What positives are you able to draw on from the experiences of 2021?
I think if we didn’t know before, we certainly do now that nothing stays constant forever. 2020 and 2021 have seen our living and working patterns change significantly (far more than any of us could have imagined) but as a race we are capable of adapting and embracing change. I am also immensely proud of how we have been welcome backed into the world of design, print, production, logistics, field marketing etc by so many people and we are starting to make a real difference to our clients' customer experience.
What trend (business or technology) do you think has been accelerated because of the impact of Covid?
I think we are already seeing shopping habits change and it’s interesting to see how different retailers are reacting and innovating and what the ultimate shopping experience will be, whether that’s using VR or other technologies from your lounge sofa. The World has changed and probably for ever and that’s almost certainly a good thing for those who can adapt. The dinosaurs are exactly that – dead.
What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2022 and why?
Working with 25/8! As a business we are only as good as our supply chain and we are always looking to work with like-minded people who care passionately about the end customer. We work with our clients and suppliers in an open transparent way and have no hidden rebates, technology charges, prompt payment discounts etc which blight the industry and which ultimately the client pays for.
What are your hopes for 2022?
On a business level I am really excited about the 25/8 brand (both Marketing Group and Retail Solutions) and we are looking to build on the amazing success we have achieved in our first year. We have seen so many contacts/friends reach out to us along with an amazing number of new clients that we feel quite humbled by the support. I think it teaches you that life is reputational and that is a life lesson I will be passing onto my sons as they start their careers.
On a personal level I would like to get my golf handicap down by a few shots and would love my football team (West Ham) to win a piece of silverware – something they haven’t done for 40 years or so.
Describe your ‘new normal’?
One thing I have learnt with age is that there is no normal. Opportunities and challenges are always in our lives and it’s how you respond that defines us.
What piece of advice do you wish you had been given and when?
I wish I had been given this advice when I was about 13: there’s no excuse for being bored. You can always do something, learn something or help someone.
What, if anything, will you do differently in 2022?
As a new breed of marketing and print management business, we are very proactive in coming up with new and innovative ideas for our clients but we also listen to our clients. So a lot of what will change in 2022 and beyond will be driven by our clients ever-changing requirements and 25/8 being receptive and reacting to those ideas.
I also think we will see sustainability at the forefront of production and those organisations that embrace this shift in emphasis will prosper and grow.
What’s your favourite Christmas cracker joke?
Why did the turkey join the band?
Because it had the drumsticks (terrible I know but it always makes me smile)
Sprouts: yes or no?
My youngest son would disown me if we had a sproutless (is that even a real word?) Christmas.
Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?
I’m planning to learn to speak Mandarin. At the moment I only know a few words like: Pi Jiu (beer), Hong Jiu (red wine), Wo Ai Ni (I love you – very important as I have a Chinese fiancé!)
