THE DEBRIEF
The biggest challenge we are facing as an industry is in how we repair , reuse and improve existing devices instead of throwing them away and buying ‘ shiny , newer ’ models .
they should or should not do . My aim is to develop a culture of accountability and robust performance within my teams .
The other best piece of professional advice that I was given was : “ When you ’ re not happy about something , do it and then complain .” This is something that has stuck with me for many years . I apply it to my work and how I manage my team .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
With Digital Transformation comes more technologies , more mobile devices and more distributed workforces . A recent SOTI study found that almost four in 10 UK businesses reported an increase in the number of devices deployed in their organisations over the last year . With that , everything must be fast , secure and reliable . With the rapid pace of technological change , businesses across sectors are rushing to keep up , and this can create complexities and result in several problems .
EMM solutions make mobile device-focused business operations simple and efficient while ensuring new technologies can be added and continually managed , safely and securely no matter where you are in the world . EMM reduces the cost , complexity and downtime of mobile operations while delivering actionable and intelligent insights to help business leaders make data-driven decisions to improve their operations and processes further . It is a constant cycle across all sectors , EMM must be a crucial component for any business using mobile technologies in its operations and I certainly see this as a major area of investment for many organisations .
The biggest challenge we are facing as an industry is in how we repair , reuse and improve existing devices instead of throwing them away and buying ‘ shiny , newer ’ models . This ‘ swap mentality ’ means we are ripping out and replacing devices regularly without accessing our current fleet and diagnosing issues fully first . This is critical as businesses and governments work towards net zero targets in the coming years , and with the EU ’ s tougher regulations to make batteries greener . Devices are costly to purchase , and many organisations tend to replace them at once as part of a three-to-five-year cycle . However , they are lacking intelligence data from their devices to make the correct purchasing decisions in the first place . For example , businesses may only need to replace the batteries for these devices . Organisations should use their own device fleet data to make purchase and device update decisions not based on when a device warranty expires or because one device is not performing as it should . With an EMM solution , the enterprise mobility industry can support this sustainable shift by enabling quick remote software fixes for devices as well as replacing hardware parts instead of the full device .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry ?
One of the best pieces of advice I could give to someone would be to make the most of the people around you . Everyone , regardless of position or rank , has something to offer ; whether it is a particular skill you can learn or just an understanding of different ways of working .
I always feel inspired by the C-suite at SOTI , especially our President and CEO , Carl Rodrigues , who built SOTI from the ground up , going against the grain and doing things differently . That ethos of being bold and not afraid to challenge the status quo has always stayed with me and continues to influence how I navigate the management of my team and partners .
What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to and why ?
Since seeing that Windows 95 computer on my work experience and growing up with the boom of the Internet and mobile technology , I have always been deeply passionate about technology . That passion has allowed me to help others see the impact and opportunities that technology can bring .
Although I started my career in technical roles , I am a true extrovert . I love being around people . A co-worker pulled me aside one day and said ; “ Faki , you belong in sales ,” and they were right . I now get to combine my technical knowledge , passion and enthusiasm for fostering deep connections with people , and I think this is where my success has stemmed from . You must love what you do .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months ?
Over the last year , one of the major changes we have all seen is the boom in Generative AI . I believe this will intensify in 2024 as businesses get more accustomed to its potential and the appetite for trials increases . What has been clear throughout 2023 is that organisations are still struggling to manage and secure their ever-increasing fleet of mobile devices . The broadening range of devices now being used , and the different applications and software needed create huge demands on IT teams . That coupled with the size of fleets now being managed creates complexity for their device requirements . As such , my role has shifted from helping businesses just getting started with Digital Transformation , to supporting them with their onward journey , building trust , safeguarding data and providing seamless experiences , all the while future-proofing for advanced technologies including AI . �
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