This month we talk to PAUL SYKES Director at the Unite Group
Did you always envisage a career in the world of Technology?
To be honest yes! I completed an apprenticeship when I left school with a company called Telephone Rentals who were merged with Mercury Communications shortly afterwards. I loved learning something new everyday and also being out and about across London working in many different kinds of businesses. I have never really considered doing anything else and still enjoy it so I guess I made a wise decision when I left school!!
What attracted you to your current role?
As The Unite Group has continued to develop as a business we now have a team of directors, this means we have all been able to get away from dealing with absolutely everything like most small business owners! I am now able to focus primarily on the business and more importantly on building and maintaining relationships with our valued clients. I love my role in technology and it’s great to keep current and up to date but I also love meeting people so for me it really is the ideal position! I also feel I now have a much better idea of the different services we offer and I love to find solutions for our customers! Nothing can give you more job satisfaction then knowing we delivered and put in a solution that makes a real difference. Working on the business and developing plans with the director team is also really rewarding and The Unite Group is starting to grow into the customer service focussed business we are all striving for.
How important has Technology been during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Its been Vital, we actually locked down and got everything in place a week before Boris made it official! That decision was one of the best ones we have ever made!! Once the lockdown was announced it went crazy and so many businesses were unprepared and didn’t have any type of disaster recovery plan in place. Our team were at home and ready to go and we were able to get the majority of our customers online and working within a few days. The pandemic really opened peoples eyes to what cloud technology can offer and most importantly the flexibility it provides any business, I honestly believe most businesses are working smarter and more efficiently as a result of the changes they were forced to adopt! Hopefully it ensure they are more open to suggestions and improvements in the future.
What tips would you give to someone looking to work in the industry?
Firstly accept that you will never know everything and commit to learning something new every day! It’s a great industry to work in as it never gets boring! Technology continually improves and develops and this means everyone in the industry also has to keep up. I also believe it can be incredibly rewarding. I think starting an apprenticeship and developing a range of skills across the sector is the ideal way to develop and the guys who have taken that route with Unite over the years have all turned out to be great long term members of our team.
Tell us the most exciting thing you’re currently working on?
We have recently been working with a couple of long term customers on new ventures! This is exciting for them but also demonstrates that things are going well for them despite the challenges of the last 18 months. There are also a couple of exciting projects that I am working on to grow the business and add some additional services but I cant talk about them at the moment!
What’s your fondest memory of a career in the industry?
There are honestly too many to pick just one! The most memorable one was during my time in Australia where I was tasked with supplying communications and IT services for the Singapore army, they were using the Shoal Water Bay site in Queensland for military exercises and we had a few days to get everything in place for them. Driving for over 40 kilometers on a dirt road just to reach the site was an experience in itself.
What are your remaining career aspirations?
I would love to see The Unite Group continue its development and become the trusted technology partner in our region. We are really lucky and have a fantastic team of people and it’s a pleasure to work with them. On a personal level I love meeting and helping new clients and now the pandemic is over getting out to meet with them and if that helps to grow the business at the same time that’s fantastic.
What piece of technology would you be lost without?
Honestly? My Apple watch. I resisted getting one for ages and now I would be completely lost without it. Getting emails and messages and being able to work on the move is great and it also helps me with my daily fitness too. Making sure I walk my daily steps and meet my daily fitness goals has become really important.
Who are your heroes and mentors?
As part of my degree my wrote a paper on the formation of Microsoft by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. In our industry windows and the current crop of cloud based products are used around the globe and the impact they both made in our industry and to the world is unprecedented. Understanding that they were also two guys from University with dreams and aspirations and what they managed to achieve is an inspiration to everyone. Away from technology then Ian Poulter playing for Europe in the Ryder Cup takes some beating.
When not working, how do you like to relax?
I love all sports! I am getting too old to play football so having been a keen golfer for over 30 years I now try to enjoy this as much as possible. It’s a great way to relax and can also be introduced into a business meeting! I also love to travel and spend time with my family.
