This month we’ve got Claire Hopkins, Managing Director at Ideal in our hot seat. Answering all those burning questions from how to deal with customers to who would play her in a life biopic.
How many years have you been working in the industry?
6 – I used to represent people detained under the mental health act before joining Ideal
What’s the first thing you do each morning?
Sadly, check my phone
Tell us five things you do every day in your role
I cycle to work most mornings and use the time to decide on my priorities for the day, I check in with as many of our employees as I can every day, catch up with my direct reports, review progress on key deals and try and stay on top of email
What’s your number one tip when it comes to dealing with customers?
Smile and really listen to what’s being said
Name one thing businesses tend to forget when implementing or upgrading their technology
People! Technology on its own can’t transform who people do business- as much time needs to be spent reviewing the business process and people who will be impacted by the change
What’s the number one pain point or concern your customers have?
Security is top of mind for many right now
What’s you favourite thing about your job?
Building a brilliant team of people
What’s the best thing about partnering with Cisco?
Cisco values partners of all shapes and sizes which has been great for Ideal as we’ve grown. On a more personal note I enjoy working with many like-minded women who support me when I’m shouting about how to tackle sexism in the industry and bring more women into IT
Name one device or piece of technology you couldn’t live without
Predictably my iPhone
If you weren’t working in tech, what would you be doing?
I love writing on our blog so something with words
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Slow down
What helps you relax at the end of the day?
Facebook- it marks the end of my working day
What’s your ultimate comfort food?
Toasted sandwich
Which actor would play you in a biopic of your life?
Joanna Lumley
If you could possess one superhero power, what would it be?
Persistent wakefulness
First music single you bought?
Baggy trousers- Madness
Apple or Android?
Apple
Who would you least like to be stuck on a desert island with?
Donald Trump
What’s your most-used smartphone app?
In your opinion, what’s the best tech innovation of the last 100 years?
The Internet and then ubiquitous access to it
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