Kelvin Kirby

CEO, Technology Associates

What has been your business highlight of 2022?

We are branching into Dynamics 365 and that's an interesting journey! That aside, my biggest highlight has been the success of my Mastermind groups - helping like-minded business owners/ leaders in the IT channel to drive their businesses forward and address the challenges that they face.

If you were ruler of your own country, what law would you introduce first?

I think I'd make it possible for anyone or any animal to be prime minister… after all, a hamster could do a better job of running this country right now!

Which channel or tech leader (outside of your own company) has impressed you most in 2022?

I'm still impressed by Elon Musk. Whether you like him or not, he really does do some impressive things in the tech industry.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?

"Warning: live wire!"

What was your first job?

Well, if you exclude my parents paying me (a pittance in my view) to help out in their businesses (I helped my dad in his radio and TV business from the age of nine, and then when they opened a restaurant, I used to come back from school, do my homework, have my tea in the restaurant, and then work in the kitchens in the evening from around 6pm to 9:30pm preparing desserts). It was in a tourist town (Stratford upon Avon) so always busy! So apart from that and a six-week stint as a wine waiter in a country hotel when I was still a sixth-form student, my first ‘real' job was as a training officer for young people at Austin Rover.

What was the last book you read, and was it any good?

Breeding Gazelles by Dan Bradbury - an interesting insight into how to grow a business and focus on what's really important, as well as providing some great tips and tricks for business owners/leaders.

What's the most important lesson you've learned from another business leader or mentor?

From Tony Robbins - re-focusing your perspective to a positive outcome. Tony was the reason I left a well-paid job at Jaguar Cars and started my own business some 35 years ago!

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Oh that's easy. Dwayne Johnson - he doesn't look like me (and I don't look like him) - but then that's entirely the point of a movie - artistic licence!