PARAMUS, N.J., AUGUST 11, 2006 - Corporate self-evaluation forms are now available from NAPL (www.napl.org), the trade association for excellence in graphic communications management, for its Management Plus program. Now in its 27th year, the prestigious performance-assessment program helps graphic communications companies of all sizes gain insights into their companies' strengths and weaknesses and develop a program for improvement. "Measuring performance in all management areas is vital for companies seeking to strengthen their competitive foothold in today's business environment," said Joseph P. Truncale, NAPL president and CEO. "Our Management Plus program is a powerful tool that can help graphic communications companies in this important undertaking." Sponsored by American Printer magazine, Compass Capital Partners, Ltd., and MAN Roland, the program consists of two major elements: - A self-audit in which companies can examine nine critical areas of their operation to gain a comprehensive view of their organizational effectiveness. Unlike other graphic arts competitions in which printed pieces are evaluated, Management Plus enables participants to judge their management performance against accepted industry standards in the areas of internal control systems, financial performance, marketing/sales plan, business planning, human resources, environmental/safety concerns, quality control, community/industry affairs, and vendor relations. - A Management Plus Awards Competition. Once companies have completed the self-audit, they may enter an awards competition in which an NAPL Judging Committee will evaluate entrants in one of six categories: five based on size and one for in-plant printers. The awards are presented at a special banquet during NAPL's Top Management Conference. Winners of the current competition will be honored on March 9, 2007, at the Four Seasons Resort in Santa Barbara, Calif. Management Plus honors include: Gold Awards, which recognize companies that have scored at least 90% in the self-audit; Silver Awards, for organizations scoring at least 80%; Merit Awards, presented to companies achieving a minimum 70% score, and the annual William K. Marrinan Management Plus Hall of Fame Award, presented to a company that has won at least five Management Plus awards (including one in the current year and a minimum of three Gold Awards). A Management Plus evaluation form and awards application can be downloaded from NAPL's website, www.napl.org (click on the "Performance Measurement" link), or obtained from Robin Schabacker, program coordinator, (800) 642-6275, ext. 6307. Entries for the current Management Plus competition must be postmarked by Nov. 13, 2006.