No buying the farm
Aiming for a bucolic existence - or just aiming wrong - may have unintended consequences, suggests Stuart Cordingley
What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?
I ran a sign-making business for my uncle while I went to night school to earn my HND in business and finance.
Planes, trains or automobiles?
Trains. Manchester to Euston takes two hours; you can take a break or get some work done and still feel refreshed at the other end.
What sport should be in the Olympics?
Rounders. Everyone I went to school with played rounders, so we must have a chance of a gold medal.
Which fictional TV character is borrowing ideas from your life?
Mr Bean. I tend to be a little clumsy.
What could prompt you to give it all up and join the revolution?
Nothing really. I am quite happy as I am. Mind you, a couple of million pounds tax-free wouldn't go amiss.
What is your favourite joke or the one you heard most recently?
Who needs jokes when you've got sarcasm?
Should Prince William shave his head?
No. The future king has enough challenges, never mind shaving his head every day.
What is the best holiday you have ever had?
I once went on a trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. We saw the ice sculptures at an ice hotel, slept on an ice bed, explored the wilderness on a snowmobile, cooked local food in a log cabin and took a ride with huskies across a frozen lake.
What was the best business trip or junket you have ever experienced?
A sales trip to Palma in Spain with 50 top sales people. I got to see the sights, visit underground nightclubs and private beach clubs, and go on numerous boat trips with the most amazing bunch of individuals.
Do you use social media?
I have used Facebook for years, mainly for sharing pictures. I only recently joined LinkedIn, for business. Before last Christmas I was dead against it, but LinkedIn has really helped me build up a network of influencers.
What does the channel most need to learn to succeed and grow this year?
I think the channel needs to spend some time on gaining an understanding of the size of the B2B market and the buying behaviours of UK businesses.
What has been your closest near-death experience?
On my brother's stag do in Interlaken we went canyoning, where you are taken to the top of a canyon and jump in. There is no turning back. Halfway down, we came to a 30ft drop into a pool. I just jumped, although I was supposed to aim for the guide's arms. I just missed the jagged rocks.
What are the characteristics of the perfect channel partner?
An easy-to-understand proposition, with non-conflicting messages to the customer, supported by business processes and people who are easy to do business with.
What is one thing you miss from being a kid and no longer do or can do?
Playing football. These days I don't have time to play, but I am a qualified FA coach for the Cadishead Sports under nines on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
If you had your time again, what would be your next choice of career?
I was brought up on a farm and always wanted to be a farmer. I loved the fresh air, the exercise, and being relatively stress-free. Then I found out the farmer's son had inherited the farm while my mum and her sister got dishwashers.
Stuart Cordingley is head of channel at Fusion Mobile