Intelligent Data Centres Issue 47 | Page 66

WHILE IT MIGHT SOUND CLICHÉ , I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM PEOPLE ’ S LIVES .
DEEP DIVE

WE ‘ DEEP DIVE ’ WITH BRENDAN PRESS , CCO OF GULF BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL , WHO TELLS US

ABOUT LIFE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE OFFICE .

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What would you describe as your most memorable achievement in the data centre industry ?
Having worked in the telecoms for over 20 years , I have witnessed a dramatic change in the industry , due to the year-on-year increases in demand for data across the world . In terms of data centres specifically though , I am – and Gulf Bridge International ( GBI ) is – a relatively new entrant in the data centre world . GBI is beginning our journey to offer data centre services to customers and , in time , our goal is to be an owner of our own data centres .
Our most memorable achievement to date is working with a key data centre partner here in Qatar , MEEZA , to offer a fully hosted , end-to-end connectivity solution for an OTT provider that ’ s the owner of some of the world ’ s most popular social media applications . With consumers demanding more content than ever before , we are supporting the demands of hyperscalers and OTT content providers by providing direct remote peering in the region – it ’ s a revolutionary concept here and an incredibly exciting project to be a part of .
What first made you consider a career in technology ?
While it might sound cliché , I strongly believe in the power of technology to transform people ’ s lives . Technology – and communications in particular – is a dynamic industry . I find the

WHILE IT MIGHT SOUND CLICHÉ , I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM PEOPLE ’ S LIVES .

fact it changes so quickly , in order to improve our day-to-day lives , very compelling . The intersection of technology and communication forms the basis of how human beings interact with each other and make sense of the world , so being part of the process of making this happen is a key reason why I chose this industry .
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?
I think one of the most crucial things for businesses is setting a vision and then building a strategy around that goal to make it a reality . At GBI , it ’ s my responsibility to ensure our people all work together across the company to be successful in achieving the goals that we set out .
The industry we work in relies heavily on monitoring numbers and statistics and there are many financial goals that businesses need to meet . But you can do this in a fun and inspiring way . To achieve this , working towards a common goal is key as that ’ s what grounds employees and helps makes sure people feel happy and inspired by the work that they are doing .
As well as establishing a common goal , I believe there are three other important elements to consider when managing a team :
1 . Executives should always lead by example . 2 . You should give credit where credit is due and make sure all feedback is constructive . 3 . Ensuring that everybody knows the importance of their role in the company and has a clear understanding of their
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