I was fortunate enough to be introduced to computers at school. Of course, these were the days (1975) when a machine with 32K (yes - K!) of memory and a clock speed of 0.004Mhz took up several large cabinets. So when I went to Cambridge it was the obvious, easy option to study Computer Science.
It was around that time (the early 80's) that PCs were starting to take off, and while I was at Cambridge I got involved in developing a Basic interpreter in 8-bit assembler for a home PC being developed by a local start-up. Again, it was the easy option for me to continue to work for them when I left Cambridge in 1981 (although this time as a highly-paid self-employed consultant). Alas, the bottom fell out the market, and my (one) client went bust. I then worked for another start-up company that also went bust (after buying too many Ferraris). Still, at least I knew how to debug software with a oscilloscope.
So in 1984 I decided to stop taking the easy option and get a proper job. The agency I was working with sent me to around 15 different companies, including an unknown company called Data Connection. Even though the company was much smaller than now (around 45 people), it was immediately obvious to me that the company had a level of sophistication and self-confidence that was a cut above the other companies I talked to.
As part of the second interview process, I gave a presentation for half an hour to an audience of senior managers. My presentation was the worst any candidate has ever given then or since - a complete disaster. Even so, not only did I get the job, I also managed to persuade Ian Ferguson that my three years of experience (not to mention my technical brilliance) merited him paying me vastly more than the graduate starting salary. So if you decide to apply, don't worry if you fluff at the interview, and it is absolutely true that Data Connection pays people what they're worth.
Anyway, once I was in I must have done a few things right as I was made a manager after one year, and a Director after four. So the story of 'advancing people as fast as their abilities and aspirations allow' turned out to be true.
The main product I have been responsible for over the years is called SNAP-IX, a product which allows a Unix system to commmunicate with an IBM mainframe. I was initially development manager, then customer support manager (working with the likes of IBM and HP), then handled marketing, and latterly I've been the overall business unit manager, having complete responsibility for the product as a profit centre. It's been the company's most successful product ever in terms of revenue and profit, which is nice.
I've also spent many years working with Microsoft, where we provided most of the core technology for one of their key Windows Server products. Working with Microsoft has been, to say the least, 'interesting'. I particularly remember a meeting we had with Steve Ballmer (now Microsoft CEO), where we were trying to persuade him to pay us more money. I learnt something about hard-nosed negotiation that day!
So I bet you're thinking, so this guy's now a middle-aged BMW-driving company director with a family and a mortgage. OK, I confess. It's true. But I still retain the skills from my youth - such as being able to prop up bars in Monte Carlo and Marbella after six hours drinking, and debugging software with an oscilloscope - which could come in handy as I've recently picked up responsibility for hardware on our new MetaSwitch telecommunications product.
And yes, I've now been here 18 years. You might think that in all that time it might start to get boring. No way! Our drive to be ever more successful and the sheer rate of change in the industry means that we have to relentlessly sustain the energy levels of a startup, and constantly deal with new and difficult intellectual challenges. And of course the company is very successful and profitable, so people like me who have helped to make it happen are rewarded accordingly. Which is nice too.
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