What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
Spending quality time with my friends and family. I know this is cliché, but it’s the only time of year that I relax.
What trend (business or technology) do you think 2017 will be remembered for?
For me, it’s the progression in electric car production. I think in 2017, seeing an electric car is now normal and commonplace.
What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2018 and why?
I can’t give an exact answer, but embracing technology, looking forward to the future and enjoying the industry as it is now and how it will be in the coming years, will bring its own opportunities.
What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in 2018 and why?
The opposite of the question above. I hear people saying “the industry is dead”, “on its knees” blah blah... So the threat for printers is looking back and not forward.
What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in 2018?
I think we should value what we do more. We are producing a bespoke product. It isn’t just ink on paper, it’s a sort of art. Look at the web market – 'sell it cheap and stack it high' doesn’t work anymore. Customers want quality, consistency and, above all, reliability with great customer service.
What was your biggest disappointment in 2017?
I haven’t really had a ‘disappointment’. I try not to go through life thinking what went wrong. Once something doesn’t go to plan, the plan changes and creates a new opportunity.
What was your highlight of 2017?
Seeing my baby girl grow and develop into a little girl. She helps me put life in perspective. I think friends and family should be everyone’s highlight.
What are your hopes for 2018?
Call me boring, but much of the same as 2017.
What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Treat others how you would like to be treated.” It’s basic advice, but has worked for me.
What was the most important thing that you learnt in 2017?
For me, it was being able to read a set of accounts. It helps me make sound business decisions and plan investment.
What if anything will you do differently in 2018?
Lots of things. If we don't do anything different in the following year, we haven’t learnt anything this year. Always learning from my mistakes and evolving is the key for me.
What’s your favourite Christmas cracker joke?
“You know the problem with mushrooms? Not mushroom for anything else.” I’m a fungi!
What was the best Christmas present you ever received?
I went through a stage of eating prawn noodles for lunch. My wife thought it would be funny to wrap a packet and give it to me for Christmas.
Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?
I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions. But if I wanted to set another goal, I do try to keep myself fairly fit, but have let that slip a bit in the last couple of years. So, I guess I’d like to build on that a bit more.
