The Interview
-   DHL
-   toptable
-   ICAP
-   RollUp Media
-   BNY Mellon
-   TC Consulting
-   MarkitSERV
-   Pinesoft
-   IDBS
-   Vertex
-   LateRooms
-   Betfair   

IT chose me.  I have always been in the technology field, from IBM to Hitachi.  Initially my responsibility was IT support for the customer service team.  From that, minus the boring detail I was requested to look after the IT division for an outsourcing deal in EMEA.  It was never a conscious decision for me when I was younger; to be in IT...it was something I started in from the grass roots up

Typically I am doing a variety of things each day, there is, as with any job, a semblance of what ‘needs’ to be done as regards your general day-to-day happenings.  Normally, I am a home-office worker, however I can be between several of our DHL offices within the UK, and a couple of times a month I am with my team in Prague.  Generally, I start the day by viewing my emails and deciding quickly which to address and prioritize as such.  I touch base with all my various project activities and speak to business stakeholders and my team over in Prague.  Much of my day consists of teleconferencing and web-conferencing.  Generally on the whole, my daily goal is to improve the way we do things here at DHL, support the business and try to be more efficient and cost effective in every way.

I would have to say meeting people, along with solving problems and trying anticipate problems and ‘solve’ them before they happen.  It is a very rewarding job and I get the chance to put my favourite things in to practise on a daily basis.

Trying to get things done quickly and efficiently whilst cutting through the quagmire of historic processes is often a test of character and patience!  Trying to identify various simple ways forward whilst identifying other department’s processes - you never want to be in a situation where you are too much on the outside looking in.  Understanding the business you are in is a key element to success - you can only effectively add value to a business if you understand not only its needs, but the people and their processes.

Following on from the previous questions, it would definitely be to understand the business you are in.  In IT, it is very easy to get caught up in the world of technology and to stop looking outwards into the ‘real world’.  You have to be able to talk the language of the business, not just in ‘technobabble’.  Forge relationships with the business stakeholders, the CFO’s and CEO’s of the Company - if you understand the pain points of the business, the parts that cause trouble, you can more successfully assist with implementing change and structure.  You need to be useful to the business, help the causes that the CXO’s can see, which will in turn make you an asset to the business.  Don’t approach people with problems unless you are prepared with solutions.  I operate an ‘open door’ policy, I encourage people to approach me with ideas and solutions - there is a fine line between creating more problems and helping with the creation of resolutions. 

I started off at IBM as a data centre operator - so really from the grass roots up.  I then moved to software engineering and onto management, then ventured into the early days of ‘professional services’ where I assisted sales team sell their solutions.  On leaving IBM, I ventured into a new world with Hitachi, where part of my function was IT development for the EMEA Customer Services Division.  The VP of EMEA Finance, who was then responsible for the IT sector, asked me to join his team as the EMEA IT Director, from then I went through various roles until I ended up as the VP of Global Applications Development and Support.  From Hitachi, I moved onto DHL where I am now EMEA IT Support Functions Director at DHL Supply Chain.

Seeing people progress in their own careers, especially when I have been directly involved i.e. they have been a part of my team or under my supervision, is the most rewarding part of my job.  Coming a close second would be when the team I represent have successfully implemented a key project, and not only with regards to ‘on time’ and ‘on budget’, but when you can see it changing the business for the better - it’s a very gratifying part of my job

You need strong business acumen, pragmatism, a lot of common sense and definitely the ability to work alongside people.  I would never ask someone to do something that I wouldn’t do myself - I started off in an IT Data Centre working a shift rota, cleaning tape drives and pulling mainframe channel cables, it gives you a certain grounding in life.  You must enjoy what you do, work hard, try and make a difference and have fun!

I believe that a lot of graduates come into IT from the business side, but it is important for them to understand that they need to be able to use technology for business gain.  IT caters for all levels and all experiences, once you have a foot in the door then you can really go anywhere within IT especially as it is such a fundamental part of any business and spans across all sectors.  IT is constantly reinventing itself; there will always be a place for people.  Graduates can be instrumental to the success of a business i.e. fresh inventive minds, but as I’ve said before, they must know the business first; ask questions, research, look on the company website and find out as much as you can - not just in the interview process, but make it part of your daily routine to find out as much as you can.  I am years down the line in my IT career, but I am still determined to find out more and more each day in order to better myself with regards to DHL.  It is easy to fall into the trap of ‘technology for technology’s sake’ but the best way is to adopt the principals of the business and don’t get caught up in just the technology.  Any business needs the inventiveness of youth and the stability of age, it makes a good mix...I’ve seen a lot of graduates who want the ‘fast track’ through IT to end up at the top, but remember that there’s no shame in staying in one role for the longevity of your career - every business needs people around who have been doing the job for a while and know it like the back of their hand.

I have a company issue Blackberry.  From a business perspective easy access to information is key, especially when you have mobile workforce.  Therefore the use of such devices is very much an instrumental part of business life, let alone our social life.  Today’s generation take these sorts of technology in their stride, from a IT standpoint we need to adapt to how we use them and use social media/networking to benefit the business.  Some CXO’s would recognize that social media could have a huge impact on their business and again, understanding the needs of the business in this situation would be key...even down to deciding what phone you have!