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TRUST AND POSSIBILITIES
Bob O’Connell, president of Vanguard Direct, New York City, was inaugurated as PSDA’s 2007-2008 president during the association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. He succeeds past president Jim Riley, CDC, who helped guide the association through its year-long rebranding. Riley addressed attendees during the breakfast with an optimistic speech. He cited a Harris Survey that ranked the public’s perception of various institutions. “Of all our public institutions, people have the most trust in small businesses,” he said. “You have a lot to offer, but the biggest asset you have is that your customers trust you.”
During his inaugural speech, O’Connell asked attendees to consider the possibilities their businesses could take advantage of. He shared Riley’s optimism that the industry has a bright future for companies that understand and solve their customer’s problems. “Every member is positioned better than ever to help their customers with their communications troubles.” O’Connell offered some advice to fellow distributors who are trying to grow their companies: 1) Think of yourself as an extension of your customer. 2) Develop a project management culture in your organization. 3) Hire the best people, pay them what they’re worth and recognize their contributions and 4) Reinvest in your organization. More of O’Connell’s remarks can be found on page 4.
NEWPORT’S NEWS
Pollster shares insights to American psyche in keynote address
Despite recent oscillations in the economy, most Americans are happy with their jobs and wouldn’t quit, even if they won the lottery, according to Dr. Frank Newport, editor in chief of The Gallup Poll and keynote speaker at the 2007 PEAK Awards breakfast. The ceremony honored companies in 39 categories for excellence in printed material and problem solving. After breakfast, Newport addressed industry leaders about small businesses, economic trends and presidential election politics.
According to national polls, only 39 percent of Americans would stop working even with a sudden influx of wealth, and most people would pay bills before investing the money, buying a house or even going on vacation.
Even as the value of the dollar continues to slide against international currencies, Americans cite war in Iraq as their primary concern (33 percent) for the 2008 presidential election. Only nine percent feel the economy is an important issue, and unemployment garnered five percent, just ahead of the environment’s one percent. Americans have not showed strong support for any Republican candidate running, while Hillary Clinton looks likely to take the Democratic nomination.
After praising the print industry for its complexity and staying power in the face of a tumultuous century, Newport reported that eighty-four percent of Americans are satisfied overall, and 94 percent are satisfied with their jobs.