5 MINUTES WITH...
Jeanette Bresitz
CAREER Q&A Describe your current job. I recently joined as Managing Director of UK dealer group Office Friendly.
What’s your life philosophy? Treat everyone with respect and show kindness. Best compliment you’ve ever received? That I look younger in person than in my picture. What words do you use the most? “Thank you” and “brilliant”. Best way to spend the weekend? Friday: takeaway and a movie. Saturday: an outdoorsy, fun activity followed by beers and music. Sunday: Chilled day with a homemade roast dinner. Early bird or night owl? Early bird. Where would you most like to visit and why? I’m lucky in that I have travelled quite a lot already, but firmly on my list are Chicago and the Great Lakes. The city is for the music scene, while the Lakes are all about the great outdoors. What’s your guilty pleasure? Maltesers eaten from an old school, rectangular box. What is humankind’s greatest invention? IVF. Your childhood ambitions? To run a post office – I’ve always loved stationery and office products. I was also absolutely fascinated by the Argos catalogue. Make of that what you will! Your favourite musician? Equally split between singer-songwriter Frank Turner and indie band Ocean Colour Scene. I love live music and it’s great to have it back in our lives again. Our first proper gig after lockdown was Sheffield band The Sherlocks. Who is your biggest inspiration? My Mum. She fought hard as a single mum to give me the very best start in life.
www.opi.net
What skill would you like to master? Learning a language, Spanish in particular.
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Jeanette Bresitz, Office Friendly
Favourite book? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – it’s magical. I must have read it six or seven times over the years. What song always puts you in a good mood? Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations, although the lyrics are a bit sad. What irrational fear do you have? Edges. I’m terrified of edges on train platforms, swimming pools, roads with a drop off, etc. I get hot sweats and heart palpitations. What subjects should be taught in schools, but aren’t? Real-life maths and finance, Excel wizardry and how to network.
Best moment in your career so far? There hasn’t been one specific moment, but many occasions when someone has believed in me and given me the chance to progress. Several people have helped plot my journey from answering phones at Viking Direct to leading a dealer group in an industry I’m passionate about. Your best piece of advice to someone who has just joined the OP industry? Keep your eyes wide open – there are so many opportunities at every turn. If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? Encourage more female managers and leaders to join us. What is the best way to stay motivated and complete goals? I break down tasks and projects into smaller chunks. There’s a great level of satisfaction in getting closer to completion by ticking off stages throughout.
Your favourite office product? The iconic BIC Orange Original pen – black or green ink, I don’t mind.
