Customer service, sales, leadership, garment printing, and color management. Getting ideas from outside the company is crucial. People need to experience new ideas to grow. Generally, investing in the employee helps spur their enthusiasm. — Cain Goettelman, FLS Banners, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Typically, we would do this in the cases of equipment-specific training tied to a new hardware or software purchase. Often, this has been critical in developing an in-house resource as a champion of new initiatives. — Wade Neff, Strategic Factory, Owings Mills, Maryland
We sent an employee to wrap training so he could understand the end result of what they’re producing. It really helped with the production process and allowed us to bring some installation work in-house. — Dan Plomin, Westamerica Communications, Irvine, California
Cross training our estimating department to be able to quote on different products from our various facilities. This was to maximize our resources when some areas of the business were busier than others. — Bob Kissel, KDM POP Solutions Group, Cincinnati, Ohio
We sent an employee to learn design software we use and another to learn maintenance procedures and best operating practices on a flatbed printer and digital cutter. — David Kaiser, Digitype Design, Tualatin, Oregon
No: 19%
We have leveraged the in-person and online training resources available through our vendor partners in lieu of sending employees offsite. — Brent Moncrief, Image Craft, Phoenix, Arizona
Big Picture Staff
Big Picture magazine has been serving wide-format printing professionals for more than 25 years, providing business-specific content to help boost bottom lines through its industry-leading magazine, website, email bulletins, Brain Squad and social media channels.