Graphic Communication Management (GCM)

GCM At a Glance

• Covers all facets of running companies involved in traditional and new media
• Involves understanding how to relate economic limitations to achieving desired outcomes
• Emphasizes the importance of managing and training personnel to produce high-quality work efficiently

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GCM In Depth

Graphic Communication Management includes all facets of running companies involved in new and traditional media. This includes all segments of the printing industry such as prepress, press, and post press for commercial printing, publication printing, packaging, and related areas. It also includes management issues faced by equipment and supply vendors as well software and hardware developers for the graphic arts. Equally important is the growing emphasis on graphic communication businesses supported by the Internet. The graphic communication management specialist knows how to translate economic limitations to achieving desired results, as well as how to manage and train personnel to produce high-quality work efficiently. These specialists understand planning, management and systems analysis, quality control, and production control. They are versed in price estimating and financial controls, marketing and sales strategies, personnel relations, and the latest in management practices relating to quality processes and the overall success of the business.

Graphic Communication Management professionals enjoy working with both people and financial figures, and have a firm grasp of the various business aspects of running and growing a company. Through such management involvement, they provide products and services needed by customers of all media companies.

Some of the most important aspects of graphic communication businesses are the products and services that flow to the customer. They must be produced at the lowest possible price, at the highest possible quality, as quickly as possible. Effective management helps achieve this.

Another important aspect of management in the graphic arts is cash flow analysis and ensuring that there is sufficient cash coming into the company to cover all expenses, overhead, salaries, equipment, and supplies, plus a reasonable profit. Marketing and sales are crucial to this and to the overall success of graphic communication companies. Knowing how to market and sell in the graphic arts is particularly important in light of new digital technologies that provide printing on-demand, internet-related, and variable data products. Selling the new technology of graphic communications takes special skills.

Effective graphic communication management involves setting and carrying out goals; understanding appropriate workflows and digital file management; and being able to make the right decisions quickly. Perhaps most important, it involves motivating people and communicating effectively and thoughtfully.

GCM focuses on:

• Plant management
• Planning
• Manufacturing and systems analysis
• Quality control
• Production control
• Estimating and financial controls
• Marketing and sales
• Personnel relations
• Statistical process control (SPC)
• Total quality management (TQM)

GCM Career Opportunities

• Plant Management
• Planning
• Production Scheduling
• Estimating
• Printing Marketing and Sales
• Customer Service
• Technical Specialist
• Quality Control
• Print Buying
• Human Resources Management
• Process Control
• E-commerce

GCM Coordinator

For More information about the GCM concentration contact Ken Macro.