When you hear the words “Business Forms” what is your first thought?
When you hear the words, credit application, invoice, information booklet, packing list, checks, what does your mental picture see?
Some will say, “old way of doing things,” others will say; “time-consuming process,” and yet others; “printing.” Wherever your thoughts may go, think of your business forms, your documents, as a “vehicle.” They are the vehicle that will carry much-needed information through your company and to your customers.
The business forms of yesterday are the “documents” of today and cover a wide and ever-changing landscape of mediums and applications. From digital documents that you can form-fill to the more unusual multi-part continuous forms. From laser-printed checks to manifest books. From your iPad to a loading dock, how you use your documents, how you process information within your business and with your customers will determine the vehicle, the business forms, you will use.
Business Forms, documents, are just one of the ways we communicate with staff and customers. Printed on paper or digital they are a driving force to be reckoned with and part of your branding. When easy to use they give staff power and authority. They are used to convey written contracts, information, and direction. They gather much-needed data for your business internally, for sales and marketing, and communications between you and your customer.
When difficult to use due to lay-out, access, redundant information, or a poorly structured vehicle, your staff is less likely to communicate, and you risk the loss of staff engagement. Sales and marketing will slow the process, if not stop it completely. Your customer can view this myriad of disjointed documents as a company “unorganized” and too difficult to work with.
There have been many surveys done as to the cost of using business forms. They include the time it takes to search for the document and find specific information, the issue of outdated documents, storage of the documents whether digital or paper and of course, the cost of managing the documents. I have heard it said, “managing forms is like herding cats.”
Does it really need to be that difficult?
The answer, No.
We at Alexander Clark Printing know business forms, we understand your documents and what drives the need for these unique vehicles. We will help you develop a forms workflow, design the forms, produce the forms, warehouse (if needed), and ship the forms. Let’s build your custom vehicle together and get you on the fast track to successful communication.
