Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, and Dean Martin all walked into the demo room of a copier dealer. Frank asked where the band was, Sammy asked for a cigarette, and Dean wondered if there was anything else to drink besides Kool-Aid.
It still amazes me how the absolute lack of substance can be so welcomed in an industry falling off a cliff.
The business print industry is navigating through a complete disruption. A disruption that is ripping apart its business model. However, if you listen to some of the industry’s consultants, much of the industry’s press, and most analysts. You won’t hear about disruptions or threats.
Instead, you hear stories from 1999, or you see photos and content useless to relevance but apparently a great distraction to their lack of substance.
Many of the industry’s thought leaders are basically out of thoughts, so they search through their memories to create a vision for the future. But unfortunately, no one will maintain a continuous relevance when they insist on walking backwards with those they follow.
During disruptions, the calm approach of appeasement or the passive charmers are a significant threat to the industry’s transition. So today, more than ever, one must summon their strength and battle the status quo.
These battles can be brutal, for there is no comfort in transition or reinvention. Remember it’s OK to have some fun, to visit the past and share good ole boy – good ole time stories. However, when this fun becomes a journey towards one’s relevance, you will soon find yourself on a dead-end road!
“Status Quo is the killer of all that will be invented.”
This story adds to the industry’s dilemma regarding the silence of industry leaders and media. I believe the industry must escape their comfort in silence and seek an understanding of the painful truth!
Kodak files and wins complaint with ITC regarding industrial print plates coming in from Japan and China so cheap it's causing Kodak harm. In this episode I dig into the relationship Konica has with China and share thoughts on Kodak's revenues and profit as well. It seems to me there is more to the story than cheap plates!
HP revenues down huge from their 2021 bubble. Factoring in the 2022 Poly Acquisition HP has evaporated neary 12 yes, Twelve BILLION Dollars! Can be easily described as a "downward spiral" I also say, WTF to our industry media friends at OPI.
ray stasieczko
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