It’s no secret that the global tech sector is advancing at an astonishingly rapid pace – not least in relation to the now integral role of digital transformation in spearheading growth and success. But no matter the size or scope of your organisation – or how sophisticated your innovation strategy is – the only way to drive significant change is to leverage the power of people.
So, to champion some of the industry’s finest talent, and gain some insight into the minds of individuals from across the tech space, we’re inviting friends and partners of the business to take part in our quickfire Q&A.
Up next, it’s Nick Halliday, CEO at IDS Group…
Tell us about your role at IDS and the part you play in the tech sector.
At IDS, we help provide stability and reliability in technology systems, using various methodology and approaches to ensure systems can scale and become more complex and integrated over time.
As a CEO and business owner, I play a central role in leading our organisation through its next exciting chapter — whatever product, service, collaboration, or technical partnership we may be in at that time. It’s not just about motivating and engaging internal teams either — it’s just as important to enthuse all clients and stakeholders to come on innovative journeys with us.
What innovation was the turning point for your organisation, to get it to where you are now?
It’s more of a slow build to success rather than a sudden turning point, but we found we were particularly good at inventing, innovating, and designing new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products. Our tech-agnostic approach means we see our clients’ challenges from every perspective, and deliver solutions based on their specific needs. We can be brought in at any stage to help strengthen applications, maximise investments, and more.
And where’s next for your business?
More growth, both organically and through potential acquisition. We’re really happy with the clients we have and want to expand with them — strengthening our business even further, internally, will enable us to support their growth too.
The biggest misconception faced by the tech sector is…
That you can have ’fast’, ‘cheap’ and ‘good’ all in the same offering, without some sort of compromise. Rarely is that ever the case. If it is, alarm bells should be ringing!
What do you think will be the biggest tech trend over the next 12 months?
People are looking for more and more monitoring, for enhanced efficiency and protection — including software tools/apps, better connections (IoT), more intelligence (AI), or better processes and systems to record events accurately (golden thread).
What top tip would you give to an individual trying to excel in their tech career?
Learn the basics in a split fashion — for example, gain ‘hands on’ experience in traditional software, and then apply it to emerging technologies.
The next purchase on my personal tech wish list is…?
A small two-seater plane called an ICON Aircraft, that can land on water. It’s simple, lightweight, and, better still, costs less to buy and run than a supercar and only needs 20 hours training. What could go wrong ☺?
And what is your earliest memory of tech in your life?
Being told by the newspaper industry that I needed to research what the internet could do to content — they were worried it was going to ruin the newspaper industry forever. Look how far we’ve come!
What is one longstanding piece of tech you are shocked is still used today?
A traditional TomTom sat-nav — and (I think) my mum still has one. With Google Maps and other in-built smartphone apps that easily route plan, I’d have thought they’d be redundant by now.
Finally, if you are without the internet for an hour, what would be the first activity you resort to, to pass the time?
Pen and paper. My notebook still has my more meandering thoughts. So I would read through, plan, think and find more time to develop whatever I have scribbled down in there.
