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Mike Phillie is the founder and principal of The Phillie Group, a consulting firm dedicated to guiding companies in the printing and graphic communications industries. Mike’s journey in the industry began unexpectedly in high school when he was mistakenly placed in a graphic arts class, sparking a lifelong passion for the field. He went on to study at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and has since accumulated over 40 years of experience in various roles, including sales leadership and as president of a printing company. In 2007, Mike transitioned from working within printing companies to consulting, bringing his problem-solving skills and leadership expertise to help businesses navigate change and achieve growth. Through The Phillie Group, Mike works closely with business owners, CEOs, and senior teams, offering strategic guidance and helping companies move from their current state to their desired future safely and effectively. His work often involves prioritizing actions, assessing the pace of change, and ensuring that the changes align with the company’s overall goals. Mike is also actively involved in industry initiatives, such as the Graphic Communications Leadership Institute (GCLI) and the Graphic Arts CEO Forum, where he continues to share his insights and contribute to the growth and development of the industry.
Joe Truncale is the founder and principal of Alexander Joseph & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and leadership development within the printing and graphic communications industries. Joe’s career in the industry spans nearly four decades, beginning in 1984 when he joined the National Association of Printers and Lithographers (NAPL) as Director of Member Relations. Over the years, Joe rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President and later President and CEO, leading the organization through significant transitions, including a focus on expanding consulting services. Throughout his career, Joe has been deeply involved in helping businesses navigate the complexities of change, from strategic planning to financial consulting. His approach emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions, suspending assumptions, and truly listening to clients to uncover the core challenges they face. Joe is passionate about bringing insights from other industries into the printing sector, applying innovative strategies that help companies evolve and thrive. He is also a co-leader of the Graphic Communications Leadership Institute (GCLI), where he and Mike Phillie work together to mentor and guide industry leaders. Joe’s extensive experience, combined with his commitment to continuous learning, makes him a respected voice in the industry, helping companies build stronger, more sustainable futures.
Chris Santomassimo: Welcome back to The Think Factory Podcast and I’m your host, Chris Santomassimo, from OGC solutions and of course we power The Think Factory Podcast and I’m really excited to have sort of a 3 way podcast conversation with two of my good friends, Mike Phillie and Joe Truncale. Uh, just for just for background and and for folks that are in the graphic communications and printing industries, yeah, you, you know these guys frankly because of all the great content and the visibility that they have in the industry. Mike Philly is the founder and principal of the Phillie Group, and Joe Truncale is the founder and principal of Alexander Joseph and Associates. Guys, I’m really excited to have a conversation today, so welcome to the podcast.
Joe Truncale: Thanks, Chris.
Chris Santomassimo: Now it’s great to have you guys and you know we we met thanks to the, as I said, the great content that you that you’re always publishing on a on a super regular basis. I’ve just been impressed with your insights and some of the great things that you’re doing. I’d love for folks to introduce yourselves and your companies, or frankly, reintroduce yourselves to folks, because I’m sure they already know you. And one thing I wanna make sure we cover is the good work that you’re doing with the GCLI, which is the graphic Communications Leadership Institute.
So Joe, take it away.
Joe Truncale: Chris, so I’ve had very fortunate a long career in the printing industry starting. It’s hard to believe it’ll be 40 years ago, in December 1984, went to work for N APLL, which at the time was National Association of Printers and Lithographers. And it was hired as director, Remember Relations, which meant that that was national sales manager in effect so traveled all over the country visiting for any companies calling on them, signing up members. And we reached the highest uh number of Members in the history of the association, which started in 1933, by the way. And then from there was asked to oversee our consulting program, which primarily consisted of financial consulting and budget alley costs rates, that sort of thing and then was promoted to Executive Vice President. I did that for 10 years and then when Greg Van worked, the guy hired me, he retired. I became President and CEO, which I did for 10 years, and during that time we transitioned and started to focus more on consulting services and a variety of disciplines. I taste the Mike Phillie around for a year trying to convince him that that he’d be better off with us than on his own and not sure how good a salesman I am, but we finally did get Mike to join us and he made a big, big impact on our operation right away. And you know, we felt, Chris, there was there was a big need. The industry was undergoing transition. Ownership was trying to understand what they do next, where they invest, what they do, how they structure the organization, what kind of products and services they can transition into. And so there was a lot to digest for owners of these printing companies. Who had done pretty much the same sort of thing anyway, the same way for a long time, and made a pretty good living at it…
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