Inthespotlight Company name: o2 uK Who? Andy Bremner, Head of regional development Website: www.o2.co.uk/business
1. What were you doing between 10 and 12 this morning? Meeting with a group of key influencers from the private and public sectors in Edinburgh to identify and understand the challenges and drivers behind local businesses in order to help them become more competitive and successful.
2. What do you see as your job’s biggest challenge? Part of my role is to help change the perception of O2 as a mobile communications provider and to position our Joined Up business strategy of IT, fixed line and mobile services.
3. What do you consider your biggest business triumph? Building our Scotland B2B sales team up within a relatively short period of time to become the most successful within our business and indeed the UK as recognised by being awarded the Field Sales Team of the Year in the National Sales Awards 2011.
4. do you have and money-saving business tips? Consolidating suppliers is one of the most economical ways of ensuring your business operates as efficiently as possible.
5. What do you believe are the 3 key stages on your career ladder? University was a great opportunity to find my feet and learn more about myself and my ambitions, my first job in the construction sector gave me a great grounding and showed me that I thrived in the sales environment, while my current
role has given me the opportunity to be involved at a strategic level with key influencers across the region.
6. Where do you stand on work/life balance? As a home worker it is a challenge that I am constantly faced with and the advent of Flexible Working has raised this topic of discussion a lot recently, however no matter how rewarding and enjoyable your job is it is important to recognise what is important to you and to strike the right balance.
7. What do you like to do on your spare time? For my sins I am an avid follower of Aberdeen FC and spend far too much time travelling to and watching games!
8. What qualities do you need to see in your employees? Communication and relationship building skills, a strong work ethic and desire to succeed and a willingness to step up and take risks.
9. in business, is it more important to be liked or successful? I don’t believe they are necessarily mutually exclusive – both are important therefore as with everything it’s about striking a balance between the two.
10. What is the one piece of advice you would give to others trying to reach the top? Never underestimate the power of relationships, both internally and externally.
Building and maintaining a strong network facilitates knowledge transfer and learning thus building trust and encouraging fresh thinking.
11. Who is your hero? Anyone who puts others before themselves and has the courage to stand up for their convictions.
12. Any business (or other) projects you would like to plug? You may not be aware that unlike most discount sites O2 Priority Moments is a great app that our customers can download onto their smartphone for free, giving them instant savings from big high street brands and restaurants.
13. other than your current position, what would be your dream job? Professional football coach.
14. Who (living or dead) would you invite to a fantasy dinner party? Orson Welles, Kurt Cobain, Andy Warhol, Steve Jobs and Barack Obama.
15. outside of business, what is the most important thing in your life? My wife Kate who is due to give birth to our first child in October which puts everything else into perspective
August/September 2012
BC issue 18.indd 39
BC
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