Why I work in… Phil Birkhead from Oyster Managed Print Services

Why I work in… is a regular feature, kindly sponsored by Huddersfield-based recruitment firm Stafflex, where we ask people about their jobs and the industry they work in. This time it’s PHIL BIRKHEAD, director of Oyster in Milnsbridge.

Tell us a little about Oyster.

Oyster is a managed print service provider focused on sustainability, which means we provide printers and copiers, as well as support for printing and document management software. Finally, if it involves producing or processing documents, then we can help support you.

As hardware involves plastic, metal, paper and energy it is not usually a very sustainable industry, however at Oyster we have worked with our partners to ensure that what our customers print is reforested in schools, charities and UK projects.

What is your role and what does it entail?

Where should I begin!?

Driving growth through our internal and field sales teams, working with our partners to ensure we are constantly evolving our services, reviewing our internal processes to ensure we deliver the highest levels of customer service, mentoring our new beginners to allow them to grow within the business and my favorite part – getting out and meeting new and existing clients!

How long have you been working in this sector?

My entire career has been in this industry, so almost 22 years!

What’s the best career/business advice you’ve ever been given?

Be authentic and responsible. This was my father’s advice the day before I started my first job. He articulated it in a slightly different way, but the meaning was the same!

If you could describe your job in three words, what would they be?

Wow, that’s hard. Fast paced, fulfilling, diverse.

What do you like most about your job?

There are two aspects that I like the most:

1. I support my team to achieve their personal goals. I don’t think there is anything better than helping people develop and seeing them flourish.
2. When a new client puts their trust in you to deliver a project and we get the feedback after. I know I’m biased, but we do a great job and the thank you emails/referrals we get really make us feel great.

What word would your colleagues use to describe you?

Approachable. (We asked the team and this was their answer!)

How do you relax away from work?

I have two small children so I don’t think I know how to relax!

My weeks consist of coaching grassroots football, watching my kids play cricket, dancing, swimming… and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Although…maybe a few more rounds of golf might help me relax a bit!

If anyone is reading this and wants to work for Oyster, what should they do?

Very simple, contact me through the Oyster website or find me on LinkedIn.

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