Author: CIO Times

Christos Tattis is a seasoned professional with a passion for driving digital transformation. As the Senior Commercial Manager at NetU Group, he navigates the intersection of business and technology, advocating for organizations to embark on their digital journeys. With a keen eye for market dynamics and fresh ideas, Christos ensures that NetU remains a trusted business partner for its clients. His commitment to excellence and client satisfaction sets him apart in the ever-evolving landscape of digital solutions.

The Journey

Christos started his career as a software developer in the Banking industry in 2000. While being in the IT department of Emporiki Bank – Greece, he worked his way up to become a Sector Manager of the Banking Applications Sector in the same bank in 2007. During his tenure, he spearheaded transformative initiatives including the implementation of e-banking, the e-Loan platform, and Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse projects, among others.

In 2012, Christos embarked on a pivotal career shift, transitioning to the role of Division Manager within the Non-Performing Loans Division—a significant departure from his IT roots, yet a rewarding opportunity to lead one of the bank’s critical business units. This career shift was the biggest challenge he had to face in his career. Leaving his comfort zone in the IT for the NPL Division of the Bank created a series of unforeseen challenges for him. He had to adjust his mindset but also at the same time lead the team by example. “It was a truly rewarding experience to realize the importance of working as a team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams I have ever worked with. It was an honor and still is,” he says.

Following Emporiki Bank’s acquisition by Alpha Bank, Christos opted to venture into the ICT industry and joined NetU Consultants in 2016—a decision he has never looked back on.

Initially, Christos led the Business Solution Service Delivery Department until 2019, when he was honored with the role of Senior Commercial Manager. Throughout his tenure at NetU, he has consistently served as the Practice Leader for Oracle NetSuite and Salesforce business—a role that continues to invigorate him daily as he engages with transformative projects.

Delivering IT Solutions

NetU is a cutting-edge organization specializing in IT solutions and services both locally in Cyprus and internationally, boasting a rich history spanning more than three successful decades. Renowned as a major Systems Integrator in the region, NetU proudly holds a leading position in the Cyprus market.

Since its founding in 1991, NetU has been consistently selected by medium and large organizations to be their IT business partner, to help them achieve their corporate objectives and obtain a competitive advantage. By identifying ways to seamlessly integrate business processes and technology, NetU empowers its customers to reap the benefits of IT; whether investing for the first time, upgrading or optimizing existing systems. Cultivating cooperative rather than exclusive relationships with market leaders enables us to recommend and deliver the most cost-effective solution, yielding the highest return. 

In the public sector, NetU stands as a key supplier of integrated solutions to the Government of Cyprus, while in the private sector, its portfolio encompasses significant projects across all sectors of the economy. Its global footprint extends to over 40 countries, where it actively serves governments, multinational corporations, and local enterprises.

NetU excels in addressing the unique IT requirements of organizations and driving digital transformations for its clients. Its offerings span:

– Implementation of globally recognized business applications like Oracle NetSuite and Salesforce

– Provision of state-of-the-art technological solutions

– Supply of comprehensive integrated solutions tailored to organizational needs.

To ensure its clients access the best and most current solutions, NetU fosters strategic partnerships and maintains certifications with leading technology and business software manufacturers. Moreover, its project implementations adhere to rigorously tested methodologies, with a keen focus on upholding the quality and security of its clients’ data, supported by ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2013 certifications.

“Central to our success is our dedicated staff, meticulously trained to maximize the potential of our offerings and implement industry best practices. Through this commitment, we strive to deliver optimal benefits to our valued customers,” says Christos.

Strategic Leadership

Given NetU’s partnerships with cutting-edge platforms such as Oracle NetSuite and Salesforce, it became essential to harness the full potential of these technologies. So, Christos has consistently emphasized in the company’s strategic initiatives the importance of offering customers more than just software for automating their day-to-day tasks. Under his leadership, the focus shifted towards delivering solutions to their underlying challenges. Christos believes that it is only through this approach that they can truly achieve maximum customer satisfaction. This principle is now proudly and explicitly stated within the organization. 

“At NetU, our mission is clear: to provide customers with peace of mind by delivering lasting and innovative solutions to their problems, whether they are short-term hurdles or long-standing challenges,” he says.

Precise Execution and Management of Projects

Christos shares that identifying the key stakeholders in complex NetSuite projects is the first step to managing the project successfully. Then, it requires a tailored approach to integrate the unique capabilities of the NetSuite platform with effective project management strategies.

“The key lies in fostering continuous and proactive stakeholder engagement. This entails involving stakeholders from the outset to grasp and address their expectations effectively. It goes without saying that meeting these expectations is crucial for ensuring alignment with project objectives,” he explains.

NetU also fosters cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless integration of NetSuite into existing business processes even with 3^rd party software, with all key stakeholders in a transparent view. It maintains open and transparent communication channels with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle is imperative for us and we do promote it all the way.

“By combining a strategic approach to project planning, agile execution methodologies, and diligent monitoring and optimization practices, we ensure the successful implementation of complex NetSuite projects while delivering value to stakeholders and driving business transformation,” says Christos.

Opportunities for All

NetU proudly received and holds the prestigious national “Equality Employer” award from the National Business Certification Body. This accolade commends the company’s steadfast dedication to fostering equality within the workplace. 

This certification stands as a testament to NetU’s core value of prioritizing and respecting all individuals. At NetU, the management team is committed to nurturing an environment where every person can thrive, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities. The corporate culture underscores inclusivity, work-life balance, and flexibility, evident through practices such as telecommuting, flexible working hours, and merit-based recruitment, evaluation, development, promotion, and reward processes.

“Moreover, we actively engage with our community, universities, and young talents, championing initiatives aimed at bridging the gender gap in technology. By empowering women and supporting their representation in the tech sector, we contribute to a more diverse and inclusive industry landscape,” shares Christos. 

NetU’s dedicated team delivers high-caliber solutions and services. The company cultivates an invigorating environment for professional growth, fostering collaboration and partnerships that lead to solutions tailored to meet diverse customer needs. The constructive workplace emphasizes teamwork, cooperation, and knowledge sharing. The strength of its personnel lies in their professionalism, proficiency, expertise, and commitment to timely project completion.

Simplifying Technology for Clients

Regardless of the category to which the proposed solution belongs, NetU’s foremost objective is to facilitate the digital transformation of organizations. This transformation goes beyond merely automating existing processes; it entails optimizing them for efficiency, effectiveness, security, and business continuity, all while prioritizing the best user experience.

Implementing solutions like Oracle NetSuite or Salesforce enables client organizations to achieve a comprehensive detachment from outdated methods of operation, such as reliance on paper, telephones, and other time-consuming tasks. By embracing these solutions, organizations can fully leverage a range of functionalities and automated workflows based on industry best practices, integrated with key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and analytics, which are no longer a luxury but a necessity for enhanced productivity.

The imperative for real-time information utilization and the ability to work remotely from any location has been unequivocally demonstrated, particularly amid the ongoing pandemic. Such digital transformations provide both society and the economy with the necessary business continuity in any circumstance.

Evidently, specific trends in technology use and digital transformation have emerged, particularly in the public and private sectors, accentuated by the pandemic crisis.

The shift of companies towards cloud and AI is an increasingly prevalent trend, driven by the realization of significant advantages, particularly amidst the unique circumstances presented by the pandemic. These technologies offer companies complete independence from other platforms, software, equipment, and physical constraints, thereby fostering resilience and adaptability.

Embracing Technological Dynamism

In the dynamic landscape of the industry, several trends are poised to shape the next five years significantly. The first trending technology, Christos points out, is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is revolutionizing processes across industries. NetU anticipates a surge in demand for AI-powered solutions that enhance efficiency and productivity, therefore it does invest in AI tools and solutions and trains its workforce in AI technologies to stay ahead of the curve and offer cutting-edge services to its clients.

Secondly, says Christos, is the Cybersecurity. With the increasing digitization of businesses, cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated and prevalent. Protecting sensitive data and systems will be paramount. NetU strengthens its cybersecurity measures through continuous monitoring, threat intelligence, and robust defense mechanisms. NetU continuously invests in cybersecurity training for its team members to ensure they are equipped to handle emerging threats effectively.

Lastly, he suggests Cloud Computing. The adoption of cloud computing is expected to continue growing as businesses seek flexible and scalable IT infrastructure solutions. In the next 2-3 years Christos and his team plan to make NetU a full cloud company and be an example to their customers to follow. 

“By proactively addressing these trends and aligning our strategies with the evolving needs of our clients, we aim to position our organization as a trusted partner and industry leader in the coming years. Our commitment to innovation, expertise, and customer satisfaction will remain at the forefront of everything we do,” says Christos.

Challenges Enroute 

In Christos’ view, the primary challenge confronting tech companies worldwide revolves around sourcing new talent. Securing technically proficient human resources stands out as a significant obstacle they must overcome. Collaboratively in the regions where they do physically have their offices, they engage with various pertinent entities, including the Information Technology Enterprises Association, Government Authorities, as well as educational institutions, to devise viable solutions. Recognizing the universality of this issue, he understands that addressing it demands a multidimensional approach, considering similar challenges faced by countries both domestically and abroad.

Raising the Bar

For NetU, the bar has been raised in terms of standards and expectations. As the saying goes in Cyprus, “Appetite comes with eating.” NetU has made fantastic strides in the Cyprus and Greek markets with Oracle NetSuite, successfully delivering notable projects for some of the region’s largest organizations. However, its ambition is to further expand its practice. Being honored with the title of “Strategic Partner” by Oracle empowers NetU to undertake complex projects across the broader Eastern Europe region. 

“We aspire to leverage this expertise and expand our reach into other countries—a challenge that our team eagerly embraces. With consistent dedication and perseverance, I am confident that we will succeed. There is no doubt in my mind about it,” concludes Christos.

Quote: “As partners, we collaborate with our customers to unlock fresh opportunities and turn possibilities into reality.”

Renewable energy is the future of energy, as it offers a clean, green, and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. By switching to renewable energy, we can reduce our carbon footprint, improve our health and well-being, and protect our planet for generations to come. However, most people think of bulky solar panels and huge turbines when it comes to renewable energy and its usage. The need of the hour is to make solutions that are more practical and can be used by end consumers anywhere.

Much like the solutions by Blackboard Solar which are focused on facilitating widespread adoption of renewable energy and produce a positive impact.​ The company understands that current green energy solutions are either too expensive or require significant lifestyle changes for people in general. This prevents the adoption of renewable energy even though most people today are concerned about the issue of fossil fuels and their adverse impact.

Everyday Solutions for a Global Concern

Co-founded by David Wilson and Malcolm Townes, Blackboard Solar is the result of the duo’s shared passion for renewable energy and their desire to make a positive impact on the environment. They saw the potential for integrating solar technology into various products to promote sustainability in everyday life. This led them to develop their patented solar technology, aiming to revolutionize the energy industry and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Blackboard Solar specializes in harnessing solar power through patented technology for diverse applications. Their core services include integrating solar technology into products for disaster recovery, licensing, consumer retail, and the promotional products market. Their flagship product is a Solar Backpack with solar panels that is capable of charging various 5-volt input devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras). This makes it suitable for various uses such as cycling, camping, hiking, mountaineering, recreational outings, and daily leisure.

“What sets us apart is our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and versatility. We provide unique solutions that not only benefit our clients but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. Our ability to adapt our solar technology to various markets distinguishes us in the industry, offering a comprehensive approach to clean energy integration,” says David.

The Leader

Blackboard Solar, Inc. grew out of the inspiration that David drew from a situation his brother faced when he was serving in the U.S. Army and deployed in the Middle East. His brother wasn’t able to call home for a while because his cell phone was dead and he had no way to charge it. This surprised David given the current state of energy-related technologies.

 As the CEO, David’s role involves overseeing the company’s technology development, and fostering partnerships. He is focused on integrating solar technology into diverse markets, including disaster recovery, licensing, consumer retail, and the promotional products industry, expanding the potential applications of their innovation. This approach aims to position Blackboard Solar as a versatile player in sustainable technology, catering to various sectors while contributing to environmental goals

To achieve the company goals, David uses a collaborative and innovative approach. He values open communication and teamwork. His communication style is transparent and inclusive, encouraging input from all team members. He believes in being approachable and accessible to foster a positive work environment.

Changing the Mindset

The most significant challenge in David’s career was navigating the early stages of building Blackboard Solar. Securing funding and convincing stakeholders of the viability of their solar technology presented formidable hurdles. To overcome this, David and his team focused on creating a compelling business case, demonstrating the potential impact of our innovation on multiple markets. They actively sought strategic partnerships to strengthen our position.

“This experience taught me the importance of resilience adaptability, and effective communication. It reinforced the value of having a clear vision and being able to convey that vision convincingly to stakeholders. Perseverance and a commitment to the mission were crucial in overcoming obstacles and positioning Blackboard Solar for success,” confesses David.

All for Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of the services at Blackboard Solar. The company leverages technology in several ways to benefit the organization. Their patented solar technology is at the core of their offerings, providing a sustainable and innovative solution to various markets. Additionally, they use advanced design and engineering tools to continually enhance the efficiency and applicability of their solar products.

Furthermore, technology plays a key role in Blackboard Solar’s communication and collaboration efforts. They utilize digital platforms for seamless coordination among team members and to engage with potential partners and clients. This tech-driven approach enhances their ability to adapt to market demands, stay ahead of industry trends, and maintain a competitive edge in the renewable energy sector.

The company recognizes that staying at the forefront of technological advancements is essential for sustainability and long-term success. Their commitment to innovation is reflected in the continuous refinement of our patented solar technology to meet evolving market needs.

“By fostering a culture of creativity and exploration within our team, we encourage the development of new ideas and solutions. This proactive approach allows us to stay adaptable and responsive to emerging trends, ensuring that our services remain cutting-edge and relevant. The importance of innovation cannot be overstated; it not only sets us apart in a competitive landscape but also positions us to address the dynamic challenges of the renewable energy industry,” says David.

Staying a Step Ahead

Staying current in the fast-paced renewable energy industry is crucial for Blackboard Solar’s continuous growth. They employ several strategies to keep abreast of industry changes:

Market Research: Regular and thorough market research helps us understand industry trends, emerging technologies, and changing consumer preferences.

Networking: Active participation in industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities allows us to connect with thought leaders, and potential partners, and stay informed about the latest developments.

Collaboration: Engaging in collaborations with research institutions, universities, and other companies fosters an environment of shared knowledge and accelerates our access to new ideas and technologies.

Adaptive Strategy: We maintain an adaptive business strategy that allows us to pivot and adjust our approach based on industry shifts, policy changes, and technological advancements.

By combining these approaches, the core team positions Blackboard Solar to not only respond effectively to industry changes but also to proactively shape the future of renewable energy solutions.

Achieving Social Goals

Team Blackboard Solar is deeply committed to addressing historical inequities, particularly those faced by Black Americans. Their approach to supporting this community includes:

Dedicated Outreach: Actively seeking and engaging Black talent through targeted recruitment efforts to ensure fair representation within our workforce.

Economic Empowerment: Establishing partnerships and collaborations with Black-owned businesses to contribute to economic empowerment within the community.

Educational Initiatives: Supporting educational programs and initiatives that empower Black individuals to pursue careers in STEM fields, fostering long-term opportunities.

Community Investment: Allocating resources and efforts to contribute to community development projects and initiatives that directly benefit Black American communities.

Advocacy and Awareness: Using our platform to advocate for social justice, racial equality, and increased awareness about the challenges faced by Black Americans.

“By focusing on the specific needs and challenges of Black Americans, we strive to be a positive force for change, contributing to the empowerment and advancement of this historically oppressed group,” shares David.

Making Sustainability Practical

Making sustainability central to their work at Blackboard Solar comes with both challenges and opportunities in a business world accustomed to non-sustainable practices.

Challenges:

Market Perceptions: Shifting perceptions in a market accustomed to traditional practices can be challenging. Communicating the value of sustainable solutions requires consistent effort.

Initial Investment: Sustainable practices often require an upfront investment, and convincing stakeholders of the long-term benefits may pose initial challenges.

Regulatory Environment: Navigating varying regulatory landscapes related to sustainability can be complex and may pose obstacles to seamless integration.

Opportunities:

Market Demand: Growing awareness and demand for sustainable solutions present an opportunity for us to meet a market need and establish ourselves as industry leaders.

Innovation: Sustainability drives innovation. By continuously innovating our products and processes, we position ourselves at the forefront of technological advancements.

Long-Term Viability: Embracing sustainability not only aligns with our values but also ensures the long-term viability of our business by adapting to changing environmental and market conditions.

In summary, while challenges exist, the commitment to sustainability aligns with the evolving expectations of consumers and stakeholders. By navigating these challenges thoughtfully, David and his team believe sustainability becomes a driving force for both our business success and positive environmental impact.

Looking Forward to New Solutions

In the coming years, one can expect Blackboard Solar and the team to:

Innovate Continuously: They will remain dedicated to innovation, enhancing their patented solar technology and exploring new applications to stay at the forefront of the renewable energy sector.

Expand Market Presence: They aim to expand their presence in various markets, including disaster recovery, licensing, consumer retail, and the promotional products sector, contributing to the growth of sustainable solutions in diverse industries.

Forge Strategic Partnerships: Building on their commitment to collaboration, they will actively seek strategic partnerships with organizations that share their values, fostering mutual growth and amplifying their impact.

Enhance Sustainability: Sustainability will remain at the heart of Blackboard Solar’s mission. They will work to further reduce their environmental footprint while promoting eco-friendly practices throughout their operations.

“In essence, you can anticipate a dynamic and forward-thinking approach from Blackboard Solar, focused on positive innovation, market expansion, sustainability, diversity, and responsible business practices,” says David.

Words of Wisdom

As we conclude our interaction, David signs off with the following advice for young entrepreneurs:

Embrace Innovation: Be open to new ideas and continuously seek innovative solutions. Innovation is often the key to standing out in a competitive landscape.

Persist in the Face of Challenges: Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges. Embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Persistence is often the key to overcoming obstacles.

Build a Strong Network: Surround yourself with a diverse and supportive network. Collaborate with mentors, peers, and industry experts to gain insights, share experiences, and foster professional growth.

Prioritize Sustainability: Incorporate sustainability into your business model from the start. Aligning with eco-friendly practices not only benefits the environment but can also enhance your brand reputation.

Focus on Purpose: Understand the purpose behind your business. A clear mission and values will guide your decisions and resonate with customers and stakeholders.

Learn from Failures: Failure is a part of the entrepreneurial journey. View failures as valuable lessons, adapt, and use them to fuel future success.

Maintain Integrity: Trust is essential in business. Uphold high ethical standards, and prioritize honesty and transparency in all your dealings.

Remember, entrepreneurship is not just about building a business; it’s a journey of personal and professional development. Stay passionate, stay curious, and enjoy the process of building something meaningful.

Quote: “Never Give up, Never Give in” – Bishop Nathaniel

Quote: “Our goal at Blackboard Solar is to develop energy-related solutions that sustainably address practical needs.”

Quote: “We are dedicated to being a good corporate citizen that not only creates wealth for our shareholders but also improves the communities in which we are a part.”

Brett Beveridge is an embodiment of entrepreneurial tenacity. As a visionary serial entrepreneur, he thrives on shaping businesses from humble beginnings into industry giants. Brett’s brainchild, The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC), stands as the driving force behind six influential brands in wireless, electronics, software, and retail.

His secret sauce? A fusion of people and cutting-edge tech. Brett’s mission: slashing costs, boosting sales, and consistently exceeding customer expectations. Whether it’s Apple, Sprint, AT&T, or Comcast, T-ROC’s impact reverberates across big-box retailers and Fortune 500 companies alike.

Brett learned the value of hard work from a young age, performing various jobs from waiting tables to even working in a papaya field. At just 23 years old, the University of Miami graduate started selling cell phones out of a van with a college friend, and impressively turned that bootstrap company into Let’s Talk Cellular & Wireless, which became the largest independent mobile wireless retailer in the country at the time with close to 300 stores nationwide.  He would eventually take that company public and sell it to Nextel.

Brett would continue to harness his entrepreneurial spirit, raising millions from national venture capital firms like Goldman Sachs, to co-found LetsTalk.com, which became one of the largest online e-tailers of wireless products and services.  In 2012, LetsTalk.com was acquired by Brightstar Corporation, the largest wireless handset distributor in the world.  Over the last 20 years, Brett has successfully founded more than 20 companies and used his experience to help national wireless and technology companies with reorganization, profit turnarounds, mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings.

The Retail Genie

T-ROC is a retail branding and consulting partner that supports companies in navigating through today’s retail shopping experience, redefining the power of people and technology. T-ROC offers a unique combination of people-based services, applications, technology management, mystery shopping programs, actionable market research, and competitive insights that support the complex needs of assisted selling. T-ROC’s expertise and next-generation technology are delivered by a team that’s all in to drive sales, optimize performance, and deliver measurable ROI for businesses every single day.

T-ROC is known as a cool, cutting-edge, and disruptive company that continues to win bids & business while also attracting & securing the world’s most well-respected brands. We’ve become a force to be reckoned with and it’s something our competitors know. We’re a force in the retail industry and in the local community with a healthy reputation for creativity, productivity, innovation, and aggressiveness. We work very hard for our clients and ensure they receive the absolute best results – which is why the big brands turn to T-ROC.

“Another thing we do that makes us excel as a business is we spend detailed time and effort strategizing and identifying legacy problems in our industry. We look at how things have always been done vs. how they should be done. We look at what some of the long-term problems and questions have been and then internalize why they exist and how they can be corrected. Then we aggressively approach them and use disruptive technology to solve those problems for our clients. We do that using solutions and tools like our patented and proprietary technologies,” shares Brett.

The Leader and His Knack for Opportunity

Brett has always felt like he had a natural tendency to lead and, most importantly, he had a burning desire to build companies. As soon as he graduated from college, he started a cell phone company out of the back of a van. That company turned out to be the largest wireless specialty retailer of wireless products and services in the country, and it became a public company in 7 years. Start-ups felt natural to him, and he knew the sky was the limit if he was willing to work hard. Brett thrives on building businesses from the ground up while leading the forefront of retail technology globally.

During the start of his career, Brett recognized many challenges in the retail industry, particularly in consultative sales. While most “big box” retailers excel at selling commodities, they fall behind when it comes to helping customers decipher and choose the latest in technology, such as cell phones and rate plans. “Although it’s difficult starting a business from scratch, being an entrepreneur is also rewarding. At the start of my career, I was always focused on working hard and achieving my goals. Now, I recognize and truly appreciate the feeling of those ups and downs that come with being an entrepreneur,” reminisces Brett.

Brett has a deep understanding of the retail industry and realizes the need to constantly be creative in an ever-changing market, especially when it comes to digital technology that can benefit his company and, ultimately, his clients. The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC) have launched multiple new technology and software products that have revolutionized the retail industry. Beveridge recognizes that retail businesses are struggling to cope with initiatives such as mobility, connectivity, big data, and omnichannel customer experience. Since no retailer wants reactive IT service on a hit-or-miss basis, SYMBITS (a sub-company of T-ROC) designed, packaged and provided an “In-Store IT platform,” a small box that ensures 100% performance from IT and internet services. It’s the ultimate answer in retail connectivity, compliance, and customer outreach.

Apart from his entrepreneurial ventures, Brett is finalizing his first book, taking readers on a journey into his past, with the lessons he learned about business over the years and what it took to succeed as a young entrepreneur. While sharing his own experiences, he also gives readers an in-depth look at the evolving world of retail and beyond.

Innovative Experiences

T-ROC created VIBA, the first-of-its-kind in-store customer engagement solution and the future of retail. VIBA stands for “Virtual Interactive Brand Ambassador” – akin to a Facetime-like experience for customers when they’re at a store. Customers approach a standing digital display that connects them with a live person who can answer questions, offer advice, show them videos, and even point them to the products they need that are for sale in the store.

VIBA is a zero-touch, contactless sales and customer service solution. It respects social distancing while solving the problem of customers seeking a store associate for help. VIBA is on hand to connect shoppers with a real person right away.

The innovative VIBA technology integrates bots such as artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) with live people for a shopping experience that minimizes wait times and maximizes sales. “VIBA’s one virtual brand ambassador can handle 10 different stores at one time. If there is an overflow of customers, it will direct the shopper to another available brand ambassador so there is never a delay,” explains Brett.

Keeping the Creative Spark Alive

One of T-ROC’s core values is “Have fun and never take ourselves too seriously” and this value is modeled every day within T-ROC, starting with the CEO. “Recently, we had a director start with us and he shared that in his early weeks, he was struck by the laughter and smiles throughout the office. He said he had never worked in an environment where people genuinely wanted to be here and have fun with each other,” shares Brett.

The company recently conducted an employee survey and one of the most common comments was that T-ROC is like family. 94% of employees responded positively that they take pride in working for T-ROC. The employees rely on each other for not only professional support but emotional support as well. That culture is a result of the trust that is built through making the work environment fun. 

For example, T-ROC’s corporate suite number is 450; so quarterly the team holds “Club 450” events, where they put their pencils down early and enjoy happy hour in the office. “Our T-ROC rum punch has become quite popular! Annually, T-ROC hosts a Thanksgiving lunch (about 100 participants) where T-ROC supplies the turkey and ham, while employees bring the sides and other items. It is an afternoon of people sharing their “special” recipes, swapping stories, and being thankful that we are together,” shares Brett.

Every year T-ROC hosts a holiday party, where employees and a guest are invited and flown to Miami to attend. It is a special event, held at a beautiful hotel and allows all T-ROCers to feel special. In addition to thanking its employees who work hard all year, it is important to Brett that he thank the people who support the employees also.

Adapting Trends to Stay Ahead

Brett concurs that AI and ChatGPT are all the buzz. Every industry – especially retail – has to have a stance when it comes to incorporating these technologies into their business. It could be customer-facing or it could be related to farming and harvesting data to run and enhance your business for the future. When it comes to retail, he believes that there will be more emphasis on applying AI and ChatGPT to the entire ecosystem. At T-ROC, the VIBA solution already utilizes these new technologies to empower the future.  There’s a fear of this kind of technology taking over, but at T-ROC, the emphasis is on technology and people working together for the greater good.

Brett keeps a close tab on everything happening in the retail industry by reading the news daily, reading the latest books, and maintaining the various relationships he has with fellow leaders – ensuring he hears all they are doing and they stay in communication.

He has been involved with various industry committees and boards, which have enabled Brett to stay at the forefront of the retail and technology space, collaborating with peers and leading the future of our industry. He has been on the board and was honored to serve as the Chair of the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) Wireless Division. The board meets throughout the year to discuss critical issues facing the industry and devise new strategies and solutions for the future. He remains active with the association and truly believes that it has enabled T-ROC to earn a reputation of being innovative and a pioneer creating new ways to provide value to the customers.

Challenges and problems are a part of one’s life. While most of the time challenges seek us, there are a few skilled problem solvers who seek challenges to grow and thrive. When Atin Agarwal started his career as a trainee with a reputed firm, most of his batchmates were happy to have secured a job. Atin, on the other hand, realized that there’s got to be more than the current job profile in him. He wanted to work with machines and explore more tools and instruments. That’s when his journey of working across several industries, spreading knowledge, and creating the next line of leaders began.

From Trainee to a Global Consultant

Atin quickly switched his job profile from a software trainee to a career in systems programming at SEDL, a manufacturing firm. This gave him an opportunity to learn about automation related to SCADA and instrumentation, as well as mechanical and electrical engineering. He was part of a very small team of 10 which grew to 300 when he left in 2004. “To say the least, 2004 was a very crucial year for me, both professionally and personally. On October 28, 2004, I received the ‘IT Power User Award’ from Intel and CIOL, and on the personal front, I became a father. However, the pain was that I wasn’t there when my son came into the world,” shares Atin.

His next stint began with DSM, a European conglomerate, where he was entrusted with helping the team to connect their Chile and Egypt businesses to India, roll out SAP, and fix their technology protection issues. The project got Atin recognition from the chairman and the top management. It was also the time when he got an offer from Airtel and took over the responsibilities as Global Head—IT Governance, EUS, and SMO. He experienced tremendous growth as he handled the responsibility for all their business lines across India, Africa, and South East Asia. He also managed their $800M IT budget, including their contracts with IBM, Avaya, Infosys, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Amdocs, Oracle, KPMG, and other small partners, and their deliveries as well. 

“As a tech leader, I was able to thrust my drive into my team. I received the ‘Chairman’s Award’ and sponsored education at ISB Hyderabad,” says Atin.

In 2018, Atin took up the role of an entrepreneur moving to Delhi and establishing his own consulting firm, where he was associated with well-known consulting firms for technology and parallel to them working with some manufacturing, telecom, and FMCG companies to consult for their technology roadmaps and current bottlenecks. In the meantime, just at the start of the first phase of Covid, he joined PN International (KARAM), a PPE manufacturing company as Global CIO. This was a new challenge for him. He observed various bottlenecks in terms of network, ERP, digital transformation, and others which required immediate attention for better productivity and efficiency. In less than 18 months, he achieved the goals and in the next 6 months the whole organization and processes were fixed, all major bottlenecks were addressed which were then appraised by ‘Manufacturing Today’ and ‘Business World CIO’ in their editions in May 2021. 

At the start of 2022, Atin was awarded ‘Strategist of the Year 2022′, by Alden Group, and in Apr 2022, he joined Hitachi where his responsibilities included Strategizing HSIL’s traditional SI Box business towards cloud and making the right alliances with Cloud and related SaaS, PaaS providers also transform the existing traditional customers to the cloud technology by convincing them with his own varied industrial experience and challenges faced and cost optimization.

In April 2023, Atin took up his current role as VP and Head – IT Governance, at Vodafone Idea Limited.

Traits of a Leader

The three key personal qualities that have made Atin a successful leader – are his ability to simplify problems, collaborate, and innovate. He believes that finding simple solutions can save time and money, as they do not require major changes or huge costs. He points out that people often complicate problems more than they need to, resulting in unnecessary expenses and delays. By simplifying problems, he has been able to solve them efficiently and cost-effectively.

Talking about collaboration, Atin says that working with the right people or organizations can save time and boost efficiency. He stresses the need to trust people with the right skill set and outsource when needed. He advises people to have confidence in themselves and their skills but to ask for help when needed to get the best results.

Atin emphasizes the need to think outside the box and try new things. He believes that to cope-up with the evolving technology, one needs to generate fresh ideas to solve problems. He encourages people to think beyond what they have learned from books or past implementations and to try something new.

Staying Updated with Latest Technology

Keeping up-to-date with the latest technology is an absolute must for Atin and he advises the same for other leaders in the making. He concurs that there are many resources online to learn and get certified, but he likes to learn from his team.

Atin opines that technology can be a blessing, but it can also bring challenges during implementation and deployment. He says that change management is the main problem that arises with technology selection and ownership from business stakeholders, workflow customization, end-user expectations in terms of UI/UX, and proper UAT before going live. Atin has found that proper planning and communication are key to solving these problems and ensuring a successful implementation. 

Extending his Services and Expertise                

Besides his role as the VP, Atin is also working on his own venture, Narayan Teknologies. The company offers consulting, technology, and services to small and medium enterprises worldwide. The company was incepted during the pandemic and Atin’s initial idea was to bring the expertise of 3 generations -his dad, him, and his son – together. Narayan Teknologies aims to reduce the manpower cost at the IT leadership level/ other operating costs and provide all IT services as a one-stop shop. The company’s main offering is vCIO, which gives a 3-year roadmap to organizations and helps them implement all the technologies that are part of the roadmap to increase efficiency at the lowest price with better choices available in the market. The company’s mission is to share the learnings from bigger enterprises and implementations and to do the same for small and medium organizations at a very low price. In fact, at the price of an IT Manager with 8-10 years of work experience.

While formulating strategy Atin’s fundamental idea is that it should be simple and easy to handle. He divides it into three parts: what my business wants, what cost we can shell out for it, and how user-friendly it should be. Businesses should operate smoothly and at the optimal operational cost within their budget. Also, technology should be introduced to make people’s jobs easier. It should be designed in a way that makes users feel like it’s their own, and they should be the owners of that technology. Finally, every product that is created should be user-friendly and have auto-learning. “People have started using terms like AI / ML /Geo-Fencing/ Block Chain, but they are just part of the above 3 points I mentioned in strategy, what technology will be used depends only on business requirement and budget,” he says.

Sharing his Mantra

Atin Agarwal has learned a valuable lesson from his professional experience, which he considers his mantra. He believes in working for the organization rather than just a person. He thinks that delivering quality work and meeting the company’s expectations should be the main goal, and there should be no disputes or blame later.

He urges individuals to concentrate on their work and let their results show their worth, which is a great way to build a successful career. His success mantra is to focus on delivering with a clean mindset, even if your competency does not allow you to take on a task. He encourages aspiring leaders to be open to new challenges and opportunities and to let their results speak for themselves.

Aiming for the Future

Atin’s work ethics and values reflect his dedication to his profession and his commitment to achieving success in a fair and transparent manner. Known for his innovative and pragmatic approach toward new technologies, he believes in taking calculated risks, keeping in mind the business requirements and the trust of his customers. As an innovation leader, he supports new entrants and gives them a chance to show their value, but not at the expense of risking the business. For him finding a balance between applying well-known and industry-tested systems and pioneering products is the key. Looking ahead, Atin has his eyes on a technology leadership position in any of the FMCG/ Manufacturing/ Conglomerate Industries. 

“In the next five to seven years, I wish to contribute to people where I can use all my experience (again I am not using heavy technical terms.. ERPs/ IoT /BI / AI /VPS, etc…that all depends on business requirement) and learning to the Enterprise and SMB of any industrial sectors and pass them on to the next line of leaders and organizations to flourish. I foresee leveraging my experience to further grow the MSMEs that need such expertise. I want to contribute the right set of technologies at the right time and at the right price to help them grow faster and more quickly. The technology sector is not a constraint to me as you must have seen in the last 25 years I had worked with all major industrial sectors be it Manufacturing, Pharma, Telecom, FMCG, BFSI, Conglomerate, and ITES, and the smallest one had been with ITES,” concludes Atin.

Quote1: “With the right mindset and approach, anything is possible.”

Quote2: “When you remain committed to your goals, things will eventually work out, and appreciation will follow.”

Most people have seen Security Guards and understand their contributions to protecting people and property but far fewer are ever exposed to or fully understand the role that Private Investigators play in our daily lives. For most people they think that when a crime occurs, they simply call the Police and the Police will deal with it but until faced with a situation where there’s no immediate proof of a crime, or there’s not enough evidence to place a charge, or you need to find a birth parent, or you simply need answers about something that the Police consider a private matter, most people only get a hint of what a PI is or does through movies or television.

Having worked in the security and private investigations industry for most of his life, Axis understands where the gaps lie between Security Guards, Police, and their client’s wants and needs. Having worked in all sectors of the industry, first as a behind-the-scenes contractor, and eventually as the Founder and President of a successful Private Investigation Firm, Axis and his team have provided countless local and international investigations for clients including, but not limited to: Law Firms, Private Businesses and Corporations; Paralegals; Various Governments and Government Agencies, Law Enforcement Agencies; and Private Clients, including competing Private Security and Investigation Agencies from around the world.

The Luxury of Experience and Training

Axis started his career in the Security industry as a teenager assisting his mother, Security Site Supervisor in developing Post Orders, various documentation, and reports for her employer’s clients. When he became eighteen, his mother’s employer welcomed him into their company as a Security Officer and he quickly adapted and became a resource for others because of his years of knowledge gained behind the scenes. Axis took a brief absence from the industry during his schooling years and returned to the industry as a Private Investigator. Axis was quickly promoted based on his solid documentation skills, credibility, and reputation for legally obtaining accurate results. He operated primarily as a Sub-Contractor to larger Security and Private Investigation Agencies and based on his unique skill sets, his employer began to hire him out to work for multiple agencies at the same time. At one point, it was a safe bet that regardless which Greater Toronto Area Security provider was hired to perform certain investigations, Axis would be the Investigator that would show up to do the work, write the report and submit it to be rebranded for the end client.

In 2015, Axis incorporated his firm, Axis Vero Incorporated, and continued to service these larger Security and Investigation agencies directly. As more law firms, end clients and professional groups began to realize that Axis had always been their provider, his reputation was boosted, and his client list grew exponentially throughout Canada and the USA. Expanding his offerings to global law firms and private clients directly, he soon began conducting various investigations for local and foreign governments and was introduced to multiple Politicians. Axis is the best-known little-known secret of the Security and Investigations Industry. Those “in the know” recognize him and his work immediately, while those that either lack the necessary clearance or experience in the industry are often blindsided when their clients return from court defeated because Axis and his team have found evidence that was missed by other investigators that thought they had produced a complete result without being sure of it. It is common for opposing counsel to later become a faithful client of Axis Vero Incorporated for these reasons.

Axis is known for offering comprehensive training to Private Investigators and Security Professionals throughout Canada and the United States of America. However, with the continued growth of his firm from one (1) to currently four (4) Canadian Provinces, and beyond, with a satellite office in Europe, he has concentrated that training regimen to his own team of exceptional investigators rather than the general public. Axis advises he will reopen his training to externally employed professionals again but not until there is time to ensure that training is done correctly.

Service with a Difference

Most people that think of Private Investigators think of Cheating Spouses or Cloak and Dagger operations, and while Axis Vero certainly does those, there is so much more to what a full-scale International Investigation Firm can offer…and they offer it all! Background investigations, general research and vetting of people and businesses are a large focus, but not the full scope of the firm’s offerings. They also offer surveillance by land, sea, and air, TSCM (electronic bug-sweeping), intellectual property (IP) investigations, digital forensic imaging, analysis, and data recovery, harassment and employment investigations, criminal and civil investigations, undercover investigations, fraud and integrity investigations, process service, and much more.

The firm’s structure is completely different than its competition, which may be a factor in why so many of its natural competition become long-term clients. Axis Vero has never been structured for high profit. A traditional PI Firm focuses primarily on the sale of surveillance services – the reason being that surveillance focuses on hour after hour of billable time regardless of the result. If surveillance is successful, the agency makes its money. If surveillance fails, the agency might either recommend more surveillance or they might offer a combination of surveillance and some internet-based research, or site attendances (field work), or a garbage pull, etc. Most agencies following this structure bill on an hourly basis and after the fact. That means a client rarely truly knows where they sit in a budget until they’re over budget but by then they’re on the hook to pay.

Axis Vero was structured for high productivity and results for the clients. While they may incorporate surveillance into an investigation, it is one of many tools that generally follows a period of research. By doing so, the firm knows a large amount of information about the subject and/or the subject’s habits before PIs are deployed. This means that many hours can usually be saved, and the client pays much less for the overall file. Often a file executed in this manner can cost 4-10 times less to the end client to complete successfully. Also, the firm doesn’t have the traditional “us versus them” attitude with their competitors, Axis Vero embraces its competition as their clients.

Says Axis “The marketplace is vast and when any PI Agency provides exceptional service, reputations grow. I want investigators to excel in their jobs! We are invited by new clients to assist them; we don’t need to hunt or pressure clients to give us work. When a competitor asks for help, I make sure we do our best for them and their client. That will encourage them to become our return customers and ensure that they continue to thrive as well. It doesn’t matter what logo is on the report, in the end “those-in-the-know” recognize our work and otherwise we would not have that file to work on and our competitor would have an inferior product.”

An Open-Minded Leader

As a business leader, Axis Geffen is open-minded and flexible, and his working style is based on mutual respect. Whether he is dealing with a new or seasoned investigator or a new or seasoned client, he likes to remain open-minded and able to adapt to circumstances that arise or differences of opinion in getting to the finish line. His clients come to him respectfully because they’ve usually either been referred by another client that has had a successful outcome, or they were once the opposing counsel to an investigation that he performed, and they were impressed by the information gathered despite the loss they suffered to his client(s). “It’s a good feeling to know that when I’m called to speak about an investigation, both sides of the table are respectful of my findings and the manner in which they were found. In a few cases, we were advised that opposing counsel went straight into settlement mode once they saw our logo on the investigation report. That feels good,” says Axis.

As for his communication style, Axis is the only person in his position in his field that he is aware of that offers direct links to all of his social media, internet, or business-related review boards in their marketing materials. He encourages everyone to research him and his firm thoroughly and more than that, to contact those that have provided a review and talk to them directly. Axis is very flexible with everyone, and he does his best to accommodate the needs of others. As for his employees, Axis respects them and trusts them to do an exceptional job every time. He doesn’t need to breathe down their necks but with that said, regardless of where in the world he is, he always maintains an open and direct channel of communication with every employee on every file. “If they have any questions, they are provided a real-time connection to me directly. I will drop everything and assist them in any way I can because their work is a direct reflection of my firm and our results are a direct reflection of our mutual respect and teamwork,” asserts Axis.

Finding Balance

We asked Axis what he does when stuck or confused. Axis said that it depends on which location he’s working from. When he’s in British Columbia, Alberta or Europe, he tends to head into nature and clear his head. A walk in the mountains can be extremely rewarding and allows him to process a decision fully. When he’s in Saskatchewan or Ontario, he will occasionally call upon trusted resources and weigh his options in confidence. “For the most part, decisions aren’t hard to make once I’ve considered the benefits and/or drawbacks to those around me. I’m known to make decisions that will offer the best outcome for my staff. They trust and support me, and that makes it much easier. Occasionally, tough decisions need to be made but I accept that it is my duty and I act accordingly,” shares Axis.

Facing Challenges

There are always challenges coming at Axis owing to his work profile. Everything from Legislation and Privacy issues to obtaining and maintaining evidence can be a daunting task, and at times Axis has spoken out via Social Media concerning Bills, Legislation, and changes to Various Acts, because often Politicians don’t consider all of the aspects of something they put forward or the implications of a change they make. Still, he believes that the biggest challenge that he faced was “Sales”, or at least the concept of sales. “Having been a field agent for so many years, I know my work well. I can speak to almost any type of investigation from a real-world perspective and have a few real examples in my head from my personal experiences but schmoozing clients and “selling them” has never been a large focus for me. When I opened my firm to the public, it was terrifying thinking of how I would convince total strangers to buy my product,” recalls Axis.

Luckily, it was really easy to get new customers and build his customer base because he’s not “selling” his product; his experiences make prospective clients want his results. As a result, Axis is not often out golfing or skiing with clients or schmoozing them at dinners, to persuade them to give him business. Instead, they’ll golf or go to dinner to discuss and celebrate the landslide win they just earned through Axis and his team’s efforts and they’re ready to discuss the next few matters coming down the pike. “In this way, I’m not “chasing” business. My clients aren’t pressured, and neither am I. Sales is easy when you truly understand what you can offer and you don’t pretend to be capable of more than you can actually provide,” shares Axis.

Other challenges came with growth. Opening in multiple markets at the same time comes with its headaches and unfortunately, there are differences in employment laws from province to province. The benefits that Axis can offer in one place are not permitted in another place. Access to information differs and so do the wage level and cost of information access. Add to this that a province like New Brunswick has 200 licensed PIs with less than 30% regularly working, while Ontario has roughly 100,000 PIs working with only a small percentage of that trained in anything other than surveillance. It’s tough to find and vet the right caliber of investigators and then invest in them and their training to maintain the standards that our clients have come to expect. However, it’s a learning curve and Axis’ dedication to the team has been paying off. While in some cases it has meant that investigators are not engaged immediately, it has ensured that when they are deployed, they are far more successful than their competitors in the same regions.

Spreading Awareness and Training the Young Guns

For the safety of his investigators, Axis rarely posts any images of them online or in advertising of any kind. For the privacy of his clients, they rarely show any images, video, or other documentation of investigations conducted. To spread awareness about his work, other than his extensive client list who always recommend them, Axis turns to articles like this to share a glimpse of what they do without putting the team at risk. Additionally, he tries to engage in light posting across social media.

Axis has also written over 100 commissioned articles for the Shulman & Partners LLP Free Online Knowledge Base, which is regularly visited by various lawyers, mediators, and the general public going through or considering a legal separation, divorce, or other domestic matters. Family Law support has become a large part of his business over the years and these articles have helped countless numbers of people to navigate some of the most difficult and stressful times of their lives.

In the Years to Come

Axis was born in Ontario, Canada and although he has lived in different provinces and countries over the years, he has always maintained his roots here. For that reason, he opened his head office location here. As his client base expanded, Axis began to service multiple governments, law enforcement agencies, law firms and their clients as well.

“One of our Canadian Government clients advised that they could not find other service providers with the same consistency or quality of service in the other provinces. I thought about it and decided that if I dedicated enough time to finding and training the right PIs, we could not only service our government clients but also many law firms and private clients as well. We started systematically opening from the West Coast across Canada because we were seeing trends in the need for our services in these areas. Ultimately, we will continue to open across the country. We are also pursuing further avenues in Europe but those take longer to cultivate,” concludes Axis.

Ultimately, with the continued support of their clients and competition, Axis Vero Incorporated will eventually have offices across Canada servicing its clients and competition internationally. As Axis tends to sign off his commissioned articles, “Thank you for reading and please share with your networks!”

The earth is 71% water of which 96% is in the oceans. These frothy, blue, serene yet mysterious water bodies are a universe in themselves, hiding precious gems and life in their heart.  Deep down under the surface is a whole world to explore by enthusiasts and professionals.

PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) serves as the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organization, operating in 186 countries and territories, with a global network of more than 6,600 dive centres and resorts and over 128,000 professional members worldwide. Issuing more than 1 million certifications each year, and with over 29 million certifications to date, PADI enables people around the world to seek adventure and save the ocean through underwater education, life-changing experiences and travel.

After working in various industries, with few being linked Andy Watson decided to become a PADI professional diver as this was where his passion lay. He started to work at a local dive centre and worked his way up the ranks to become the centre manager and safety diver.

Diving into Entrepreneurship

Andy was always interested in starting his own business and working for himself but never thought it would be possible and it happened by mistake. When the dive centre, he was working at, closed he was employed as an off-shore survival instructor and HUET (helicopter underwater escape training) safety diver trainer and assessor.

While in this role, he always knew his passion was in the diving industry. Five weeks before the UK went into Lockdown with Covid-19 Andy decided he needed to follow his passion and finished his notice period one week before the UK went into lockdown and started Aberdeen Diving Services (ADS) as a sole trader.

While fighting through Lockdowns as a HUET diver and survival instructor as well as diving equipment service technician ADS soon started to snowball. Within a year, ADS had become a limited company and it was all ‘go’ from there. The word was spreading Andy had got back into the industry and customers were sending equipment from across the country to be repaired and serviced. As lockdowns started to lift, he was able to start teaching PADI courses as an independent instructor. He was also able to secure the contracts to supply all three oil and gas training centres with their safety divers and instructor cover.

A Fantastic Run

ADS is unique in the way it acts and treats everyone as equal. The team is fantastic at what they do and the work environment is a relaxed and fun place to be. “We always say to everyone that comes to us there is no such thing as a stupid question. We strive on making training fun and enjoyable for everyone.

I feel I have the best staff on the planet and wouldn’t be where I am without them there to support me as much as I support them,” shares Andy.

ADS has now been running as a limited company since October 2020 and is now the go-to for all things diving related both recreational and commercial diving. In 2021, ADS was granted PADI Dive Centre approval and since then it has become the numero uno PADI dive centre in Scotland and collected 7 awards. In 2023, ADS was granted approval for a huge array of first aid training to be able to expand its already vast services.

In the 3 short years since he started the company, it has grown from Andy working in a cupboard to a 7-time award-winning business.

2021 / 2022 – Diving Retailer of the Year.

2022 / 2023 – Diving Specialist of the Year.

2022 – Best Training and Education Aberdeen

2022 – Best Training and Education Scotland

2022 – Scottish Enterprise Best Diver Equipment & Training Specialist

2023 – Business Awards UK – Best Small Local Business

2023 – M&A Today Global Award – Best Diver Equipment & Training Specialist – UK

2023 – Business Champion Awards – Bronze – SME Of The Year

Andy is also very strict about the safety measures they adopt at ADS. Due to one of their main sectors being oil and gas training, safety and security is always a thought in the back of his head. He has been lucky enough to be able to take what they are based on and expand into safety training for renewables and expand other areas of the company to be able to keep job security and client contracts.

They are always adapting to changes in the industry, from the oil and gas sector to the PADI diver training.

Making Work Fun

Andy’s work style is relaxed but holds the highest standard. He has seen businesses run in such a way that staff don’t enjoy the workplace and it becomes a “job”. He runs ADS in the complete opposite way and wants all his staff to enjoy their work. He has always followed the process that he would never ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself and this brings the staff into a close-knit group.

For his staff, Andy hand-picks the roles they would play knowing their fit in the business. He has 100% trust in each staff member and lets them perform their role with full independence, authority and responsibility. They do each job how they feel best suits. “I show them how I would do a job but leave it as a suggestion.  They are all very professional and know I trust them to do their job to the high standard ADS holds and don’t need me to tell them what to do, they also know they can always ask me for help if they aren’t sure,” says Andy.

Dealing with Challenges

Andy’s biggest personal challenge was, he never really knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his working life. Finally taking the leap from a secure full-time job to starting up on his own and not knowing where the next paycheck was coming from, especially in the middle of a pandemic was a daunting thought. But if he didn’t try, he would have never known. He overcame this with pure determination setting a goal and pushing for it, and when it was achieved, he would then set another goal, each goal bigger and better than the last. If he was to change one thing in his career, it would be to do it sooner. “I have had the dream for a long time and never thought I could make it a reality. If you want it, make it happen.  I wish I had taken the leap to have my own business sooner,” he says.

Another challenge at a greater level was that of the industry itself. The biggest challenge to the dive industry in the NE for recreational divers was that there was no PADI dive centre for a number of years.

With ADS, Andy was able to fill this void and now divers are getting back into the sport all over again and he has been able to introduce the underwater world to many people.  Luckily there will always be divers either recreational or commercial. The biggest challenge Andy’s team faces is that generally, divers think there isn’t anything to see in cold Scottish water compared to warmer holiday destinations. “We are lucky to be able to prove this wrong with dive sites on our doorstep that can be as good if not better than some in far warmer climates,” he shares.

Standing with the Oceans

Andy never lets his company goals outdo the world’s sustainability goals. Being a PADI dive centre, ADS is drawn towards the sea and they do their part by being part of the Project Awareness Programs. They ensure each time they are diving, they collect any rubbish they find in the dive. They are also big supporters of the ‘Our Seas’ coalition to bring back an inshore limit for fishing that will help recover habitats and productive, resilient fisheries in the UK. They also support and sell Outline 95 which is an Eco-friendly, Sustainable Fashion clothing range.

Limitless Dreams

With the opening of their new premises, Andy’s team will be able to stretch their wings and learn new skills they may have never thought they would learn. They will be offering a huge array of courses from diving and first aid to oil and gas. “The dive team are wanting to start to run dive trips and this is something we will be offering in the next year to bring all our students together. We are also going to be running our bubbles and BBQ night where this is an open invitation to all divers from any agency to join us on a social evening,” shares Andy.

Word of Experience

To budding professional diving enthusiasts, Andy says:

If you have a passion follow it!

It’s one of the scariest moves I have made in my life but has fast become something I would have never imagined and wouldn’t change.

There will be many sleepless nights, blood, sweat and tears but it will all be worth it when you are doing what you love and doing it for yourself your way. 

Being a few years in and being able to look back and say ‘I have done that’ is one of the greatest achievements in my life.

Quote: “Never get old and look back and think what if?”