STORIES

I think we suck at listening. And the truth is, we’re only getting worse. We’re more technologically connected than ever before, yet somehow more disconnected from the human experience. I recently found myself in an airport, looking around at the sea of people, and I swear, every single person had their head buried in a device, almost bumping into each other like sleepwalkers. I was guilty of it too. While standing in the security line, someone had to get my attention to usher me forward. I had zoned out, caught in the digital grip of distraction.

Blogs are a piece of cake now. You don’t even really have to write them. You can share a few thoughts on your mind and ask your AI platform of choice to create it and, presto, you have a Pulitzer. In all seriousness, your blogs scripted by AI may be well-written, make decent sense, and have a professional vibe. But, they aren’t really yours!

As the digital landscape evolves, staying at the forefront of marketing and printing innovation is not just an advantage, it’s a necessity. The PrintSmart Summit, scheduled for May 7, 2024, emerges as a beacon for professionals seeking to not only keep pace with this evolution but to lead it. This year, the summit promises an unparalleled lineup of speakers and sessions designed to illuminate the path forward for ambitious minds in the industry.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a revolutionary force, shaping the future of how printers can operate, innovate, and interact with clients. The bottom line is that AI’s influence is not just imminent, it’s already here, impacting our lives and setting new standards for competition and efficiency. However, I think we have to keep our wits about us and remember that AI is not just some static new tool.

Starting a fitness program is no easy feat. It demands sacrifices, like giving up pizza, going for a run, and doing a couple of sit-ups, all of which require time and an iron will. Building muscle and achieving fitness isn’t just hard—it’s a significant challenge. But what drives us to leave the comfort of our couch? Often, it’s the sight of an expanding waistline or increasing blood pressure. Whatever the reason, the fear for our future typically gets us off our butts and motivates us to build some muscle.

In the early 1960s, Catherine Marshall, in her book “Beyond Ourselves,” captured a sentiment that still resonates today. We often find ourselves driven by unresolved problems or a nagging sense that life has more to offer, and in turn, we should contribute more to it. Over 60 years ago, Marshall observed that people were consumed by material pursuits, leading lives that seemed to end without deeper meaning.

I was recently asked why I was so pro-print and what its role will be going forward. And as many of my friends will tell you, that was a door they probably regretted opening. I could speak for two days straight on why print is the cat’s meow. So, after a big inhale, I let loose and explained that the relevance of print in today’s marketing mix is actually pretty significant—even with the emergence of AI.

If you haven’t heard, there is a new AI platform where you can ask the system anything you want and they will write you a detailed report, article, or proposal within seconds. It is pretty accurate and is, quite honestly, a bit of a marvel. The fact that the computer can spew out just about any content you want may seem super cool to many people, but I find it downright scary.

We all hit points when it seems like going on is next to impossible. When we’re already overwhelmed, it’s easy to talk ourselves into giving up, but giving up too soon could cause us to miss out on success. You never know how soon you might start seeing progress if you hang in there and give it a little bit more time. Too often, we jump into projects that we think are compelling and they seem to stimulate and us in the moment but something derails us.

If I told you that reading could save your life, would you do it?

We’ve lost our way and much of it is because we don’t read. We all know that we are addicted to devices and we’ve seen how they dictate our lives. We mindlessly stare at our screens watching other people live their lives or scroll endlessly in the hopes of finding something new and stimulating. But, our minds are not stimulated at all.