Optimistic Expectations for the New Year
The following responses are to a question posted on DMIA's members-only broadcast email system regarding optimism for 2004:
The owners, management, sales and support staffs of Suncoast Marketing have continued to maintain the positive focus needed to excel in today's marketplace. With the exception of the "shock period days" following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an ongoing sense of enthusiasm and energy has existed throughout our organization. Even with the constant bombardment of negative political and economic news (real and perceived), we've managed to maintain sales growth and profitability, as well as add the finest support and salespeople available.
This month, Suncoast is holding an open house at our new corporate offices and distribution center. This represents another tremendous step in our growth, and is an integral part of the company's strategic plan for the next few years.
We've renewed our positive outlook daily for years, and will continue to do so in the years to follow.
Randy Eubanks
Vice President of Sales
Suncoast Marketing Inc.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
With the sour economy of the last few years, it has been a major challenge for us to develop new marketing offerings such as our Conformer Expansion products. In the past six months, many negatives have turned positive for the economy, and we've received great responses to our products. End users and distributors have become much more open to change and the marketing of new ideas. Notwithstanding global problems, I believe our immediate future is very promising.
Marvin A. Makofsky
President
Pama Enterprises Inc.
Great Neck, N.Y.
Maintaining a sense of enthusiasm is one main ingredient for success in our industry. A distributorship wouldn't survive without it. When we experience the loss of a key account or the loss of a long-wanted order, we brush ourselves off, pick ourselves up and get back into focus. Moving forward instead of looking back is a smart formula.
Kathleen Brennan, CDC
Owner
Proforma Info Pros
Galveston Island, Texas
Quality Impressions is ready for a great year in 2004--it should be the best year we've ever had. Why? Because we have a great group of employees who are contributing to our growth and success. At every opportunity, we celebrate and share our successes together. We're growing because we communicate the good, the bad and the ugly. Our team is just that--a team. Together, we can accomplish success after success, and failure isn't an option. Our company is truly blessed, and I'm thankful to be a part of it during these tough but exciting times.
Charles Tate
Owner
Quality Impressions
Charlotte, N.C.
We anticipate sustained growth during the next few years. Our target growth areas include direct mail, imaging services, fulfillment, variable imaging, OCR data capture solutions, software, consulting, and bar coding solutions (scanners, readers, printers and labels).
Michael Cole
Owner
METROFORM
Rancho Cordova, Calif.
Talk to Us
We encourage feedback about stories published in Print Solutions, as well as in DMIA's E-Weekly and Independent Management Report e-newsletters.
Question of the month: In December, FedEx announced plans to acquire Kinko's for $2.4 billion. How might the deal impact your business, and do you consider large retailers such as Kinko's to be competitors?
New Monthly Department Starts Next Month
Print Solutions realizes the importance of companies selling printing equipment, paper, ink and other supplies. One of our goals this year is to increase our editorial coverage of firms such as yours. Beginning in February, we're launching a new monthly section in the magazine called Supplier Focus. It will feature ways suppliers are capitalizing on sales opportunities, partnering with customers and overcoming challenges. If you're a supplier and recently created a solution that solved a problem for a customer, let us know. Send a 1-page press release that describes the application to bholt@printsolutionsmag.com or (703) 549-4966 (fax). If you have digital photos of the solution or people on your team, include them.
