In light of today's challenging economic conditions, some businesses resist any form of new expenditure. Others are more pragmatic, realizing that smart investments made during difficult times are bound to reap substantial dividends in the future. One of the most astute decisions that can be made at any point in a company's life is to invest in quality consulting services from a reputable consultant. Without the overhead expenses associated with full-time staff, every dollar you spend on consulting goes directly towards the application of knowledge and experience.

Problems that have defied resolution can often be resolved through a new approach, brought about by viewing the issues from a fresh perspective. Custom training programs and new educational initiatives can lift your staff to new levels of quality and productivity. Strategies for the future can be carefully crafted from a broad range of experiences, avoiding the myopic tendency to cling to the status quo. These are just a few of the ways in which HHCS has provided benefits to companies both large and small.

Since the publication of my first textbook, I have maintained an active consulting practice lecturing and writing on topics of interest to the graphic arts industry as well as creating and delivering custom training programs and performing on-site workflow assessments.

Speaking engagements under the banner of HHCS have included the Seybold conferences in San Francisco, New York and Boston, the New York and San Francisco editions of MacWorld, the Gutenberg festival in Long Beach, many conferences for the Printing Industries of America (including full-day CTP seminars for San Francisco's Graphic Arts Institute and the Printing Industry Association of San Diego), three domestic and three European events for the International Reprographics Association, the Columbian tradeshow Digigrafica and many other events.

Writing credits associated with my consulting practice include the GATFPress textbooks Understanding Digital Imposition, The Guide to Desktop Publishing, 3rd edition and The GATF Desktop Publishing Primer as well as numerous magazine articles published in American Printer, the IPA Bulletin, Repro Report, Dealer Communicator, Conversion, Artes Graficas and other regional publications.

In the spring of 2001, I enjoyed the opportunity to serve as adjunct faculty at California Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo CA. At the invitation of Harvey Levenson and Penny Osmond of CalPoly, I instructed the course Graphic Arts Production, Sales and Service (GrC 470I) as a Visiting Professor from Industry. This ten-week course focused on how current approaches to sales, service, and production have been affected by new technology and changing business practices.