IPA
Business Consulting for Printing Industry

IPA provides specialized consulting services for printing companies throughout North America. We have guided many clients in the printing industry sector through effective application of cash management systems, advertising techniques, cost control, organization, communication, financial planning and performance.

More than 170,000 businesses in the United States and Canada have looked to IPA to help them accelerate growth, control spending, maintain positive cash flow and become profitable. IPA can help build and grow your printing business. The following are common business tools that successfully run printers employ:

IPA Provides Best-Practice Advice for Printers

Profit objectives attained through the right sales mix plus motivated and controlled productivity

The profitable mix elements:

Sales/Marketing

• Full knowledge of company capabilities
• Client identification
• Client database - active/inactive
• Targeted marketing (highest potential clients)
• Focused advertising
• Accurate tracking of advertising dollars vs. return on expenditure
• Advertising effectiveness feedback
• Sales planning and sales activity monitoring
• Public relations and client services follow-up

Administration/Management

• Management authority and responsibility clearly defined
• Organizational relationships that facilitate efficient operation
• Well defined operating procedures
• Profit-based employee compensation programs
• Profit-based decision making

Estimating/Job Costing

• Time and labor requirements
• On time delivery
• Accurate material assessment
• Current material prices
• Application of accurate overhead and burden rates
• Accurate calculation of profit
• Reconcile bid price with market realities

Financial Planning/Management

• Cash flow planning and management
• Flexible budget planning
• Establishing overhead cost
• Establishing breakeven
• Developing pricing policies
• Establishing profit by job type

Job Cost Control

• Spoilage management
• Purchasing control system
• Material/supplies monitoring and control
• Accurate tracking – comparing actual cost to estimates
• Efficient work flow, machine layout and operation
• Effective management of personnel

Performance Management

• Job descriptions and duty lists
• Manualized policies and procedures
• Systematic and effective communication
• Employee performance measurement system
• Job progress reviews

Equipment Repair/Maintenance

• Scheduled preventive maintenance
• Operator training/safety procedures
• Maintenance records
• Assigned maintenance responsibility for operators and for managers