The PacPrint Women in Print breakfast saw the women of the industry gathered to hear four prominent figures of the industry discuss diversity and the future of print, with the role of women in the industry.
Diversity was highlighted with two male speakers amongst the four on the panel, which included Matt Aitken, COO, IVE; Kelly Northwood, CEO, TSA limited; Erick Cordero, general manager, Growth at Media Super and Ange O’Dea, general manager and co-founder at Watermarx Graphics.
Susan Heaney, managing director of Heaney’s Performers in Print was the facilitator.
During the two hour event the panel discussed diversity, Northwood says, “We need focus on diversity because women are so rich in who we are as individuals. We need to show these blokes how it is done. I have three rules for my life: ignore stupidity, do what you say you will do and enjoy what you are doing,” she says.
O’Dea agreed with Northwood saying, “We need to consistently be innovative and explore, learn, educate and enjoy.”
Aitken added saying 20 per cent of IVE senior staff are women and 35 per cent of staff is female, and due to the company being publicly listed they have a diversity statement.
“How do we have an environment that nurtures confidence?” he says.
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Cordero discussed the impact of superannuation on women in print.
“For us it is about looking after our members as the pay gap issue out there and real. Women are tied to being the primary giver especially nowadays with the sandwich generation, which are older kids staying at home due to housing market,” he says.
“Women retire with 50 per cent less superannuation than men,” he adds.
Northwood also updated everyone on Two Sides Australia’s progress
“TSA is now focusing externally and we are going back to customers giving them tools. We want to encourage people to come back into sector. We need the government to realise we are the biggest manufacturer,” she says.
Aitken spoke about the PIAA and how the board has changed since last year.
“There is real diversity on PIAA board with large and small printers. We are now providing a much better experience for members,” he says.
Women in Print will be holding another breakfast series this August travelling to most states.
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