Linda Hassall

Head of marketing, Acer UK

What is your greatest career move to date?

I got my very first Saturday job when I was 13. At a bakers in Devizes working 8am-6pm and being paid £8 for the day. Gosh, I'm showing my age. At the end of the day you could take home all the cakes that did not get sold which was a very nice perk and it gave me a positive work ethic which has served me well in the IT industry.

What is top of your bucket list?

My passion is travelling, therefore this question is a really hard one to answer as I have so many places and experiences I'd like to achieve. Top of my list is to visit Iceland and stay in a glass igloo where I can watch the Northern Lights from my bed, sipping an ice-cold glass of champers, darling.

What has changed most since you started working in the channel?

Technology has advanced rapidly in the last six years but some things have gone full circle. The introduction of new form factors has been exciting to watch. My first product I was tasked with assisting in bringing to market at Acer was the very innovative, award-winning Iconia dual screen. This seems like a distant memory as since then we have introduced convertibles, 2-in-1, Chromebook and now of course the exciting chapter starts on VR-ready computing experiences. The possibilities with VR are numerous and being involved is very motivating for me.

How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel?

Early indications in consumer confidence levels in July and August are encouraging, with like-for-like retail sales up 1.9 per cent despite all the doom and gloom. Of course the FX rates will have an impact on pricing in the market and this is something to watch carefully. However, the British are known for our spirit and strength and we should all pull together to make our future a success.

What is your least favourite task during the working day?

I have chosen to live in the countryside which suits my personality. However, the downside to this idle is the drive down the M4 corridor each morning as I embark on my 51-mile journey. Fortunately I have a great team and enjoy their company and positive energy, which makes arriving at work a pleasure.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

A tortoise, because they live a long and happy life taking in all the world and all the pleasures it has to offer without the slightest inclination of time, something we all seem to find in the IT industry often races by way too quickly.

If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do?

Holiday, holiday, holiday... and more holiday.

What is your worst habit?

I am a Virgo, so of course I am perfect!

How has 2016 been for you?

Personally 2016 has been a good, solid year with lots of change allowing me to create some good foundations for a productive 2017. I also decided to follow my heart and set up my own sales and marketing consultancy business. Naturally I do this on a part-time basis and that is keeping me very busy while developing my skills as I believe we always need to challenge ourselves.

If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career?

As I've indicated, travel is a keen pastime so converting my passion into a self-funding lifestyle would be the ideal. My role has taught me how to create unique life and travel experiences for PR purposes; therefore, creating these for customers would enable me to keep travelling and be paid to do so.

What major issues will the channel face in 2017?

The market continues to be a challenging environment for every brand across the globe and the UK is no exception. At Acer we will continue to delight our customers by developing products designed around their true needs; this includes providing a consistent user experience across products. We are also meeting new trends by innovating with products such as our award-winning Chromebooks in varying form factors, the world-renowned Predator gaming PCs and the trending curved monitors. Acer has established itself as the leader in the ultra-slim and 2-in-1 categories, in part made possible as Acer is a lean organisation which enables the brand to bring new technology and innovation to market quickly and develop its strong channel reach.