Oh so Chris-tal clear

Chris Morrisey, sales director at Chess, talks to CRN about being ripped off, the delights of Glasgow and why the North is better than the South

Oh so Chris-tal clear

CRN: Describe your job.

I achieve business budgets and growth of business through direct channel and affinity partnerships, as well as developing products and solutions with partners.

What was your first job?

I did a paper round.

How much did it pay, and was that fair?

£4 per week, a complete rip off.

Why did you leave?

I grew up.

Who’s the worst boss you ever had?

A section manager at Barclays Bank. He was an ex (failed) army officer, and very dictatorial.

What do you inspire most in colleagues: trust, fear, respect or jealousy?

Trust. I try to encourage honest working relationships.

‘Golf is a good walk spoiled.’ Do you agree?

No. Does any man agree?

What’s the most memorable sporting occasion you’ve ever witnessed?

England winning the rugby world cup.

Have you ever punched anyone and if so, who and why?

Won’t answer that one. I played as a prop in rugby union. Need I say more?

Is the US inherently more entrepreneurial than the UK?

Yes. Everything in the US is bigger and better.

Should the euro be abolished?

No. It should be brought into circulation in the UK.

What was the most exciting holiday you ever went on?

White-water rafting in Scotland.

If you could have three wishes, what would you do with them?

Solve kidney disease, find a cure for Aids and make myself wealthy enough to make more choices.

How do you relax?

I swim every morning before work.

What is the worst lie you have ever told a customer?

How long have you got?

What is the worst accident you have had in your company car without the company finding out?

A friend driving my company car – without permission – drove straight through a hedge, and managed to get it fixed before work the following week.

Is life better up North or down South?

It’s definitely better up North. Southerners are arrogant. A wall should be built at Harpenden and no one from the South should be allowed to cross.

Which is your favourite city?

Glasgow. It has great architecture, great people and great culture.

Tell us your favourite joke or the joke you heard most recently.

What goes ha ha ha bump? A bloke laughing his head off. I like simple, childish jokes.

Is IT well taught in schools?

No, it’s terrible. Children should be able to embrace technology, but they aren’t given the correct opportunities to do so.

Do you prefer cricket, football or rugby?

Rugby. A game for hooligans played by gentlemen.

What is the best deal you’ve ever done?

Our current acquisition: Hoodpoint.

Do you prefer beer, wine or spirits?

Wine. I used to be a big beer drinker and got bored.

Do you prefer IBM, Hewlett-Packard or Dell?

HP. A lifetime guarantee is a great USP with clients.

Do you spend more than two hours a week using a PC at home?

Yes. Learning Microsoft.
What factors do you think gave you the success you have?

Drive, ambition, enthusiasm and optimism.

Do you like animals?

Yes, dogs. I have a boxer called Megan.

What’s a better status symbol: a car or a boat, and why?

A car, more people see it.

Would you rather have a cool house in the country or a top city penthouse?

Cool house in the country.

Which is the better book: Catch 22 or Pride and Prejudice?

Catch 22. It makes you think.

Which is the better drink: vodka Red Bull or a pint of real ale?

Vodka red bull. It gets you there and keeps you going.

Which is the better meal: pie and chips or a la carte at L’Escargot?

A la carte, more taste and flavour.

Is there a future for the indirect channel?

Yes. Many businesses are ‘jack of all trades’ and need support to become at least master 1.

Is there a future for the network reseller channel?

Yes. Many of our partners need us to provide multiple vendor support and supervision.

Which technological development will affect your business most in the next few years?

UMTS (the technology used for 3G), to compete against existing fixed and data infrastructures.

Who has been the best James Bond and who should be the next one?

Pierce Brosnan for both.