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AMD’s EMEA senior sales manager Neil Spicer reveals his favourite place to visit and how he was able to work with industry icons during his career…
What’s your most embarrassing or funniest moment in the industry?
There have been some really fun times over the years, most of which are not printable! I do have some great memories of when the entire UK industry used to converge on CeBit every year and somehow all meet in the Irish pub. Some of the best deals of my early career were negotiated at 1am over a drink or ten!
What are your hobbies?
I have got into long distance endurance events over the last year, doing two marathons and some 70.3 Ironman triathlons. Next year I have the full Ironman triathlon so that will be the focus for now. On top of that I coach my son’s under seven football team.
What was your fist job?
My first job in the IT industry was in 1999, working for a system builder called Compusys. I was working as a sales manager and learned a great deal from some industry icons like Sam Kazerounian.
Do you have pet hates?
Double negatives. ‘I ain’t got nothing…’ well that means you’ve got something!
What’s the best place you’ve visited?
I am fortunate to travel a lot of the world with AMD, in particular I enjoy spending time in Austin and Hong Kong. Due to extensive travel, my favourite place to visit is home!
What’s going to be the next big thing in tech?
Virtual Reality (VR). We are running various demonstrations around Europe at the moment to allow people to experience the magic of VR for the first time. When you watch people’s body language, expressions and listen to the screams, it’s brilliant. I saw a cool concept recently where you’re able to simulate flying through a city, strapped into what looks like a bird, with wind in your face and the smell of the sea – it was truly incredible.
What’s the toughest decision you have ever made?
Any decision that can have an effect on someone else should be considered one.
Would you like to nominate anyone for our next ‘In the hot seat’?
I would like to nominate Richard Marsden, Sales Director at VIP. When I first joined ATI in 2001 he was one of my first customers and we still work closely together today.
