Readers' lives: Channelling success

Warren Lewis says the recession made vendors realise the importance of their resellers

Lewis: Enjoyed the unexpected break provided by the Icelandic volcano

What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?
I worked in telesales for Exchange and Mart while at university, which naturally led to a telesales job at an IT reseller.

Planes, trains or automobiles?
Definitely automobiles – I hate to admit it, but I’m petrified of flying.

What sport should be in the Olympics?
No contest; it’s darts. Because the British are good at it and we’d win another gold.

What could prompt you to give it all up and join the revolution?
There could be a thousand reasons – but probably only if it was something to do with my children.

What is your favourite joke or the one you heard most recently?
Why did the hedgehog cross the road? To see his flat mate!

“In my dreams …”
... I’d be married to Cheryl Cole.

What was your best business trip ever?
Being stuck in Seoul because of the Eyjafjallajokull ash cloud for an extra five days, with a group of VIP dealers and directors of some of our top customers.

What was the best holiday you ever went on?
To Disneyland, with my wife and family.

If you had a week to live, how would you fill it?
With my wife and family (despite the Cheryl Cole fantasy above).

“I never…”
… give up and I never lose.

“I always…”
…win, of course.

Will we see businesses take green ICT more seriously this year?
Without a doubt. Government regulations, the push from vendors, general concern, and greener products will ensure this. The threat of fines for those with large carbon footprints will probably tip the balance too.

Will virtualisation become as profitable for the channel as pundits predict?
Desktop virtualisation may reduce revenue, but it will increase overall profitability

Print or online news?
Online, because of speed and access.

Do you use social media?
I’m afraid not!

Will the economic recovery continue?
I believe it will – as I think the change of government has helped to refresh ideas.

What does the channel most need to learn this year?
It needs to listen more to the end user, whether a consumer or a business customer. Gone are the days resellers or vendors could just provide what they wanted, regardless of what the customer actually wanted.

Do vendors do enough to help their channel?
They never used to, but since the recession the channel is being taken more seriously. Resellers are now regarded far more as partners, and vendors are looking at what the channel needs from them rather than adopting a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude.

Is IT well taught in schools?
There’s a general lack of skills, but it varies considerably between primary and secondary schools. A computer for every child would help. Thankfully, we now have the technology which makes this more likely.

Warren Lewis is UK general manager at LG Business Solutions