David Tulip
Managing director, Network Group
What's the most surprising lesson 2024 has taught you so far?
I might “plead the fifth” on that or at least wait until we see the result of the US election; I am on a plane to US right now (a few days before their vote), maybe I shouldn’t be surprised but I think how much people follow “populist opinion” and ideas; I’m not a fan!
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
It’s normally a dinner “party” so you’ve made this tough and rather than Muhammad Ali or a highly influential political figure I’m going to go leftfield today with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – he was an aviator, a man who survived a plane crash in the desert, which experience certainly influence my favourite book - he was the author of The Little Prince.
Which tech or channel figurehead has impressed you the most this year, and why?
Jensen Huang, founder of Nvidia in 1993 and still CEO, overtook Apple this year briefly as the biggest company in the world ($3.5tn!) and continues to battle them for top-spot. I think he is being described as the “tech Taylor Swift” yet also remembers his humbler Taiwanese roots. I wonder if he’d come and address the Network Group community!?!
What technology trend do you think is being overhyped, and why?
Am I going to be shot for saying AI, or Generative AI!?! Listen, it’s here to stay and it will change how we work but the wins and successes have been harder to identify. I guess we’re following the Gartner Hype Cycle – if you’re reading this where do you think we are?
If you were stranded on a deserted island but could have one piece of tech with you, what would it be?
It’s got to be the smartphone (Galaxy Fold for me), right? I mean that would give me music, assuming I cannot asked to be rescued (maybe I wouldn’t want to be!) I’d be happy to have it on airplane mode, as long as you allow me Wi-Fi to play some backgammon online too!
What's your go-to productivity hack that keeps you on track during a busy day?
It’s a person, I added an executive assistant recently – I always thought that was a bit unnecessary but it has made a world a difference – so an EA and/or a wonderful team!
If you had the time to learn one new skill, what would it be?
Learn a language; said it for past two years, 2025 is the one – maybe I’ll give you answers in French if I’m lucky enough to make it back on this list in future!