Jonathan Pickering
Managing director, Block Solutions
Career so far Prior to founding Block, I was a freelance network consultant for two years and before that network manager at Colt Telecom responsible for European IT and customer datacentre networks.
Do you care about green IT? Yes. From a business perspective we are increasingly aware of our own responsibilities and also in providing IT solutions that help our customers achieve their green goals.
If you could be in a rock/pop band, which one would it be and who would you be? I don't idolise any particular individual but The Beatles stand out. Other favourite bands are The Strokes, The Killers and Kaiser Chiefs.
What is the best corporate jolly you have ever been on/taken partners on? Nothing beats a good round of golf, of which I have had plenty. A winter trip with Cisco to Norway was very good and stands out - being from the north of England, £10 a beer was the only drawback to that particular trip!
Has 2009 been as bad as everyone said it would be? We have continued to grow the business during the downturn so would have to say no. However, I know of peers who sell into financial institutions who have found it tough going. For me a downturn is a good test for a business and the good ones will come out of it stronger.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? I don't like to be proved wrong so I leave predictions to the experts! The only one I will make is that my hometown football team, Hull City, will not win the Premiership this year!
What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2010? In order for resellers to maintain growth, as always, the key will be to maintain competitive differentiation through the solutions they offer. More importantly it is being able to clearly quantify and articulate the business benefits of a solution that will determine its success.
What is the best part of your day? Seeing my two kids, Harry and Hannah, when I get home from work… oh and my wife of course! At work the winning feeling you get when you land a large deal that has involved a substantial team effort. It makes the hard work and long hours worthwhile.