50 AND FINALLY Andrew Ellis, , Sales and Marketing Director, PCL Direct Group 60 seconds with… What’s currently having the greatest impact on your business? I would say the major contraction in the copier/print industry during the past 12 months, due to change of working environments and practices, increased economic restraints and global challenges. This has meant we have had to look at new ways to maintain and grow our revenue. Where do you see the next big opportunity? We have seen a huge migration of dealers moving from long-standing OEM partnerships and relationships and shifting allegiance to other OEM brands. PCL Direct has always been recognised as one of the largest remanufacturers of Konica Minolta consumables products in the UK and Europe, so we must follow our customers and their business demands. In Q1 2024 we will be launching a range of Canon and Ricoh remanufactured products, which will automatically give PCL Direct a huge opportunity for organic growth in 2024. What would make your day job easier? Having a PA to help manage my life! What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given? Treat all people with respect, and as you would want to be treated, as you never know who you might bump into in the future. If you had had a crystal ball, would you have done anything differently? I would have purchased two years’ worth of stock in 2021, although we could have sold it in six months! What was your first job? A lifeguard. What would be your dream job? Marine Biologist. Fine dining and good wine, or curry and a pint? Fine dining and good wine. Favourite holiday destination. The Maldives. How do you like to spend your spare time? Watching my sons play football, fly fishing, and going to the gym. Money’s not an issue, what’s your perfect car… and where would you like to drive it? Without question, a Lamborghini Urus in the Swiss Alps. https://www.pcl-direct.com Andrew Ellis Describe your most embarrassing moment. Actually, I was asked the same question during my first sales job interview back in 1997, and I am pretty sure this answer helped me get the job. When I was 17, I worked as a lifeguard and gym instructor. During one lifeguarding shift, I was flirting with a girl in the pool, as you do at 17! Whilst walking around the pool, swinging my whistle, trying to look cool, I lost my footing and fell directly into the pool. Whilst I was underwater, I could hear that the whole pool area was in hysterics, so I tried to stay underwater for as long as I could. Funnily enough, I ended up dating the girl for three years, she must have taken pity on me!
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