Inside the Mind of Daniel Maynard
20 things you don't know but should know about our Head of Category, Daniel Maynard
How many years have you been working in the industry?
13 years. I spent 5 years working in an European role for a components distributor, and 8 years leading the Cisco business at Ingram Micro.
What’s the first thing you do each morning?
Tell my eldest son, who is 2, to go back to sleep when he wakes up far too early!
Tell us four things you do every day in your role –
- Check the numbers
- Tell what I think are hilarious jokes to the team, who smile politely
- Talk to customers
- Have at least 2 proactive hours a day
What’s your number one tip when it comes to dealing with customers?
Listen.
Name one thing businesses tend to forget when implementing or upgrading their technology
Investing enough now to future proof for tomorrow.
What’s the number one pain point or concern your customers have?
For Cisco resellers it is keeping on top of the pace of change of new technologies, and being able to resource against that.
What’s you favourite thing about your job?
The variety is great – every day brings a new challenge or opportunity to do something different and learn something new.
What’s the best thing about partnering with Cisco?
Same as above.
Name one device or piece of technology you couldn’t live without
For work it is my iPhone. Outside of work, nothing - I try not to be too reliant on technology.
If you weren’t working in tech, what would you be doing?
I studied Sport Science at Uni, so hopefully something within sporting – I was never good enough at a particular sport, so maybe a coaching or a development role.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you make a mistake admit it and move on.
What helps you relax at the end of the day?
I best say my children in case my wife reads this! Although at 2 years and 6 months respectively, they are not very relaxing, but they absolutely help to switch off from the business and keep me focussed on what’s important at the end of the day.
What’s your ultimate comfort food?
Chinese takeaway.
Which actor would play you in a biopic of your life?
Harry Hill – apparently I look like him.
If you could possess one superhero power, what would it be?
Speak all the languages of the world. Knowing the language of a country allows you to fully understand the people and culture, plus I could show off on the European calls I’m involved in.
First music single you bought?
In the Army Now by Status Quo. My brother made me chip in for half the cost for it when I was about 6 or 7 from my pocket money – he promised my he’d pay me back but never has.
Apple or Android?
Apple. I can’t wait to see the new synergies between Apple and Cisco.
Who would you least like to be stuck on a desert island with?
Megan Fox – having no competition and still not having a chance with her would be pretty depressing!
What’s your most-used smartphone app?
Cisco Spark obviously! But realistically the BBC Sport app.
In your opinion, what’s the best tech innovation of the last 100 years?
The best innovation is the speed of innovation – what we are able to do today because of technology that we couldn’t do even 10 years ago is phenomenal, and what that has the potential to mean we can do in another 10 years is mind-boggling.
Contact Daniel here.