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Hector Hickmott
Head of Retail, HSO UK
Micro Interview with Julian Smith
Practical tips and valuable lessons from Julian Smith, UO Service Line Director, HSO.
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Julian Smith
UO Service Line Director
The path you start on won't be the one you end up on! Don't be afraid to change paths. You become more valuable to your employer by doing so.
Majority of the technology projects is about people, business goals and choosing the right technology partner. In this Micro Lesson, we take a closer look at what it’s really like to work on technology projects, based on the experiences of someone who’s been through it all.
From balancing meetings with productivity and thinking time and a daily routine that keeps energy and focus in check. Julian Smith, UO Service Line Director, HSO shares some practical tips and valuable lessons.
Enjoy this Micro Lesson!
What’s your work routine?
Gym before work when I can. Balance meetings with productivity and thinking time. I protect "focus time" slots vigorously! Start early, try and end on time. Try and get a mid-day break if possible to walk - its amazing how creative you can be in solving a problem when your subconscious works on it!
What’s one misconception about technology projects you’ve come across?
That they are all about the technology rather than the people and the business.
What metrics matter most in a tech project?
I run a Service Line, so I'm going to say revenue.... but there's a message behind that, and my real answer is "Business Value". Deliver real tangible strategically aligned value into a tech project/client. Do it twice and you become part of the furniture, a true trusted tech advisor.
Something you wish you’d known about your work when you first started?
The path you start on won't be the one you end up on! Don't be afraid to change paths. You become more valuable to your employer by doing so.
What did your biggest professional failure teach you?
I nearly made it that the entire days transactions at my second job at a Paper Manufacturer disappeared - by releasing a change to the system that wasn't tested thoroughly.... The Lesson - explain to customers the rigor they need to do in testing!
The #1 thing that helps organisations get value from their technology projects?
Align investment into technology initiatives that aligns to, or drives that business' strategic vision and goals.
Your parting piece of advice?
Bizapps projects generate a lot of emotion for our customers because they are expensive and carry risk; but lets remember that (on the whole) implementing an ERP solution isn't a life or death situation - so lets try and have fun along the way, as a team, and where appropriate and possible with the client.
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Andy Clough
Industry Director
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Craig Russell
Cloud Sales Director
HSO UK announces the appointment of Craig Russell
What sets HSO apart
HSO is a Business Transformation Partner with deep industry expertise and global reach. HSO leverages the full power of the Microsoft Cloud to transform how people work and engage customers, ultimately accelerating the impact of cloud transformation and improving overall business performance. Large enough to serve, small enough to care.
Consistent Global Delivery Capabilities
HSO offers global delivery capabilities alongside 24/7 managed services to expedite business transformations for multinational corporations. Our unified global delivery methodology and template approach ensure consistent implementations worldwide, enabling cost-effective solutions with predictable outcomes.
100% Microsoft Focus
HSO is a full service Microsoft Partner, having achieved all six Microsoft Cloud Partner Program Solution Designations, with each designation being anchored on the Microsoft Cloud: Business Applications, Data & AI (Azure), Digital App & Innovation (Azure), Infrastructure (Azure), Modern Work, and Security.
HSO Academy
HSO Academy is an integral part of the HSO culture for the further development, continuous improvement and certification of HSO employees. We invest in our people with ongoing training programs, delivering the most impact on your business.
HSO Offerings
HSO develops solutions for our customers that leverage the latest cloud and AI technologies from Microsoft. Our industry-focused products address the vertical and horizontal needs of the markets we operate in, accelerating our customers' digital transformation and enabling them to become digital leaders in their industry.