Ice to see you

What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?
Telesales for an HP-only distributor called Protek in West Drayton, Middlesex. It was soon bought by Ingram. I got into IT following a drunken conversation I had with an old school mate while being a ski bum in Val D'Isere during the 1990-91 ski season. I needed to return to a real job!

Planes, trains or automobiles?
Planes. A lot of people find airports very negative places but I try to take a different approach. Get there in plenty of time, get through and enjoy a glass of whatever you fancy, then look forward to turning off the BlackBerry.

What sport should be in the Olympics but isn't?
I don't have an opinion on what should be in it, more on what shouldn't. I can't get my head around football and tennis; I have a problem with professional sports being involved. And, yes, I know that is a flawed argument.

Which fictional TV character is borrowing ideas from your life?
Not sure about fictional, but George Clooney copied my good looks and grey hair.

What was your best business trip or junket ever?
I went on a skiing trip in the 1990s with Ingram that was paid for by US Robotics. It was brilliant. I laughed all weekend for reasons I can't even remember now! Also, my good friends Ian Morris and Neil Ledger from EquIP fame have also taken me on a few golfing trips to Marbella -- happy days indeed. Business or not, what happens on tour stays on tour!

Oranges or bananas?
I absolutely detest bananas. Always have, always will. The skin, smell, and stringy bits are all absolutely repulsive. All the health benefits are outweighed by how much they freak me out.

What was the best holiday you ever went on?
I am fortunate to have been on lots of great holidays. I need to get my fix in the mountains skiing during the winter, but if I had to pick my absolute favourite it would have to be the safari in northern Africa I went on for the first week of my honeymoon. It was incredible.

What do you say to those who claim the world will end on 21 December 2012, as per the Mayan calendar?
Make sure you give me my presents before the 21st, and lay off the port. It's clearly affecting your brain.

What would your superpower be?
Ah, but would it be for good or evil? I would love the ability to speak one language and for everyone to understand me. Mind you, at the age of 13 I'm sure I would have said that being invisible would be fun, too.

Do you use social media?
Yes, I do, social media in business will be massive provided it is used correctly. It does need to be managed pro-actively however, and I can see over-saturation diluting its effect.

I am not a power user. It's nice to randomly catch up on what friends locally or across the globe have been up to, however will I ever update what I'm having for dinner? Absolutely not!

Will the economy recovery continue?
Yes, but will it be in 2012 or even 2013? I'm not sure. I don't think we have reached the bottom yet in a lot of countries. Locally, I'm convinced we will see more strikes as a result of government cuts, with the potential for outbreaks of riots, and the euro is in a mess that will not right itself easily this year.

What does the channel most need to learn to succeed and grow this year?
I'm a big believer in personalising your service. Make it as unique and as relevant to the end user as possible.

Where would you like life to take you next?
I have an approach in life that is about always learning and never thinking you know everything. My next goal is to become a father, and that's apparently the biggest life lesson of them all.

What is the most important thing in business?
Respect, trust and the ability to believe in what you are doing and see it through. Without any of these fundamental foundations, you simply cannot build business prosperity or longevity.

If you had your time again, what would have been your next choice of career?
Oh, that's easy, I would have been a DJ-cum-wine taster-cum-food critic!

John Mitchell is channel sales manager at Brocade