Overview
Professor Chris Bondy of RIT’s School of Media Sciences knows this is a crucial time for graphic communications businesses. “Many management methods are deeply ingrained in our industry. Unfortunately, many no longer apply in the current market and environment. But our research revealed some exceptional companies that go against the common wisdom and outperform their competitors in a big way.” That piqued his interest and he sought others who shared that understanding.
In late 2012, Bondy found that Wayne Peterson of the Black Canyon Consulting Group and Dr. Joe Webb of Strategies for Management were of the same mind. Together, they began the examination of business models, technology, marketing, and management. They came to the issues from different vantage points, questioning assumptions and assessing alternative management actions. The result was a new process to assess and understand the condition of a complete business enterprise. They named it “UnSquaring The Wheel.”
“The proof-of-concept and beta workshops affirmed that we were on target, and gave us actionable feedback,” says Dr. Webb. “UnSquaring looks at printing organizations individually. It's not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. It works for print businesses from large to small, and all in between. It considers every element of a print business as integrated, not as separate functions or departments.”
About the Authors
Chris Bondy is the Gannett Distinguished Professor of the School of Media Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology. His three decades of industry experience, includes extensive experience in strategy, business development, product planning, process engineering and marketing communications. Chris received a Masters of Engineering and Science in New Product Development from RIT, and has published books and a variety of articles related to the graphic communications value chain.
Wayne Peterson is the Principal of the Black Canyon Consulting Group Inc. Wayne’s 40-year career in Graphic Communications has included CEO assignments four times, as well as C-Level roles in marketing and business development. He founded Black Canyon Consulting Group in 2008, and advises clients about brand creation and strategy, business development, and customer experience. Clients include printing and graphic communication companies, publishers, associations, and technology development firms. According to Epicomm, “No one understands strategy, effective selling, and customer retention better than Wayne.”
Dr. Joe Webb is a 37-year veteran of the graphic arts, and one of the industry's best-known consultants and forecasters. His book, “Disrupting the Future: Uncommon Wisdom for Navigating Print's Challenging Marketplace,” has been described as “the manifesto for a new generation of printers.” He is a Ph.D. graduate of the NYU Center for Graphic Communications Management and Technology, holds an MBA from Iona College, and was a magna cum laude graduate in business from Manhattan College. In 1994, he founded the influential TrendWatch information service, sold to multinational publisher Reed Elsevier in 2000.
Details
Publisher: Black Canyon Consulting (09/2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0-692-51964-6
Binding: Hardcover with dust jacket
Pages: 317
Shipping Weight: 1lb
Press Releases
"UnSquaring the Wheel is nothing new to those who constantly look at their business and challenge how it will look in five years. Since most in our industry look at the schedule board and worry about next month, this will be met with a shrug and then they will seek a good Chicago steak for dinner. Those leaders who constantly look at these three disciplines and figure out how to improve each will attend and then return home to gain share from those out having their steak. Nicely done! Our team continues to focus on customer experience, alliances, and technology while never forgetting the other six slices of the pie."
-Terry A. Tevis, Chairman, Coloredge
“UnSquaring The Wheel is the operating manual for the printing firm of the future. It is filled with new thinking for an old indusry trying figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. There will be print as we move into the future and it will be produced by firms that transform themselves. This book will tell them how to do it.”
-Frank Romano, RIT Professor Emeritus
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements – 9
Foreword – 13
Strategy and Business Models: The Case for Transformation – 21
Case Examples: Tales of Transformation - 41
Cautionary: Padgett Printing Corporation – 43
Developing: Pace Lithographers – 49
Transformed: DME – 55
The First Discipline: Enveloping the Customer – 63
Brand – 67
Business Development – 91
Customer Experience – 111
The Second Discipline: Creating a Platform – 129
Technology – 139
Processes – 167
Services – 191
The Third Discipline: Resources – 221
Money – 225
People – 249
Alliances – 273
Assessment – 291
A Route: Mapping your Path Forward – 303
The Road Ahead: Preparing for the Unexpected – 311
Conclusion: Rubber on the Road – 323
Index – 325