Jon Thompson, Business Development Manager
Introduction
Jon Thompson
Jon Thompson, Ottimo Digital's business development manager, has an infectious enthusiasm for the weight, feel and lustre of high-quality print - demonstrated by the success of his Ottimo Digital Eco Swatches. Jon loves a good swatch or sample book, and he knows that when customers get to examine and handle the materials in front of them, the possibilities start unfolding and ideas start flowing. Sharing the tactile delights of print with customers is just one part of his role.
What's your background in print?
I was an account manager at a leading international supplier for the print and graphics industry, and originally Ottimo Digital was one of my clients! I'm very much a people person, I always want to develop a rapport with my customers, and never hesitate to meet in person whenever possible. Over the years of managing the account I got to know the Ottimo team, and Nick and Lee in particular. We'd meet often: I'd be keeping them updated on the latest developments in our product line or they might be asking my advice on a particular substrate for a certain project they were doing. We got on well, had shared interests, and they were great customers.
What brought you to Ottimo Digital?
Nick and Lee let me know that there would be a role for me at Ottimo if I ever wanted a change. There was no pressure or expectation, they simply let me know the door was open. After working with them as customers, I had a great deal of respect for how they had built Ottimo Digital as a people-first organisation, and I think that's a major factor in the success of the business. After a while, the time came to move my career on. I contacted Nick and Lee in the first instance, and the rest is history!
What is your role at Ottimo Digital?
As business development manager, it's my job to find new business, look after new enquiries and manage our existing accounts. As I said before, I'm happiest meeting face to face, so I really haven't enjoyed all the Zoom meetings of late. I always look forward to meeting clients, getting under the skin of exactly what they want from their print, and working out how we can realise their ambitions. I like to meet clients on-site early in a project too, as it's easier to visualise the finished project in place, and that's when you spot opportunities to get creative or see those pitfalls that aren't so obvious on the plans and drawings.
We frequently discuss client projects amongst ourselves as colleagues - it really helps to bounce ideas off one another, and to get a different perspective on a problem or tricky brief. There's so much knowledge under one roof at Ottimo that we can get a real breadth of informed opinion when we need it. I like to bring new business into the company through personal contacts, networks and recommendations, which is why building relationships is so important.
Why do your clients choose Ottimo?
All sorts of reasons! We do have a loyal band of local business clients, who treasure our fast turnaround times and capacity for straightforward digital print jobs, other clients come to us because we are simply the nearest firm that can output and finish 5m print, and end up staying because we're fast, brilliant and knowledgeable! But I think my clients choose Ottimo Digital because they know us well, and they trust us to look after their brands and campaigns as if they were our own.