Company: MSP Photography Pty Ltd, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
Company Description: MSP Photography is Australia's largest provider of School Photography services photographing and supplying School Photo products for around 1.4 million students annually. Founded in December 1991, MSP has 60 staff in our production facility in Wagga Wagga NSW Australia and services 24 local franchised school photography businesses. MSP is know for its exceptional service and quality product.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Woman of the Year - Industry
 Nomination Title: Sue Davies, COO
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2020 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 194 words used.
Sue has held an executive position at MSP Photography’s print facility for 11 years. Sue, as the Chief Operating Officer (COO), runs the state-of-the-art printing facility for Australia’s largest school photography provider employing 65 staff and producing school photo products and yearbooks for 1.4 million school-aged children nationally (35% of the market). Sue manages all facets of the business including production, quality, supply chain, human resources, recruitment, training, workplace health and safety, compliance, finance, maintenance, delivery, innovative new products, technology, improvements in efficiency and the expectations of 25 franchise businesses across the nation. Before being appointed as COO, Sue held the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at MSP Photography. Sue’s responsibilities included the planning, implementation, managing and running of all the finance and human resource activities of the group. This included business planning, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, financial reporting, asset management, and human resources. Sue was instrumental in building an accounting and finance function tailored to our business and then assisting the integration into our other systems for an end-to-end production workflow. Sue has overcome the challenges of COVID and delivered high-quality products within extremely short timeframes ensuring families received their cherished photos.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 34 words used.
The Print Industry is a vastly male dominated industry. Sue’s achievements were recently acknowledged when she was awarded the prestigious Exceptional Women in Print Award at the 2022 National Print Awards, held in Melbourne.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
In early 2020, after the resignation of the CEO, Sue took on the responsibility to run the photo production facility.The new CEO and directors resided in Melbourne, Australia and due to Government restrictions on COVID had been locked down for many months.
In 2020 and 2021 students were in and out of lockdowns making it difficult to conduct school photos.With this disruption came many challenges. Sue worked tirelessly to understand the ever-changing state of the COVID situation, including government employment incentives, changes in the production cycle, changes to workplace health and safety, pressures on the supply chain and staff engagement during uncertain times. The understanding Sue gained during this time enabled her to plan for a successful business outcome.
As Australian schools returned to school-based learning the school photography industry started to rebound. Sue, now the COO, had anticipated a large reaction in the market and advised the Board of Directors to invest additional capital. The basis of Sue’s business proposal was that a year’s supply of school photography would be pushed into a matter of months and the facility would exceed production capacity. This would have a material effect on revenue, timely delivery to customers and the high level of quality that MSP is known for.Sue worked on simplifying processes, increasing production capacity, ensuring supply chain, upskilling, and keeping staff engaged in their roles.The investment in capital and people paid off with the largest production year recorded in the 30 years of the business.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 194 words used.
2021 and 2022 has presented different COVID-related challenges, particularly around the supply chain.In February 2022 we were advised by our supplier of Professional Photographic Paper (for 30 years) that they are no longer supplying Australasia. MSP Photography has its peak school photography production from late February to June each year, with 75% of all products produced in this period. Not being able to supply to our customers for months would have a disastrous effect on the business including loss of revenue, brand reputation, contracts, and confidence from our franchisees.
Sue, determined to find an equitable solution and to drive business performance learnt the minutiae of a complex global supply chain, sea freight issues, shortage of raw materials, and extended lead times to production. Initially, Sue imported photo paper and then through her fortitude and leadership forged a new alliance supplying photographic paper to the Australian market.Not only did MSP produce its photographic products on time, but we also achieved exceptional quality and the highest customer satisfaction score ever recorded. The Australian Photographic Industry has benefitted from Sue’s new supplier alliance as other photographic labs now receive photographic paper supply and negotiated pricing.
| Attachments/Videos/Links: |
|---|
|
