Loay Lawrence
Commercial director, Vohkus
What is your greatest career move to date?
Working with an organisation that is closer to the customer. I moved to Vohkus more than 10 years ago, and still enjoy the buzz, the camaraderie and the passion we have in the company.
What is top of your bucket list?
Professionally, achieving the milestones we have set ourselves at Vohkus.
What has changed most since you started working in the channel?
Convergence of IT solutions. They are now all overlapping and complementing each other; it is no longer standalone solutions that need to be manually stitched together. It is all integrated, which makes it more challenging and exciting.
How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel?
It is a fact that it has happened, and the UK being the fifth largest economy in the world, we will still be a major force in the worldwide economy. We might have to tweak a few things, but all is strong.
What is your least favourite task during the working day?
Sifting the junk out my inbox.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
I've never thought about it. I don't think I'd like to be one.
If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do?
Spend some of it, share some of it and donate some of it.
What is your worst habit?
Intolerance of petty minded people, and making my feelings known.
How has 2016 been for you?
It has been a busy year and a year for growth. As an organisation we have grown, and taken new solutions in conjunction with both our existing vendors as well as partnering with new.
If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career?
I would have liked to try out the charity world, but it was not to be.
What major issues will the channel face in 2017?
It is a personnel challenge: we have the right go-to market, we have the right solutions, and we need to find the right people that can deliver it the Vohkus way, as we are a very customer-centric organisation.
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