Colemans Printing, an innovative, family-owned commercial printer in the Northern Territory of Australia, has diversified over the past few years into a marketing communications company. It now offers direct marketing services, exterior and interior design, billboards, digital creative services and much more.
The company's CEO, Magdaline Coleman, is a forward-thinking leader with expertise in corporate governance, workforce management, communications and marketing. She's a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and loves making a difference in the print industry.
Colemans has a "think it up and we'll print it up" attitude, she said, and team members are ready to handle jobs from conception to completion.
Dscoop connected with Magdaline to talk about Colemans' success, the impressive collaboration between the company's design and production teams, the dynamics of running a family business and the value of HP technology.
DSCOOP: Colemans Printing is a prime example of a company in our industry that continually aims to grow and advance. Can you talk about the importance of having an always-moving-forward mindset?
MAGDALINE: Wow, great question. I think Stephen Hawking said that "intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." Or was it Gal Gadot when she played Wonder Woman? Ha! Either way, one thing they both left out was the word "constant."
Being forward-thinking absolutely attracts positive change to organizations, and organizations with a forward-thinking approach often gain a competitive advantage. Which in theory is all fantastic, but being the first in anything can have its challenges, especially with logistics and climate considerations that have not been factored in previously.
The collaboration between our design and production teams is a testament to the power of a forward-thinking mindset. Our business has diversified from offset and digital into HP Latex R2000 printing and now HP Labels and ABG finishing.
We now have more creatives or designers than ever working for our production team
So, from two business divisions, we now have five divisions. And we now have more creatives or designers than ever working for our production team. By working closely together, these teams can quickly adapt to new trends and customer needs, ensuring that our printing solutions are not only cutting-edge but also highly practical and aligned with client expectations. This collaborative approach has led to the successful implementation of signage and labels printing technologies and techniques that are both innovative and highly functional. I think this demonstrates the importance of constantly moving with the curve in the printing industry.
DSCOOP: You and fellow business owner Tony Coleman are the third generation at the helm of Colemans. In your experience, what are a few “must-haves” for a family-run business to run smoothly?
MAGDALINE: Family-run businesses must have structure, professionalism and clear communications — there is not anything less. Business is business no matter what the sector or industry. The advantage is that family members who work in the business are always so passionate about the industry.
In our family, we typically exhibit strong commitment, dedication and a shared vision, which fosters a cohesive work environment and trust. This trust facilitates smoother decision-making and stronger collaboration with our greater team.
Family members often must work harder and faster and be more prepared than the average person who joins our business. So, i’s not always easy to join a family business, but in the end, it’s your family that will always stand by and support you, so the extra effort is worth it.
In our family, we typically exhibit strong commitment, dedication and a shared vision, which fosters a cohesive work environment and trust.
DSCOOP: How does HP technology fit into Colemans' capabilities and opportunities today?
MAGDALINE: It greatly fits into today’s formula. The two new HP machines in signage and labels and the systems that we purchased from HP Partners are all integral to our business story.
The strong sustainability, circular-economy focus and carbon-neutral ideals make our capabilities more attractive to our customers also. My first Dscoop event was in Singapore when we made our first digital purchase, and last year I attended the Edge St. Louis World Expo. There is some healthy competition between the excellent HP Graphic Experience Centers in Singapore and the US!
DSCOOP: Last question. What’s it like being a female print leader in remote Australia?
MAGDALINE: Being a business owner in print is both challenging and rewarding. It involves overcoming industry stereotypes, fostering innovation and leveraging unique perspectives to build strong customer relationships and drive business success.
If there are biases, then that’s on the other person, as being involved in this industry provides the opportunity to lead with creativity, resilience and a commitment to quality. I can help pave the way for future female leaders in the industry.
DSCOOP: Thanks for your time! It was a pleasure chatting with you.
MAGDALINE: Likewise! Thank you.
