The People Behind Cloud Genius
On moving his company to Wales, he saw great opportunities for offering training and development. Currently he has recruited and trained one person from the Jobs Growth Wales scheme. He is looking to take on more trainees immediately and in the coming years.
John has experience of a vast range of IT systems – everything from NHS distributed data collection systems to massive, UNIX-based office automation systems through to Microsoft Windows server systems and Cloud-based services. His IT career spans three decades so far and he was one of the pioneers of Cloud-based computing, working in the early days of ‘private clouds’ and Software as a Services (SaaS). John’s first experience of a ‘computer terminal’, at school, was a telex machine, linked up by an acoustic modem to the local college (see picture).
He says that his greatest programming achievement is the Eventbrite -> Salesforce integration that he created for a client.
Among his qualifications: Salesforce Administrator and Consultant, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, CompTIA Security+, UNIX systems administrator, as well as honours degrees from Durham and Oxford.
In his spare time, John enjoys bread-making and bee keeping.
Mind Your Language!
It is a common misconception that in order to talk with technical people, you need to talk their language. It’s wrong and it’s dangerous and it’s expensive… let me explain. This might feel painful, but you will understand more of the process at the end. When you are...
Let’s join the party!
When I searched for ‘Create a Buzz’, this photo was not what I was after. On the other hand, it is fun so it will probably get you to engage. There is a problem on the internet. How do you get people to engage and follow you? Well, a friend of mine has come up with a...
Help! What is a CRM and how do I choose one?
One of the bigger, if not the biggest business decision is purchasing a new CRM system. (Customer Relationship Management system) This information is not Salesforce specific!!! While I do consult on Salesforce, this guide is deliberately about what a CRM can do for...
Spreadsheets are enough for my business – move on
Spreadsheets are wonderful. I have a load of them. Everything from personal ones that calculate my kg weight in stones and pounds (apologies to US readers) and my BMI through to things that help me calculate budgets and so on. I even have transient data in them, when...
Growing the Business in Interesting Times
Did you notice that the last 12 months has been interesting? Rather like that curse, may you live in 'interesting times'. For me, it has been a time of re-engaging with my lovely, lovely customers. A year ago, I gave up my staff, gave up the office, started working...
Training on Salesforce for free?
On of the advantages of the current crisis is that it has allowed us to meet virtually, at a moment's notice. No travel time. Distance is no longer an object. It is a tiny sop, out of a global crisis.. but it is very real. Running on cloud-based technology, my clients...
A heart to heart – what I learned from Lunch and Learn
One of the mind-games that I play as a business owner is that I am not good enough. That in many ways I have failed each and every client at some point in time. So, asking for a testimonial is only asking for trouble. This week, I held a ‘Lunch and Learn’. My...
I feel a change coming on. I have a vision.
These are odd times. To say the least. Many people have been furloughed or wondering what to do with their lives. Will they have a job? Are they happy with the job they have? With so much spare time, many people have taken this as a opportunity to think about their...
Podcast with HGKC and Useful Tips for Lockdown
Just finished recording a new podcast with Kim Jones of HGKC. Kim and her company offer high-quality coaching for small and medium-sized businesses. In these unusual times they are producing a range of podcasts to help people navigate their businesses through these...