December 16, 2003 -- Today, Dr. Joe Webb announced the availability of his latest report, “Renewing the Print Industry: A Contrarian's Constructive Perspective.” The report includes his discussion of the significant trends that have shaped the commercial printing industry and brought it to a key decision point about its future of our business. The report was created to be a springboard for company and industry discussion, explore strategies based on “communications,” “logistics,” and “commodity” approaches, and cut through commonly held misperceptions about the industry's situation and what needs to be done. The framework for discussion is the basic communications process. Using the four elements of communications, Dr. Webb proposes ideas about how printers can shape their business mission in new ways. They can get into the “communications” business, but it's a stickier issue than most realize, and is not a “magical” transformation. Other topics include: -- the evolving business environment factors that shape the demand for print, why the industry can't stimulate print demand (and why it shouldn't try) -- the right role for print marketing -- issues in sales management -- how sales management policies undermine strategic change -- print as a commodity business (so what?) -- how competitors shouldn't really matter in this environment ...and other crucial matters. The report is available at Dr. Webb's e-store. The 89 page report is available as PDF download for $250, or in hardcopy for $275. http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/reprin.html About Dr. Webb Dr. Joseph W. Webb is an independent consultant and 25 year veteran of the graphic arts industries. He is a leading industry forecaster, speaker, and commentator, whose weekly column appears at http://www.WhatTheyThink.com. Dr. Webb is best known for his detailed knowledge of industry demographics, his often-contrary views of technology adoption, and his ability to help companies determine the best ways to market new products and breathe life into old ones. He Dr. Webb is a doctoral graduate of the New York University Center for Graphic Communications, and now serves on the Center's Board of Advisors.