Career so far: My first job was as a children's party organiser at the local leisure centre - I eventually found my way into IT, but the principles of management and team building learnt with the kids are still as relevant in board rooms today.
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do? It would have to be Michael Jordan, formerly of the Chicago Bulls - I want to know what it's like to be the coolest bald man on the planet for a week, and come out of retirement for a week, just for the $50 million that was allegedly offered.
What would you have as your last meal? Hmmm, that's a tough one - a crate of Guinness; after all, it is a meal in a glass or 12. And if it's my last, I don't wish to know what happens next - mind you, I wouldn't know after two.
What is the best corporate jolly you have ever been on/taken partners on? Scottsdale, Arizona - can't remember the reason why, but was fabulous and I was taken.
Do you see the cloud as a threat or an opportunity? I think this is yet to be determined based upon whether the reality can match the hype - the mismatch of expectations is the route of many a problem and it is not a cure for all ills. But if it isn't embraced as an opportunity, and it does maintain momentum, it can only become a threat for those that seek to ignore it. I think a whole new model of business will evolve resulting from the promise of the cloud.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? Yes - that I would sell my other business, waste money on futile personal activities and witness Brown getting condemned to history and leaving an almighty hole in the nation's finances. Mind you, I got a few more wrong; namely, every week on a Saturday.
What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2011? With massive public sector spending cuts being announced, this will present inevitable challenges for all aspects of the channel. Also understanding the cloud, what it means (SaaS, VDi etc), where to play, who to back and how to apply to client needs will be equally as demanding on time, skills and resource. The channel needs to do what it has always done well - focus on the clients, evolve their competencies, remain innovative and not be intimidated. Oh yes, golf also.
What is the best part of your day? Walking the dog late in the evening. It calms me, despite the fact the pup is basically bonkers.
