For Brits to win at the Olympics we should include the three-legged race, says Justin Hulls
What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?
I left school at 16 and worked in a warehouse that made perfumed drawer liners for Marks & Spencer. I did this for a few years; towards the end of the 80s I moved into estate agency.
However, I came to the conclusion that if I ever wanted to be popular I should try something else.
I then did some travelling, spending a few months on the island of Crete (mainly in Malia). After returning to the UK I took the first job on offer, which happened to be for small IT distributor Omnilogic CPU in Woking. The rest, as they say, is history.
Planes, trains or automobiles?
Automobiles. It is the only one I have a licence to control. Control freak, anyone?
What sport should be in the Olympics but isn't?
I watched Alan Carr on the TV the other night and he answered this very question. If you've grown up in the UK the only real preparation you've had from school sports days is the egg and spoon race, three-legged race, and of course running with a bean bag on your head. As the UK is hosting the Olympics next, I feel it only fair these should be introduced. Imagine all the gold medals we would win.
Which fictional TV character is borrowing ideas from your life?
Peppa Pig; I just love to jump in muddy puddles.
What could prompt you to give it all up and join the revolution?
If the government put a law in place entitling everyone to free cables.
What is your favourite joke or the one you heard most recently?
Not sure if this qualifies as a joke, but pretty much every time I hear a LibDem voter complain that its election promises are not being upheld in coalition it makes me laugh. I should mention that I am not political and don't vote as the government always wins.
"In my dreams ..."
....yes, she is!
What was your best business trip or junket ever?
Retail Vision in Barcelona, I think. I have a fear of flying so took a couple of valium to calm my nerves before boarding the plane, then arrived at the hotel and had a couple of beers to relax. Next thing, I am in a taxi heading for the airport home two days later. I arrived at the airport took some more valium........well, you can guess the rest.
What was the best holiday you ever went on?
First holiday to Rome with my partner, before she and I had children. We had a LOT of quality time together.
If you had a week to live, how would you fill it?
Looking for a second opinion.
"I never..."
... focus on the challenge, just look instead for the opportunity.
What would your superpower be?
Easy one this, if like me you have two young children. I would want the superpower to make them sleep past 6am!
Do you or have you read Channelweb.co.uk on your mobile phone or other handheld device?
I haven't. I have a Blackberry and the text is very small and my eyes are so very bad.
If someone shrunk you to the size of a pencil and put you in a blender, how would you get out?
Impersonate a pen? You've obviously got something against pencils!
Print or online news?
Online; it's my job at home to do the recycling.
Do you use social media?
I'm not a regular user of social media, although I can see potential benefits for both business and personal use. Call me old fashioned but I personally prefer a more direct engagement with people.
Will the economic recovery continue?
We're in an economic recovery?
What does the channel most need to learn this year?
The value of and requirements for each part they play in the success of what we do, and to listen and support each other in their various endeavours.
Your closest near-death experience?
Had a few close ones, mainly involving me coming back from a night out later than I said I would.
Is IT well taught in schools?
It's my impression that the focus tends to be around the practical use of the technology rather than how or why the technology works. I believe there should be an equal measure of both to truly learn about IT and what it can do.
Justin Hulls is UK sales and marketing director at CablesToGo
