1. What do you believe will be greatest opportunities for printers to grow their businesses in 2008?
We have been talking for years about the need for printers to diversify and extend their product offering – to include services such as design, web design, mailing and, of course, print finishing (but of course I would say that!). I do not think this will change in 2008. In an ever-competitive market, you need to not only match your opposition, but stand out from the crowd. Without doubt, 2007 has seen the increase in customer importance on green issues. If this continues, we could be in a situation where price is of secondary importance to a green printer. In my opinion, the greatest opportunity printers have to grow their business would be to maximise usage of digital, personalised short-run print and being smart with JDF.

2. What will be the greatest threat to your sector in 2008?
As far as print finishing is concerned, the future looks bright. With customers wanting to be in control of the entire print production process, including quality and turnaround times, plus wanting to extend the product range they can offer their customers, in-house finishing will grow. With digital printer suppliers improving and widening the finishing options available online, this could be seen as a threat to our specific sector of supplying print finishing equipment. On the other hand, it could be said that online finishing may highlight the importance of print finishing and actually benefit us in the long-run.

3. How can the industry raise its profile next year?
I think initiatives such as PrintIT! have been fantastic. However, I believe the only way that the industry can raise its profile and get away from the 'ink under the fingernails' stigma is to somehow use mainstream business-to-consumer communication methods to speak to the youth of the UK. I think it would take print publications, industry organisation bodies, suppliers and printers to all group together to get behind a campaign to raise the profile of the industry in the UK mainstream. Anything smaller than this will only affect a handful of people for a short amount of time. I remember seeing a key print magazine editor on the BBC at the time of Ipex talking about the industry. I think this kind of volume of coverage that is required to make wholesale change in the way the print is perceived.

4. What do you believe is the most under-recognised aspect in printing that is likely to become more important in 2008?
Well, we always see finishing as the Cinderella of the industry – not as glamorous and dynamic as the pre-press and press stages (!). However, in 2007, we have seen a change of opinion as printers realise the importance of finishing, and I am sure in 2008 this will continue.

5. What print sectors do you believe will experience the greatest innovation next year?
It has to be short-run, personalised, digital printers. We have moved away from the personal mail-shot with your name in an airplanes jet stream.

6. What should the print industry when it gets back to work after the holidays?
Realise what a fantastic and innovative industry we are in, and then tell this to five people outside the industry – spread the word. Failing that, maybe all suppliers should have a January sale?

7. If the government stepped in and did one thing to help the industry, what would you hope that would be?
Greater training opportunities for young people to learn about print and, in particular, digital print. It is one of the UK's top five industries – for the construction industry, there are specialist training schools within major universities. Apart from a handful of specialist print colleges in the UK, there are not the equivalent opportunities. I think more needs to be done.

8. What will you do differently in 2008?
Attend fewer 007 James Bond-themed events.