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My Job in 5: Fraser Tanner

Fraser Tanner is the MD of Batch Ltd. and is at the helm of this week's My Job in 5 and tells us about his new American venture, Batch for Books.
Written on 01/30/2020 - 10:05

My Job in 5 – Fraser Tanner, Managing Director of Batch Ltd.

1.            Describe your role.

Much of my role is spent managing Batch UK and our new American venture Batch for Books. I am also on a further 8 industry Boards and committees, so a lot of my time is taken up with reading papers and attending meetings. Batch is very much a people business and I speak regularly to booksellers and their suppliers as well as our team of developers and technical systems people. In today’s world business never sleeps and Batch runs 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 

2.            What do you like best about your role?

I enjoy the challenges of a fast-moving business. So much has changed in the way that technology can be used and applied to the book trade. 

3.            Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

We are launching Batch for Books in America in January which is very exciting. We already work with booksellers in 78 countries around the world, but this will be a very big project. Dealing with the US regulators, banking and lawyers has been interesting. We have built links to integrate with Xero and Quickbooks accounting systems.  Lastly, we are also building the next stage of developments to the Batch app. 

4.            What skills do you need for your role?

Sales, accountancy, technical knowledge, governance, management and never thinking that you cannot improve. Listening to people to identify how technology can be used to find practical solutions to their problems. We are responsible for business and time critical information, moving payments between booksellers and their suppliers so you need to be numerate, and grasp technical issues.

5.            What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

The book trade is a wonderful industry with lots of interesting people and being able to engage and work with them is essential. You need to have a flexible attitude, absorb new ideas, and have an inquisitive mind. Work hard and smart and you will find it is a wonderful place to be.