01732 759725 INTERVIEW 20 In 2023, PrintIT Reseller is celebrating ten years in print. In a series of exclusive interviews over the next year, we’re inviting industry veterans to share their experiences over the past decade, what they’ve learned, and the highs and the lows of our unique and challenging industry. Here, Deborah Hawkins, Group Director Office team at Keypoint Intelligence shares her thoughts A decade in print PITR: What was your first job? DH: My first real job was Product Manager for digital products at Minolta Europe, working as the interface between the Japanese headquarters and the European sales organisation. Apart from the fact that the nineties was a fascinating time of change as analogue copying switched to digital and the focus swung slowly away from b/w print to colour, the role was also fascinating as I got to visit all European countries and understand their culture and workstyle as well as Japan of course. PITR: What has been the high point of the decade? DH: The joining of two great brands, Buyers Lab and Infotrends to become Keypoint Intelligence was my high point. With the merger, the extent of our knowledge, breadth of detail, ability to expand and diversify has grown exponentially. We now have access to an expanded team across the globe with subject matter expertise across the entire print and document industry. PITR: And the low point? DH: The global pandemic that resulted in the loss of so many lives, enforced isolation and trauma was the low point for me. Not only did it affect almost everyone on the planet, it also negatively affected our industry, and some things are gone for good. Many people lost their jobs or lost their business, and we should be thankful now for what we have and have a strategy in place to be more resilient in future. PITR: What (or who) has had the greatest impact in the sector in the last 10 years? DH: Social media and the reach it offers for every single participant across the globe. Suddenly your message can be accessed by millions across time zones, languages, formats all seemingly at the touch of a button. The role of influencers fascinates me and how individual brands can be built on new business models. Social media has led to more openness of thought and creativity. PITR: If you could change one thing about the last decade, what would it be? RTB: I am disappointed that some businesses, sectors, even industries, have not retained more of the learnings from the pandemic. When I see schools reverting to the history books that were printed 30 years ago, or hear of company mandates to force workers back to the office, I know that something or someone is wrong. Much of the fast pace of today’s life means that we often only have time of the immediate need. My wish would be that we all think longer term at our effect on society and how we can change that for the future generation. PITR: What has been your proudest moment of the past 10 years? RTB: Steering our client base through the global pandemic with great insight and forecasts that plot out not only the opportunities but also potential pitfalls. I find it immensely rewarding when clients tell us that our insight and foresight really makes a difference, and they couldn’t do without us. PITR: Sum up the decade in three words. RTB: COVID go home. https://keypointintelligence.com PrintIT Reseller (PITR): You’ve been working in the print and IT industry for more than ten years. What led you to enter the sector? Deborah Hawkins (DH): I have in fact been in the industry for many decades. I hit upon the industry quite by chance, my first PT job after University when I really had no idea what I wanted to do, was in the print room at the Deutsche Messe AG in Hannover, Germany. That is the central reprographic department at the exhibition centre that formerly housed CeBIT. Many industry veterans will be familiar with that name. Whilst there, I started looking at other players in print and hit upon the European HQ of Minolta, also in Hannover. Deborah Hawkins
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