On the ball

Football fan and ex-professional player Matt Pearson talks about his career goals and business tactics

What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?

My first job was very luckily as a professional footballer, but it didn't last long (two years). I then went back to university to train as a PE teacher. When I finished I couldn't find a teaching job and the distributor Azlan was looking for telesales people to make 200 calls a day - who could refuse?

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

Dog. I have two rescue chocolate labradors, who are adorable, but they always have something wrong with them. In fact, I have just received a £164 bill as I write this - keeping them is a labour of love.

What were you like in school?

A nightmare. I was good at football and thought I was a bit special but I really wasn't.

What is your most annoying habit?

I like noise. If I am on my own in the house, I turn on all the TVs and radios. I like to bang doors and just make general noise.

If you were king, what would you do first?

I would make attendance at all Premier League football matches free for real fans. Clubs make enough money out of TV rights and the atmosphere at games is awful these days. You would have to do a test to prove that you were a real fan and lived or were born near to the ground.

What was the first record you bought?

I Want To Break Free by Queen - in homage to some of my jobs.

What is your most overused word?

Obviously, obviously.

Why do you think there is a skills shortage?And what can be done about it?

I am not sure there is a skills shortage; I think there is a charisma shortage - loads of techies who can't talk to people.

Do you have a favourite motivational quote?

"Positive actions promote positive reactions."

Sweet or savoury?

Savoury. I get enough sugar from my alcohol intake.

What is your dream holiday destination?

Andaman Island in the Bay of Bengal - you can swim with elephants, turtles and all sorts of other animals and the snorkelling is awesome.

Your closest near-death experience?

I had a car accident when I was four years old and had to get 54 stitches in my head - I still have a very fetching scar on my forehead.

What are the characteristics of the perfect channel partner?

They have to want to take on new technologies, embrace them, become skilled and realise the margin opportunity.