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Monthly Archives: April 2014

”Your biggest enemy is your own success!” [free quote after Steve Jobs]

April 28, 2014
Basic Topics on Innovation, Valuable Advice, Value Innovation
2 Comments

Value Innovation

 

 

This Bog post is worth reading because:

  1. It showcases all the relevant options for innovation.
  2. The best ways of business model innovation are explained.
  3. The role of valuable business communication is re-defined.

 

Established industries, especially the printing & publishing business, fail at sticking to earlier success factors. Cross-cutting technologies that produced by the Internet age, do the rest and put previous economic principles cease to have effect. Monopolistic technology owned by expensive expert tools and expert circles (editorial teams) can not make the usual success. Technology innovations are important, but don’t guarantee per se a profitable growth anymore.

Technology usage competence and an anticipatory understanding of developments in the market even more. Needs have become the measure of all things.
The aim must always be to revolutionize industries and markets!

 

Lifeline “business model innovation”

The following classic, operational innovation opportunities are there who have been sufficient in the pre-social media era:

  1. Technology and process innovation: Something old replaced with something new for higher efficiency and increased productivity.
  2. Product innovation: new products to offer to increase sales.
  3. Functional area-innovation: in marketing, sales to improve the value chain architecture.

But who nowadays wants to achieve sustained profitable growth, must lift “Strategic Innovation“ to change the basic structure of a business.

This novel, too rare form of so-called “business model innovation” gives advantage in the market, advantages through differentiation from competitors through to positioning as a leader.

 

Three options of business model innovation can be distinguished:

  1. Revenue Model Innovation
  2. Value Chain Architecture Innovation
  3. Value Innovation

Option 1 and 2 are dedicated to vendors of digital goods. They are able to deliver (almost) for free to their customers in the Internet and Telecommunications-based industries; because they act without (almost) zero transport costs within seconds. And they have always the possibility to select customer groups to offer products or services for free even to attract prospects. This is spurred by the high cross-linking and network ability of digital offerings.

Option 3, Value Innovation is relevant when certain customers or suppliers groups can no longer be serviced timely and satisfactory. Value Innovation relies on the valuable communication of the change of a value through an innovative, solid and serious value proposition (better expressed: “Valuable Performance Promise”). Only in this way novel, latently existing market needs & demands can be satisfied.

Value Innovation need not necessarily have a fundamentally new value chain structure. For existing products / services to new customer groups are offered, which are derived with respect to regular customers a completely different benefit for themselves.

 

My recommendation:

All established businesses, primarily the printing & publishing industry can ensure their survival, if it uses the strategic and supporting principles of “Value Innovation” and brought to life by high-value communications solutions.

 

Anyone interested in the details for Value Innovation, can contact the author Andreas Weber.

Graphic Repro On-line News Update to Friday 25 April

April 27, 2014
Valuable Advice, Value Contributors
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If you would like to send news for consideration for the Graphic Repro On-line Website (ISSN 1814-2915) or to submit comments, please e-mail Mike Hilton at:graphicrepro.za@gmail.com.

Our Website urls are:

http://www.graphicrepro.co.za
http://www.graphicrepro.net

GraphicRepro.Net e-News (ISSN 1814-2923)  provides weekly updates from the Graphic Repro On-line Website and is  compiled and published by Mike Hilton,graphicrepro.net, PO Box 10 Peterburgskoe Shosse 13/1, 196605 Pushkin 5, St. Petersburg, Russia.
e-mail graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

Graphic Repro On-line News Update to Friday 25 April

Welcome to another roundup of news for the past week, together with Laurel Brunner’s latest Verdigris environmental Blog, and a couple of nice new additions in Online Features: from Heidelberg with Hartmann in Spain, as they celebrate 50 years of co-operation with increasing success as the Spanish market as investment in new kit picks up once more. From Pim Print in The Netherlands with Callas Software; and from Muller Martini in Leipzig, where the Mönch bookbindery now stitches thread-sewn books with shorter signatures using the Ventura MC sewing machine with the Tween option, instead of by hand, for which it was renowned for many years. As to be expected, you will also find half-a-dozen of the latest FESPA Digital-related announcements in our FESPA Newsroom, including the latest product launches from Screen and Xeikon.

Although it was a short week again this week due to the Easter long weekend, there have been a number of important announcements, both locally and elsewhere.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Interpack 2014, which takes place from 8 – 14 May in Düsseldorf, took the lead with major announcements from Esko with packaging preproduction to address today’s brand needs; and HP Indigo with digital printing solutions for folding carton, flexible packaging, labels and corrugated packaging applications. On Wednesday and Friday you will also find the latest relating to the Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations event in Lier, Belgium, taking place from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 May. On Wednesday, KBA announced that experienced restructuring expert, Dr Andreas Plesske, has been appointed to its management board with responsibility for the group’s realignment programme.

Thursday’s headlines were led by Screen, which has appointed Ipex Machinery in Johannesburg as its Southern Africa reseller for the complete range of Screen Truepress Jet digital inkjet presses and printers. This is a superb fit in the Ipex Machinery portfolio, which already includes Hunkeler among many others, and which are complementary to Screen’s high-speed inkjet presses. It will also equip Ipex to address the growing large-format flatbed, high-quality UV inkjet market as well with the Inca-manufactured Screen printer range.

On Friday, Kodak announced a further major investment in a new and additional plate line for its Sonora process-free plates at its plant in Columbus, Georgia, in the United States. This follows the announcement in early March of similar investments in both Osterode, Germany, and at its Xiamen, China plant. Also on Friday, UPM Raflatac announced a EUR 13 million investment in new production capacity for filmic labelstock, and a restructure of its sheet labelstock production in Europe.

A whole selection of nice sales and installations again this week: on Tuesday from EFI, and from Heidelberg with Linoprint digital; also from KBA with an eight-colour Rapida 105. On Wednesday from Heidelberg UK with a Speedmaster CX 102 five-colour press with coater; from Epson with its first digital inkjet label press for Scotland; and Callas Software with pdfToolbox Server. On Thursday, from Heidelberg UK again, with a thermal CTP Suprasetter; and then Polar, as an Austrian bookbindery extends its cutting capacity with a high-speed Polar N 137 Plus cutter. On Friday, we have Muller Martini with the world’s first FlexLiner state-of-the-art inserting technology in Germany, to finish the week nicely.

There’s a lot of new inkjet kit this week, particularly out of ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando, from EFI, Durst and HP, all with new or greatly enhanced inkjet printers, and also from SAi, all in the news on Friday, as well as from Epson on Thursday with debuts lined-up for Sign & Digital UK this coming week. Agfa Graphics will show its latest UV-curable wide-format inkjet printers at FESPA Digital; while Screen will debut the higher speed version of its Truepress Jet UV flatbed inkjet printer for the first time at FESPA in Munich next month.

There’s more if you scroll down carefully, including an award for Ricoh on Thursday.

The tailender this week goes to So-opak and a very enterprising lady by the name of Carol Jiang, who is the first ever to put her short-run offset printing packaging firm online, and which dazzled attendees at the SIAL Canada 2014 show held in Montreal earlier this month. You’ll find it in the news on Tuesday, with some stunning examples of what they are doing!

I think that’s about it again for this week, so until next time.

My best regards,

Mike Hilton

 

___________________________________________________________

Our e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative from Digital Dots. Our Ipex, Drupa and FESPA Newsrooms can be accessed from the Index on our Home Page, as well as News in Review, which provides a weekly overview and listing of all news added to the site. 

Headline News
Over 24,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation news pages Note: ‘next page’ and ‘previous page’ links appear at the top of each News continuation page.

Tuesday 22 April – Friday 25 April
Tuesday 22 April…   Esko at Interpack 2014: 8 – 14 May in Düsseldorf
Packaging preproduction addressing today’s brand needs with colour accuracy, faster time to market and regulatory compliance…

Agfa’s latest UV-curable wide-format inkjet at FESPA
Agfa Graphics to present next generation UV-curable wide-format printers, workflow and inks, at FESPA Digital 2014…

What’s up, drupa?
Value Talk with Sabine Geldermann, director at Messe Düsseldorf responsible for drupa trade fairs, by Andreas Weber…

So-opak first to put folding carton business online
So-opak, new online short-run offset printing packaging firm, dazzled attendees at SIAL Canada 2014 earlier this month…

Clarkeprint adds EFI OPS (Online Print Solutions)
EFI’s Web2Print brings the full power of e-Commerce to Clarkeprint; full campaign management augments print services…

Advantage Linoprint: with Prinect Digital Press Manager
Prinect Digital Print Manager locks in quality and lowers costs and more for Heidelberg’s growing Linoprint digital press users…

Leading packaging printer adds third KBA Rapida 105
Spring arrival in southern California for new KBA Rapida 105 eight-colour 41-inch press at K-1 Packaging Group…

 

Wed 23 April…   HP to show game-changing solutions at Interpack 2014
HP digital printing solutions for folding carton, flexible packaging, labels and corrugated packaging applications to be on show…

Dr Andreas Plesske to implement KBA restructure
KBA appoints experienced restructuring expert to management board with responsibility for ‘Fit@All’ realignment programme…

Xeikon Café on Packaging Innovations 20 – 22 May
Spotlight on self-adhesive labels as programme completed with Kohlpharma to inform on benefits of digital label production…

ThermoFlexX to also take part in Xeikon Café
ThermoFlexX will be a key player at the forthcoming Xeikon Café event in Lier, from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 May…

UPM decreases work-related accidents by 60% in two years
Focus on improving workplace safety produces great results…

G&H switches to Speedmaster CX102 technology
G&H Printing adds B1 Speedmaster CX 102-5+LX five-colour press with coater, with further investment plans later this year…

Label Tec invests in an Epson SurePress L-4033A
First digital inkjet label press for Scottish firm ticks all the boxes for high quality, consistent colour and affordability…

Pim Print automates workflow with Callas pdfToolbox Server
The Callas pdfToolbox Server, isn’t that the workflow package that is especially suitable for larger companies?…
Thu 24 April…   Screen appoints Ipex Machinery for Truepress press range
Screen appoints Ipex Machinery as Southern Africa reseller for its range of Truepress Jet digital presses and printers…

Screen launches Truepress Jet 3200UV HS flat-bed
Higher speed version of the acclaimed UV flatbed inkjet printer to be shown for the first time at FESPA Digital in Munich…

International Data Corporation accolade for Ricoh
IDC names Ricoh top high-speed inkjet placement vendor six years running in the continuous feed market…

Epson to debut SureColor wide-format at Sign & Digital
Versatile, high-speed 4-colour wide-format printer range features nine models offering choice of widths…

Esko to sport a racing theme at FESPA Digital
Esko Sign & Display companies next-generation prepress, workflow and digital finishing solutions at FESPA Digital in Munich…

More from Mimaki Europe for FESPA Digital 2014
Theme of ‘Together We Create’ expresses Mimaki Europe’s approach to the sign and display graphics business in Munich…

FESPA Digital 2014’s educational programme
Dives deeper into digital print; New keynote plus expanded line-up of topics and speakers announced for Digital Hub…

Douglas moves to thermal with a Suprasetter A75
The Bishops Stortford company is switching from visible light to thermal CTP to improve handling and environmental impact…

Bookbindery Immerl trusts once more in Polar
Austrian bookbindery Immerl extends its cutting capacity with another high-speed Polar N 137 PLUS cutter…

Fri 25 April…   Kodak to add new Sonora plate line in Columbus, Georgia
Increased Sonora process-free plate sales continue to drive targeted regional manufacturing strategy for Kodak…

Heidelberg and Hartmann: Over 50 years together in Spain
The Spanish market is on the road to recovery, where print shops are modernising their machine parks with Heidelberg…

UPM Raflatac to restructure production in Europe
UPM Raflatac to invest EUR 13 million in new production capacity in filmic labelstock and restructure sheet labelstock…

SKN Druck in Emden: A world first from Muller Martini
When the world’s first FlexLiner state-of-the-art technology meets with premium products at SKN in Emden, Germany…

EFI debuts new ‘green’ entry-level LED printer at ISA
EFI propels print business competitiveness with new inkjet and workflow innovations at the ISA International Sign Expo…

Durst launches two new machines at ISA in Orlando
Durst Phototechnik launches new Rho P10 HS high-speed series and Durst Rho 312R roll-to-roll printer at International Sign Expo…

HP enabling wide-format customers to break boundaries
New HP Latex 300 Printer series and HP Designjet Z-series production printers debut at ISA to help customers grow businesses…

SAi FlexiPRINT bundled with new HP Latex Printers
SAi FlexiPRINT signmaking software bundled with new HP Latex 300 series, enables fast, effective RIPping…

Xeikon Café to show digital heat transfer labelling
Xeikon Café on Packaging Innovations to showcase digital heat transfer label production with UK partner Diamond Photofoil…

Hybrid Software shows digital press links at Xeikon Café
As an Aura Partner of Xeikon, Hybrid will demonstrate its Packz and Cloudflow suite at the forthcoming Xeikon Café…
The Thursday lead articles from last week’s update…

EFI Record First Quarter of $189m, up 10 per cent
Recurring Revenue up 16% Driven by 25 per cent growth in UV ink volume and continued strength in software bookings…

EFI acquires Group Rhapso in Les Ulis, France
EFI adds to growing MIS/ERP portfolio with acquisition of Group Rhapso corrugated printing and packaging solutions in Europe…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Heidelberg customers enjoy the most comprehensive and extensive sales and service network in the industry for JDF compliant workflow, computer-to-plate, sheetfed offset, Web-to-print, digital printing, digital inkjet for labels and packaging, packaging and finishing, all with complementary consumables. Heidelberg has offices in around 170 countries. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

Electronics For Imaging (EFI) is a world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for the commercial printing market. Its portfolio of integrated solutions span production and superwide format printing, graphic arts, advanced professional printing software, and industrial inkjet systems. Its technologies increase productivity by automating print and business processes To find out more visit the EFI Website.

Goss International Corporation  (Goss) is a global leader in web offset printing solutions, with a complete product range of newspaper, commercial and packaging press systems, as well as mailroom and postpress equipment. With quality accredited global design and manufacturing, Goss offers the widest range of web offset press systems, enhancements and lifetime service capabilities.  To find out more visit the Goss International Website.

Kodak Commercial Imaging  (Kodak) is a leading provider of innovative solutions for conventional, digital and hybrid print production environments. With the most expansive portfolio for the graphic communications market,  Kodak features technologies, products and services that help print providers streamline processes, optimise efficiencies, broaden services, and grow businesses. To find out more, visit the Kodak Graphics Website.

Online Feature articles 2014
There have been eleven so far this year. There were 92 articles in 2013 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page, with prior years’ via Search Archives (option 2) on the Website.

Downloads available Chapter 01

Turbo Charge your Variable Print Productivity
The free guide, edited by Martin Bailey, CTO for Global Graphics and the primary UK expert on the ISO committees, shows how to ‘Do PDF/VT Right’ to maximise productivity and minimise turnaround in the variable data world…
March/April Chapter 04

Heidelberg and Hartmann: Over half a century of success in Spain
The Spanish market is once again on the road to recovery: Print shops are modernising their machine parks with Heidelberg and Hartmann…

Pim Print automates workflow with Callas pdfToolbox Server
The Callas pdfToolbox Server, isn’t that the workflow package that is especially suitable for larger companies?..
Technology-related articles Chapter 02

Mönch in Leipzig: A pioneer in shorter signatures
The Mönch bookbindery now stitches thread-sewn books with shorter signatures using the Muller Martini Ventura MC with the Tween option…

Previous…    KBA Group at Interpack 2014
Tailor-made print solutions for many types of packaging from the KBA Group under the banner ‘The Right One’ and with the visual banner of the ‘Frog King’…

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative
Access via our Home Page Index.

Laurel Brunner’s latest weekly Verdigris Blogs

Getting Energy Levels Down
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 25 April

Previous…    More than a Lottery Win
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Thu 17 April
FESPA Newsroom
Can be found in the Index on our Home Page.

FESPA Digital 2014

Xeikon to show innovative wall-coverings at FESPA Digital
Digital ultra-high quality wall-coverings which open up new possibilities and opportunities to be shown at FESPA in Munich next month…

World Wrap Masters for FESPA Digital 2014
Adrenalin fuelled feature speeds back with new format…

Screen launches Truepress Jet 3200UV HS flatbed
Higher speed version of the acclaimed UV flatbed inkjet printer to be shown for the first time at FESPA Digital in Munich…

Nazdar Ink Technologies’ lineup for FESPA Digital
Nazdar announces plans for FESPA Digital 2014, including launch of new 202 Series inks for Roland XF, XR, and VSi printers…

FESPA Digital 2014’s educational programme
Dives deeper into digital print: New keynote plus expanded line-up of topics and speakers announced for the Digital Hub…

More from Mimaki Europe at FESPA Digital 2014
Theme of ‘Together We Create’ expresses Mimaki Europe’s approach to the sign and display graphics business in Munich…

Previous…    FESPA Digital marks European debut of Kongsberg C Series
Esko Sign & Display companies next-generation prepress, workflow and digital finishing solutions at FESPA Digital…

Agfa’s latest UV-curable wide-format inkjet at FESPA
Agfa Graphics to present next generation UV-curable wide-format printers, workflow and inks, at FESPA Digital 2014…
Drupa Newsroom
Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index on our Home Page.

Drupa 2016 Specialist Feature Articles

What’s up, drupa?
Value Talk with Sabine Geldermann, director at Messe Düsseldorf who is responsible for drupa trade fairs, by Andreas Weber, Value Communications AG…

Drupa 2016 News from Messe Düsseldorf

Previous…   drupa Global Trends Report: now published
Global investment in the print industry will be stronger in the next 12 months as confidence returns…

drupa Globaler Trend Bericht: jetzt veröffentlicht
Druckdienstleister wollen in diesem Jahr in Technologien und die Schaffung neuer Services investieren…

The Graphic Repro On-line Website is supported and sponsored by:

Antalis South Africa,  Dainippon Screen,  Drupa 2016,  EFI and EFI Vutek,  Esko,  Epson Europe BV,   FESPA.  Goss International Inc,  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG,  Kodak,  Koenig + Bauer AG,  Kemtek Imaging Systems,  Krause-Biagosch,  Leonhard Kurz Stiftung,   Manroland Web Systems GmbH,  Muller Martini AG,  POLAR-Mohr, QuadTech Inc,  Quark Inc,  Ricoh Europe,  Sappi Limited,  Sappi Printers of the Year,  Print Process Champions Group,  Thunderbolt Solutions, and UPM-Kymmene.

If you would like to send news for consideration for the Graphic Repro On-line Website (ISSN 1814-2915) or to submit comments, please e-mail Mike Hilton at: graphicrepro.za@gmail.com.

Our Website urls are:

http://www.graphicrepro.co.za
http://www.graphicrepro.net

GraphicRepro.Net e-News (ISSN 1814-2923)  provides weekly updates from the Graphic Repro On-line Website and is  compiled and
published by Mike Hilton, graphicrepro.net, PO Box 10 Peterburgskoe Shosse 13/1, 196605 Pushkin 5, St. Petersburg, Russia.
e-mail graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

 

Wege aus dem Innovations-Dilemma

April 26, 2014
Basic Topics on Innovation, CEO Talk on Innovation, Trend Analysis (in brief), Valuable Advice, Value Innovation
5 Comments

Value Communication Key Visual 2

 

Warum es sich lohnt, diesen Blogbeitrag zu lesen:

1. Lesezeit: >8 Minuten. Halbwertzeit: nahezu ewig!

2. Plausibel erfahren wie Innovation auf Werthaltigkeit ausgerichtet wird.

2. Erkennen, wo der Handlungsbedarf liegt.

 

Hinweis: Diesen Blog Beitrag gibt es auch in englischer Sprache.

 

Prolog

Steve Jobs hatte rechtzeitig die Notbremse gezogen, als er im Oktober 2010 in seinem legendären Email-Rundschreiben auf die Gefahr eines Innovations-Dilemma hinwies, das dann auftrete, wenn man erfolgreich sei, und sich auf seinen Lorbeeren ausruhe! Handlungsbedarf sah Jobs bei Apple’s nicht aufzuhaltendem Höhenflug vor allem in der Produkt- und in der Kommunikations-Innovation, die sich am „Digital Lifestyle“ ausrichtete. Zur Erinnerung: Jobs hatte seine Position als iCEO damit verbunden, ein äußerst  charismatischer Chief Communication & Innovation Officer (kurz „CCIO“) zu sein, der sämtliche Abläufe im Unternehmen steuert, das Innovationsmanagement leitete und im Stande war, alle Apple-Produkte auch fachgerecht bedienen und pointiert erklären zu können. Damit hatte Jobs in einzigartiger Weise das Prinzip der Value Communication etabliert.

 

Teil 1

„Value Innovation needs Value Communication“

Was unter Value Innovation verstanden werden muss, ist im Blog-Beitrag „Der größte Feind ist der eigene Erfolg!“ dargelegt. Anknüpfungspunkt ist, dass die strategisch-tragenden Prinzipien der „Value Innovation“ nur durch „Value Communication“, also werthaltige Kommunikationsszenarien, zum Leben erweckt werden kann. Getreu dem Motto: „Communication = Art!“

 

Werthaltigkeit beinhaltet: 

  • zum einen die Kommunikation der Werte einer Unternehmung mit seinen Produkten und Services;
  • und zum anderen, wie die Interaktion mit den Stakeholdern nachhaltig gestaltet werden muss;
  • und drittens: Systeme zu schaffen, die Kommunikation und Transaktion homogen vereinen.

Stakeholder sind unternehmens-spezifisch zu definieren: Es können die Mitarbeiter, die Lieferanten, die Partner, die Aktionäre, die Medienzunft und vor allem die Kunden und deren Netzwerke sowie sozialen Umfelder sein.

Erfolgsentscheidend ist, dass Value Communication den Nutzen glaubhaft — und einfach zu verstehen — darstellt und die Bedürfnisse aller Stakeholder adressiert. Und zwar in der Form, dass Kommunikation und Transaktion homogen und möglichst direkt zusammengeführt werden. Das Spiel über Bande, wie es klassische Werbe- und Vermarktungsmodelle vorsehen, indem Agenturen und Medien, also Dritte, zwischen geschaltet werden, ist nicht mehr zwangsläufig Teil einer Value Communication-Architektur; und wenn doch, dann als Wirkungsverstärker, wenn profunde Innovationsfähigkeit bei den Kommunikationsdienstleistern gegeben ist.

 

Die Schlüsselfigur im Unternehmen: Der „CCIO“

Value Communication-Szenarien leben von smarter Kommunikations-Architektur-Arbeit. Gefragt sind also weder brillante (und teure) Kreativköpfe für Aufmerksamkeits-Kampagnen, die Regie führen oder orchestrieren, noch zahlenverliebte Budget-Verwalter, die sich dem Druck der Kostenrechner beugen müssen.

Der „CCIO“ benötigt Intuition, instinktive Intelligenz, Empathie und Visionskraft, um Entwicklungen im Markt antizipieren und steuern zu können. Der „CCIO“ geht analytisch und systemisch vor. Werthaltigkeit entsteht durch Konsistenz und Nachhaltigkeit sowie durch harte Disziplin. Voraussetzung ist zudem, dass Organisatorisches verändert wird. Idealerweise besteht eine Unternehmung aus zwei Einheiten:

  1. Dem Business Operation Management, inkl. Marketing/Verkaufsförderung, Sales, Services sowie Finances.
  2. Dem Communication & Innovation Management, dem auch Forschung und Entwicklung untersteht, und in dem stets dialogisch mit Kunden und Partner Innovationsprojekt entwickelt werden.

Der Fokus des „CCIO“ liegt auf vier Bereichen:

  1. Präsentieren
  2. Medialisieren
  3. Interagieren
  4. Innovieren

Eine wesentliche Aufgabe des „CCIO“ ist es, die Mitarbeiter und Partner in allen Bereichen zu „Unternehmern im Unternehmen“ zu entwickeln.

 

 

Teil 2

„Aus Triple-C wird The Big 5-C“

 

The Big 5-C Bild.001

 

In diesem Kontext wird ersichtlich, dass das gängige Modell, das im Marketing etabliert ist, das Triple-C im Value Innovation-Zeitalter nicht mehr genügt. Triple-C mein „Content — Channel — Customer“. Und es ist einzureihen unter „operativer Innovation“ zur Steigerung von Einzel-Verkäufen. Bewährt hat sich Triple-C bis dato vor allem im Direktmarketing, das durch Social Media-Mechanismen Aufschwung bekommen hat.

 

Value Innovation basiert auf dem „The Big 5-C“-Prinzip:

Content — Botschaften und Storytelling rund um die Performance Promise

Connectivity — für intermedialen Wissenstransfer und digitale Kompetenz

Consumer (&Brands) — als Fokus-Punkt, um den sich alles rankt

Community — nach dem Human-to-Human-Prinzip

Creativity — als schöpferische Kraft des Neuen

 

Creativity wird dabei als Motor der Innovation angesehen, was ein tiefes Verständnis zum Technologienutzung umfasst, ebenso wie Open Source Brandung.

Sinn, Zweck und Nutzen der Value Communication als Treiber und Umsetzer der Value Innovation-Strategie erschließt sich rasch und logisch. Vor allem wenn man bedenkt, dass alle Firmen, die die Digitale Transformation erfolgreich bewerkstelligt haben, bzw. diejenigen, die von Anfang an Geschäftsmodell-Innovation als Strategie zugrunde legten, schneller profitabel wachsen als alle anderen. Nicht ohne Grund erzielen Firmen wie Google oder Apple mehr Pro-Kopf-Gewinn als „Klassiker“ wie Axel-Springer oder Volkswagen oder Otto Group oder sogar Hewlett-Packard pro Kopf-Umsatz realisieren. Diese Klassiker haben es bislang versäumt, Value Innovation und Value Communication zu betreiben.

Last but not least: Das Motto des „CCIO“ als Architekt der Value Communication lautet stets: Connect Innovation to Profit. 

 

Empfehlung:

Deutlich wird, dass die weit verbreitete, reduziert anmutende Denkweise, „mich interessiert nur noch, wie man rasch von A nach B kommt“, sich mittel- und langfristig eher schädlich als nützlich auswirkt. Am besten erschließt sich die Funktionsweise und Wirkungskraft des Value Communication-Prinzip in Verbindung mit Value Innovation in Value Academy Workshops und/oder durch Value CEO Briefings. Dies schließt Value Audits mit dem Value Check ein, eine innovative Strategiemethodik, die die Kommunikationsfähigkeit einer Unternehmung bewertet.

 

Für weitere Details steht der Autor Andreas Weber als führender Analyst und Innovations-Experte gerne zur Verfügung.

 

Hinweis: Diesen Blog Beitrag gibt es auch in englischer Sprache.

 

„Der größte Feind ist der eigene Erfolg!“ [frei nach Steve Jobs]

April 25, 2014
Basic Topics on Innovation, Valuable Advice, Value Innovation
3 Comments

Value Innovation

 

 

Dieser Bog-Beitrag ist lesenswert, weil:

  1. Grundlegende Innovationsmöglichkeiten dargelegt werden.
  2. Geschäftsmodell-Innovationen erläutert werden.
  3. Die Rolle werthaltiger Kommunikation deutlich wird.

 

Etablierte Branchen, allen voran die Druck- und Verlagsbranche, scheitern am Festhalten an früheren Erfolgsfaktoren. Querschnittstechnologien, die das Internet-Zeitalter hervorbrachte, tun ein übriges und setzen bisherige ökonomische Prinzipen ausser Kraft. Monopolistischer Technik-Besitz von teuren Expertenwerkzeugen und Expertenzirkeln (Redaktionen) kann den gewohnten Erfolg nicht mehr sicherstellen. Technologie-Innovationen sind wichtig, aber nicht mehr Treiber für profitables Wachstum.

Technologie-Nutzungs-Kompetenz und antizipatives Marktverständnis dagegen umso mehr. Bedürfnisse sind das Maß aller Dinge geworden.

Ziel muss es stets sein, Industrien und Märkte zu revolutionieren!

 

Rettungsanker: „Geschäftsmodell-Innovation“

Folgende klassische, operative Innovationsmöglichkeiten gibt es, die in der Vor-Social-Media-Ära ausgereicht haben:

  1. Technik- und Prozess-Innovation: Altes durch Neues ersetzen für höhere Effizienz und steigende Produktivität.
  2. Produkt-Innovation: Neuheiten anbieten zur Umsatzsteigerung.
  3. Funktionsbereichs-Innovation: im Marketing, im Vertrieb zur Verbesserung der Wertschöpfungs-Architektur.

Doch wer heutzutage nachhaltig profitables Wachstum erzielen möchte, muss „Strategische Innovationen“ stemmen, das heisst, die grundlegende Struktur eines Geschäfts verändern.

Diese neuartige, viel zu seltene Form der sog. „Geschäftsmodell-Innovation“ verschafft Vorsprung im Markt, Vorteile durch Differenzierung von Mitbewerbern bis hin zur Positionierung als Spitzenreiter.

 

Drei Varianten von Geschäftsmodell-Innovation können unterschieden werden:

  1. Ertragsmodell-Innovation
  2. Wertschöpfungs-Architektur-Innovation
  3. Value Innovation

Variante 1 und 2 kommen verstärkt beim Anbieten von digitalen Gütern zum Tragen, wie in den Internet- und Telekommunikation-basierten Industrien, die (fast) ohne Transportkosten sekundenschnell geliefert oder sogar (fast) kostenlos Kunden überlassen werden können, um andere anzuziehen. Beflügelt wird dies durch die hohe Vernetzungs- und Kombinationsfähigkeit digitaler Angebote.

Variante 3, Value Innovation, ist relevant, wenn bestimmte Kunden oder Lieferantengruppen nicht mehr zeitgemäß und zufriedenstellend bedient werden können. Value Innovation setzt auf die werthaltige Kommunikation der Veränderung eines Nutzens durch ein innovatives, solides und seriöses Leistungsversprechen (besser ausgedrückt: „Valuable Performance Promise“). Nur dadurch lassen sich neuartige, latent im Markt bereits vorhandene Bedürfnisse befriedigen.

Value Innovation braucht dabei nicht zwingend eine grundlegend neue Wertschöpfungsstruktur. Denn bestehende Produkte/Leistungen können neuen Kundengruppen angeboten werden, die gegenüber Stammkunden ein ganz anderen Nutzen für sich ableiten.

Empfehlung: Die Druck- und Verlagsbranche kann ihren Fortbestand sichern, wenn sie die strategisch-tragenden Prinzipien der „Value Innovation“ nutzt und durch werthaltige Kommunikationslösungen zum Leben erweckt.

 

Wer sich im Detail für Value Innovation interessiert,
kann mit dem Autor Andreas Weber Kontakt aufnehmen.

 

WICHTIGER LESETIP: “Wege aus dem Innovations-Dilemma”

Selected Graphic Arts Industry Trends — Identified @drupa2012

April 25, 2014
Trend Analysis (in brief), Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice
Leave a comment

 

Illustration by Lidia Lukianova, SF Bay Area

 

 Why its worth to read & share this Blog post:

1. drupa 2012 was a milestone for the future of print.
2. Most of the points we identified in 2012 are still valid!
3. Print Buyers# needs were not yet fulfilled.

 

Spot 1 

“The next big thing” — Print in the communications mix

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen set important accents: The booth in Hall 1 trumped with the installation of five real-printing facilities. Printed materials of all kinds were produced in real terms – from data processing to finished products. All necessary equipment had been specifically tested in advance to enable them to deliver top performance. Next to this it showed what hybrid productions can look like: Inkjet and offset printing in the mix, toner-based digital printing and offset printing in combination with online and mobile applications, as well as displaying significant perspectives and taking a futuristic look at “Printed Electronics” in the Innovation Center of the Heidelberg booth. It became apparent that print in the communications mix is extremely important, if not central in an indispensable role.

Xerox made its mark in automated production in both commercial and packaging printing, as well as within the range of XMPie in cross-media approach. Particularly impressive at Xerox was the way it has created a way of bridging the gap from print to social media and cloud printing. Many others can also be named, and what could be seen with other exhibitors such as Canon, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, and Xeikon. Xeikon just stunned with its never-ending drive for innovation, which portrayed this relatively small player as an outstanding inventor. The drupa innovation park and lots of small ’Hot Shops’ impressed on around 130 stalls, with their innovations. My personal favorite – thanks to Bernd Zipper for the tip: cardolution from Vienna showed how it is able to integrate RFID chips into cardboard and offer NFC Business Cards for everyone. The chip transmits the address information from printed business cards correctly onto smartphones.

In this sense, drupa 2012 was a great success, marked by a few dozen prominent exhibitors who could prove that print has an unbroken power of innovation. Small drawback: The papermakers were barely visible. This is a shame. Sappi was as a premium brand, for example, represented by three smaller stands, but it was not clear what Sappi’s added-value drupa message was. The same goes for digital printing paper market leader Mondi. There was a presence at drupa, but probably more devoted to the contact to technology developers instead to the market of buyers. The exception was UPM in Hall 6, which focused its presentations and displays on both commercial and newspaper customers, as well as the end-user with a very strong environmental message added.

Spot 2

Change in Business Communication approach — Consolidation amongst media professionals

It is amazing and worthy of consideration, because this has been at drupa on this scale never before: The number of members of the press has declined by about 3,000 from 84 countries in the year 2008 to 2,400 from 75 countries in 2012. This is followed by the number of members of the press exactly the trend of sharp decline in visitors (minus 20 percent compared to 2008). Regardless of whether the media coverage of drupa 2012, quantitatively or qualitatively, have been better or worse, the reason should be scrutinized. Because traditionally it was always important for a drupa, to include professional competence as a media partner. It appeared however that press tasks are redefined, and in fact the view of many exhibitors will be to use trade magazines only to serve as a PR platform for exhibitors and their trade fair offers. Journalists are in short supply and tend to be stylized as claqueurs.

The trade fair Drupa Daily newspaper also reflects this again, because as of Haymarket on behalf of Messe Düsseldorf in the circadian rhythm-driven, advertising-funded print and online project, everything was worked up, that happened during the drupa 2012. But what could be the added value if the day’s events have been rumoured — and nothing more? In addition, all that was relevant was made via Twitter and / or YouTube by major exhibitors and analysts immediately publicize themselves. And of course, concise comments. For visitors and decision makers this could offer enormous advantages, since one could learn just about Twitter quickly and concisely in a direct digital path. Provided you know how it works! Talking digital: The drupa app for smartphones and iPad by Messe Düsseldorf disappointed, because only simple queries were possible, and it delivered no added value compared to the printed exhibition catalogue. That could have been done much better with a little extra effort.

Spot 3

A great step forward — Technology vendors are publishers and broadcasters in one!

A new feature with signal effect: Canon Switzerland produced on behalf of Canon Europe, a whole series of world-class professional interviews, created in high-quality TV style of its own Canon web-TV team. Very well done! Compliment! HP, Konica Minolta, Xerox, and Landa, newcomers, as well as many other smaller exhibitors demonstrated as well, their social media power. A visit to press conferences at drupa was thus in principle obsolete. What was presented at a conference for the representatives of the press was, at the same moment of the conference, published by the press conference organizers themselves on the web. To attend press conferences is only worthwhile, therefore, if you made a point to be entertained in an intelligent way, such as EFI CEO Guy Gecht did, or wondering / annoyed by Kodak CEO Antonio Perez, whose arrogant appearance, where self-perception and reality seems to collide with his company.

An inevitable effect: Those drupa exhibitors who publish multimedia self-invest none or hardly any money in professional advertising. The advertising revenues presented have so far been the main source of of income for specialist media publishers. This may explain why the number of press representatives declined so much. Many print journalists are really annoyed about the digital competition and keep Twitter & Co. for the devil. And drupa exhibitors have (still) not demonstrated that they can use social media effectively in the interests of customers and prospects. Too many use Twitter, for example, to take over their PR agencies, the ghost-writing on Twitter. The result is product-related communications push content. But Twitter users are interested in smart conversations — they don‘t like push-PR messages very much.

Spot 4

Print trade shows in trouble — Missing the end customers (print buyers)

Unexpectedly, was not the sharp drop in visitors and media representatives at drupa 2012. Messe Düsseldorf had indicated in advance that around 350,000 and is no longer, as once expected, the nearly 400,000 visitors. And it was hoped that from the Far East, and especially from China, that many new visitors would come from this region but there were “only” just over 310,000 visitors (the exhibitor staff, journalists, VIP’s not included). Many exhibitors were upset. They said that a record number of visitors is less important. More important is to get the right visitors to come, i.e. the decision makers and prospective buyers from the graphic arts markets. This has worked. Sales exceeded some expectations. All in all, sales revenues in the region of 2 to 2.5 billion EURO are likely to be implemented at, or immediately following drupa 2012.

drupa Was the drupa 2012 a success or not? The answer is yes and no at the same time! Yes, because it was found that innovation lies in the printing and paper technology development. No, because the efficacy was limited to the drupa industry insider. For more than a decade it has become clear that the fate of the printing and paper industry is no longer decided by printing and paper specialists, but by their customers and the market players in the online world. If they lock them out at drupa, the pace of innovation and adaptation in the communications market will weigh too rapidly from print. A look at the bigger picture beyond would have been useful — but remained well below or were not properly pursued. This show other important German trade fairs such as the automotive mega-show, IAA, or the Frankfurt Book Fair on exactly how to permanently overtakes success: The industry participants are always there together: from makers, to visitors and customers of all kinds. This is exactly what was needed, but was omitted from the drupa 2012 in Dusseldorf. Too bad!

Spot 5

WANTED! — Link to the communication specialists in the market

It is regrettable, however, that the drupa 2012 was unable to fully exploit its potential. For many years drupa does not adequately represent important groups of visitors, especially the so-called “print buyers”, the principal of printers from agencies and enterprises / brands. Drupa 2012 should have been able to inspire and motivate a lot of print buyers, more than ever before. Documents can be this simple: I myself had a few dozen print buyers and decision makers come from agencies and businesses to drupa 2012 – for example, in cooperation with the GWA. GWA drupa special interest day on 9 May 2012. GWA is the leading agency association in Germany. Through the Bank’s enthusiasm for present agency employees was huge when they are properly involved. To get the right knowledge, what is at stake, and how to profit from technological innovations in the communications business.

The exhibitors visited by GWA — Heidelberg, HP, Xerox and exhibitors and i. e. map specialist locr in the drupa innovation park   had been well prepared and adjusted to the print buyer. HP GSB‘s global marketing director Francois Martin, it could be, for example, do not take to prove with facts and creative prime examples of how the marketing and brand benefits from digital printing productions. For example, when BBDO individualized for the client Smart in Paris, an out-of-home campaign with 2092 posters, it scored much attention and in less than 14 days had produced posters in the main streets of Paris.

How can the fact matter that drupa 2012 was not an attraction point for agency and brand representatives on its own? The drupa cube was made by Messe Duesseldorf with daily events to major application issues. But the total of 1,000 participants or so in 13 days, presented in terms of the size of the communications industries employ was only a drop in the ocean. In Germany alone, nearly 800,000 professionals work as communications professionals. In this respect the drupa participation was in vanishingly small per thousand range.

In addition, the carrier of drupa, led by the German Engineering Federation VDMA and the German print association groups have a very narrow focus: They address only techies and printers out of their memberships. They are not linked to the communication specialists in the market. Say the established contact structures are directed to those target groups, offering the classic technologies of printing and paper sector or common printing services.

Graphic Repro On-line News Update

April 24, 2014
Valuable Advice
1 Comment

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GraphicRepro.Net e-News (ISSN 1814-2923)  provides weekly updates from the Graphic Repro On-line Website and is  compiled and published by Mike Hilton, graphicrepro.net, PO Box 10 Peterburgskoe Shosse 13/1, 196605 Pushkin 5, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Graphic Repro On-line News Update to Thursday 17 April

 

Welcome to another roundup of news for the past week, together with Laurel Brunner’s Verdigris Blog.

Rather a short week this week, due to the Easter long weekend in most countries, and another short week ahead, too. Therefore, I shall also try keep it brief this time.

Lots of good pre-FESPA news for this year’s Digital and Fabric events which take place in Munich from 20 to 23 May; as well as from Xeikon for its planned Xeikon Cafe on Packaging Innovations to be held at its premises in Lier, Belgium, at the same time – from 20 to 22 May. Then there’s Sign & Digital UK which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK from 29 April until 1 May; Metpack in Essen, Germany from 6 to 10 May; and the really big one which many have been waiting for will be Interpack in Düsseldorf, Germany from 8 to 14 May. Don’t miss KBA and the Frog King leading the headlines on Wednesday! On the other side of the pond, International Sign Expo will also take place in Orlando from 23 to 23 April.

In addition to the above, on Thursday, Muller Martini issued an invitation to attend its 50th anniversary Open House at its new web printing Print Technology Centre in Maulburg, Germany, on 6 and 7 May, so we have a very busy month ahead of us to look forward to in the Merry month of May!. And although it is a little more than two years away, you will find the latest article relating to drupa 2016 from Andreas Weber in our drupa 2016 Newsroom, featuring an exclusive talk with Sabine Geldermann, drupa’s new director at Messe Düsseldorf.

Breaking news this week from EFI on Thursday, when the company revealed its latest financial results and a record first quarter, followed by its latest acquisition, in Europe for a change. On Tuesday, KBA subsidiary KBA-MePrint AG, announced the appointment of Sven Michael as its new CEO, and an internal promotion, which is always nice to hear. On Thursday, Sappi Europe SA announced the appointment of Stephen Blyth as its new Chief Financial Officer from 1 July 2014, and once again, a promotion from within.

Another major announcement this week came from Kodak and Manroland Web Systems as they inked an Authorised Reseller Agreement for integrated high-speed Kodak Prosper S-Series inkjet systems, whereby Manroland Web Systems now offers inkjet upgrades and makes variable printing even more attractive and accessible for the newspaper market. Kodak Prosper S30 heads with Stream inkjet technology run at full web offset production speeds. You’ll find links to another four related articles in the announcements made on Thursday.

As for the most recent sales and installations this week, don’t miss Screen on Monday with a Truepress Jet W1632UV in The Netherlands at Aelen & van Leeuwen; Screen again on Tuesday with a Truepress Jet 520 at Baumer AG in Switzerland; and then UKP Worldwide in the UK, with a Ricoh Pro C751 digital press. On Wednesday, Nela disclosed several recent installations for automated plate production systems for newspapers in Germany, Switzerland and Norway; and TG Print & Design in Woolwich Arsenal, London pushes into the ultra-high quality market with a LumeJet S200 inkless digital printing system. Newcastle, Australia print company WHO, has installed a new Heidelberg SX52 press; and Danish company Skanket has expanded its capacity with a second MPS EF UV flexo press. On Thursday to complete the week on a high note, Liverpool-based company S Barber is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with the installation of a Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 74-5.

In Online Features, you will also discover Pim Print in The Netherlands, which has successfully adopted the Callas pdfToolbox Server, the workflow package that some consider to be only suitable for larger companies.

The tailender this week goes to Antalis South Africa (Monday), as the company scooped two awards from Kodak. The Outstanding Performance of Workflow Sales, and the Outstanding Performance Processless Plate Sales in the EAMER Region. The awards were presented to Ronnie Louw, Antalis’ regional manager Western Cape in Istanbul, Turkey. At the same event, Kodak also named Korozo as its first Certified Partner in Turkey, Middle East and Africa for Kodak Flexcel NX Plates.

I think that’s about it for this week, so until next time.

My best regards,

Mike Hilton

Our e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative from Digital Dots. Our Ipex, Drupa and FESPA Newsrooms can be accessed from the Index on our Home Page, as well as News in Review, which provides a weekly overview and listing of all news added to the site.  

Headline News
Over 24,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation news pages Note: ‘next page’ and ‘previous page’ links appear at the top of each News continuation page.

Monday 14 April – Thursday 17 April

Mon 14 April…   Esko European debut of Kongsberg C Series at FESPA
Esko to show next-generation prepress, workflow and superwide digital finishing solutions at FESPA Digital 2014…

Fujifilm steams ahead in UV inkjet ink development
Variety of new UV inkjet inks to be launched at this year’s FESPA Digital 2014, set to take place in Munich from 20 – 23 May…

Zünd cutting systems at FESPA Digital in Munich
FESPA Digital 2014 provides perfect stage for Zünd to demonstrate time-saving features and supercharged productivity…

Xeikon Café on Packaging Innovations 20 – 22 May
To highlight potential of digital folding carton production; hosted in collaboration with Xeikon’s Aura Partners…

Antalis South Africa gains two Kodak EAMER accolades
Kodak Awards symbolic of environmental and cost considerations, as Antalis SA scoops two Outstanding Performance awards…

Aelen & van Leeuwen accelerates drive for better quality
The Screen Truepress Jet W1632UV at wide-format digital and screen printing company prints products not possible before…

Heidelberg USA introduces new Flexibleservice
Heidelberg Systemservice helps companies manage costs of incidental service with custom-designed service programmes…

Epson announces first dye sub transfer paper for textiles
DS Transfer Production Paper complements SureColor printers and UltraChrome DS inks for fashion and soft signage…

Tue 15 April…   New CEO appointed at KBA-MePrint AG
Sven Michael takes over the helm as Axel Thien leaves the company in Veitshöchheim, near Würzburg at his own request…

Baumer AG invests in colour Screen Truepress Jet 520
New Screen continuous inkjet press meets colour quality, productivity and ROI criteria for Swiss print services firm…

Heidelberg’s XL 75 Anicolor launch exceeds expectations
Heidelberg North America threw a hotly anticipated coming-out party for its groundbreaking XL 75 Anicolor digital offset press…

Korozo becomes first Kodak Certified Partner in Turkey
Kodak names Korozo as the first Certified Partner in Turkey, Middle East and Africa for Kodak Flexcel NX Plates…

ContiTech to debut new blanket at Metpack in Essen
Self-adhesive printing blankets for metal packaging…

Sun Chemical Metal Packaging Inks at Metpack 2014
Sun Chemical will demonstrate its expertise in metal decorating to brand owners, can makers and printers at Metpack in Essen…

Ricoh Pro C 751 delivers first class benefits to UKP
UKP Worldwide, a specialist in international distribution, is seeing the benefits of investing in a Ricoh Pro C751 digital press…

Wed 16 April…   KBA Group at Interpack 2014 in Düsseldorf
Tailor-made print solutions for many types of packaging from the KBA Group under the visual banner of the ‘Frog King’…

Top product launches and prizes at Sign & Digital UK
From 29 April to 1 May 2014 in Hall 2 at the NEC, Birmingham…

FESPA China 2014 from 19 – 21 November
Transforming business with print innovation; Global companies line up for second exhibition in Guangzhou Poly World Trade Centre…

Excellent first quarter of 2014 for Nela
Several automation projects signed as trend towards automated plate production in the industry set to continue in 2014…

TG Print & Design opts for LumeJet S200 printer
City printers TG Print & Design in Woolwich Arsenal, pushes into ultra-high quality market with LumeJet S200…

WHO Printing adds new Speedmaster in record time
Newcastle print company installs new Heidelberg SX52 press…

Scanket adds second MPS press for self-adhesive labels
The Birkerod-based Danish company has expanded its capacity with a second MPS EF UV flexo press to meet production growth…

Thu 17 April…   EFI Record First Quarter of $189m, up 10 per cent
Recurring Revenue up 16% Driven by 25 per cent growth in UV ink volume and continued strength in software bookings…

EFI acquires Group Rhapso in Les Ulis, France
EFI adds to growing MIS/ERP portfolio with acquisition of Group Rhapso corrugated printing and packaging solutions in Europe…

Varied opportunities with web offset from Muller Martini
Muller Martini invites you to its 50th anniversary Open House at its new Print Technology Centre in Maulburg, Germany on 6 and 7 May…

Kodak and Manroland Web in Prosper Inkjet agreement
Kodak and Manroland Web sign Authorised Reseller agreement for integrated high-speed Kodak Prosper S-Series inkjet systems…

Manroland Web and Kodak: Reseller inkjet co-operation
Manroland Web Systems now offers inkjet upgrades and makes variable printing even more attractive for the newspaper market…

New CFO confirmed for Sappi Europe SA
Sappi Europe SA announces the appointment of Stephen Blyth as its new Chief Financial Officer from 1 July 2014…

S Barber celebrates its Centenary with a new press
The Liverpool-based company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the installation of a Speedmaster SX 74-5…

Cutting straight to the savings with Esko
Hardware and Software solutions that cut costs and boost profitability to be showcased by Esko at Sign and Digital UK 2014…

KBA remote maintenance is secure!
KBA remote maintenance is not affected by ‘Heartbleed’ bug…

Auraia granted digitally modulated screening patents
Hamillroad Software’s Auraia DM Screening granted first Two US Patents for ground breaking imaging technology…

The Friday lead article from last week’s update…

First short-grain 64-page Lithoman for Germany
Manroland Web Systems introduces new commercial configuration in gravure printing dimensions for a German customer…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Heidelberg customers enjoy the most comprehensive and extensive sales and service network in the industry for JDF compliant workflow, computer-to-plate, sheetfed offset, Web-to-print, digital printing, digital inkjet for labels and packaging, packaging and finishing, all with complementary consumables. Heidelberg has offices in around 170 countries. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

Electronics For Imaging (EFI) is a world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for the commercial printing market. Its portfolio of integrated solutions span production and superwide format printing, graphic arts, advanced professional printing software, and industrial inkjet systems. Its technologies increase productivity by automating print and business processes To find out more visit the EFI Website.

Goss International Corporation  (Goss) is a global leader in web offset printing solutions, with a complete product range of newspaper, commercial and packaging press systems, as well as mailroom and postpress equipment. With quality accredited global design and manufacturing, Goss offers the widest range of web offset press systems, enhancements and lifetime service capabilities.  To find out more visit the Goss International Website.

Kodak Commercial Imaging  (Kodak) is a leading provider of innovative solutions for conventional, digital and hybrid print production environments. With the most expansive portfolio for the graphic communications market,  Kodak features technologies, products and services that help print providers streamline processes, optimise efficiencies, broaden services, and grow businesses. To find out more, visit the Kodak Graphics Website.

Online Feature articles 2014
There have been eleven so far this year. There were 92 articles in 2013 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page, with prior years’ via Search Archives (option 2) on the Website.

Downloads available Chapter 01

Turbo Charge your Variable Print Productivity
The free guide, edited by Martin Bailey, CTO for Global Graphics and the primary UK expert on the ISO committees, shows how to ‘Do PDF/VT Right’ to maximise productivity and minimise turnaround in the variable data world…

March/April Chapter 04

Pim Print automates workflow with Callas pdfToolbox Server
The Callas pdfToolbox Server, isn’t that the workflow package that is especially suitable for larger companies?.

Previous…   The first KBA Rapida 164 with double coater in Europe
A big step at Holbox in Echt in The Netherlands, to celebrate its new highly-automated four-colour large-format KBA Rapida 164…

Technology-related articles Chapter 02

KBA Group at Interpack 2014
Tailor-made print solutions for many types of packaging from the KBA Group under the banner ‘The Right One’ and with the visual banner of the ‘Frog King’…

Previous…   The Label Says it All
Security logistics labels from Schreiner ProTech showcase the label industry’s expertise in product authentication…

Heidelberg invests in the digital future
Heidelberg is offering its customers the opportunity to run offset, digital, and inkjet technologies in parallel…

Heidelberg extends its digital inkjet and software portfolio
Heidelberg Digital: Focusing on market requirements today, tomorrow, and in the future with inkjet and toner-based systems… 


Verdigris – Environmental Initiative
Access via our Home Page Index. 

Laurel Brunner’s latest weekly Verdigris Blogs

More than a Lottery Win
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Thu 17 April

Previous…   100th Blog & Counting
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 11 April

FESPA Newsroom
Can be found in the Index on our Home Page.

FESPA Digital 2014

FESPA Digital marks European debut of Kongsberg C Series
Esko Sign & Display companies next-generation prepress, workflow and digital finishing solutions at FESPA Digital…

Agfa’s latest UV-curable wide-format inkjet at FESPA
Agfa Graphics to present next generation UV-curable wide-format printers, workflow and inks, at FESPA Digital 2014…

MTEX set to Wow at FESPA Digital next month
The Portuguese-based manufacturer, as a market leader in direct-to-textile digital printing plans new product launches for the show…

Brett Martin at FESPA Digital in Munich
Brett Martin to inspire printers to make a change at FESPA with diverse range of high definition wide-format applications…

Hotronix Dual Air Fusion to debut at FESPA Digital
Stahls’ Hotronix to debut and demonstrate this latest addition to the Hotronix heat press line-up for direct-to-garment printers…

Onyx Graphics at FESPA Digital 2014
Onyx Graphics to deliver powerful colour management advice and latest solutions at FESPA Digital in Munich…

Drupa Newsroom
Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index on our Home Page.

Drupa 2016 Specialist Feature Articles

What’s up, drupa?
Value Talk with Sabine Geldermann, director at Messe Düsseldorf who is responsible for drupa trade fairs, by Andreas Weber, Value Communications AG…

Drupa 2016 News from Messe Düsseldorf

Previous…   drupa Global Trends Report: now published
Global investment in the print industry will be stronger in the next 12 months as confidence returns…

drupa Globaler Trend Bericht: jetzt veröffentlicht
Druckdienstleister wollen in diesem Jahr in Technologien und die Schaffung neuer Services investieren…  


The Graphic Repro On-line Website is supported and sponsored by:

Antalis South Africa,  Dainippon Screen,  Drupa 2016,  EFI and EFI Vutek,  Esko,  Epson Europe BV,   FESPA.  Goss International Inc,  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG,  Kodak,  Koenig + Bauer AG,  Kemtek Imaging Systems,  Krause-Biagosch,  Leonhard Kurz Stiftung,   Manroland Web Systems GmbH,  Muller Martini AG,  POLAR-Mohr, QuadTech Inc,  Quark Inc,  Ricoh Europe,  Sappi Limited,  Sappi Printers of the Year,  Print Process Champions Group,  Thunderbolt Solutions, and UPM-Kymmene.

 

 What’s up, drupa?

April 16, 2014
CEO Talk on Innovation, drupa 2016, Trend Analysis (in brief), Trends @ Graphic Communications
5 Comments

drupa Analyse Visuals ENG.001

Value Talk by Andreas Weber,
CEO Value Communication AG, Mainz
Photo/Graphics by Messe Düsseldorf
Painting of Johannes Gutenberg: Ying Lin-Sill, Mainz/Beijing

 

This report is important for you because it deals with crucial issues:

  • How to recognize relevant trends and developments at an early stage
  • How to change the public reception of the printing industry
  • How to move from old to new 

 

Introduction

In an email written on 24 October, 2010, Steve Jobs, legendary Apple CEO, put his finger on a crucial problem when he identified what he called the “innovation dilemma” and stated that adhering to old paradigms for too long can jeopardize entire companies. What does this imply for the traditional printing industry?  How can it make the leap from its established market into the new (digital) world? An exciting starting point for a new take on the next drupa trade show.

The dilemma: high innovative speed – middling adaptation rate

The innovation dilemma that bothered Steve Jobs at a time when Apple became one of the most valuable brands in the world, is already affecting the print industry – and its markets. Major flagship fairs such as the Print in Chicago and the IPEX, now in London, have fallen upon hard times. Fewer exhibitors, fewer visitors, less relevant public potential — despite the high innovative speed of the producers. The printing market and its customers seem reluctant to respond. Sluggish replacement investment and a general scepticism among German customers towards innovative products.  Messe Düsseldorf has therefore decided to explore new avenues in order to establish the drupa as the flagship fair for the global printing and paper industry. All the more reason to have a Value Talk in the interval between drupa 2012 and drupa 2016. Central question: Quo vadis, drupa?

“In turbulent times, a flagship fair like the drupa takes on a key role,“ Sabine Geldmann points out right at the start of our Value Talk. She was appointed drupa Director of Messe Düsseldorf at the beginning of 2012 and is responsible for the “Olympic Games of the printing and paper industry”. Her focus is not only on organising trade fairs, a skill which she learned from the bottom up. She also mines global visitor contacts and profiles for valuable market information. Since the beginning of 2014, information on global trends and intelligence on the industry are being documented by studies/reports. About 4,900 participants from three segments (Print Service Provider, Print Buyers, Suppliers) were selected, 2,600 of which are key executives from printing works, which is the main target group for now. The representative panel is comprised of members from 119 countries.

 

Bildschirmfoto 2014-04-16 um 16.46.46

 

Innovation is the key…
…and an important benefit for drupa preparations.

“As organisers of the drupa fair, our focus is on spotting new trends in order to identify solid quality developments on a global scale,“ Sabine Geldermann explains. The objective is not just to find a drupa concept and position that suits the market, but also to provide manufacturers with solid, topical facts, whether they attend as exhibitors or as visitors. The preliminaries were established in February 2014, when the drupa Global Trend Report was issued. Updates will be carried out at the end of every year until 2016. The Special Topical Focus will appear in the drupa Global Insights at six-monthly intervals. The results of these analyses will be widely distributed via digital channels such as social media, press mailing lists/specialist media, PDF summaries as web downloads and of course through word of mouth.

These trend studies and analyses are innovative because “by providing information they also allow additional in-depth analyses”, Sabine Geldermann explains. This is possible because of the unique data structures that distinguish different regions, countries, specific target group profiles, market segments and many more from each other.“ The main focus is on the situation in printing works.  Market trends can be identified and analysed with a quasi-microscopic view. National developments can be analysed in an international context – a major benefit as there are vast differences in the print business.

As expected, the results of the baseline measurement issued in the 1st drupa Global Trend Report are far from spectacular – apart from the prognosis that investments are on the increase. Many findings confirmed what was known already, be it from media reports or from several individual studies. However, Sabine Geldermann and her team are more interested in creating a complete picture from individual pieces of the puzzle and systematically updating this picture at regular intervals. With its sixty-year old tradition, the drupa provides sufficient material to act as a reliable market, economic and investment barometer – and deliver the latest trends in technology and application.

The agenda and activities of the drupa 2016 will be inspired by this exclusive compilation of market intelligence. “Because of structural changes and the ongoing market consolidation, we need to address not only our regular drupa audience but also find new target groups “, Sabine Geldermann explains. We need to act as a seismograph for these changes. In addition to printed publications, the digital communication channels provided by Messe Düsseldorf are of major importance for our publication efforts. The focus is on comprehensive interaction that yields measurable results after valid analysis. Because “we cannot know what we do not know”, the drupa needs to identify new target groups which are not or not fully informed about the technical benefits of current printing technology.

 

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The printing industry is facing one major challenge:
Lack of information 

Because the vast potential of printing technology is not known among key executives, it is not part of their “relevant set of options”. In fact, they often perceive the printing industry and printing works as anachronistic. There is a significant lack of knowledge among buyers and key executives from the marketing communication segment about the perfect interaction between printing, IT and web technology, (for example: the automated production of printed books from social media platforms). Only few people know that social media contents and printed media can be combined to create communication campaigns by means of digital printing.

Sabine Geldermann wants to change this by publicizing the relevant technical information in the drupa Global Insights Reports. Innovative application options for printed material in inter-media scenarios must be published and made popular in an informative manner: “There is a vast potential for innovation in printed communication. With new insights and information, we can determine how the printing segment is perceived“, Sabine Geldermann points out. These preliminary measures to make the drupa more relevant by inciting a cross-segmental discussion of new issues “beyond print” will substantially enhance to position of the drupa as an international flagship fair that acts as a beacon for the global market. Sabine Geldermann puts it in a nutshell: “We present the new technical options provided by the printing industry to a wider audience. There are so many innovative and important applications that involve printing technology which need to be pushed onto the international stage.”

 

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Exploring new avenues:
Communication on printing technology is as important as communication via print.

Would it not make sense to host a virtual drupa as an internet communication and market platform in addition to the real event? This question is of particular interest as every segment of the industry will benefit from innovations in the printing industry? There is much potential for optimisation in the printing industry and room for more communication – this is an excellent opportunity for the drupa! [See ValueCheck: Communication as a driving force for new business models].

Sabine Geldermann sees a special advantage in the fact that the products of the printing industry are widely used but also require a lot of information: printing works have an extremely heterogeneous customer base with very different target group profiles. The same applies to the service portfolio of printing works, which has to be highly innovative and specialised. The products of the printing industry will always be an indispensible and elementary part of our communication requirements, but printing service providers are no longer mere producers of printed matter, however they need to acquire better consultancy skills. Potential solutions include workflow architectures, variable data printing, finishing services, freight management/supply-chain services, response analysis and many more.

 

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The incredible service variety offered by the printing industry provides
major potential for the future!

Sabine Geldermann is not worried by the increasingly exacting requirements faced by her customers: “Promoting the variety of the printing industry provides an exciting range of options: there is an incredible range of communication services provided to all industrial segments by the printing industry, even beyond its value-added chain. The printing industry is by no means finished or one-dimensional; it is expanding into all different levels of day-to-day life and business.“ Messe Düsseldorf’s preparatory work in the run-up to the drupa 2016 focuses on relevant facts and information which will promote the industry and its services and improve its presence in the virtual market so that it can be found easily – everywhere in the world.

Sabine Geldermann explains the main objective of the drupa 2016 preparations: “We want to create publicity on the web by using devices such as blogs and effective tagging. This is the only way to draw the attention of new target groups to the important innovations provided by our exhibitors and their customers.“ A growing number of drupa exhibitors supports this approach to promote the awareness of the services provided by printing works among its customers. Agencies, marketing experts and brand companies are actually an important driving force and have to be involved more strongly. This means that all printing service providers that offer market-oriented, modern and networkable printing communication solutions must be easily found using Google. Descriptions and sampling of innovative applications during face-to-face presentations alone are not longer sufficient; the industry has to present or better still, permanently stage value enhancing factors and verifiable results in the media.

 

Our opinion 

Messe Düsseldorf has chosen a successful course which also benefits the printing industry: as flagship fair for the printing and paper industry, the drupa can only be successful and have a global effect if the issues and the exhibition agenda are perfectly synchronized with the specific situation of the visitors (and the exhibitors’ customers). The new trend analyses are an ideal communication tool for sustaining a qualified dialogue with market partners. Not only during the drupa but also in the run-up and in the wake of this major event!

One exciting challenge for the drupa 2016 is certainly its approach to the vast and ongoing structural changes in the printing market. After an extended pit stop, market leader Heidelberger Druckmaschinen will now present its new digital strategy. This will benefit the entire industry. [See Value Analysis on Heidelberg Digital Sneak Peek, April 2014]

The printing industry has to think far outside the box. Many new businesses and companies that moved into the field from a different segment, e.g. those who deal with high-performance inkjet and/or variable data printing for industrial production, with organics or 3D/4D printing, cannot be counted as part of the printing segment in the strictest sense. But it is important to note: Effective communication about printing issues is necessary and the innovation-driven business of printing service providers must be publicized in order to create sufficient demand.

 

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At a glance:
drupa Global Trends – Results from February 2014

Despite national differences, the “drupa Global Trends Report” reveals substantial – and sometimes even surprising – trends and insights, which affect all economic regions and printing-related segments (publishing, packaging, commercial). As expected, the report confirmed the presumption that the global printing industry is still undergoing structural changes, which is documented by rising costs, price deterioration and shrinking margins. But even more significant are the study’s three central findings:

  • There are clear signals for an economic upturn: over the next twelve months, all areas of the global printing industry, be it commercial, publishing or packaging, will make substantial investments. In the industrialized nations, the driving factors for this investment are the need for more efficiency and the introduction of new services. In this area, the US printing industry seems to have a certain leadership role or acts as a model. In emerging nations however, the investments are driven by the order volume.
  • The printing industry is changing from a product- or technology-driven to a service-driven industry. The latest trends are new solutions and business models that accommodate customer requirements.
  • As expected, digital printing plays a major role in the technology mix that is used by the printing industry. A total of 65 % of all printing service providers operate conventional as well as digital production. More than 30 % of commercial printers generate one fourth of their profit margin with digital printing services. But conventional printing (especially sheet offset) remains to be an important cornerstone for the industry. This is reflected by the reported investment intentions: in 2014, a total of 29% of all printing service providers want to invest in the area of sheet offset.

Source and more information