October 20, 2008

Dear Clients and Friends,

It's a fine fall. The Cunningham daughters are back in school. Several staff members have returned to indoor hobbies; e.g., Isa (Marketing) is trying to recall what she learned about stock trading in grad school and cash in on the deals! Paul, the Graphics Guru, is happy that the tourists have thinned and can now get close-up shots of the eagles and other raptors in our beautiful seacoast region. To our delight, business has been pretty much humming as usual.

With the fall comes change. As we all know, this fall has seen extraordinary economy related changes never seen in our lifetime. However, while some businesses lie quiet in the face of this economic storm, others push to maintain a visible presence in the marketplace. Sharp, vivid printed collateral leaves an impression of success; strength and competency that demonstrate to the marketplace that you are here to stay, "through the good times and the bad".

And with that comes our plug. For some months our expanded services, including graphic design and marketing consultation, have been helping new and long-time clients build sustainable businesses. Let us help your business or other organization earn the top dog position among your competition.Your efforts at this time in history will pay off for years to come.

Best regards,
Scott Cunningham
contents

Marketing Essentials
Client Appreciation:
"The Little things We Do"

In The Printshop
Government Approved!
Annual "Green" Certification

Eco-Values
 Work Environment Support
for A Healthier Staff

Inside Coastal Printing
Our Andy Wilson, Virtual Hero
to WAVES National - and more

Client Retention: "The Little Things We Do" or "Maintaining The Business We Have"

Client Appreciation Programs express gratitude for clients’ business in systematic ways. Particularly during “crunch” times, best business practices acknowledge the loyalty of clients on a regular basis, throughout the year. These efforts help to create a relationship that encourages future loyalty. And frankly, any reminder of your organization is a good thing, alternative advertising if you will.

The program need not be expensive. In the past, it was more common to purchase sporting event tickets, treat clients to dinner and host costly parties to recognize business relationships. What marketing professionals know about our current marketplace, however, is that clients are generally too darn busy to plan yet another thing into their schedule (you would agree that this is no time to add stress). Make simple expressions of gratitude your focus. Some inexpensive ways to thank clients include:

  • Mailing Thank You Notes for referrals, even ones that result in no or small immediate gains
  • Mailing Thanksgiving Day cards (vs. sending the later Holiday cards that get lost in the pile)
  • Bringing a cold drink of the nonalcoholic variety - or a hot drink as the season suggests - directly to their place of work
  • Personally delivering a generous box of pastry store cookies or doughnuts. Food always elicits a pleasant response. But be sure to include low calorie items so no one is left out
  • Dropping in to say just say “hello”. Even if your greeting is not met by an owner or other contact executive, recall that the receptionists can often be one of your best friends at any business!

Pay attention to the lives of your clients through conversation and through the public media (e.g., marriage announcements and obituaries in the newspaper) and acknowledge their special events. Send a small bouquet of flowers for a wedding, big anniversary or as a memorial gift; simple efforts with great meaning.

A Client Appreciation Program is not designed to be a referral program, but it may encourage the good will and confidence of your clients all the same, and you might even find some growth in your future – just by being thoughtful! By the way, Thank You!
printshop
  


The fact that many chemicals in popular detergents pose a risk to our good health is somewhat confusing in light of advertising media that so convincingly pushes them on us. No need to be confused. The negative consequences of exposure to products used daily in business, including reduced worker productivity and lost work days, is long researched and documented.

Most organizations - and homes - use a multitude of chemicals known by scientists and health professionals to be harmful to human health. Whether in the process of cleaning a desk top or in the context of commercial production, these chemicals (often cleaning detergents and pesticides) are known to be directly responsible for certain health conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, birth defects, kidney/liver damage, rashes, nervous system damage and others.

To avoid converting our newsletter into a White Paper, we will direct your attention to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell. Established by the MA’s Toxics Use Reduction Act of 1989, "TURI provides research, training, technical support, laboratory services and grant programs to reduce the use of toxic chemicals while enhancing the economic competitiveness of local businesses." The TURI website itself is populated with information including: Ten Tips to Find Safer Cleaners

Contact TURI for information that will lead to improvements in the safety of your workers' environment, thereby increasing productivity and saving money on detergents. Note that safer alternatives do just as well for many applications:
Do-it-Yourself Home Made Household Cleaner Recipes

  


At Coastal Printing we strive to eliminate the creation of pollution for a healthier work environment for our staff, and to contribute to a healthier community overall.

We are annually Compliance Certified through the Mass DEP's Environmental Results Program (ERP). This program ensures compliance with air quality, industrial waste water and hazardous waste regulations for particular business sectors, including ours; Printers. The program emphasizes the prevention of pollution through strategic management techniques, and through the implementation of various TUR (Toxic Use Reduction) and other techniques. Business sector participants in MA include: Printers, Photo Processors and Dry Cleaners. In ME the program is applied for Auto Body Shops and Storm water Dischargers; and in NH: Dry Cleaners.

Inside Coastal Printing


Graphic designer, Andy Wilson, has been recognized by WAVES National (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services) for his high level service in the production of their newsletter, White Caps. President Dassa Carvey, pictured with Andy and his hand- painted glass plaque, explains, "He has worked tirelessly for more than 7 years and provided a truly professional product we are very proud of. He continues to make suggestions for improving our newsletter and strives for a quality product. He has also provided wise council with the publishing of our Call to Convention and our Convention Program, often working under adverse conditions. He has always been the ultimate professional. We look forward to working with him for many years to come." You make us proud, Andy. Thank you!

Isa was in Germany visiting family and friends recently. She reported positively on the continued local beer and wine production, and the abundance of elegant, but massive wind turbines seen in sets of 3 and 4 on the hilltops of the region where her mother grew up, Northeastern Bavaria, also knows as the "Oberfranken". The photos (left) were taken on a day trip to Bamberg, a medieval city of many "gasthauses".

There is leased office space available in our main business home, Coastal Business Park, at 15 Main Street in Salisbury, MA. Please call Scott (978-465-2607) to discuss flexible layout options with recession-buster incentives to ease your stress. A modern building, its location is also very convenient. A literal stone's throw from Seabrook and minutes from Routes 95, 495 and 1, the building is a host to several services useful to local business, including telecommunications, property management, therapeutic massage, marketing, graphic design and wide format printing!


Coastal Printing, Inc. is located in Coastal Business Park, 15 Main Street, Salisbury, MA 01952 ~ info@coastalprintinginc.com ~ (978) 465-2607