Banking and finance rules, government schemes and facilities, improving performance and quality production, ERP and software solutions, management of family businesses, as well as challenges faced by printers, formed the core of the discussions at a roundtable of experts organized by the Offset Printers Association (OPA) in Hotel Park Plaza in Ludhiana on 28 June 2023.
Welcoming the experts and entrepreneurs, OPA president Parveen Aggarwal said, “I thank the experts who are there to guide us for better functioning and better managing the businesses. I am happy to note that the subject of family management has been included in this session of the OPA roundtable. R C Chopra, with his vast experience and great knowledge, has been guiding us. I thank members and other print entrepreneurs who registered for this event.”
Separate tables were allocated for each field for one-to-one discussions between the experts and the printers.
Under banking and fiscal management, Sachin Bagla, director of Loan Machine Finserve, explained the precautions to be taken while availing of finance. Bagla has worked with banks such as HDFC, ICICI, and Axis. He specializes in lending and helps organizations avail of government financial schemes and benefits.
Parmeshwar Patidar, director of Indas Analytics, came from Indore in Madhya Pradesh to guide members about ERP and other software available for better management, enhancement of production, and quality management. He emphasized how software and tools for quality control and better performance can increase productivity, keep a check on which employee has the highest productivity, and how one can use the latest software to keep an eye on each step of the printing and packaging process from cutting of paper to delivering the final product to customers.
From the MSME development and facilitation office in Ludhiana, director Virinder Sharma and assistant director Ishita Thaman guided entrepreneurs about various government schemes available for the development and growth of the industry. Sharma said any OPA member can visit the center for more guidance.
To guide the members about effective business management tools, Manoj Kanaujia, founder and principal consultant, Wills Solutions, explained how printing and packaging entrepreneurs can scale up their businesses and increase productivity. He explained how better management could help take a business to the next level, and how an owner can run a press without sitting in an office and can concentrate on expanding the business.
A somewhat different topic chosen for discussions was ‘family management’ or how to manage family businesses While family businesses may be a major economic driver, only a mere 30% endure to a second generation, 12% last a third generation, and just 3% make it to the fourth generation.
R C Chopra, a former director with the government of India, explained how members can maintain the longevity of a family business. Dividing a family-run business may hamper and damage both the business and family relationships in the long term, he said.
A panel discussion was held with experts comprising Sachin Bagla, Virinder Sharma, Manoj Kanaujia, Parmeshwar Patidar, R C Chopra, Kamal Mohan Chopra, president of the World Print and Communication Forum. Sudhir Chopra, director of Foil Printers, was the moderator.
