Have you ever wondered what the people behind Paperblanks get up to every day? Did you ever look at a Paperblanks design and wonder, “Hmm, how would this look on my desk?” Well, in this new exclusive blog series, we are diving headfirst into uncovering what our staff have on their desks.
This week we’re heading over to Operations, the well-oiled machine that keeps everything moving behind the scenes. We caught up with Inès, our lovely Sales Executive for the French-speaking markets, covering Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and all the overseas French departments. Inès joined the company in 2023 and has become an expert in all things Paperblanks. As well as looking after our French-speaking clients, she’s also stepped into the role of chief party planner, and she’s the one behind this year’s upcoming summer party.
When I asked Inès what her day-to-day looks like, she was quick to point out that she couldn’t do it without her other half, Clarisse. Together, they handle all kinds of requests from French-speaking reps and customers around the world. No two days are the same: one day it’s catalogues, the next it’s website tweaks and order requests.
Along with all that, they also work closely with our German and French warehouses at Hachette to keep stock and distribution running smoothly. They make sure our journals get to where they need to be. Inès also regularly teams up with Sales and Marketing to help keep our French-speaking partners well looked after.
Exploring Inès’ desk, she keeps a collection of Paperblanks products on hand to get through her busy days. At the heart of it all is her Inferno Ultra journal, which she uses as her go-to guide for everything related to the French market. She jots down key information from meetings and emails. She keeps it all in one place, so nothing gets lost in translation (literally!).
She also swears by her Poetry in Bloom Mini planner. It helps her stay on top of weekly tasks and track what she’s already ticked off. Plus, the elegant green cover makes it the perfect mix of pretty and practical. Inès also keeps the very first notebook she received when she started at the company: a Paper-Oh Circulo in Grey on Black. It’s an old classic and far too sentimental to part with!
Other essentials Inès can’t live without are her pink headphones that are for getting in the zone with some music, a headband gifted by her sisters that sits sweetly on her desk, and, of course, a stash of cookies. Because who doesn’t need a little sweet treat now and then?
But there are a few items on Inès’ desk that are extra special: one is a handcrafted pen made from a pinecone. Ines told us, “It was picked up from the forest I grew up next to in France and made by two very dear friends, so I always keep it with me.” She also keeps a cherished Polaroid taken at last year’s Christmas party as it features the French team who she works closely with and reminds her of the good times.
From Inferno journals to party Polaroids, we loved getting a glimpse into Inès’ daily desk and all the little things that help her get through the workday. Next week, we’re heading over to New Product Development, where Peixia shows us the products she can’t live without.
