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BOSS Today #43 INTRODUCTION

SIGNING OFF

BOSS CEO Phil Lawson takes the opportunity to sign off and take stock

s I write this, my last article for was a special experience, as was my time basic principles and their service levels
ABOSS Today, before my retirement at Stat Plus in the late 90s and early have improved as a result. Dealer groups
in July, I have been asked to reflect noughties. I enjoyed many good years at offer great collaborative support to
on my time in our industry. What OfficeTeam in the excellent company of their dealers and I’m always surprised
have I learned? What are my hopes Sear, Straker, Whiteway, Maynard and – and sometimes grumpy on their
and expectations for the future? Moore. Most recently, this job has been behalves – when they don’t get more
My first hope is that by the time you brilliant – what a privilege it has been support for their programmes from
read this, we shall be through the Article to hold this position: the next CEO will their members. Software companies
50 Brexit process. Whether you are a I’m sure have as much fun as I have had. are working hard to keep their offerings
Leaver or a Remainer, the confusion I’ve tried not to become a grumpy current and data providers have now
and lack of certainty has been hanging old man as I have got older, although become a key part of the mix.
over us like a cloud – and that can’t be my wife Heather might say that I’m bright-eyed about the future,
good for business. Our industry used to I’ve already lost that battle. I do but also realistic. Our industry will
be a real bellwether for the economy: get grumpy, though, when I see our continue to grow as we keep changing
when sales of sticky notes or ballpoint companies, good companies, going the definition of what we include within
pens started to fall, we could see a down a self-destruct path when they our product ranges. Those that stick to
recession coming. It’s not possible to deviate from their core strengths. what they do best will do well. We may
use our sales forecasts in this way any Luckily, most do not. We are seeing not be a bellwether any more, but we
more, due to the underlying change the success of some leading independent still sell to everyone, so everyone can
in demand for the types of products dealers who are keeping focused on what be a customer. We are such a friendly
we supply, but instinctively I feel that they do best – delivering outstanding industry and one that is hard to leave.
unless we get through this Brexit and personal customer service. So, I plan to stay engaged with the
process swiftly and go back to Yes, they are having to branch friends and acquaintances I’ve made
business as normal, we are out by selling a wider range over the last 30 years by trying to fill
in danger of damaging of products to compensate the giant walking boots of Graeme
our economy further. for falling demand for Chapman MBE through Heather and my
I’ve seen a couple of traditional office supplies, involvement with Graeme and the team
those nasty recessions but they are staying close of organisers at the Climb of Life. I look
– one in the early to their customers and forward to pestering you for sponsorship
1990s and the even servicing their socks off. and involvement and I’ll have plenty
more serious one in 2008 We are also still more time to do so, so please watch out!
– and they teach you to seeing innovation from BOSS will be in great hands from
appreciate the good times, manufacturers: witness July for its exciting future. Good
of which there have been the investment by a number luck everyone, and thanks to you all
many in my long career. of them in new product for all the support you have given
Working at Dudley development. me. Please do the same for Amy.
Stationery in the Wholesalers,
late 80s and too, are going Phil Lawson, BOSS CHIEF EXECUTIVE
early 90s back to philip@bossfederation.co.uk

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