Intelligent Data Centres Issue 10 | Page 67

DEEP DIVE move their operations out to a colocation facility. This is quite interesting, as the economies of scale and value- added services that colocation providers offer their customers can become very complex (at the backend) and tempting for end users to help them get a better handle on their costs. What are the region- specific challenges you encounter in your role? EMEA is a fascinating region. Every corner is totally different. The languages, cultures and business- wise, the attitudes to technology and pricing. I’ve been working in this region for 20 years and I believe that my experience enables me to work around these challenges. Yet for those just starting it can be daunting to piece together a single view of such a patchwork continent. www.intelligentdatacentres.com What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months? who were not able to fulfil customer requirements. As a result, almost every customer is asking for a POC (proof of concept) before making a final decision. There are so many different solutions on the market right now. I believe our industry has suffered from many vendors As a result, the sales cycle is longer and the effort is much greater on the vendor side. I LOVE WORKING IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE WE CAN SHOW OFF ALL THESE ATTRIBUTES AND HAVE SUCCESS BUILT ON SUCCESS. This situation hasn’t helped anyone and could have been avoided with more honest selling techniques from the vendor community. What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a senior position in the industry? You’ll need to have a lot of patience. Work hard, keep learning and be aware of the differences and similarities that lie between different industries and cultures – then you’ll know how to behave in very important situations. The best advice might ring true for any industry though – treat people well, do a great job and always strive to be solving people’s problems. ◊ Issue 10 0 67