Amedume, Koby

A-LIST 2005

Company: Konica Minolta.

Job title: Head of marketing.

Place of birth: Acra, Ghana.

Year of birth: 1973.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: Meeting the managing director of a well-known company and asking when the baby was due. She wasn't pregnant.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The fact that you never have the same day twice. It is constantly changing. It's a young industry at heart that you never get bored in.

Which company do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Microsoft. It has learned to adapt and change within its market so well. Whenever it looks bleak for the company, it embraces change.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Steve Jobs at Apple. He embraces the fact that IT doesn't have to be boring. He has brought some good design aesthetic to the industry.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? Convergence has been bandied around for a while, but it is definitely going to happen in the imaging and document industry. There have been lots of false dawns, but we are seeing manufacturers make real progress in network printing management, throughput and output. With a faster network, there's real scope for workflow management in any type of business.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Don't expect the same thing every day. Never go into the office thinking it's going to be just another day in the office.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years' time? I think there are a lot of changes, and the channel has to change. There are many issues around vendors and distributors. There's a little lack of trust between vendors and the channel at the moment, but vendors need to focus on channel partners that very specifically target their market. The channel partner is equally important; the days of broadline are limited. The more focus the better. Look at companies such as CMS peripherals: it has a strong focus on what it does.

Which do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Hewlett-Packard. It is such a monolith of an organisation. It affects every part of our lives, both at work and at home. People still call laser printers LaserJets. Love it or hate it, it is a big player in the industry.

Which vendor's technology do you think has changed the face of IT? It has to be Microsoft. Its technology has led what businesses and end-users do. Without it, you wouldn't see as much innovation in hardware or software.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? I love rugby, although I don't play as much as I used to. I like to spend time with my young son. I'm also a budding Thespian.

Where is your favourite place to eat? Bertorelli's in London. It does fantastic Italian food and it's an amazing environment for both business and pleasure (and I expect a free meal next time I go there).

What is your favourite drink? Pina Colada with all the trimmings - sparklers, umbrellas, the lot.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Miami Vice. I remember going to my first school disco in a sky blue suit. I thought it very cool at the time, but looking at the pictures now, maybe not.

Who is your favourite musician, band or genre? Sade is my favourite singer. She has such a beautiful voice.

What is your favourite book? The Insider, Piers Morgan's diary. Hysterical.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Flying. I've recently started flying lessons. It was a present from my wife.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Helping my previous company to a £30m revenue figure through a process called Revenue Storm.

What is your personal ambition? Something nice and cheesy: to be happy.