CLEMSON STUDENTS CALL PRINTING, "MANAGED CHAOS"

Many of us who are old enough to remember America at its best have become much concerned about the future and future leaders of our country. But if the students and faculty at Clemson University in South Carolina where I was privileged to speak last month for the 4th ANNUAL BILL TREADAWAY PRINT LEADERSHIP FORUM are any indication, there is still hope for America! Be encouraged!

Having read my book System Busters, Clemson Graphic Communications lecturer, Dr. John Leininger, called on me to speak twice during the Conference. The first day I was given two-plus hours to face (nervously, I might add) what I thought would be only tolerant if disinterested students, rolling their eyes at every turn like so many youth we see depicted today in movies and television. I figured my first hurdle would be getting them to stow cell phones and delay texting, if my message was to make a dent with them.  WHAT I ACTUALLY MET WITH were wholesome, engaged young people, asking honestly-interested and good questions. Dr. Leininger had required each student to read System Busters prior to my time there.  After I spoke, students were asked to describe their personal experiences INTERNING in various printing companies across America -- HAD THEY MET WITH CHAOS?  Without exception, hands went up in agreement with a student who commented, "PRINTING IS JUST MANAGED CHAOS."  I was encouraged by these young people, eager to learn better ways of doing business -- they actually GET IT!

The Forum wrapped up on day two with a special dinner where I would be the keynote speaker, this time for not only Dr. Leininger's students, but many faculty, and also some special invited guests from the Graphics industry, including Joe Truncale, president & CEO of NAPL (The Trade Association For Excellence In Graphic Communications Management); "The Public Printer" Bob Tapella, CEO of the U. S. Government Printing Office; Stephen L. Johnson, president of R.R. Donnelley-State SC and vice-chairman of NAPL, and many other distinguished guest.

As I was introduced to speak by a student named "LaKeesha" (who thought to read every last word of my bio), it occurred to me that God must have a great sense of humor.  Here I was, having spent a total of six weeks studying at LSU before learning pretty much everything I know from hands-on experience in the world -- and I was somehow the one asked to speak to a roomful of some of the most learned minds around. Pretty humbling for a guy who had held only two jobs in his life -- first, as a rock singer and hopeful "star" for 20 years and, for the past 20 years, as owner of a commercial printing company with a voracious appetite for learning and employing everything I could about LEAN, SYSTEMATIZED BUSINESS PRACTICES!  I had to chuckle at that.

Just the same, the hundred or so guests listened attentively through my story - my dozen-year journey to total-systemization of my Nashville business - and about what I see as a GREAT NEED FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS IN AMERICAN BUSINESS, as evidenced by the many who came palms-up in recent months seeking bailouts.

I am thankful for doors that are opening to me now, to speak to various companies and organizations across the country about these systems I believe could change American business and our economy for the better.  I'm particularly excited to have met with some of tomorrow's leaders who are taking hold of what could be a very bright future for American business. "MANAGED CHAOS" has to go!!

Wherever my travels take me now, I won't forget Clemson!

Philip Beyer
President
Beyer Printing & Ebiz Products

HAD ENOUGH OF CHAOS IN YOUR BUSINESS?

There actually is a remedy for all that!  Don't believe the old adage that "chaos in business is normal."  A little chaos gets to be A LOT of chaos, and chaos eats into your profits.

Get started on the path to order and more productivity.  Purchase Philip Beyer's new book, System Busters: How to Stop Them in Your Business, online at www.EbizProducts.com or at www.Amazon.com.  It will change the way you do business, and it might even change your life!