Natalie Sweis, the Regional Marketing Manager for META Region at OKI Europe, speaks about what made her chose the print industry as her career choice
Tell us about your leadership style and philosophy.
I’m great at delegating and finding the strengths of other team members. I facilitate open communication and I try to give each person a chance to do what they’re best at and create a team effort that delivers a result that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
What made you choose Printing and Graphics Industry as a career opportunity?
The Printing Industry is the fifth largest of the global manufacturing Industries, although in this digital world, you can read an ebook on your phone, but look around you, Print is more than just communication, the packaging of that phone is printed, the billboards by the road, or even the label on your favorite frozen pizza.
The print industry is fundamental to daily life, and necessary for every other industry to conduct business and reach consumers, and it will continue to grow more and more but with a different perception to adapt to the technology revolution.
How has your unique background prepared you for success in the industry?
My relevant experience across the Middle East, gave me a good understanding of the region, along with my background in PR and communication and my involvement in printing may have helped me to climb the ladder in OKI.
What was your most interesting job?
I think the most interesting about any jobs is the variety of work, and I find this in OKI. I tend to work on many aspects of OKI, which means my days are varied, I get involved in PR, communication, digital marketing, products, pricing, market analysis, and so on.
And I have been able to work on my technical knowledge due to the wide range of products that OKI offers. I have learnt that the variety of work means there are always new things to learn which makes it interesting.
What advice would you give to women looking to break into the field of print and related industry?
The printing industry is a major tool and is viewed as a bellwether of trends in the economy as a whole. This has always was the case from writing on the stone up to the present day technology. There will always be history, change and the future.
If you feel you are the right person, with the passion and skills to forge the way ahead in the world of change, then go ahead.
What is the greatest transformation in the printing that you’ve witnessed in your career?
Evolution for digital printing, a revelation for design, OKI’s breakthrough printer innovation removed the last barrier to creativity and design – through printing in any colour you desire, including white on dark media, simply and cost-effectively.
What are your thoughts on the next transformation in the print and graphics industry?
The Print Industry is undergoing fundamental changes in every aspect , the future transformation is printing packaging labels in-house, OKI to launch a 5 colors label printers, where packaging industries will be able to do the Printing in-house and it will give the flexibility to match their print quantity to their immediate demand, to reduces the need to maintain stocks of multiple layouts by utilising blank label media only.
Are you involved in any sort of volunteer work? Can you give us some details?
Yes I volunteer in eradicating hunger organisations, through distributing packages for people in need, it makes me get closer to the community, and the people, so I can say I changed something in the world.
What’s next for you in terms of your career in the printing industry?
I consider myself ambitious, but I’m also practical. As long as I am continuing to learn and grow within my company, I’ll be happy, on the other hand, I’m pretty confident that working for OKI will keep me motivated and mentally stimulated for several years to come.
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