Joe Polanco

Joe Polanco

Joe Polanco has more than 40 years of experience in the printing industry and its trade associations. After graduating with a Printing Management degree from Cal Poly, he spent 15 years in operational positions in printing companies before joining PIA MidAmerica, a Printing Industries of America affiliate. As its president for 20 years, he helped companies realize their potential for success by showing them how to implement best practices, develop financial management tools, and achieve strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions. Contact Joe Polanco at (610) 230-0635, ext. 705, or at jpolanco@newdirectionpartners.com.

Five Red Flags for Sell-It-Yourselfers

As the former president of a Printing Industries of America regional affiliate, I had the good fortune to work with many smart and successful owners of thriving printing businesses. I had the greatest respect for their abilities, but then as now, there is one thing that I would never have recommended that they attempt: selling their companies without professional representation and advisement.

Is Anyone Out There Listening?

As a trade association president, I knew that one of my most important jobs was to offer our members a friendly, well informed, third-party perspective on strategic business issues. Today, our New Direction Partners clients want the same thing: not just information about the mechanics of M&As, but also a genuine understanding of the industry and the mindsets of the people who own those companies.