Richard Eglon
CMO, Nebula Global Services
What's the most surprising lesson 2024 has taught you so far?
The importance of giving people your time and attention.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Captain James Cook – one of the most accomplished British explorers of the 18th century. Cook’s achievements included being the first European to reach the eastern coastline of Australia and cross the Antarctic circle, confirming the mythical ‘Great Southern Continent’ did not exist. I would like to listen to his adventures in his own words and what inspired him to keep going after his first epic voyage.
Which tech or channel figurehead has impressed you the most this year, and why?
Leila Janah – founder of Samasource. Samasource are focused on providing digital work to people in poverty-stricken communities. Through connecting people in undeveloped countries to work opportunities in the tech sector, Leila has created a model for lifting people out of poverty while addressing digital labour shortages, providing them with dignified, well-paid work and a path to economic independence.
What technology trend do you think is being overhyped, and why?
Spending over 25 years in the technology channel has exposed me to many overhyped tech trends, generally they follow an 18-month lifecycle, driven by the vendors wanting to reinvent themselves. Currently, AI seems to be getting the trending headlines with the likes of Microsoft putting all its eggs into the CoPilot basket as one area of the AI movement. AI as a term is new, but the methodology behind its machine learning and predictive outcomes isn’t. What we do know is that channel firms are the scientists who embrace the trends and turn them into reality via business outcomes.
If you were stranded on a deserted island but could have one piece of tech with you, what would it be?
Something solar powered.
What's your go-to productivity hack that keeps you on track during a busy day?
Immediately prioritise and process tasks (don’t ignore them). Also recognise what type of tasks you are more productive doing at certain times of the day (or night).
If you had the time to learn one new skill, what would it be?
Restoration - I love seeing an old object been brought back to life to be used for future generations. The purest form of up-cycling and craftmanship.