60 Minutes With Tim Crabtree

Tim Crabtree is managing director of Abbotts Office Supplies who joined the Office Power partnership in December 2014. Just weeks later and the company is already experiencing a leaner, more profitable outlook. Tim shares some very wise words on why other dealers should embrace change.

When Arthur Abbott launched Abbotts nearly 100 years ago he said that offices would always need pencils and paper. He was right.

Technology – and the Internet in particular – has revolutionised how we do business in this industry. Make the most of it and it will help you to drive down costs and increase efficiencies.

Although I believe there is always a place for face to face and personal relationships, I also think dealers ignore multichannel at their peril. We launched a new website a few weeks ago, and the customer feedback we’re getting is fantastic.

Embrace change don’t fear it. If businesses don’t develop they will die. To not only stay in business but also prosper, it’s critical to be as lean as possible. That’s where Office Power can help.

Focus on what you are good at. We are good at creating and maintaining customer relationships. We are not technology experts or warehouse managers. Since partnering with Office Power, we are no longer a Jack-of-all-trades; we are master of one – sales.

Do everything you can to retain your brand identity. It’s your name that your customers know and trust, no one else’s.

If you’re worried about losing control of ‘the last mile’, don’t. More often than not the person placing the order with you is not the person who greets your driver. In recent years, with the increase in online shopping, people are much more used to receiving goods by courier anyway, so the power of ‘the last mile’ is diminishing.