Alanzo Blackstock

Senior director, global partnerships & channels, UK&I, ServiceNow

What's the most surprising lesson 2024 has taught you so far?

2024 has been one of the busiest work years for me, so much so that I can't remember much of it. The biggest lesson, though not so surprising, is that being busy does not equal being productive.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

It would be fantastic to have dinner at a Michelin star restaurant with the writer Benjamin Zephaniah, who only recently passed away. I love his poems and would hope for a personal recital during dinner!

Which tech or channel figurehead has impressed you the most this year, and why?

I have to say ServiceNow’s global channel leader, Erica Volini. I’ve never met someone who can get so much done in such a short space of time! She has spearheaded major changes to our Channel program this year, making it almost unrecognizable from the past few years. Partners are increasingly front and centre in our business.

What technology trend do you think is being overhyped, and why?

I won't say Gen AI! Overused, maybe, but not overhyped. I'd say virtual and augmented reality are overhyped. I prefer the physical world.

If you were stranded on a deserted island but could have one piece of tech with you, what would it be?

This is very low tech: a quality, sturdy, sharp knife for food and shelter. You never know how long you might be stranded.  An iPhone can’t feed you or keep you dry.

What's your go-to productivity hack that keeps you on track during a busy day?

I'm a big fan of Microsoft To Do on my iPhone.  It's a simple task management tool that I can use on the fly and it’s integrated with Teams and email, making it easier to keep track of important tasks.

If you had the time to learn one new skill, what would it be?

I have wanted to learn Spanish for a long time now. Still haven't got around to it despite several New Year resolutions. One day...