On the TechVancouver stage ×1
First seen on the TechVancouver stage in 2017. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Cam ↗
In their words
I started in 2012 as the CFO, and within a week we had a challenge — we had declining revenues, declining quite rapidly, and we had major technology challenges to overcome.
The question was either do we ramp down our costs materially and just monetize this cash flow stream, or are we going to invest in the newer technology in hopes of winning new business.
One thing I have learned is culture can scale. If you set that direction and make sure the people you work closely with share those values, they can pass those values down through the org — it could be a differentiator for you in the market.
Around the web ×2
Quick answers
Who is Cam Lawrence?
A Vancouver finance and e-commerce executive. He was CFO and later CEO of PNI Digital Media, the white-label photo and print e-commerce platform Staples bought in 2014, and went on to be CFO of GNC and CEO of Newlab.
What did Cam Lawrence talk about at TechVancouver?
His April 2017 talk 'From Start Up to Scale' told the PNI story in emojis — declining revenue and an all-time-low share price in 2012, the bet on new technology, new customers like Samsung and Office Depot, and the 2014 sale to Staples.
What was PNI Digital Media?
A Vancouver company running the white-label e-commerce platform behind photo products and business printing for retailers including Staples, Costco and Tesco. Staples acquired it in 2014; it operates today as PNI Media.