Marc Waters, HPE

How do you typically start a working day?

My alarm goes off around 5am and after at least two snoozes I am up. Most days I do a 25-minute high-intensity workout courtesy of Joe Wicks ‘The Bodycoach'. Shreddies and fruit toast at home is my breakfast of choice. I am then typically in the office for a 7am catch-up and coffee with my assistant.

How long is your commute, and what do you do during it?

I live in Balham and my typical commute is about 30 minutes on the Northern Line into the City. I check my overnight emails first thing and then catch up with news and football in the Metro. The free magazines in London are really good and I have my favourites for the tube. I enjoy the London lifestyle so find Time Out a great read. And as my team will tell you I'm really into fashion so both ShortList and Stylist magazines are must-reads for me.

What is your company's attitude to flexible working?

I'm pretty relaxed on it and am proud of the flexibility Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers our employees. My preference though is definitely when people are in the office. It creates energy and the collaborative conversations that happen are so valuable.

What would your colleagues say is your worst habit?

Tapping and clicking my pen when I get impatient that a discussion is not moving fast enough. After all, the future belongs to the fast.

If there was one thing you could change about your business, what would it be?

Perceptions. We have moved so fast to change that not enough people understand who we are and the value we bring to our customers. The culture of HPE in the UK&I is dynamic and lively, we compete hard and have fun. But an uneducated perception of us can be different.

How do you unwind at the end of the day?

It's good to spend quality time with the people that matter the most. I also love to cook up a storm in the kitchen from my classic green chilli pasta to my winning grilled seabass special. And I couldn't possibly comment on the rumours that I have been glued to Love Island all summer.

Where do you sit in the office?

A different seat every day. I like to mix it up. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard are credited with the concept of "management by walking around", and that culture lives on at Hewlett Packard Enterprise UK&I. I will often sit at the long shared table which is great for getting insight and engaging in different conversations across the business. 

Phone call, email, or face-to-face meeting?

I like to talk - anyone who has met me can confirm that. Face to face is good but phone works well too. Especially in the car. When I drive to my hometown of Portsmouth I call people at all levels in the business, just to catch up.

How good are you at replying to emails?

Really good. I make a point of it. I'm much less good at phone voicemail. I mean, who even leaves voice messages these days?

Do you ever really have a proper day or week off with no contact with the office?

Not really. I like to know what's going on. When on holiday I find it pretty relaxing drinking a beer in the sun while checking in.

What was your biggest mistake in business, and what did you learn from it?

Going too fast when implementing change. Being very result driven, my instinct is to push really hard for outcomes, quickly. The reality is that not everyone moves at the same speed. A key learning for me is to take the time to make sure people understand the intent and are fully aligned, with commitment not just compliance. When leading change, good communication is absolutely vital in getting the results you want.

What do you enjoy most and least about your job?

People decisions. They are always the most important and the hardest decisions to make. I recently made two of my team vice president level which meant a lot to both me and them. Equally I have had to make hard decisions to say goodbye to people who are as much friends as colleagues. Not easy.

 

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