What makes an industry trailblazer? It’s not always innovation

In an industry driven by technological advancement, it’s easy to associate innovation with the latest equipment, materials or groundbreaking inventions. But some of the most meaningful changes in printing and packaging come from people who simply find better ways of doing things.

That’s one of the central messages from four judges of the Future Trailblazer Awards, part of Packaging Innovations & Empack, who recently shared their perspectives on what separates an exceptional employee from someone capable of influencing the industry’s future.

For Jude Allan, managing director of OPRL (On-Pack Recycling Label), the defining qualities aren’t necessarily technical expertise or years of experience.

“Interest, enthusiasm, drive, storytelling!” she says.

Allan believes a trailblazer doesn’t necessarily need to invent something. Sometimes, the greatest contribution comes from examining an established process with fresh eyes.

“A future trailblazer can be someone who comes into an existing process but also looks at it afresh and transforms it in a way that keeps the purpose but transforms the activities to make it more efficient and effective.”

It’s a perspective that resonates throughout the label and packaging industries, where converters continually look for ways to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, streamline workflows and make better use of existing technologies.

An employee who identifies a recurring pressroom problem and develops a practical solution may be demonstrating the same innovative thinking as someone introducing an entirely new technology.

Potential Over Experience

Recognizing emerging talent also requires looking beyond an individual’s current accomplishments.

“At the beginning of someone’s career we are not looking for them to have all of the skills that they will need,” Allan explains. “We are looking for someone who is curious and articulate and who wants to understand and be involved in making things happen.”

Jo Stephenson, managing director of Think B2B Marketing, agrees that performance alone doesn’t necessarily distinguish a future industry leader.

“Genuine trailblazers have more than excellent performance – they seek out challenges to solve, have a natural curiosity and are absolutely focused on learning.”

For Stephenson, the difference is evident in how people approach challenges. Rather than accepting established procedures without question, they look for opportunities to improve them.

“It’s not maverick behaviour but a genuine need to improve things around them.”

Fiona Dobson, lead packaging and print manager at Asda Brand, emphasizes the importance of making an impact beyond one’s immediate responsibilities.

“Trailblazers spot opportunities, influence change beyond their immediate role, and leave a lasting impact on their team, function, or business.”

That influence often depends on communication skills. Technical knowledge alone may not be enough to turn a promising idea into a successful improvement.

As Stephenson observes, even highly skilled professionals can struggle to implement change if they cannot communicate their ideas effectively and bring colleagues along with them.

Adapting to an Industry in Transition

The ability to navigate uncertainty is another characteristic the judges believe will become increasingly important.

For Peter Macqueen, who works in packaging education and apprenticeships at Sheffield Hallam University, tomorrow’s industry leaders must be comfortable operating in an environment where technology, regulations and market expectations continue to evolve.

“We are working in an era of shifting sands, moving goalposts and every other cliché for change that you can imagine.”

Rather than simply possessing the right answers, successful professionals must know how to evaluate changing circumstances and make informed decisions.

“Being able to scan the horizon, and make choices informed by data and factual, measurable evidence is going to be more crucial than ever,” Macqueen says.

It’s particularly relevant as label and packaging converters confront changing sustainability requirements, greater automation, increasingly complex production workflows and new customer expectations.

Dobson also points to the growing importance of sustainability, materials science and regulatory knowledge.

“The most successful professionals will be curious, adaptable and they won’t just respond to change, they will lead it!”

The Talent May Already Be There

While workforce development discussions often concentrate on recruiting graduates and attracting younger employees, Macqueen believes companies sometimes overlook experienced people already within their organizations.

“We often think of talent spotting in the context of recruiting new graduates or fresh prospects – but many organisations have the right person already there – just maybe not in the role that can make the biggest impact.”

Through his work with packaging apprenticeships, Macqueen has seen established professionals transition into new roles and make significant contributions.

It’s a reminder that emerging talent isn’t necessarily synonymous with young talent.

For printing and converting companies, that could mean recognizing an experienced press operator with an aptitude for automation, a production employee with strong problem-solving abilities or someone whose understanding of manufacturing could translate into a technical leadership position.

The challenge is identifying that potential and providing opportunities to develop it.

Recognizing the Difference People Make

Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles to recognizing emerging leaders is that they don’t always recognize their own contributions.

Asked what exceptional professionals routinely underestimate about their work, Allan offers a straightforward answer:

“The difference that they are making!”

She believes recognizing and sharing those achievements can help individuals build confidence while encouraging others to consider careers in packaging.

“Tell their stories to make them feel seen and valued and to attract others to an industry that cares about its people.”

Dobson sees another challenge: many people still enter packaging careers almost by accident, without having previously considered the industry’s opportunities.

Greater visibility for emerging professionals, she argues, can help demonstrate the range of careers available and attract new talent.

Ultimately, the Future Trailblazer Awards are about more than recognizing individual accomplishments. The judges’ observations highlight a broader responsibility for companies throughout printing and packaging: creating environments where curiosity is encouraged, improvements are recognized and employees have opportunities to grow.

Not every trailblazer will develop a revolutionary technology or introduce an entirely new production process.

Some may simply ask why something has always been done a certain way – and then find a better way to do it.

And those contributions can be every bit as important to the industry’s future.

Based on insights shared by judges of the Future Trailblazer Awards, part of Packaging Innovations & Empack.