Here, Ryan Farris, President and COO at AlphaGraphics (one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated business centres), reveals how to identify real opportunities amid the COVID-19 chaos. AlphaGraphics offers a complete range of print, visual communications and marketing products and solutions. For more information please visit www.alphagraphics.com.
One thing that COVID-19 has shown us is that print is not dead. In fact, it’s still a vibrant and essential part of business life. During the height of the pandemic, businesses still needed essential print communications to safely operate and communicate the status of their business and how they were conducting it. In many areas, printing businesses have been designated essential services, meaning that many have been open and operating during stay-at-home orders. And, many essential businesses like healthcare providers, local governments, and grocery stores have depended on the services provided by printers in order to continue to operate and provide their own crucially important services. Through coordinated efforts, leadership and local ownership, AlphaGraphics was able to keep 93% of our locations open for business to varying degrees throughout the crisis.
That’s not to say this pandemic hasn’t impacted the printing industry in general, and local printing businesses in particular. COVID-19 has presented so many challenges, from mitigating illness to loss of income. The dramatic change in business climate and how to operate, combined with regulations and restrictions, has been overwhelming – especially for printers with limited support resources. However, while some are struggling, those with the resources, support and ability to quickly pivot and adapt, are actually finding new opportunities and revenue streams that may replace or even outpace prior-year sales. Navigating the new normal will present challenges for our industry. As people return to work and businesses open up, there will be new issues to overcome, and each of these challenges, properly addressed, will present new opportunities. Here’s a roadmap to help you convert those challenges into opportunities.
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