Frohlich, Shaun

A-List 2006

Job title Chairman.

Company Teksys.

Year of birth 1961.

Place of birth London.

Career outline More than 20 years ago I started, ran and successfully sold a Microsoft Software Services firm (Bytes Technology Group). I’m now building another – Teksys. I’m also currently the chairman of IiS the NFP Software Asset Management [SAM] company behind ISO19770, the SAM standard.

What motivates you every morning to get up and work in the channel? The same fat profit margins, reasonable and predictable vendors that I mentioned last year.

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years? 3G. Do you know what it does or why our kids need it?

What will be the most underrated technology in the next five years? I’ve no idea, but whatever it is I hope we don’t try to sell it.

Which technology would you most like to have invented? Instant messaging, anyone with teenage kids will know why.

Do you have any regrets from your time in the industry? I’m not a person that does ‘regret’, either I am too stupid to notice what I get wrong or too excited about the future to look back.

If you could swap places with anyone in the industry, who would it be? Well, if I was purely materialistic, it would make it easy to answer, but luckily I am not, and as a consequence I’m happy being me.

What is the biggest hurdle you have faced in your career? Winning the hearts and minds of the people who were employed by the businesses we have bought.

What is the biggest success of your career? Completing the A-List survey two years on the trot.

What piece of technology could you not live without? GPS.

What would be your advice to anyone starting a career in IT? Don’t take anyone’s advice, just stick to your beliefs.

What is your favourite computer game? The off-switch.

What would you like for Christmas if you could have anything? All my loved ones in the same place sharing a happy day.

What is your favourite karaoke song? Don’t Be Stupid, by Shania Twain.

What would be the title of your autobiography? The Life Of A Happy Simpleton.

Do you have any phobias? Yes. I’m not going to tell you though, you might tell the others.

How many beers before you fall over? 22.

Number of staff you manage? 0.

What is your golf handicap? 99.

What car do you drive? A DB9 with no back window.

Number of air miles you have? 10.