It’s Adam’s turn in the spotlight this month. Sharing how his latest tech purchase is helping integrate his devices more effectively, and why it’s important to have a team filled with bright and versatile people.
Your 60 seconds start now Adam! Take it away:
How did you first get into the world of tech?
Starting at Vapour was my first full-time role. When I was looking at getting a job in finance, I started searching for companies in the local area, and as someone from nearby Halifax, this was a perfect fit.
And what is your earliest memory of tech in your life?
I would have to say the PlayStation 2. I was a Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and a StarWars Battlefront fan back in the day – those games kept me entertained for years.
What’s the one quality you need to thrive in this environment (especially at Vapour)?
Teamwork, as without it, you can’t really get anywhere. At Vapour we all bring a different set of skills and experience, so when we work together, we can fill knowledge gaps – this is so important in an industry like tech.
And what is the one thing you would change about the tech sector?
All of the big words and acronyms! Working on the finance side of the tech, it can be hard to translate the jargon from one company to the next, especially in invoicing. It also makes it much more daunting and complex when working alongside customers who aren’t used to the language, so in an ideal world everything would be much more straight-forward and easier to understand.
Why do you think Vapour stands out in the channel?
The team is filled with really bright and talented people. When you call us up, you can get through to the person best equipped to help you, which can be rare in the tech space.
Complete the sentences:
The best piece of tech ever invented is...
The mobile phone. Having the technology to contact people no matter where you are makes it so much easier to stay connected.
The next purchase on my (personal) tech wishlist is...
That’s a tough one. I’ve recently invested in an Apple Watch, moving over from Samsung for a more integrated ecosystem – so I don’t have any other tech on my wishlist just yet.
The biggest misconception in the channel is that...
Everyone knows everything! Going back to my point about teamwork, we have a lot of intelligent brains that make up the Vapour team, and their different skill-sets and specialisms are key. Tech isn’t an industry where one person can know everything – you’ve got voice, storage, security, and connectivity to name just a few.
By the end of 2022, our tech will have made organisations far more...
Cohesive – because working from home has sectioned people off and potentially made it harder to keep track of projects, morale, and connectedness. Our tech makes that easier, bridging that gap and maximising what is possible in organisations, no matter how large or small.
A lover of the simpler things in life, Adam has taken on a ‘Beige vs. Food’ challenge to raise money for the premature birth charity, Borne - as we continue towards our boldest target yet – a staggering £23,000! Follow challenge over on our Instagram.
He’s come a long way since he first started using a Sony Ericsson Walkman – Tim, your time starts now…
It was almost by chance that I found myself working in tech! Redundancy allowed me to take a step back in my career and evaluate where I wanted progress and develop. I saw the tech industry as an ever-growing market and something that I could see career longevity in, and I really liked the sound of Vapour, what the brand stood for, and the vision of the senior management team.
A mobile phone (Sony Ericsson Walkman) that I got when I went from primary school to high school.
Adaptability – business challenges, market opportunities and tech trends are always changing, therefore we need to be able to adapt to reflect this evolving space.
It’s what everyone says but it’s true – fewer industry jargon.
We listen, understand, and deliver tailored solutions to meet customer requirements. We don’t simply impose a particular technology on a business because it’s what we want to sell.
The best piece of tech ever invented is…
the search engine Google.
The next purchase on my (personal) tech wishlist is…
an Apple Watch.
A tech firm that has really stood out for me in the last 12 months is…
Zoom, as they have really adapted to market needs, amidst the mass shift to working remotely.
The biggest misconception in the channel is that…
the cheapest price is always the best option.
By the end of 2020, our tech will have made organisations far more… versatile, efficient and future proofed.
It’s Alec’s turn in the spotlight this month – here, our sales and strategic accounts manager talks corkscrews, complexity and why Vapour will always constructively challenge…
How did you first get into the world of tech?
I fell into it – four days after returning from travelling in 2004 – when I began working in a call centre for Telewest Business in Sheffield.
And what is your earliest memory of tech in your life?
Either ‘Roland on the Ropes’ on the Amstrad, or my mum and dad’s old hi-fi system. Either way it’s far later than some people at Vapour (*cough*, Tim), but much earlier than others.
And what is the one thing you would change about the tech sector?
Can I have two? One would be removing the complexity. Yes, what we do is critical, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. It should be simple.
The other is my ever-present pet peeve of companies with big sales and marketing functions, but hardly any support in the back-end. It always leads to a bad customer experience.
Why do you think Vapour stands out in the channel?
We challenge everyone, all the time. It’s very rare we will work with a partner or end user and just deliver what they ask for straight away. We bring experience to the table and use it constructively to ensure the best outcome.
Complete the sentences:
The best piece of tech ever invented is...a corkscrew.
The next purchase on my (personal) tech wishlist is... I’m eying up an Apple Watch.
A tech firm that has really stood out for me in the last 12 months is...SpaceX. Topical, I know, but they are bonkers!
The biggest misconception in the channel is that...cheapest always wins.
By the end of 2020, our tech will have made organisations far more...confident.
Jason is the latest Vapour colleague to step into the spotlight, and did you know, he nearly became an accountant rather than a cloud specialist?! In this quickfire Q&A he talks tech, trust and not taking himself too seriously…
How did you first get into the world of tech?
Many moons ago when I was training to be an accountant, I started to use PCs and learnt to program.
And what is your earliest memory of tech in your life?
A BBC Micro Model B at Primary School
What’s the one quality you need to thrive in this environment (especially at Vapour)?
I think you need a good work ethos, the ability to bounce off other members of staff and a commitment to building solid customer relationships. A great sense of humour helps too!
And what is the one thing you would change about the tech sector
There are a lot of businesses that sadly claim to be able to deliver something, when in reality they can’t.
Why do you think Vapour stands out in the channel?
We have a great close-knit team which gives us the ability to understand and deliver customer requirements efficiently and professionally. I think this in itself creates a crucial sense of trust and enhances our relationship with them.
Complete the sentences:
The best piece of tech ever invented is... the internet.
The next purchase on my (personal) tech wishlist is... nothing! I’ve just upgraded my iPhone, so I don’t plan to buy anything else at the moment.
A tech firm that has really stood out for me in the last 12 months is... VMware.
The biggest misconception in the channel is that... the space is crowded with organisations doing the same thing. I actually think there are too many players BUT not enough doers.
By the end of 2020, our tech will have made organisations far more... flexible in the workplace.
This month, our green-fingered finance manager Jill steps into the employee spotlight. She began her career in banking back in 1980, when she saw the opening of London’s first skyscraper, but her role with Vapour means she now calls Yorkshire ‘home’.
With a passion for helping things grow – whether on her allotment or within the four walls of Vapour’s HQ – she’s a self-confessed ‘non techy’ with a firm eye on our future…
How did you first get into the world of tech?
As an Ops Manager for the University of Manchester Incubator Company (UMIC), as it was known then. I looked after start-up spin out and spin in tenants.
And what is your earliest memory of tech in your life?
Mid 80s during my banking career – IBM screens with green digit data! But I can also remember my first ‘laptop’ as a mortgage adviser – we wheeled them around on trolleys!
What’s the one quality you need to thrive in this environment (especially at Vapour)?
An absolute focus on the client – both in terms of what they need as a tailored package of services for their business, and how we can grow the relationship.
And what is the one thing you would change about the tech sector?
I’m not personally a ‘techy’, so from a user point of view, understanding all the acronyms!
Why do you think Vapour stands out in the channel?
We concentrate on the client!
Complete the sentences:
The best piece of tech ever invented is… the smartphone.
The next purchase on my (personal) tech wishlist is... a smartphone with upgraded camera.
A tech firm that has really stood out for me in the last 12 months is... Vapour ?
The biggest misconception in the channel is that... delivering unified comms is simple. I am really in awe of my techy colleagues!
By the end of 2020, our tech will have made organisations far more... green. It’s been an extremely challenging year for the business community and we’re only half-way through. But there are some unexpected pleasant surprises to come from lockdown too. For example, it has proven we can all be greener!
Many traditional and somewhat archaic working patterns – including travel to the office and meetings – have changed dramatically, and I see this being the ‘new normal’ now. Organisations are collaborating differently, which has improved the work-life balance for many, and the environment has benefitted too. Vapour can help make this continue, with powerful tech that keeps people securely connected with colleagues and customers, wherever they may be.
It’s Carol McGrotty’s turn in the spotlight this month – find out what Vapour’s head of operations and compliance would change about the tech sector, why she couldn’t live without her Sat Nav and her thoughts on embracing female talent in the sector…
How did you first get into the world of tech?
It was fate that led me to a secondment role in January 2000 with NTL (now Virgin Media Business). I stayed there for 12 years and then the opportunity with Vapour Cloud came along.
And what is your earliest memory of tech in your life?
I’m not sure that this technology really changed the world, but when we got an electric typewriter in the house, we definitely thought we had moved with the times!
What’s the one quality you need to thrive in this environment (especially at Vapour)?
Innovation. At Vapour we are always curious – and looking for new ways to surprise and delight – as well as finding even better methods of doing things.
And what is the one thing you would change about the tech sector?
When it comes to embracing female talent in technical roles, there is still a way to go. The key for future generations is encouragement at both school and apprentice level.
Why do you think Vapour stands out in the channel?
We have a reputation for working closely – and becoming entwined – with our partners’ sales and marketing teams, which leads to great success rates. We also offer key tools, systems and workshops to third parties – making us different.
Complete the sentences:
The best piece of tech ever invented is... the Sat Nav. I’d be lost without mine – literally!
The next purchase on my (personal) tech wishlist is... a Fitbit Charge 3.
A tech firm that has really stood out for me in the last 12 months is... Spearhead Interactive. Its demonstration of the interactive experiences that virtual reality offers – witnessed at Vapour’s Innovation & Disruption events – was very impressive.
The biggest misconception in the channel is that... the industry should be avoided because it’s challenging. This should be a motivator for workers and not a deterrent – it’s why we are so passionate about what we do!
By the end of 2020, our tech will have made organisations far more... private and secure through cloud-based technology – the Vapour network ensures that customers have excellent end-to-end private connectivity.
