In-plant Awareness Week Starts Monday

If you were waiting for a reason to promote your in-plant, here it is: Next week is In-plant Awareness Week, an annual event created by the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA). The idea is to recognize and celebrate the special contributions of in-house design, printing, mailing and distribution professionals.

All around the country, in-plants will be promoting the value they provide to their parent organizations. Ideas include inviting customers to visit via an open house, inviting your suppliers for coffee/muffins, giving away prizes and creating a flier with tips for customers and a discount coupon.

Announce your upcoming celebration plans through e-mails, your Web site, a newsletter, job tickets, even your voice mail greeting. Create signs or banners announcing In-plant Awareness Week and position them in high-traffic areas. Display your competitive pricing. Create signs throughout your organization to show your savings compared to outside vendors. Hand deliver customer thank-you notes. Invite upper management to a pizza party. Offer free "how-to" seminars for customers.

Don't forget to show appreciation to your own staff next week too. Leave each staff member a personalized note of appreciation, suggests IPMA, or host a potluck lunch.

For more ideas on how to celebrate In-plant Awareness Week (February 24-28), visit the IPMA Web site.