New Wage Study Released

The 2012-2013 Wage & Benefits Study reports wage & benefit information for 30 key positions in the printing industry. These are just a few of the positions covered:
Jr. & Sr. CSRs
Jr. & Sr. Digital Press Operators
Jr. & Sr. Offset Press Operators
Bindery Dept. Managers
Mailing Department Specialists
Signs & large format Specialist
Plus, we cover and analyze compensation practices for outside sales representatives - You'll be amazed at the different levels of performance and compensation.

To order your copy go to: http://www.quickconsultant.com/

Price: NAQP/NAPL members; $155; Non-member Price: $179.

New Wage Study Released

The NAQP/NAPL 2012-2013 Wage & Benefits Study has just been released, and if you're one of the 500+ companies that participated in the recent NAQP/NAPL 2012-2013 Wage & Benefits Survey you should have received a special email and link between March 6-7. The email provides instructions on where to go and how to download your complimentary PDF. Thank you for participating.

If you didn't participate, we understand because we know how hectic in can get. Nonetheless, this new study is packed with useful information about wages and salaries in the printing industry. Be prepared! When an employee approaches you in the next six months and asks, "Mr. Johnson, I know things have been rough, but I really believe that I am entitled to a pay raise. Could we talk?" you need to be prepared. You need to know what others in this industry are paying for similar levels of expertise.

The new Study surveys 19 key positions in the printing industry and analyzes salaries, wages and benefits based upon annual sales, population density, SPE, profitability and geographic regions.

These are some of the 19 positions surveyed: General Managers, Production Managers,Sr. & Jr. CSRs, Sr. & Jr. Graphic Designers, Sr. & Jr. Digital Press Operators, Sr. & Jr. Offset Press Operators, Bindery Personnel, Mailing Department Specialists, And even Sr. & Jr. Signs and Large Format Specialists.

What about Outside Sales Reps? If you employ outside sales representatives then this study is a "must," because it is packed with information about the performance levels of outside sales reps in all sizes and types of firms. How much does the average sales rep sell, and how much does he/she receive in total compensation. Answers to these and dozens of other questions can be found in a special 20-page section in this year's Wage & Benefits Study.

This section alone is worth the entire price of the study. We guarantee it!The 106-page 2012-2013 Wage & Benefits Study is available at $155 for NAQP/NAPL members and $179 for non-members. Prices include shipping and handling. All orders received by 2 p.m. are mailed via Priority Mail same day as they are received. PDF versions are typically sent within two hours.

Go here for additional information and to place your order: http://www.quickconsultant.com/

Calculating Break-Even

Sometimes, especially when sales are down and cash flow seems to be non-existent, it's nice to be able to calculate a break-even for your company. It's really simple. All you need to do is to break down your expenses into variable and fixed.

For variable expenses we need the actual ratio or percentage. For fixed expenses we need a $$$ dollar total.

First, take your Profit & Loss statements (12 months is ideal), and write down the percent of variable expenses. Normally that would be the percentage shown for Cost of Goods. That should typically range between 24-32% or so.

How do we treat Labor/Payroll? Well, only you can decide whether we will treat that as a variable or a fixed expense. I recommend that it be treated as a fixed expense because like it or not that seems to be the case.

Once you have the percent of variable expenses, and the dollar amount for fixed expenses break-even is simple to calculate. You divide the total $$$ of fixed expenses by (1-% of Var. Expenses). Below is a real-world example. Let's call it Hard Rock Printing & Graphics.

Annual Sales for Hard Rock in 2011 was $446,575, or $37,215 per month. Fixed Expenses was $293,268. Variable expenses was/is 30.7%.

Break-Even = $293,268/(1 - .307)

Break-Even = $293,268/.693

Break-Even = $423,186 or $35,265 per month.

That means the company must have average minimum monthly sales of $35,265 in order to pay all the bills and still be able to pay the owner his/her current salary. That's the monthly "nut" this company must achieve if it hopes to remain in business. As you can see, this company is cutting it close with average monthly sales of $37,215, or just about $2,000 more in sales than it has in expenses!

What are the minimum amount of sales my company needs to survive if I don't take salary out? Well, you can calculate that as well, by subtracting your salary from the $$$ of fixed expenses. Your break-even will be lower, but then again how long can you survive without taking out a salary?

Try the the above and let me know what you find out.