Another year is drawing to a close as Rapido Books happily prepares to celebrate its 9th Christmas.
2021 has been an excellent year, a real rebound from 2020 which had brought much uncertainty and questions. All the projects that we announced last year have been launched and are garnering exceptional feedback from our clients: Archery for the management of Advance Review Copies, FlexRapido for large publishers who want to reduce their inventories, and a new solution that we will tell you about in 2022: EasyRapido.
We have broken all our production records, completed over 2,800 print / reprint projects, doubled the size of our team and confirmed our status as the fastest printer in Canada… Rapido is setting course for the future with confidence and determination!
To end this year on a high note, we have decided to give the floor to some of the members of our crew. You interact with some of them by phone or email, others have a more discreet yet no less valuable role in the organization… Here are their faces and their thoughts on the past year.
THE SALES TEAM
Yann Jadis
Based in Ontario and part of the team since Rapido’s early years, Yann is the man for whom remote working was the norm long before it became mainstream: “My mission is to listen to publishers’ needs in order to develop innovative offers which will allow them to rethink the traditional publishing model. From this point of view, the past year has been very productive, notably with the implementation of Archery and FlexRapido.”
What makes Rapido so successful, according to him:
A delightful blend of youth, experience, and a collaborative approach.
His favorite project of 2021:
A book shortlisted for the Giller Prize for which we had to break down the traditional limitations of short-run printing and offer segmented print runs to ensure that the book was available on time.
What he hopes to find at the foot of the tree on December 25th:
Like every year: comics, to complete my collection!
The title of the book he’ll write (maybe) in 2022:
Social Media: Burn ‘Em All!
Jordan Dessertine
Part of the Rapido adventure for almost 5 years, and a high flying musician in his spare time, Jordan uses his knowledge of harmony every day to bridge the communications between the workshop and our clients. Just as he blends his voice with the voice of the guitar, he makes sure that Rapido’s production harmonizes with your release schedules: “At Rapido, we want to learn and evolve alongside our clients, and for that we need to stay in touch regularly and keep communication open. Landing a print order from a client is good, but it’s in the long-term view and the development of mutually beneficial relationships that I really feel at home.”
Whether in the office or working remotely, Jordan always has his emails and phone handy, and stresses how crucial it is to communicate: “My golden rule for anyone who wants to work with us? Communicate early and often with your sales representative. A simple conversation is often the best way to avoid issues later in the process.”
The reason he thinks Rapido has a bright future ahead:
In my opinion, the working environment at Rapido is exceptional. We are a young and dynamic team. There is lots of trust within the team, I trust my colleagues and I feel that they trust me. This makes me want to take charge of my work and to excel at it.
Over the years, I have also seen how our clients become more than just clients. A whole community of publishing professionals and authors is growing around this company and what it does. I see Rapido as a real center of gravity in the book world. Many new ideas are born here and are carried out by the team.
The title of the book he’ll write (maybe) in 2022:
The You in I: a collection of poetry
His good resolution for the new year:
Continue to deepen my knowledge of human systems and their proper functioning in my Masters in Human Systems Intervention, in progress at Concordia University.
A NEW FACE AT RAPIDO
Alexis Charlier
After landing in Quebec at the start of the year, Alexis joined the Rapido sales team this summer to help us respond to the ever-increasing number of requests we receive. Thanks to him, submissions continue to be sent in 24 hours maximum. Rapido isn’t yet ready to change its name!
What convinced him to join Rapido:
Not having a printer at home, joining Rapido was for me the perfect solution to print my plane tickets for free to return to France at Christmas … but more seriously, it was a new and very attractive challenge to discover this industry and fulfill the missions that it offers me. I immediately liked the corporate philosophy and the way Rapido wants to change the way the consumer habits of the book industry. It is a modern company, made up of a dynamic, motivated and warm team.
What he hopes for 2022:
I hope that the team will continue to grow, that we will be able to develop all the great projects that are going through our heads. And I also need to talk to Simon again about investing in an orange car for Rapido deliveries in just a few hours…
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Cory Lalonde
There’s Edward Scissorhands, and then there’s Cory Goldenhands: when they aren’t holding drumsticks on stage, his are the hands that hold literally every book we print: “I’m a bit of a perfectionist… so I make sure that the trims (inside the blocks of pages) are perfect and that the covers are cut straight to simplify the binding of the glue!”
Sixteenth of an inch off? Control of the grain? Nothing escapes him: “I like handling paper, learning to operate new machines. But above all to release a beautiful end product. I also like to challenge myself every day to surpass the production targets!”
His golden rule that everyone should follow on a daily basis:
My advice doesn’t just apply to publishers… It’s just a way of working: put yourself in the shoes of whoever is after you in the production chain or team, make sure you do your part well to help make it easier on the next person.
What he hopes to find at the foot of the tree on December 25th:
An access card to the Rapido building, so I no longer have to borrow Simon’s on weekends when there’s a need to come in and produce urgent orders!
Henri Dulac
Chief Production Officer, Henri manages the workshop schedule, often working with constraints that make Tom Cruise’s films seem more like “Mission Not So Hard”. He’s one of those people for whom the word ‘problem’ doesn’t exist: “I’m always in a position of continuous improvement. You have to constantly rework processes, adjust to details and make decisions in order to best meet client expectations.”
The place where you can find him for sure at Rapido:
Even by phone, I am not necessarily easy to reach; you typically find me… somewhere between the mill and the oven!
The success of 2021 of which he is most proud:
Another reprint of My Conversations With Canadians. It’s always a pleasure to work on Jay’s projects for the Book*hug publishing house. I love numbers, and 2,200 books in 10 runs for this title in 2021 alone… long live Rapido’s model!
His advice to publishers for a successful 2022:
Print fewer books at a time and reprint often (and with images at 300 dpi minimum in the files, please!)
The title of the book he’ll write (maybe) in 2022:
The healthy recipes of the Rapido ostrich:
What you need to achieve your goals
A NEW FACE AT RAPIDO
Oswaldo Marcano
The reason he joined Rapido:
I always felt curious and excited about how a book is designed and produced. As a graphic designer, it was an interesting opportunity to learn the technical side of the publishing world! Also, books are such a beautiful thing to create!
The project he is preparing for 2022:
We are producing a series of tutorial videos that will help people create higher-quality files and better understand the ins and outs of the book creation process. It will also give me the chance to work on my other passion… Graphic animation!
Benjamin Kwan Teau
While some are still debating between the red and the blue pill, Benjamin is already several steps ahead; he is the architect of the Rapido Matrix: “I create technological tools to improve the client experience. Specifically, I am in charge of the management of the client portal and I help develop the digital aspects of our sales solutions like Archery, FlexRapido, EasyRapido… and other surprises to come!”
What does a typical day of an IT manager look like?
Routine is not part of my daily life, because my tasks are really varied: solving technical problems, automating tasks, organizing flows so that everyone can find their way, giving a hand in the shipping department, organizing the next team social event, developing our technological tools…
The project he is most proud to have contributed to this year:
I had a lot of pleasure discovering the project “The not so happy animals” by Julie Dumont and Slimane Henni. It is a book that teaches children the values of respect for their environment and other living beings.
The reason he knows Team Rapido will have a much better season than the Montreal Habs:
There is a strong culture of innovation and everyone contributes in their own way to the development of the company. Each member of the team is a pillar of the company.
His personal ambition for 2022:
Thanks to the workshop’s expansion, we will finally be able to have a ping pong table in the office. My goal is very simple: to become the grand champion of the 2022 Rapido season!
A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
Simon Dulac
I know of no greater satisfaction than to set about doing something and to create…
The Rapido project began with a note I drafted about the implementation of a strategy known as “Blue Ocean.” A friend had told me about it over lunch one day. I bought the book and I was immediately won over by the simplicity with which this method dusted off an “old” profession by rethinking its value chain. The issue of turnaround times, a problem in the printing world which I knew all too well, became an opportunity to generate new value for our clients (Read more: Speed—it’s in our DNA).
When I envisioned Rapido, I didn’t just want to create something new in the printing industry by seizing an opportunity. What I wanted above all was to create a business unlike any other, one that blended professionalism and enthusiasm, expertise and imagination—things that I have most appreciated during my years as a printer and business owner. Over the years these big ideas of mine certainly made several laugh. How many times have I heard: “But the print book is done! Soon everyone will be reading on tablets.” But you can’t create without taking a risk. Today, I feel like I have given life to what I had imagined, and what really fulfills me is that every member of the Rapido team shares my vision.
I am sure that one of Rapido’s greatest strengths is its ability to work collaboratively on just about anything. It’s because our team is flexible that we offer flexibility to our clients. There are few dividing lines in our organization: helping a colleague if I have a skill or experience that can benefit the task, or lending a helping hand if a team member is particularly busy—these are standard practices here. Sometimes I will help out on the production line when something urgent comes up. I love it, I love participating in everything. I am curious about everything that goes on here.
Rapido has arguably the youngest average age among companies in the Canadian book industry: 30 years old! I find it quite unique in this profession where we mostly come across gray heads like mine. It’s really motivating to be challenged by so many quick and competent minds. I feel like I’m aging less quickly. Thank you team!
Rapido amazes me with its ability to innovate in a sector where innovation is rare, unless one is purchasing technology from their suppliers. At Rapido we invent our own tools, we design them to be useful to our clients. And we always rely on simple and flexible technologies. This is our rule of thumb.
You know, it’s always a great accomplishment when what you have created starts to grow beyond you. It’s a bit like raising a child and then watching them flourish. There is no greater reward. In this time of fear, crises and doubt, I believe that we should be more willing to DARE. Technical advances have given society so many tools that we continue to use poorly. You have to reinvent yourself instead of waiting for some new technology to come along and fix things. The real levers of change are within us.
I have been involved with the publication of two books in 2021 and found Rapido to be an excellent choice for the printing. It was painless and Jordan Dessertine show such great patience and guidance throughout. Clearly he is backed up by a great team. Thank you for helping to make two dreams come true.
Keep up the good work!!
The whole Rapido team thanks you for these very kind words Linda!
I’ve printed five of my novels with this team. Contrary to many businesses that often cannot deliver what they promise. Rapido delivers more than you expect. Super quality and a flexible and affable team. I can highly recommend.
Michael Kent
Novelist/writer
Thanks a lot Michael, it’s a pleasure following you in your publications!
I’ve used Rapido over several years, both for my own books and those of my clients. I always get great service at a reasonable price — no wonder Rapido is successful!
I wish all of you Happy Holidays, and may Rapido have an excellent 2022!
Helen Wilkie
Thank you very much Helen, Happy Holidays!
Fabulous turnaround times, great responsiveness, and then of course a beautiful book (Brockville in Photographs), at a very reasonable price! I of course gave a complimentary copy to the person here who recommended you. Can’t wait until next time!
Thank you Charles, we’re also looking forward to working with you again!
Many years ago I owned and managed a typographic studio in Montreal where what defined our work was a devotion to quality. Early on I discovered that the key to quality is attitude. Of course skill and know how were essential, but more critical was attitude. With the right attitude skill is surpassed and becomes excellence. From my first encounter with Rapido, with Simon and Henri, I knew that they were infused with this attitude from which excellence ensues. It is no surprise to me that they went on to become who they are today, attracting a team of professionals who beyond their individual skills possess this attitude so vital to high quality work. (Full disclosure: my son Jordan is part of this incredible team and bias aside it is no surprise to me that his virtues aligned perfectly with those of Simon and the Rapido team.) The kind of quality to which Rapido is devoted is much more than the final product. It is a way of seeing that is infectious, that benefits everyone who comes in contact with it. I congratulate you Simon, Henri, the entire Rapido team for achieving excellence. May the wind never fail your wings.
Discovering your comment truly felt like slowly unwrapping an unexpected big red gift under the Christmas tree. Thank you very much for this kind message Dwight.
Not only has the Rapido team been quite successful over the last few years, we have also been lucky—lucky to have come across some of the most talented and inspiring professionals of the publishing industry. Meeting you was definitely one of these defining encounters that convinced us excellence was the only acceptable thing to aim for.
We feel honoured and proud to be surrounded by a community of such elegant craftsmen, which allows us to explore the neighbouring areas of printing: typography and its importance in book publishing.
Our warmest thanks Dwight.