Print.IT Reseller - issue 88

01732 759725 50 AND FINALLY Steve Kendall-Smith, UK Managing Director, Lexmark 60 seconds with… What’s currently having the greatest impact on your business? The global chip shortage has been a particular issue that our industry, and many others, have had to deal with. We can now see light at the end of the tunnel, but it has been a challenging time for all manufacturers. Where do you see the next big opportunity? For Lexmark it’s IoT. We are taking the IoT platform that we built to run our successful managed print services business and repackaging it to sell externally. The Optra IoT Platform is targeted at makers of connected devices. They will be able to use our platform and offer managed services for the devices they manufacture and provide to customers, much like we have been doing for many years with printers for our MPS customers. What would make your day job easier? In relation to the recent challenges we have seen as a result of COVID-19 and supply chain issues – a resolution to the global chip shortage and a relief of supply chain congestion would certainly make my job easier. However, the Lexmark team has worked tirelessly to ensure our customers haven’t felt the effects of these challenges. What was your first job? Trainee salesman at Garrard, The Crown Jewellers. What would be your dream job? Given that I’m not going to represent QPR, play guitar with the Stones, or open the batting for England, I’m very happy with the one I have. Fine dining and good wine, or curry and a pint? Curry and a pint. However, I do love a long lunch in Langans! Favourite holiday destination? Adelaide, especially when there is an Ashes Test! How do you like to spend your spare time? Spending time with family and friends, whilst watching cricket and QPR. Cooking plays a big part too. Money’s not an issue, what’s your perfect car… and where would you like to drive it? Series 1 E-Type Jaguar… Great Ocean Road, Adelaide to Melbourne. What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given? Recruit well. Train hard. Fight easy. If you had had a crystal ball, would you have done anything differently? Nothing. What I did before got me here…and I’m very happy to be here! Describe your most embarrassing moment. As my many kids will confirm, I’m often embarrassing…but rarely embarrassed! Steve Kendall-Smith