I wonder if community, particularly in our printing industry, is dead. Have you ever wondered what happened to community, and why it ever existed?

There used to be a greater number of vibrant printing industry communities than there is today, each with a slightly different focus. Communities where printers got together to discuss and resolve issues of common interest and concern.

The Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) is one such community. It still works for the benefit of its members and the industry overall. Other bodies such as the Lithographic Institute of Australia (LIA) and the Junior Printing Executives Association (JPE) are organisations with proud histories that are there to support you.

Today, competitive forces and personal jealousies have eroded the ability of such communities to work effectively. The corporate drive for market share has blinded many to the benefits that can be had through a community approach to influence government policy, for example. We only need to look to the wildly different models of various government purchasing policies that we see today. These would suggest that vested interests have prevailed to the detriment of the industry as a whole. The net result is that we see government in particular switch their focus to a very distinct price-driven model, despite their claim to a value-for-money policy. We also see volume buyers happily drive prices down with one printer, to then turn their back on them. We see a cycle of greater capacity alongside a decline in volumes.

In these tough times, we need all the support we can get. Despite this, we see memberships of industry associations such as JPE, LIA and PIAA falling, some to unsustainable levels. Is this insular approach evidence of the breakdown of community? 

On the upside, we all enjoy the ability of the PIAA to influence outcomes through representation at industrial tribunals. Consider also the establishment of industry colour standards, the work done on training, parallel imports and liaison on industry policy. Everyone wins from these endeavours, even though only a few made the effort. Is this really fair?

It seems that as time passes, a greater number of people sit back and greedily take advantage of the benefits achieved by those who still understand the common good. The greedy are happy to benefit from the work of others without giving back. But this doesn’t last.

Lack of support

The downside to community is that it can coexist with laziness and an unhealthy reliance on others, but only to a point. Sooner or later, non-contributors are found out.

Don’t let competitive market pressures put you off the idea of joining a community. Members of a vibrant community can also compete vigorously. Competition to satisfy consumer needs. Competition over market share and profits. Competition to maintain continuous improvement.

Community and competition can coexist. You should care that they do.

To make an impact on governments, the industry community must band together, which is where the PIAA comes in. The community with the strongest, most reasoned voice will have the biggest influence. Individuals will be left to wither.

Kieran May is a director of the Printing Industries Association of Australia.
See www.accrossbusiness.com.au

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