Print.IT Reseller - issue 59

01732 759725 50 AND FINALLY Louella Fernandes, Research Director, Quocirca 60 seconds with… What’s currently having the greatest impact on your business? When I set up the Quocirca print research practice 12 years ago it was to deliver leading and innovative market insight to OEMs and channel partners. Quocirca’s mission is unchanged and as the industry continues to evolve, the opportunities arising from digital disruption will be key to Quocirca’s new services and thought leadership in the industry. Where do you see the next big opportunity? I believe the channel is so well positioned to capitalise on the convergence of print and digital technologies, and build their expertise to extend to new services such as IoT and managed security. Our Print 2025 research revealed that the influence of traditional suppliers is waning in favour of IT centric partners – this is certainly the path forward if partners want to increase their relevance. What would make your day job easier? A virtual assistant. What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given? ‘You only get out what you put in’ was the best advice when starting my own business! If you had had a crystal ball, would you have done anything differently? I am fortunate that a Computer Science degree back in 1988 gave me a great opportunity to work for companies such as IBM and Canon. If anything, I wish I had learnt to speak Portuguese from my father as I would love to speak it fluently with my family. Describe your most embarrassing moment. Too embarrassing to put into print! What was your first job? Working in the staff canteen at Littlewoods in Reading. The highlight was definitely a stunning brown and cream checked uniform and burning the toast on the first day. For a 15 year old who had never cooked before, it was not the best start and I think I lasted six weeks before changing to working in the Co-op fashion department (an oxymoron in itself). What would be your dream job? I genuinely enjoy my job, and when you run your own business this is obviously a bonus! I almost went to art college instead of university, so I have an unusual mix of a creative and a technical mind. But I am an analyst at heart and would love to be a crime or forensic analyst (purely based on my addiction to all things CSI). Fine dining and good wine, or curry and a pint? Well as I am of Goan heritage, I would argue that Indian food can be fine dining – it would definitely be a Goan curry and a mango lassi. How do you like to spend your spare time? I am fortunate that my two teenage sons still like to hang out with me! I often go to the theatre with my eldest who is a filmmaker and the youngest plays American football so often watch his matches although they are all over the country. When I do get some spare time I like to run – although I am well past my half marathon sell by date and stick to much shorter distances now. Favourite holiday destination? I can’t pick one and it’s a close call between Portugal and Sicily. I have recently discovered Sicily which is absolutely stunning, the seafood is the best I have ever tasted and the beaches are for me some of the best in the world. Money’s not an issue, what’s your perfect car … and where would you like to drive it? I do like cars, so the new Bugatti Divo is just my style, driving it in the Alps.