teams and tools at their side.
Ding.
So what comes next?
Are you going to take advantage of the new trade shows, or do nothing?
Are you going to investigate new programs and membership benefits from restructured orgs, or do nothing?
Are you going to invest in new products and services and move forward with technology, or do nothing?
Are you going to look at optimizing workflow and welcome automation into your world, or do nothing?
Are you going to seek new partnerships and opportunities for your business and your customers, or do nothing?
Are you going to pay and treat employees equally, fairly and ethically, and provide a safe and welcoming space to work, or do nothing?
Are you going to open company doors to students, and people with different ideas and backgrounds and help them find a place in print to call home, or do nothing?
What comes next is up to you. It always has been.
Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse™ at Print Media Centr, a Print Buyerologist™, industry speaker and blogger, host of Podcasts from The Printerverse, cultivator of Print Production Professionals the #1 print group on LinkedIn, Head Girl in Charge (H.G.I.C.) at GirlsWhoPrint, host of #PrintChat every Wednesday at 4PM ET on Twitter, the founder of International Print Day and the founder of #ProjectPeacock. She is the recipient of several industry honors including the 2016 Girls Who Print Girlie Award and sits on the boards of the Advertising Production Club of NYC and The Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi.
Deborah has 25+ years of experience working in advertising as a Print Producer. She currently provides printspiration and resources to print and marketing professionals through PMC, and works behind the scenes with printers, suppliers and industry organizations helping them create meaningful relationships with customers, and achieve success with their social media and content marketing endeavors.
Explore Podcasts From The Printerverse
Connect with Deborah: Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Pinterest / Print Production Professionals Group / deborah@printmediacentr.com
Please subscribe to PMC’s News from The Printerverse for PRINTSPIRATION delivered to your inbox 1x a month.
Calling all Girls Who Print!! The Women’s Print Mentoring Network is open, FREE, and ready to match mentors and mentees. Sign up today!
