Bits and Pieces: Clemson's Ashe Vies for Title

The reputation—no, make that the future—of printing in the United States rests squarely on the shoulders of Heather Ashe. She is the industry's only hope…no pressure, Heather.

OK, so maybe that's an exaggeration. But the Clemson University student will, in fact, be representing the United States in the Print Media Technology competition during the biennial WorldSkills Competition, to be held in Leipzig, Germany, from July 2-7.

Ms. Ashe earned her way into the international competition—which encompasses 45 occupational skill areas from economic sectors including manufacturing, information technology, transportation, construction and services—by medaling in high school and collegiate divisions at the SkillsUSA Championships in 2010 and 2012, respectively. She'll join U.S. teammates from the other occupational vocations.

Here's how it works. In the WorldSkills Print Media Technology contest, competitors must produce a digitally specified number of different products on a digital press according to standards identified by experts in a specified time. Competitors must finish the printed work by trimming, folding, and binding it with a paper cutter, folder and simple binding machine to specified dimensions.

Also, participants control the quality throughout the production process and carrying out required quality measurements and reporting tasks; clean the equipment and the premises; and print different jobs with a print simulation program within a specified time and/or cost.

To add a little realism, competitors should have to convince "customers" why their last-minute changes will cost 25 percent more than they were originally quoted. Anyone can do work on time and budget when the customer is not being a pain in the…not being difficult.

As a student at Clemson University, Ashe is completing her undergraduate coursework and WorldSkills training under Dr. Samuel Ingram, chairman of the Department of Graphic Communications.

"I was thrilled to be selected for the WorldSkills team. I am glad to have made my instructor and my parents proud, and wish to also make my country proud," Ashe said. "I have been passionate about graphics since I was a sophomore in high school, and I am super excited to be able to take that passion to the world level."

Ashe is active in Clemson University's chapter of Gamma Epsilon Tau Honor Society for graphic communications, as well as Phi Eta Sigma and Golden Key Honor Societies. The Chester, SC, native has earned three awards from the Printing Industries Association of the Carolinas.

More than 1,000 competitors from 50-plus countries will be competing next summer in the 41st annual event. For more information, visit www.worldskillsleipzig2013.com.

Good luck, Heather! We're all pulling for you.

SOUND FAMILIAR?: Last spring, we recounted the experiences of Catherine Monson, president and CEO of FASTSIGNS International, during her taping of the CBS reality TV series "Undercover Boss." But in case you missed it, another ancillary business to the printing racket—mail and parcel store specialist PostNet—was the focus of the Dec. 7 episode of the hit show.

Steve Greenbaum, the CEO who founded the franchisor in 1993, donned a disguise (as shown below) as former motorcycle shop owner "Brad" and performed a variety of tasks, ranging from designing marketing collateral to outside sales and marketing of PostNet's services to local business owners. The hair and beard combination left Greenbaum resembling rock star Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters.

"Going undercover gave me an unprecedented opportunity to get a sense of how the decisions we've made at the executive level have affected our franchise owners, employees and customers," Greenbaum said. "I came away with an incredible sense of pride in our company and a renewed appreciation for those on the front lines of our business every day. It was an exhilarating and humbling experience, both personally and professionally."

As for Monson, I had a chance to catch up with her at Graph Expo in Chicago last October. She said that her exposure on the show has enabled the franchisees to reap incremental growth. From a big-picture perspective, however, the appearance was definitely a talking point at the FASTSIGNS booth, which generated a strong number of leads from printers interested in joining the organization.

"I was talking to some commercial printers in the $15 million to $25 million range," Monson noted. "Companies see a lot of value partnering with us. I feel totally blessed for having been on the show." PI