It seems to me that yesterday’s business ethics are undermined by those who seek to buy business at any price, often forgetting the reasons and history of how we ended up where we are. I wonder if short-termism is now the only factor that drives the larger office supply companies in our industry. It’s all smiles and backslapping when a newer, more sexy account comes across the line. It’s rare that recognition is made to the longer standing clients who are actually bucking the trend and driving sales onwards and upwards.

I also look constantly at the ‘changes’ going on in our industry and wonder if this is what the Power players really want. They are under no illusions that change is inevitable, but wouldn’t it be nice if they were keener to develop and drive their loyal supporters than simply hand over the crown jewels to new customers. And sometimes customers that don’t always have the same ethics and positive interests at heart.

At the end of the day we’re all here to make money, I get that, but maybe it’s not purely sentimentality to wish that people and relationships mattered and that partnerships meant that and not smoke and mirrors.