Page 13 - BOSS Today Issue 40

NEWS BOSS Today #40

Graham Chapman MBE receives a
cheque to the BOSS Charity for
£1,000 from The Society Of Old
Friends representative John Logan

market was declining at a steady Matt Stanley (Accounts Director, Coast Simon Drakeford, CEO of EO Group,
3-5% worldwide, he explained, survey To Coast Direct), Paul Simpson (Sales whose talk was entitled “Industry In
respondents had in general been able Manager, Renz UK), Katie Metcalfe Transformation”. At his iconoclastic
to outperform the market, mainly (Marketing Director, Office Friendly) best, Drakeford covered a lot of
by diversifying into new products and Emily Jones (National Accounts ground: current and future changes in
and services. Showing the product Manager, Fellowes UK). Taking channels; price instability; the state
categories that were most widely questions from the floor, the panel of the wholesale channel; Amazon
seen as both declining and growing, offered their insights into a variety Business; dealer groups; mergers and
Wilde pointed out that such was the of topics, including:“What would acquisitions. What, he asked, are the
optimism remaining in the industry you change about the industry if you characteristics of the winners in such
worldwide that intentions to acquire could?” (Answer: remove the obsession a changing environment? The answer:
other businesses were – if anything – with lower pricing; do what Amazon flexibility, knowledge, scalability, focus
expanding, particularly into non-core can’t do; improve the participation and efficiency.
product and service areas. Another of women at leadership level) and “Is Above all, it was outgoing BOSS
example, of course, of businesses social media still an integral part of President Geoff Betts who neatly
looking to stand together in tough what we should be doing?” (Answer: summed it up at the end of the day in
times. yes, of course, but it is a vital full time his valedictory speech: in turbulent
A panel discussion followed, chaired job that needs a skilled person, not a times we have to stay together, and
by Steve Bilton, MD of Fusion Plus, school leaver!). being part of the BOSS family is a great
and comprising BOSS Young Leaders The final speaker of the day was place to start.

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