3 minute read
5 minutes with
by OPI
5 MINUTES WITH... Ewoud Bosch
What’s your life philosophy?
Live and let live.
Describe yourself in one sentence.
I’m an energetic, positive person who can be critical and stubborn, but always aims to work towards the greater good – both in business and my private life.
What phrase do you use the most?
Let’s make it happen.
What do you do in your spare time?
Skiing, hiking and biking depending on the time of year. And spending time with my family and friends – over a meal or a nice bottle of wine or beer.
Best way to spend the weekend?
Apart from any of the above, watching Formula 1 with my son or friends. Or, even better, join the F1 circus and go to a race – what an experience.
Early bird or night owl?
Most definitely not an early bird. Before 10 o’clock in the morning is not good for me. On the other hand, if there’s a party in the evening, I’ll be the last to leave.
Favourite place to travel?
I love the Austrian Alps. For me, the mountains are a place to be completely relaxed, any time of the year. And I like the lifestyle of ‘mountain people’.
What’s your worst character trait?
I can be impatient and sometimes too direct. But the rest is all positive!
Ewoud Bosch, edding
Best time of the year?
I have no favourite season and like the variety of them all. If winter is too long and cold, I really look forward to spring while after a hot summer, I crave autumn and the cooler season.
Favourite book?
Seven Summits. It’s written by two very successful businessmen, Dick Bass and Frank Wells, who took on the challenge of climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. The whole book is one big adventure – they never give up, have a total ‘let’s make it happen’ mindset, and find a solution to every obstacle they encounter. I thoroughly recommend it.
What music puts you in a good mood?
It depends on the setting. But as my favourite thing is a party, I’d go with après-ski or Oktoberfest-type music. It never fails to hit the spot.
Describe your current job.
As VP of International Sales at edding, I’m currently responsible for the B2B unit that comprises the office, industrial and education sectors. It’s one of six business units of the edding group.
If you weren’t doing your present job, what could be an interesting alternative?
I’m not really sure as I’ve spent my entire career in this industry. Maybe run a bed and breakfast place in Austria – that would appeal to me.
Your best piece of advice to someone who has just joined the OP industry?
It’s good to see new people coming into our sector – we need contemporary impulses and also young people. My advice to all of them is to think outside the box and not automatically follow old, well-trodden paths.
But be patient – learn how this industry is structured first, and then instigate new things.
If you could change just one thing about our sector, what would it be?
It’s linked to what I’ve just said: be open to bringing in new blood and be as diverse and inclusive as possible.
Some HR policies certainly need an overhaul and be comprehensively modernised.
What is the best way to stay motivated and complete any given goals?
Working with other motivated and energetic people always gives me a boost. Push the boundaries of what is possible, have a strong belief in your teams and always encourage them to try new things.
What most definitely isn’t helpful is to constantly be negative and highlight obstacles rather than potential solutions – it’s a really bad leadership style that I cannot bear.
Following continuing demand adjustments, industry consolidation and new working trends, this is an important “MUST ATTEND” event for business supplies companies from across all channels. Explore avenues to achieve profitable sales and position yourself for a more sustainable future
The OPI European Forum is designed to help you better understand and analyse the changes to our sector in the post-pandemic era. Practical takeaways will enable you to make informed strategic decisions to ensure your business continues to succeed
30 NOVEMBER - 2 DECEMBER 2022 LONDON, UK
