Text: Jaroslav Drahoš
We are once again at the end of 2024 and Christmas is just around the corner. I have to say that it has been a “ride” again this year. We have celebrated a wonderful 30 years of our printing company. It has also been a year full of great challenges.
We have had to overcome various obstacles: increased costs, quality, customer demands, new EU regulations and finally the floods.
It was also necessary to find solutions to cope with the huge increase in costs. The increase in energy prices alone, compared to the previous period, cost us more than CZK 20 million. In total, the increased costs compared to 2023 amounted to more than 37 million crowns. These cost increases were beyond our control, resulting from flawed EU policy and the Czech state’s inability to ensure competitive conditions for domestic businesses. To make matters worse, in the autumn the floods came, which, for the first time in history on such a scale since the Prochaska printing house was founded in 1888, flooded the ground floor of the building.
Together, however, we made it through. We overcame all the obstacles, be they natural or otherwise, created by the EU or our government. I appreciate the fact that we were able to come together and pull together as a team this time. A big thank you to all for that!
The year 2024 is almost upon us and we must therefore look ahead.
It would be naive to think that the next period will be calmer or easier for us. Or possibly that someone would help us or even support us. The opposite is true, with more and more pointless EU measures being thrown at us. More and more costs are constantly being raised that we are unable to control. The environment in which we do business is becoming more and more complicated. We cannot, therefore, stand still under any circumstances.
On the contrary, as in the previous year, we must take a lot of concrete actions that will enable us to succeed in this period.
What do we want to focus on next year and what should the ideal state look like?
The areas that I see as key for us in 2025 are:
· people leadership
· planning
· motivation
· communication
· company atmosphere
People leadership
The leader can and knows. The leader helps, solves and pushes to eliminate problems. Leader, has the trust of the team and natural authority. Is demanding but fair. A leader gets things done.
Goal: a competent leader who is in control of the process.
Planning
Optimization of plans for each workplace. Capacity planning across key operations. Improving communication across sales, purchasing, planning and production. Preparing for a smooth start and run of the entire 2025 Christmas Market.
Goal: efficient production under control
Motivation
Change motivation to include a focus on quality, process improvement and accountability. Responsibility for product quality, machine quality, compliance and workplace order.
Goal: contribute to improvements, savings and better results
Communication
Effective communication in the workplace that creates a positive environment.
Two-way communication that enables us to identify and resolve issues that concern us. Communication with sufficient clear information about the current situation in the workplace and the projects that are underway. Communication with the opportunity to comment on current issues.
Objective: effective two-way communication
Atmosphere in the company
We not only know the company values, but we also live these values and actively promote them together in our daily practice.
There is mutual cooperation and respect among us, both within the team and among individuals. We help each other and always look for the best solutions to problems. We are also able and unafraid to talk about uncomfortable topics. We also have the courage to make unpopular decisions that benefit the team or individuals.
Goal: trust and openness in the company
Of course, we will also have measurable goals for 2025, clearly defined areas where we need and want to improve and where we will work hard. I want us to look for our weaknesses together, talk openly about them and find room for improvement.
However, I am convinced that if we significantly improve these key areas mentioned above, we will do much better and much faster. At the same time, the individual steps we work on together will make more sense.
I look forward to continuing to work together, and I am confident that we will continue to thrive and get through this coming period together.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you and your loved ones much happiness, health and well-being at Christmas time and all the best in the New Year.
