Tidy Your Shop, Tune Your Metrics … and More May–June To-Dos for Wide-Format Print Pros

May 4–10

MANAGEMENT When’s the last time you cleaned up your KPIs? Still tracking metrics that don’t matter, like “number of times printer jammed today”? Focus on data that drives revenue, quality, and client satisfaction.

May 11–17

OPERATIONS Toss one outdated or useless thing for every year you’ve been in business. That crusty roll of vinyl from 2012? Gone. That box of half-dead markers? Goodbye. Spring clean = sharper mind.

May 11–17

MARKETING Your best clients are your current ones. Pick your top 200 customers and start to craft a second-half plan to stay on their radar. Birthday postcards, sneak peeks at new products, loyalty pricing — stay visible, stay valuable.

PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO

May 25-13

EVENTS Your plaza or block is waking up — so lead the charge on a creative community event. Live printing demos, window design battles, chalk art? Show off your team’s talent and bring in foot traffic.

June 1-7

SECURITY Stop putting off password hygiene. Use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass. Too many teams get locked out of systems — or worse, hacked — because “123printshop!” wasn’t quite Fort Knox. Who’da thunk it?

June 8-14

in-STORE Check the A/C — it’s not just about keeping staff comfortable. Hot, muggy customers won’t stick around long. While you’re at it, replace the air filters — clean air makes a big difference in how people feel.)

June 15–21

OPERATIONS Alright, everybody — it’s time to tame those inboxes. Follow the “Active Items Only” rule — leave in only things that need action. All else? File, archive, or delete. Less chaos = more clarity.

June 22–28

MANAGEMENT Start a “sunshine file”—a digital or physical folder where you save compliments, thank-yous, great reviews, and customer wins. On tough days, open it up and remember why you do this work.

MONTHLY PROJECT

PROJECT: Build a Praise Culture

The way you treat your team doesn’t stay in the back office — it ripples out to your customers. Over the next two months, commit to building a praise-first culture. Here’s your 3-step plan:

1. SET THE TONE
   Remember the golden rule: Praise publicly, correct privately. Public criticism crushes morale and momentum. Handle coaching quietly — and let praise echo.
2. SPOT THE WINS
   Don’t wait for someone to shatter a sales record. Celebrate when team members:
   • Bring in a new customer.
   • Help close a tough sale.
   • Boost a teammate’s success.
   • Volunteer outside their role.
   • Show up looking polished.
3. MAKE IT A HABIT
   Build recognition into your daily rhythm. Start meetings with shout-outs. Leave handwritten notes. Create a “Wall of Wins.” It doesn’t have to be grand—just genuine and consistent.

Start now, and watch the ripple grow stronger every week.