More than sixty women attended PacPrint Heidelberg Women in Print breakfast on 22 May - in an impressive turn out for the early morning event on the second day of the trade show.
After swimming in buckets of coffee, and nibbling on yoghurt and fruit, the Heidelberg Women in Print attendees moved into the auditorium to hear the panel of speakers discuss a range of topics from how to manage change, to the need for women to support each other more in the workplace.
Joan Grace (pictured), general manager - Employment, Education and Training PIAA was the MC, a role she handled beautifully. On the panel were Susan Heaney (pictured), president of PIAA, and also managing director of Heaney’s Printing in Queensland; Catherine Doggett national marketing manager at K.W. Doggett Fine Paper; Jacqueline Flint senior marketing consultant Telstra Super; and Leigh Russell a coach and mentor who has worked with the AFL and other sporting groups.
After listening to some sobering statistics on the printing industry quoted by Susan Heaney from a 2006 report – 46 per cent reduction in capital expenditure, 34 per cent drop in utilisation of equipment, 25 per cent drop in sales and 11.8 per cent drop in the number of people employed by the industry – the panel got down to discussing how we can deal with these shifts.
- Sisters in print - Susan Heaney (L) and Joan Grace (R).
There has been sense that print is being affected by the digital revolution more than others so it was heartening for the women gathered this morning to hear that print is only one of many industries in flux. And that change should be viewed as an opportunity and challenge rather than a death sentence.
Leigh Russell, who has carved a career for herself as a coach and mentor in a male dominated industry – professional football – shared strategies for moving past the fear associated with change and the uncertainty that brings. Stay focused, invest in your people, identify who in your organisation can drive change, know what your stakeholders want from you, and come to the table with ideas.
On the topic of “is print dead?” Jacqueline Flint said print still played a part in the marketing strategies for Telstra Super, and print companies would do well to come to the table with creative ideas to help their customers meet their marketing objectives.
“ROI is a big driver for us. Our suppliers need to be proactive and come to us with ideas too. Print is a hugely significant element of what we do. If we’ve got a dry topic we look at innovative ways to communicate that message and creative print options are part of that.”
In wrapping up the panel discussion, each woman was asked what she hoped the “take out” would be for those attending.
Catherine Doggett: “Confidence is key. Growth comes from taking a risk and having belief in yourself”.
Leigh Russell: “Invest in your own success. Professional development is critical. Take control of your career direction”.
Susan Heaney: “Women are often isolated. And we don’t support each other enough in business. Look at those you are surrounded by, get rid of the negative influences, and find women who can contribute and support you”.
Jacqueline Flint: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and speak up. Search for knowledge and don’t let fear dominate you. Embrace change, be open, but be strategic and ask if what you are doing is right for you”.