Atherton, Jon

A-List 2006

Job title Group vice-president.

Company Enta Technologies.

Year of birth 1970.

Place of birth Wednesbury.

Career outline I worked at a number of VARs, specifically in networking technical/sales until 1991 when I joined Enta as the eighth employee. From here I have had success and founded our sister company Entanet International in 1996. From 1996 to 2001 I was group commercial manager and from 2001 to present I have been group vice-president.

What motivates you every morning to get up and work in the channel? First, having two young children does focus the mind. Second, this diverse, exciting industry we work in does make each day very different. The challenges we face as an industry and the solutions we need to find is a great motivator to ensure success.

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years? Predictive text is a real pain. I don’t know how the younger generation can type so quick. Joking apart, the Tablet PC has received a huge amount of coverage, but the take up has not been great.

What will be the most underrated technology in the next five years? Email is a great, innovative form of communication, so I believe it will be something that we take for granted, such as security or another form of communication.

Which technology would you most like to have invented? A reliable, intelligent voice recognition package that can change voice to text.

Do you have any regrets from your time in the industry? Only that, as a whole industry, we do not support, develop and drive monetary in come for charities.

If you could swap places with anyone in the industry, who would it be? Bill Gates. He is a billionaire, successful and retired. But most importantly, he has dedicated his future to helping people not as fortunate as us with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. What an opportunity to change the lives for millions of people around the world.

What is the biggest hurdle you have faced in your career? These hurdles change. Currently, it is discussing and sometimes educating the channel to ensure everyone can earn margin.

What is the biggest success of your career? Providing financial stability and income to more than 150 employees and their families. When I first started when we had a mere eight employees.

What piece of technology could you not live without? This year, my BlackBerry. In the past 10 years, my mobile. Throughout my life to date, the TV.

What would be your advice to anyone starting a career in IT? Don’t fear change and always be yourself. It never ceases to amaze me how many friends you can gain in this industry.

What is your favorite computer game? In the 1980s, it was Manic Miner. In the 1990s it was Championship Manager, but now it is Counterstrike.

What would you like for Christmas if you could have anything? A time machine, because I could cope with everything going on in my life.

What is your favorite karaoke song? I don’t do singing.

What would be the title of your autobiography? Am I Really An IT Personality?

Do you have any phobias? Other than low margin, I don’t really have any.

How many beers before you fall over? 3.

Number of staff you manage? 90.

What is your golf handicap? 18.

What car do you drive? Signum.

Number of air miles you have? Zillions.