Intelligent CIO Europe Issue13 | Page 81

GET TO KNOW... On the lighter side of things, we ask the industry experts what makes them tick. . . . Tom Needs, Chief Operations Officer, Node4 What would you describe as your most memorable achievement? My most memorable achievement was very early on in my career when I led the development of a ‘virtual children’s centre’ for the NSPCC. It was a website designed to be a go-to place for children in need of advice and support. Seventeen years later I found myself working with the NSPCC once again, hosting its Childline website and contact centre. If those systems go down – children’s lives are at risk – so it’s imperative that they don’t. What first made you think of a career in technology? Before I undertook my IT degree, I really wasn’t that interested in technology. However, it was during my degree that I started to really understand and get excited about the impact technology can have on businesses and the life of humans. It was this that really initiated my passion and interest in taking up a career in IT. What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position? Although I don’t have a particular style, I do have three key values I’ve learned over the years that I like to adhere to: www.intelligentcio.com 1. Treat people how you wish to be treated – I thank my Gran for that one 2. As a leader, you serve your people rather than vice versa – I thank Branson for that 3. Seek first to understand before being understood – I thank Steven Covey for that one “ What do you think will emerge as the technology trend of 2018 and why? Without a doubt – Augmented Reality. I just think the potential here is endless in almost every sector. IT WAS DURING MY DEGREE THAT I STARTED TO REALLY UNDERSTAND AND GET EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPACT TECHNOLOGY CAN HAVE ON BUSINESSES AND THE LIFE OF HUMANS. INTELLIGENTCIO 81