Bob Sahota

Sales director, Highgate IT

What has been your business highlight of 2022?

Successfully transitioning Highgate to become the first four-day week organisation in the IT channel. The positive impact the initiative has had on employee wellbeing, mental health, job satisfaction and overall quality of life has been remarkable.

If you were ruler of your own country, what law would you introduce first?

Anything that eases our individual and collective suffering. I would start with mandatory meditation or compulsory counselling. The state of our minds is worsening and we could all do with a daily dose of calm and stillness to help us manage our minds. Equally, there is huge freedom and relief in talking with others and sharing our feelings and emotions rather than pushing them downwards and bottling them up.

Which channel or tech leader (outside of your own company) has impressed you most in 2022?

Within the channel, Dave Stevinson, CEO of QBS, is a breath of fresh air. His relentless pursuit to make a positive environmental impact through their sustainable practices is inspiring. QBS' recent B-Corp certification further demonstrates his commitment to high social and environmental performance.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?

"Warning: May provide unsolicited advice."

What was your first job?

It was a commission-only, door-to-door sales role at the age of 16, helping consumers to switch their gas and electricity suppliers over. Not realising at the time it would lead to a lifelong career in sales, it was my first glimpse of solving problems for end users for performance-related pay.

What was the last book you read, and was it any good?

At any one time I juggle a few books. I'm currently reading Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and Metahuman by Deepak Chopra. They are all special in their own way and I am getting something from them all.

What's the most important lesson you've learned from another business leader or mentor?

One of the most impactful strategies I learned was Stephen R. Covey's ‘4 Quadrants', which is a task management matrix. It was something simple, yet profound, that I applied to all areas of my life. I still pass it on to others today in the hope it can help them too.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Ben Kingsley. Slim pickings when you google bald British Asian actors.