This year Q Print is turning 28 – happy birthday to us! Countless designs, promotional items by the dozen and too many print jobs to count, Q Print has seen it all. To celebrate 28 years in the print industry our founder, Raina Joyce, has been reflecting on some of the wisdom she has gained along the way . . . .
1. Put customers at the heart of all that you do
The relationships we have built and continue to build with our customers, I believe, forms the foundation of our long-term success. Whether it’s sourcing the best print materials to suit their needs or ensuring projects are delivered on time, my top tips for looking after your customers include:
- Listen to their needs.
- Communicate with transparency, honesty and friendliness.
- Always strive to exceed expectations.
- Remember service with a smile goes a long way!
- The little things have a big impact – this is where the ‘big boys’ fall down so use it to your advantage by offering your customers personalised care and attention.
2. Take time out
Running a business is demanding. I have found that taking time out to recharge is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. After all, a well-rested mind is more creative, productive and capable of handling any challenges which come our way. I have found carving out time in my week for walks, exercise and reading can work wonders for my wellbeing and mindset. Whilst I know this is easier said than done, after years of experience, wellbeing for me, is one of the key contributing factors to a sustainable business.
3. You don’t have to do everything at once
There will always be a never-ending to-do list. This is especially true for a print business where we are often juggling multiple projects, orders and client calls. We use our project management tool Trello, to ensure we are focusing our energy on the top priorities for the day. Remember tackle the most important tasks first and accept that some things can wait!
4. Believe in yourself and your business
If you don’t believe in your business, why should anyone else? Learning to see the value that others recognise in myself and my business was a tricky one to overcome. Yet when I started to believe in myself and the value we provide, I found I had a stronger sense of perseverance, even when challenges came my way. Start boosting your self-belief by taking a note of all your wins in the year so far – I bet its more than you think!
5. Know your strengths and accept your weaknesses
Identifying your strengths allows you to tap into the power you can bring to your business. Whilst recognising your weaknesses can help you delegate and find support in areas where you may not excel. For example, I know I am great at sourcing of print products and managing multiple print orders all at once so this is where I spend my time. However, I know that marketing is not my thing which is why I have a wonderful team who supports me in this area of the business.
6. If you don’t change, nothing changes
I have always followed the mantra of if something isn’t working, change your approach. From redesigning our online shop to extending our branded merchandise offering, it’s fair to say there has been plenty of innovation and adapting at Q Print over the last 28 years.
7. Build a support network
Running a business can be lonely at times which is why it is so important to surround yourself with industry peers, like-minded professionals and mentors who can offer guidance, support and encouragement. For me, this source of support has come from fellow business owners I have met through networking groups such as The Athena Network and WIBN. If you are just starting out – I strongly recommend one of the first things you do is network!
8. Quality over cost
Cutting corners may save money in the short term but it often leads to problems down the road. This is why Q Print has consistently invested in quality products and service as it pays off in customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
9. Don’t compare yourself to others
Every business is unique so there’s no point comparing yourself to your competitors. Instead focus on your own strengths and appreciate what makes your business special. At Q Print we focus on our customer service and our ability to get to the bottom of our client’s needs.
10. Life isn’t perfect—things sometimes go wrong
You will always face challenges when running a business, it’s how you handle them that matters. The best advice I can give is to learn from any challenges you face and turn them into opportunities. For example, when a supplier lets us down, we take the opportunity to find a new one who could provide a better, wider range of print materials at a lower cost for our customers
In summary
After 28 years in business, it has been wonderful to look back at everything I have learnt and achieved along the way! If you are just starting out on your business journey or looking to scale this year, click HERE to book a free discovery call with one of our team to find out how you can grow with print.
