GCC Printing and Graphics

It happens to the best of us—burnout. We dedicate ourselves to our jobs, work long hours and take on extra responsibilities, and sometimes we do too much. As a result, we can get down in the dumps and find it hard to keep going. Burnout is not an interchangeable word with everyday stress, and it’s not exclusively exhaustion or overload. It’s all three of the above components together. Of course, it’s best to prevent burnout, but sometimes it’s impossible. So, what are some ways to recover from it? 5 Ways to Recover From Burnout 1. Evaluate Your Feelings How stressed have you been? Have you been enjoying work? Do you have the resources you need to get the job done? These will help you determine what you need going forward. Burnout is more likely to happen when you have too many job demands and few resources. 2. Delegate Take a look at what you are doing. Are there things you can delegate to others? Do you need to be the one to do them? This...

We all know how much the internet is used today, but some people forget that print marketing still works wonders. The Do’s of Print Marketing 1. Do update your logo. Make sure your logo is updated and reflects your image appropriately. You want to ensure the logo looks up-to-date, attractive, and professional. Unless you employ a graphic artist, it’s best to hire one to help with this part of your image since it will be used on everything, from online to print. 2. Do communicate your identity. Have a corporate identity in all you do. This broad term encompasses your brand’s values, purpose, and design elements. Set your business apart from the competition with a consistent corporate identity in your letterhead, business cards, envelopes, brochures, rack cards, and more. 3. Do use both online and offline marketing together. This is a tried-and-true strategy. However, when you isolate your marketing to only using one of these, people won’t respond...

Excellent customer service is an essential aspect of your most valuable asset: your customers. Customer service is so vital that it can be a powerful competitive advantage. 70% of Americans have spent more money on better service, according to Forbes.  Excellent customer service is not solely for the customer service representatives. Instead, everyone on the team should practice exceptional customer service because every job ultimately affects the customer.  Below is a list of concrete ways your team members can exceed your customer’s expectations.  Customer Service Excellence: Hire Smart Certain personalities and strengths are better suited for customer service jobs. Hiring the right people will set the company and employees up for success.  When hiring, look for people who excel in the following traits.   Problem-solving. Give the interviewee a scenario and ask how they would proceed. Communication. Ask the interviewee to explain a comp...

As we march through 2022, many businesses are left wondering if direct mail marketing is still a trend, if it is worth it, and if their business is missing out by not implementing this form of marketing. Despite the many new marketing avenues available, direct marketing remains a multi-million-dollar industry, with companies spending $38.5 million of total advertising revenue in the United States on direct mail campaigns.  With an average response rate of 4.9 percent, direct marketing is still alive and is a beneficial marketing tool all businesses should take advantage of. Continue reading to learn more ways to help you and your business keep up to date with current direct mail trends:  Watch What Is Coming in the Mail One way to see what other businesses are doing is to keep an eye on what is coming through your mailbox. Whether a letter, postcard, magazine, etc., there is much to learn about increasing brand awareness by watching and taking note of which adverti...

Since the introduction of social media, word-of-mouth marketing has dramatically increased. Before the internet, someone would tell a friend or two if they had a good experience. Today, if they have a good experience, they tell thousands with a short post. Word-of-mouth marketing allows your business’s brand to potentially get noticed by thousands of consumers, which, if done correctly, can spread like wildfire. Understanding how word-of-mouth marketing works and how it can benefit your business helps increase your chances of attracting new customers.   Why Word-of-Mouth Marketing Is Important According to the American Marketing Associated and the Word of Mouth Marketing Association, 64 percent of marketing executives believe that word-of-mouth marketing is the most effective form of advertising. However, only about 6 percent claim to have mastered this marketing technique. With a majority believing in word-of-mouth marketing and so few learning the skill...

In a world full of new technology, augmented reality is used frequently. As a result, it’s now a great way to market your business. Augmented Reality Explained Augmented Reality (AR) is the layering of digital content like video, 3D, or 3D animation over real-world environments to create an engaging and interactive consumer experience . It makes your print more interactive by encouraging people to download apps, use QR codes, and more. As a result, print has grown and is used in a new way. Bringing People Closer to Products WebAR, which they call AR and print, is now being used to bring people closer to their products and allow them to interact with them. It will enable people to access the best of both worlds: Engaging and immersive experiences that are easy to access . WebAR is popular now and is an excellent accompaniment to tried-and-true print. Both are needed in today’s market. Traditional print is tactile and is a great way to interact with customers bec...

Everyone is different, which is why various leadership styles exist. Some of the most common ones include democratic, autocratic, laissez-faire, strategic, transformational, transactional, coach-style, and bureaucratic leadership. However, one often overlooked and quite effective leadership style is the mindful leader.  Mindfulness is one’s ability to be fully present and observant while also being in control and not overreacting.  Mindful leaders possess specific beneficial characteristics, making them stand out and be successful.  Mindful leaders have emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to notice and manage one’s feelings while seeing and responding adequately to the emotions of others.  Psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of The New York Times bestseller book Emotional Intelligence has created a model that divides emotional intelligence into 4 quadrants.  Self-awareness is the ability to be aware of one...

Managers can make or break the workplace atmosphere, seeping into a company’s outputs.  Unfortunately, good management can sometimes be hard to find. Poor management costs $7 trillion globally, or  9-10% of the world’s GDP. This staggering number can decrease if companies hire and train better-equipped managers.   Below are the top 4 skills required for advanced leadership in the workplace.  Advanced Leadership Skill 1: Communication Clear communication prevents workplace hiccups.  Communication requires the ability to properly convey sometimes complex ideas to a wide range of people. Age, background, skill level, and personality can prevent clear communication.  Sometimes the most difficult skills in life must be mastered through trial and error. However, you can keep a couple of critical aspects in mind when communicating.  Actively listen. If you catch your mind thinking about your extensive to-do list, stop and brin...

Jingles used to incorporate business phone numbers quite frequently. But now, we direct people to our websites or a physical address. Sure, things have changed, but it’s still advertising. We still need to reach people and ask them to visit our location. And now that more people are working from home, they have more time to read their mail. You can send flyers, postcards, and brochures in the mail, and they’ll get noticed. So here are three reasons you should consider offline marketing in addition to your online marketing efforts. Top 3 Reasons Small Businesses Should Consider Offline Marketing 1. Offline Is Still Relevant Offline marketing tools reach many more people than just online. This is because people do much more than just spending time online looking at websites. In 2018, Nielsen found that Americans spend half the day (11 hours) interacting with media. Out of those 11 hours, over four hours are live TV, 36 minutes are “time-shifted TV” (D...

To be successful, you need dedication, determination, and hard work. You also need some up-to-date skills. Below are the Top 5 skills for professionals. 5 Essential Skills for Professionals 1. Soft skills According to LinkedIn data analysis, in 2019, companies looked most for these soft skills: creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and time management . Soft skills, such as communication and management skills, are the traits that make you good at almost any job. Hard skills, in the meantime, are more teachable and measurable. In a Linkedin report, 57% of senior leaders today value soft over hard skills. 2. Creativity So many things have changed—think cell phones instead of pay phones, internet instead of card catalogs. It takes a creative person to think outside the box. Sure, some things are great, but how much better could life be if we tried a new way? Businesses are always looking for fresh thinkers to do things in a new way. 3. Communication...

Productivity is a critical factor in being successful. Although it would be nice to have our goals reached by relaxing at home all day, there is a rewarding feeling of achievement knowing that effort was put in for a great outcome. This is easier said than done; being productive daily takes self-control and discipline. There are so many factors that go into running a business. Incorporating organization into your day and staying productive can assist and guide you as a busy entrepreneur. Here are a few ways you can do that! 10 Tips To Boost Productivity 1. Prioritize. Looking over a long to-do list can be stressful. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, try organizing your to-do list into priorities. Determine which task is the most crucial to complete and stick with that one. Taking it one step at a time changes your perspective and helps you take a realistic approach to overcoming that stubborn list! 2. Communicate. Communication is essential in all areas of life- especial...

With many advertising options, billboards, websites, direct mail, etc., it can prove challenging to advertise effectively. Still, there are guides to lead you down the right promotional path for small businesses. Let’s take a look. 7 Advertising Basics for Small Business Owners 1. Budget When you think about advertising, of course, you need a budget. And most small businesses don’t have large ones. This is probably best used in ways that maximize your return, rather than throwing it all in on one large ad on TV. Leave that for the big businesses that have large budgets. 2. Website A professionally-designed site can cost thousands of dollars, so try online templates. These work well to foster name recognition and promote your products and/or services. In addition, you can add pictures, logos, and illustrations that look professional for a fraction of the cost. 3. SEO Marketing Promote your website. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a practice that al...

Are you busy unnecessarily? Are there ways to become more productive and skip some small steps? Let’s take a look. 9 Productivity Tips for Business Owners 1. Outsource. Some things seem important, but when you look at them more closely, you realize that maybe someone else could do that for you. For example, think about having another company or person write your thank-you notes and do other small tasks. You’ll save time in the long run. 2. Create a Schedule. Making lists is a great way to ensure you don’t overlook the essential things that need to get done. But putting that list into an actual schedule will help you get more organized and make sure those tasks get accomplished. Schedule specific times to do certain projects, rather than just listing them on paper. 3. One Task at a Time. Take it one thing at a time, rather than jumping from task to task. You will accomplish more and won’t feel as frazzled. Stick to the schedule of tasks rathe...

Using both printed pieces and online outreaches is needed to be successful in business. An effective and efficient social media calendar will make all the difference when adding social media to your marketing lineup. Here’s how to do it well.  7 Best Tips for Social Media Calendars 1. Set short-term goals. Determine what you are trying to accomplish with your social media efforts. Be specific, start small, and make it practical. 2. Use a goal-setting worksheet. Mark down your goals to know why you are doing what you are doing. Set social media goals that lead to real business results. Better target your ideal customer. Gather intel on the competition so you can stay ahead. See what’s already working and what’s not. Create or improve your social media profiles. Develop a thoughtful content strategy and set a publishing schedule you can stick to. Track your progress and adjust your plan as needed. 3. Plan your campaign goals. According to...

When attending events, people coming to your booth enjoy picking up promotional products that remind them of your business and are useful in their homes. A study by the Advertising Specialty Institute revealed an 85% recall rate on promotional items. In addition, most households have an average of 30 promotional items, including pens, mugs, and travel accessories, which help increase the recall rate for businesses.  Handing out promotional items has many benefits for businesses, including:  Increasing website traffic Boosting brand awareness Helping increase free customer reviews and referrals Finding new social media followers Below are seven fun promotional products to celebrate your business and hand out to customers and potential customers. 7 Fun Promotional Products to Celebrate Your Business 1. Coffee Cups and Mugs Branded coffee cups and mugs are a favorite among those who collect promotional products and swag. Clients and customers will be reminded ...

The buyer’s journey lays out the process the buyer takes when buying a product or service. Understanding this journey allows you to be better prepared to meet your customer’s needs each step of the way.  Stage 1: Awareness  In this stage, the customer is made aware of a problem they would like to alleviate. They research this problem so they can better identify it.  Actions you can take in stage 1. You can provide the prospective client with information to educate, entertain, or inspire them. For example, your company could provide information through brochures, blogs, website content, press releases, videos, and social media. Not only will you inform your client base, but you will also grow your clients. According to HubSpot, blogging increases your website traffic by about 55%.  Stage 2: Consideration Now, the prospect has identified the problem and begins to research ways to alleviate it. The prospect will start to compile a list of produ...

Print marketing is a valuable tool to increase your sales. It stands out, generating a greater return on investment. 80% of consumers act on direct mail advertisements, and 92% of 18- to 23-year-olds say it’s easier to read print over digital material. Print marketing itself has a wide variety of options. Below are five effective choices and why they work. Promotional materials increase sales. Promotional materials are one of the most popular and effective print marketing tools.  Popular promotional products include stickers, fridge magnets, key chains, t-shirts, and bags. They usually include your company’s name and/or logo. In the U.S, promotional materials is a $17.8 billion industry. Given their efficacy, it’s no wonder the business is so large.  When deciding which promotional materials to use, bear in mind the best promotional items are the ones customers will keep. 77% of customers said the promotional product’s usefulness was their ...

Above and beyond customer service leaves customers satisfied and impressed.  Customer service is essential for many clients in determining their overall satisfaction with your company. Most customers have little patience for poor customer service. Customers with a bad customer service experience are more likely to leave than those unhappy with prices. That’s a primary reason why 89% of consumers switched to a competitor after a poor customer experience.  Customer retention saves your company money. Repeat customers spend more and in larger amounts while also bringing in more customers. Customer service is at the forefront of keeping customers happy and coming back for more. Providing top-notch customer service is imperative for the success of your business.  Check out the qualities that make for great customer service.  1. Customer service skill: positivity Often, customer service representatives are dealing with angry customers. It’s impo...

In a world of online and virtual marketing, direct mail promotions are still going strong. According to a study by the Direct Marketing Association, direct mail has an average return rate of 4.4%, which is 10 to 30 times higher than digital marketing efforts. With these stats, businesses that are not taking advantage of direct mailing marketing are missing a large group of potential customers and clients. Below are five key trends in direct mail for 2022: 1. Send Out Postcards Direct mailing campaigns using postcards have grown in popularity, providing an inexpensive method to reach customers and clients. Postcards are affordable to print and mail, offering many opportunities for a quick turnaround and fast marketing effort. Keep information on the postcards minimal, to the point, and visually appealing. 2. Mail Out Gift Cards Materials can increase the return by including gift cards featuring a discount or special offer with direct mail. Gift cards entice recipients to...

Direct mail has been around for as long as businesses have been around. Still, social media is relatively new in our world. With that said, there are some things to learn from social media when producing direct mail. Take a look. 7 Direct Mail Strategies Based on Social Media 1. Test Direct Mail with Social Media. You can use social media as a trial for your direct mail. Before you print out a postcard, try using the graphics and text online on a social media post. Then see how the public responds to it. 2. Introduce Direct Mail Pieces. Use social media to announce your upcoming direct mail. Try telling customers to look in their mailbox for special offers, catalogs, coupons, and deals. 3. Do It Often. Social media has taught us that people like to see your information several times before responding, and this is true of direct mail as well. So, send out regular postcards, flyers, or mailers. 4. Ask For the Sale. Social media is excellent for offering deals and co...

Tait Shanafelt, MD , was a senior resident at the University of Washington in 2000, and he witnessed incredible burnout among interns. He did a study to examine burnout trends among medical residents. Their fatigue affected the quality of care and patients' health. How similar this is to entrepreneurial burnout. But what can be done? 7 Ways to Ensure You Don't Lose Your Edge 1. Burnout isn't a rite of passage. Recognize you don't need to go through burnout. It's not a rite of passage, and it's something to be avoided. However, if you are getting burned out, you need to stop the cycle and do something about it. 2. Spend your energy frugally. Prioritize where to spend your energy. You don't need to do everything yourself, and not everything requires your energy. Decide what you truly need to spend your energy on. 3. Document your procedures. Document your standard operating procedures. Then, if you need to hire some help, you can ensure...