Entrepreneurship was the focus for a speech given by John Watson in Edinburgh to The Saltire Foundation.
Around 250 guests heard John speak of the importance of entrepreneurship to Scotland and the need to encourage young people in particular to take the plunge in business.
The Balmoral Hotel hosted the largest ever annual dinner held by the renowned business charity.
John provided an insight into his five decades in the printing industry saying that printing had undergone rapid change at a “ferocious pace.”
He set out some advice which he has found useful in his long career in business.
John said: “Firstly, be HUGELY-FOCUSED in what you are doing. Believe in yourself and those around you. Go into business with people you like but not your best friends. Operate like a commando unit. Fit. Agile. Quick. Dynamic and above all up for the fight. Be fleet of foot. Get used to the loneliness of being an entrepreneur! . Believe in yourself.
“Play hard but ALWAYS give something back. In my own case it is in charitable work, notably Marie Curie which also has a Hospice in Glasgow and whose work I admire immensely. Along with others, we raised £16.1 million to create a new hospice and provided all the printing free of charge. And most important of all always see your customer as King.”