Flag expands programs for independent converters

Recognizing the need for continuing education for independent converters, Flag has launched a series of 2019 virtual ‘lunch and learn’ sessions to provide its members with valuable tips to help grow their businesses, improve their productivity and impact their bottom line. 

The program kicked off with a presentation on Lean by Brian Van de Water, CEO, SPL Consulting, on January 17. Van de Water covered Lean principles, how they can be integrated to a converter’s strategic plan, how to help employees embrace its concepts and how to sustain results. 

Steven J. Miller, CPA, from Labeltraxx will present on February 21, on the topic of ‘costing rates and the impact on estimates and job costing.’ The third program of the quarter will be offered in March and cover the results of a digital printing trends survey by Xeikon. 

According to John McKay, president and founder, ‘We’ve developed this series of educational webinars to provide our members with the same benefits that larger converters routinely receive. And we’re able to tailor the content to the specific needs of our Members. We have a roster of great resources with our Flag vendor partners so we can tap into their skill sets and provide targeted content for our members. We look forward to continuing this series throughout 2019 and beyond.’

Flag has also recently expanded the number and scope of its popular Flag peer group program. These groups are intentionally kept to six companies so that members can build relationships and trust as they collectively tackle issues they are facing in their businesses. The program has recently grown to include two Flag users groups (Xeikon and Labeltraxx) and three Flag peer groups with plans for further expansion. 

According to Steve Fleissner, CEO Model Graphics, a member of the first Flag peer group peer group since its inception in late 2015, Flag peer groups, “... provide a great board of advisors within the same industry and the same size of companies. Nothing is out of bounds. If you think it or question it, someone will answer you. We have monthly phone meetings to update financials and accountability on short and long term goals. Advice is usually asked for and given during this time. Each member trusts and respects the others enough to able to say what we mean while not saying it mean, and the advice is always received that way.’

FLAG group Members --with an average size of $2 to $20M -- realize the type of benefits usually enjoyed by larger multi-site converting conglomerates. These include bottom-line savings, catastrophic recovery plans, penetrating new markets and application niches, and having access to new resources. In addition to ‘lunchand learns’ and Flag peer groups, these benefits are delivered through a 24/7 online resource site, quarterly calls and an annual members meeting.