Women in Signs and Graphics and the BSGA discuss representation, confidence and careers ahead of the group’s second face-to-face event
The Sign Show saw Izabella Ivanovici, one of the founders of Women in Signs and Graphics, alongside BSGA managing director Linda Edwards and Carys Evans of Karis Copp Media in a lively podcast discussion hosted by Kathryn Ridout of Eye on Display. With the group’s second face-to-face event coming up on 14 October, the panel talks about why the industry needs more women, why people stay in jobs they’ve outgrown and what employers can do about it.
The BSGA formalised its partnership with the group in the latter part of last year, championing its work to members and non-members alike. Izabella credits that support, along with KC Media and the companies that have hosted its events, for the growth of a group that started in 2019.
The second Women in Signs and Graphics in-person event will take place at Very Displays, with a full day of networking and a branding masterclass from the hosts that covers personal branding as well as business. “The whole point of Women in Signs and Graphics is to promote and bring women from the industry together. But we also want them to leave with something they can implement in their work life and their personal life,” says Izabella.
Carys welcomes the focus on branding. “A lot of businesses in the print industry struggle with knowing exactly how to market and brand what they do, past just listing the products and services they offer,” she says.
Progress, with a way to go
From a recruitment perspective, the panel agrees they see more women entering the industry. “Not as many as I would like to see, and I know not as many as the industry would like to see,” Izabella adds. Carys points to BPIF figures showing women still make up only a third of the industry, though she notices more women at events than when she started seven years ago. Examining that visibility, Linda reminds the panel that women have worked in signs and graphics for decades, often in office, reception and accounts roles behind the scenes, and that recognising that history matters, as it is not the number of women working in the industry that matters so much as the nature of their roles.
Why people stay put
A recent LinkedIn post from Isabella asks why people stay in jobs they’ve outgrown. She believes confidence and financial security both play a part, with many preferring to hold on to the job they have.
Linda recognises the pull of the familiar, along with a fear of the unknown, and believes employers have a responsibility to show people a pathway. “Perhaps it’s not the employer you need to be stepping away from; it’s the role within your setting. What can we (as employers) do to best support you with that? You might just be having a bad day, a bad week or a bad month, but trust me, we’ve all been there. It doesn’t necessarily mean a bad job,” adds Linda.
Carys thinks the current economic climate encourages people to sit tight, and urges them to speak up for themselves. “Sometimes it needs you to bring that to your employer and ask if there are any other opportunities within the company,” she says. For those aged 18 to 35, she recommends The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards as a way to build new skills.
Back on the show floor, the panel agrees nothing beats meeting people in person, which is exactly what the October event to be held at 10.00am, Very Displays in Market Harborough, sets out to do. Only a few tickets remain, available through the Women in Signs and Graphics LinkedIn group and website.
Linda concludes, “Events like this are a huge opportunity to do a bit of traditional, old-school networking and relationship investing.”