If you’re lucky, you’ll talk to a foreign help desk!
We’ve all unwittingly accepted a role at the checkout of our local supermarket, so the chance of a chat when checking out your groceries is no more. And if you don’t like this new job (that you didn’t apply for!) and feel obliged to speak out, you’ll have to hold your tongue because there’s no one to listen to your complaint. Of course, you can make a call listen to the Ai prompts, and, if you’re lucky, talk to a foreign help desk because local support or, heaven forbid, someone to talk to in person is a thing of the past.
I must be honest; I don’t believe there’s anything better than good old-fashioned service offered with a smile and a reassuring word. We’re lucky our industry still has more than its share of exceptionally talented suppliers happy to lend a hand. So, I asked a couple about their journey.
I decided on three people recently recognised in the 2022 ProPrint Awards Supplier 50 category: Craig Walmsley, Country Manager for HP Industrial (Indigo and PWP) – Australia and New Zealand. Zaidee Jackson, National Business Development Manager – Sustainable Packaging at Ball & Doggett. And Anthony Jackson, National Sales Manager ANZ – Commercial HP Indigo.
Supporting the pathways around sustainable outcomes!
Zaidee Jackson’s role sees her supporting and partnering with a diverse range of customers, from printers, and converters, to government, council, and industry bodies, supporting the pathways around sustainable outcomes.
Zaidee has been instrumental in creating the online platform ecoporium by Ball & Doggett. This network can influence, inspire, and educate customers, empowering them to make informed decisions and connect directly with specialists.
I asked Zaidee what she’s learned from being in her position that people should know. “At the core of what we, as an industry, need to reconcile is that we must collectively be on a pathway with sustainable impact at heart. We need to start being purpose-led and open to being educated about sustainability, and we need an understanding of why it’s simply good business”.
Creating space for all voices to be heard!
She then explained how she defined success in her field, “Creating opportunity for those around you to see value in themselves, ultimately creating space for all voices to be heard.” With leaders like Zaidee, the next generation is in good hands.
Next, I spoke with industry stalwart Anthony Jackson, or AJ, as he’s affectionately known. HP Indigo technology was AJ’s nemesis throughout his sales career at Fuji Xerox and KM. When I asked him about his current position, he quipped, in true AJ style, “It was time to learn, appreciate and respect why ‘drinking the ElectroInk’ was the path forward”.
When I asked him what he liked most about his job, his response encapsulated why he’s such a good supplier, “Working with an energetic and talented team at Currie Group is one aspect. But the biggest kick is watching customers succeed with our implemented solution and building relationships with their sales and production teams – being a part of their journey.
Customers with beaming smiles kicking goals it’s infectious!
It’s all about our customer’s growth, sustainability, and happiness. These are my measures of success. Seeing customers with beaming smiles kicking goals, it’s infectious. Farming win/win relationships built on respect and credibility leads to success.”
Lastly, I spoke with Craig Walmsley about why he loved his role at HP, “I am constantly learning and often amazed at what is being produced from sites with incredible workflows, finishing, and new applications; every site is unique.
We are all in this together, our industry is a tight-knit community, and the more we share and collaborate, the better we will all be together.”
The future would be bright with leaders like this!
The responses genuinely warmed my heart, and I knew the future would be bright with leaders like this. So, I finished by asking all three one final question; If you could change anything about your industry, what would it be?
Craig led off with, “We need to constantly develop and nurture new entrants into our industry, which may be school leavers or experienced people looking for a career change. I believe we can do more to attract more talent into our industry”.
Next was AJ, “Making it more attractive for Generation Z or iGen generation of people wanting to pursue a career in our amazing and creative industry”.
Impactful programs at internship and apprenticeship levels!
And lastly, Zaidee, “Impactful programs at internship and apprenticeship levels for young individuals to feel drawn to the industry. To feel connected so they can take the baton and lead through passion and sustain this industry that has provided so much to so many.
I couldn’t agree more with the final responses. If we work together to make our industry an attractive option, we’ll draw in new talent, new ideas and a different perspective. We need to encourage the younger generation to join us in this industry so that they can help shape it into something even better than it is now.
This article appeared in New Zealand Printer in December 2022