What has been your personal highlight of 2020?
There is one thing that sticks out more than any other: it was very satisfying to see our crisis management strategy executed with ease and efficiency because we had the right software solution in place (Crises Control). I was able to share our experiences with clients and friends in business.
Which three celebrities would you invite to a Zoom party?
Rishi Sunak MP, Priti Patel MP and Alok Sharma MP, because these three people have been the rock stars in the current government. A Zoom party with them would be fun. Technically they are not celebrities but in time they will be treated as such.
What has been your guiltiest lockdown pleasure?
I have on occasion woken up 10 minutes before 9am, just in time for a meeting. Normally the day would begin with a 7am commute to work for 9am.
Which tech figurehead has inspired you most this year, and why?
Greta Thunberg is not a tech figurehead but she is inspirational. What she has said has changed my thinking. The belief of infinite economic growth is a fallacy and one that nations have used as an excuse not to address climate change.
We need to return to the previous theory of economic growth, which is more suited to our current times and one that dispels the fantasy of infinite growth on a finite planet.
What piece of technology, or app, have you not been able to do without during the pandemic?
Microsoft Teams and Crises Control are the new game changers. They complement the current suite of SaaS applications to provide a progressive IT ecosystem.
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do?
I would be Donald Trump and I would acknowledge climate change and embrace scientific advice and lead the world to a greener and sustainable future.
Do you miss face-to-face events?
No, not that much. I can get my information and knowledge from alternative sources. Virtual conferences are evolving, and they will become better and better. There is no shortage of information; Incisive Media's multichannel distribution of content is just one example of how knowledge can be consumed without the face-to-face event. Bring on more change, I say!
How will COVID leave its mark on the way the channel operates long term?
It will be a catalyst for a long-overdue change to a less wasteful and polluting future. Those that offer accurate and relevant informational content to the parties they engage with will be trusted and thrive.
