May 6, 2020
Serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Ventura & Clark Counties
PIA and SGIA Have Merged!
On May 1, 2020 Printing Industries of America (PIA) and the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) officially united to become the largest, most comprehensive printing and graphic arts association in the country. The new association brings resources and services together under one roof to best support future industry growth and longevity.

SGIA and PIA are together committed to serving the graphic arts community with preeminent research, education, training, events, legislative support, government affairs, health and safety, and other key industry services. While PIA primarily serves the commercial printing segment, SGIA focuses on the graphics, industrial and apparel decorator segments. Together, members will have access to services across many channels.

Ford Bowers has been elevated to President and CEO of the combined organization. Michael Makin, formerly the President and CEO of Printing Industries of America, has become an Executive Vice President of the unified organization. The new association name will be announced in the coming weeks, as will the combined board of directors.

This newly-formed entity is the logical progression of the two organizations’ long-standing history together, enabling them to provide even more streamlined services across all market segments and in one easily accessible location. The new association houses the most renowned thought leaders, events and programming in the printing and graphic arts community.
Pooling the extensive talent of both organizations, along with the media expertise of NAPCO Media, is a game changer.

Further details about the merger and combination of services will be announced as the integration takes place. In the meantime, information is available on both company’s websites until the new site reflecting the combined organizations is launched. Visit www.sgia.org or www.printing.org for information.
Beginner’s Guide to Successful Facebook Ads
#1: Commit to a Facebook Funnel Implementation

All successful marketing starts with a clear strategy and Facebook advertising is no exception. With a strategy built around your available audience assets, you can execute campaigns that will deliver the best results for your business in the fastest time.

You want to implement a Facebook advertising strategy that moves someone from a stranger to a paying customer through a series of ad campaigns, known as a Facebook ad funnel.

There are three stages to a successful Facebook ad funnel:

  • Awareness: At the top of the ad funnel, the goal is to generate awareness of your business. In doing so, you’re also building recognition in the Facebook news feed, which is important later in the funnel, as well as for your business’s credibility and authority.

  • Engagement remarketing: For this stage, the goal is to build consideration of your products or services in the minds of your target audience. You’re driving people from Facebook to your website to find out more and purchase.

  • Website remarketing: The goal at this stage is to drive sales and leads by engaging people who have visited your website.
Maintaining I-9 Compliance When Hiring Remotely
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rules state that you must fill out Form I-9 within three business days after employment begins—and that to do this you must inspect the employee’s original identity and employment authorization documents in the physical presence of the employee . If your facility is closed due to the pandemic and you need to hire someone who will be working remotely, what are your options?

Good news: On March 20, 2020 the Department of Homeland Security issued revised guidance for those employers whose physical workplaces are temporarily closed due to COVID-19. While Form I-9 must still be completed within three business days after employment begins, in this situation the identity documents can be inspected remotely, such as via video, email, fax, etc.

Once your normal operations resume you will then need to inspect the documents in person. At that time you will “correct” the I-9 as follows: In the Section 2 “Additional Information” field, enter “COVID-19” as the reason for the physical inspection delay and then write in “documents physically examined on [date].”

These temporary rules will be in effect for 60 days from implementation (i.e. until May 18) or until three days after the National Emergency ends, whichever comes first.
8 Steps for Keeping Data Safe When Working Remotely
If, due to the coronavirus pandemic, some or all of your workforce is now working from their homes, you’ll need to take extra steps to maintain the security of your company data and trade secrets. In addition to being more suspicious of incoming emails, ensuring work-from-home computers are secure and improving your password strategy (three steps we explored last month in our article on cybercriminals, at HERE.

Here are some additional measures you can take:

  1. Enact more stringent access policies. Ensure that confidential data can only be accessed by those who are authorized to do so. This might include protocols for approvals and/or other restrictions.
  2. Use secure servers. In addition, use document management systems that ensure all documents created or edited are saved to your company’s secure systems rather than on a laptop hard drive.
  3. Monitor your servers. Watch for unusual access patterns from either internal or external sources.
  4. Provide the equipment. If possible, have employees use company-provided laptops or tablets rather than their own personal devices.
  5. Restrict use of storage devices. Make it clear that confidential data (including trade secrets) is not to be stored on thumb drives, external hard drives, employee-owned computers and devices, and other devices from which data can be easily stolen or compromised.
  6. Forbid use of personal emails. Require employees to only use their company-provided email accounts to view, review or share company documents and data.
  7. Provide instructions on screen positioning. Let employees know that confidential information must be kept confidential, even from the people that they live with. This means that employees should not leave their device in plain view where neighbors can easily see it through a window or family members can see when they’re in the room.
  8. Talk to your vendors. If you contract with others who have access to your data, and their employees are now working from home, be sure they have appropriate measures in place, too. 
State Happenings by RJ
 COVID-19 Funding Options

The state and federal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve. On April 15, 2020 I presented a webinar for PIASC members that discussed how these responses impact you as an employer. This was the second webinar in what may become an on-going series.
While the recording of this webinar is available at HERE , the following provides a synopsis of three funding options that were presented.

Free Loan: California Sales Tax Liability Extension
Businesses with less than $5 million in taxable annual sales can take advantage of a 12-month, interest-free payment plan for up to $50,000 of sales and use tax liability. In other words, small businesses can qualify for an interest-free loan from the government.
The online payment plan request system is not yet up and running. To receive a notification when it is, fill out the form that’s available at HERE (scroll down to the “Small Business Relief Payment Plans for Sales and Use Tax” section).

Low-Cost Loan: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The SBA’s existing Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program offers loans of up to $2 million. These funds can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
The interest rate for small businesses is 3.75%, with payment terms up to a maximum of 30 years.
To apply, visit HERE .

Free Money: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Grants
Businesses that have applied for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) can also apply for an emergency advance of up to $10,000.
This advance, which is actually a grant, does not need to be repaid under any circumstance.

These funds can be used to keep employees on the payroll, pay for sick leave, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions or pay business obligations (including debts, rent and mortgage payments).
Plus, the program is backdated. All EIDL loan applications placed between January 31, 2020 and December 31, 2020 can qualify for the grant.
To apply, visit HERE . 
Gerber Solara ion UV Ink Jet Printer
USED. Best offer. Boxed and rea dy to go. Pick-up in City of Industry. Spare parts included. Contact Tom at 562-447-9982,  tom@jbcsafety.com .  
Use Data to Drive Business Decisions
If you’re looking for ways to fortify your business strategy against the recession using concrete data, the Performance Ratios online benchmarking tool (see HERE ) can assist.
This easy-to-use digital platform gives you instant performance analysis in the areas that matter most to your bottom line. PIA members have access to the basic version for free.
Gain more robust and targeted reporting from the Premium and Professional additions at a significant discount off of regular price.
PIA Member Pricing : Basic is Free | Premium $449/year | Professional $998/year
Quote of the Week
"Take a second to forgive yourself today. You're doing the best you can with what you have."