William Linard
Senior manager, membership, CompTIA – the IT Association
Career so far I joined CompTIA as an events intern back in 2007 while still at university. I must have done an OK job, as I was offered a full-time role upon completion of my degree. I have worked my way up from events coordinator, to my current role, looking after all membership recruitment, engagement and retention in the UK.
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be? I’d be Carlos Slim. As the richest man in the world, I’d transfer £1bn into my bank account so that when the week was over, I’d be sorted for life. With a net worth of close to $69bn, I don’t think he’d realise!
What will next year’s most overhyped industry buzzword be? Mobility. We’ll keep on hearing it – perhaps more than the word cloud!
Has 2012 been a good, bad or ugly year? It has been an extremely good year both professionally and personally. Professionally, CompTIA has seen some great growth in membership numbers and brand awareness. Best of all, culminating in my selection to take part in this years’ CRN A-List! Personally, I made my first trip to Vegas, moved in with my girlfriend and have realised that I am not too bad at DIY.
What would you have as your last meal? A medium rare rib-eye steak and homemade chips.
What keeps you awake at night? Aside from the neighbours playing loud music, wondering if Apple is going to launch a new product.
What piece of technology could you not be without? My iPhone – it’s my third hand. It keeps track of where I’m meant to be, allows me to access emails and best of all, it controls my home automation system. I actually have a spare iPhone just in case there is a problem.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? Spurs didn’t get into the Champions League, as I had hoped.
What is the best partner/customer trip you have ever been on? To be honest, there’s not a partner or customer event that compared to CompTIA’s Breakaway Conference in Las Vegas.
What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2013? Understanding, selling and servicing mobility solutions to non-tech savvy business owners.