20 01732 759725 60 Seconds Technology Reseller (TR): What have been your business highlights of the last 12 months? DB: Over the years, we have put considerable effort into enhancing our IT infrastructure, making it super-flexible and ready to handle pretty much anything. It's been impressive to witness our rapid adaptation to the digital needs of our operations and the construction sector at large, particularly in how our IT strategy and framework have allowed us to leverage data in innovative ways. TR: What is currently having the greatest impact on your business? DB: As a company, we see the value in going digital and are innovating to enhance the efficiency of how we design, construct and manage our projects. Our digital transformation requires all teams to make changes and adapt. For the IT department, specifically, it entails keeping abreast of innovative technology, deploying it effectively, maintaining its operation and maximising its potential. This is definitely challenging, yet also thrilling, and it opens up a lot of possibilities. TR: Where do you see the next big opportunity for your business? DB: As our IT Development and Engineering team evolves, with the adoption of the Microsoft Fabric analytics and data platform at its core, our next significant opportunity lies in providing smart reporting and insights as well as integrations and automations to streamline day-to-day tasks for our colleagues and the wider business, allowing them to concentrate on larger and more intricate opportunities or challenges. One of the speakers at DTX, the digital transformation event, taking place at ExCeL London on 2-3 October, Daniel Blackman is leader of a team delivering IT and information security services and expertise to McClaren Construction Group companies in the UK and UAE. Daniel will be on the Digital and IT Strategy stage at 14:00 on Wednesday 2nd October to discuss Navigating Tomorrow: Lean and Agile Architecture, Preparing for the Uncertain Future. Find out more about DTX and UCX, the co-located unified communications and collaboration exhibition, at www.dtxevents.io. 60 seconds with... Daniel Blackman, IT Director at McClaren Construction TR: Did you get into IT by accident or design? DB: I stumbled into IT. I started out in a customer service role, which I didn’t enjoy, before trying to get an apprenticeship in Finance. Luckily someone steered me towards IT for my apprenticeship, and it turned out to be my calling. TR: If you could swap your current job for any other what would it be? DB: Given the opportunity, I would jump at the chance to start my own tech business. I put my heart and soul into my work, treating every task as if it is my own business that’s on the line. TR: What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given? DB: The one that still resonates is ‘don’t let things get to you personally’, which is tough because I really do care! It is typical for individuals to grow impatient with IT because of the challenges or pressing matters they face. They rarely understand the technical specifics and just want things fixed or sorted. TR: What advice would you give a young person considering a career in IT? DB: Stay open to new ideas and soak up everything across different areas of IT, rather than just digging into one. Knowing a bit about a range of tech gives you so many more chances to switch things up as the tech world evolves. TR: What would make your day job easier? DB: Increasingly, it feels like customers are the guinea pigs for security patches and fresh features. It is super-frustrating trying to provide reliable services while constantly having to deal with the latest bugs to mess with the products we look after. Better testing leading to fewer issues would make our IT workday easier. TR: What is your favourite quote and why? DB: ‘Keep it simple’. With technology evolving so quickly, we need to make sure things remain straightforward and manageable to help us keep pace. TR: What’s on your playlist? DB: I am not one for the newest artists or chart-toppers. I prefer to hit play on YouTube Music's Energy Supermix. It's my go-to for staying upbeat. TR: What’s the most used app on your phone and why?` DB: My go-to app has to be the web browser. I'm always digging into Digital and IT tech stuff, scrolling through the top news stories, or shopping for things our kids need that my wife cues me in about during the day. TR: How do you spend your spare time? DB: I always have to be doing something, so in my free time I’ll dive into another DIY project, fix up the garden or fire up the pizza oven for some quality family time. TR: Fine dining or curry and a pint? DB: Eating at fancy restaurants and sipping good wine wasn't part of my childhood, but I've started to really enjoy the fine dining scene, even if it felt a bit intimidating at first. TR: Favourite holiday destination? DB: For me, Disney vacations are the best. It's awesome to let your inner child out while seeing your kids light up with joy over and over. Daniel Blackman
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