Rochester, NY - PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, announced a special Pre-conference Intensive for its 2010 AppForum digital print conference, January 25-27, in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. The workshop for business owners and management will be hosted by noted author and leadership expert, Bill Wagner. Attendees will spend a full day learning how to improve management and hiring skills.

The new pre-conference intensive is a first for the AppForum and offers attendees the chance to "manage the gap" with Bill Wagner, respected consultant, CEO of ACCORD Management Systems, and author of The Entrepreneur Next Door. "Rarely are we perfect for our positions," says Mr. Wagner. "But if we understand the gap between who we are and the requirements of our professional positions, we can learn to close that gap and really drive results."

As a part of this seminar, attendees are invited to go online and complete two surveys. The first will determine the ideal behaviors for their specific position and the second will measure their own behavioral attributes. In exchange for their efforts, attendees will receive a personalized report on how well they fit into their position.

The afternoon session will explore building a winning sales team. This presentation drives home the fact that getting the people side of our business right is not only counterintuitive, it's difficult. It is not, however, impossible. Selecting outstanding sales representatives and creating a formidable sales organization is possible if done objectively. Attendees will leave with a behavioral "how to".

"Bill is fantastic, dynamic, entertaining," says Waleed Ashoo, president of LithExcel. "He helped me survive the economy by making the best hiring choices." Says Kate Dunn, president of Digital Innovations Group, "Bill helps you see things about yourself that have gotten in your way, and gives you the tools to change."

The AppForum also features a wide variety of other Pre-conference Intensives:
 •    The Technologies of Digital Print – a full day of answers to tough technology questions. Choosing a web to print system or digital print engine, differentiators of VDP software or campaign management software, managing data, automating & integrating a print shop
 •    PLUS Introduction to Strategic Solution Sales; Relevant Direct Marketing; Becoming a Marketing Service Provider; and Social Media 101

The PODi AppForum is the industry's longest running conference dedicated to digital print. Attendees will find vendor neutral, unbiased educational content focused on business strategy, sales, leading edge applications, and print on demand technology. The full AppForum program and speaker list is available at www.podiforum.org

To register for the 2010 AppForum, visit www.podi.org/2010AFRegistration

PODi AppForum is produced by Caslon, a PODi Affiliate. For more information on the 2010 AppForum visit PODi's website. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. AppForum sponsors include: Gold Sponsor – Canon, Kodak, Pageflex, & Xerox; Silver Sponsors – DocuLynx, HP, Online Print Solutions, USADATA, & XMPie; Bronze Sponsors – GMC & MindFireInc. The AppForum is also supported by Media Sponsors, CANVAS magazine, In-Plant Graphics, Printing Impressions, and WhatTheyThink.