Warren Colby - Managing Director, Agilico Workplace Technologies
What did you set out to achieve this year?
There were a number of objectives this year, with the most important project being the launch of the Agilico Zero range, our first no/low carbon emission range of Multifunctional devices which will replace the need for our clients to purchase brand new machines and reduce their carbon consumption.
Has everything gone according to plan?
Better than expected. I anticipated a little bit of resistance if truth be known, but our employees have really engaged with our green agenda by embracing the sales of carbon avoiding devices. I think the high quality of the devices we refurbish has played its part as it is almost impossible to tell the difference between refurbished and new.
What are you most proud of this year?
Our employees. It has been a hard year for everyone, both financially with the cost of living and economically with the uncertainty of the government, but we stuck to our plan to change and disrupt the industry. We will offer clients a choice; new or refurbished, or a mixture of the two. Our proposition will provide clients with a choice of products which are better for the planet, and their pocket. Without our dedicated employees, who have also evolved, our journey would not have been possible. Agilico moves at pace to get things achieved, and this demonstrates our Agility to become the leading workplace technology provider.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received this year?
Stick to what you know best, and master what you do! I think you sometimes think that you should be doing something else, it might look more interesting or potentially provide a greater return, but in truth, if we all work harder and smarter at what we know best we can find new ways of working to deliver a better service and productÂ…and Agilico Zero was born!
What has been the most enjoyable business event you’ve been to this year?
Our annual sales conference held in Edinburgh was memorable. We held the daytime event at the renowned Edinburgh International Conference Centre which was a great venue to deliver our messaging, and this was followed by dinner in Edinburgh Castle, which was such a treat for everyone! I mean, who gets to have dinner in Edinburgh Castle!
What have you learnt about yourself this year?
That I am more resilient and patient than I thought I was! There is always a challenge in business, and that is part of the job I enjoy, but even I like to have a rest at times! It seems that this year has been more challenging than most for a number of reasons, but you need to weigh those times up with the rewarding times, like seeing new initiatives take off and business being won off the back of them.
I have also learnt that I like my own bed, and given that my role is now national, it means I stay in hotels more often than I would like, but I do get to spend time in some wonderful cities and more importantly get to spend some quality time with our people in person, rather than over Teams.
As we end of the year, we move forward with a new government, and a new Budget, which brings greater challenges with increased costs for businesses being a real hurdle, but like most challenges, we will continue to evolve and find ways to overcome them.
Describe 2024 in three words…
Re-use, Perfect, Repeat!
What are your aims for 2025?
2025 is our platform to grow the business by providing clients with even more choice from our workplace technology portfolio.
Agilico Zero will help us penetrate many new market sectors and clients with our sustainably lead proposition. Further growth areas will come from our Telecoms & Automated Invoice Processing software platforms as clients look to work more effectively and efficiently, with many businesses looking to focus on reducing costs and improving efficiencies following the Budget announcement to increase Employee NI contributions and the national minimum wage.
Any New Year Resolutions?
The same as every year, drink less, work less and exercise more. I will settle for two out of three though.
www.agilico.co.uk