In the spotlight today is Alex Hamp, Sales Director at Paradise Computing, who plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s sales and marketing efforts. Alex’s passion for helping our clients figure out their ideal technological solutions is what sets him apart.
Alex, can you tell us a bit about your role at Paradise?
As the Sales Director, my primary focus is on generating new business opportunities while cultivating enduring relationships with our existing clients. It's about fostering growth and ensuring that we're an integral part of our clients' success stories by being proactive in our approach.
Can you tell us a bit about your background before joining Paradise?
I have a background in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Sage in particular, and I've also worked in the manufacturing and engineering industries. I originally became proficient in using Sage software when I worked for an engineering company. Whilst I was there, they upgraded from Sage 50 to Sage 200 - I was heavily involved in the project where we transitioned from one system to another. After this experience, I decided to pursue a career in ERP systems and began working on Paradise Computing's ERP helpdesk as a Sage Support Specialist. As I progressed from that job to my current role, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the typical challenges our clients encounter, enabling me to devise targeted solutions.
What do you find most fulfilling about your job?
The true reward lies in devising solutions that address and resolve our clients' business problems. It's not just about meeting expectations; it's about understanding their challenges and delivering solutions that make a tangible difference in their operations. This success reflects our collective effort and the trust our clients place in us. When we deliver on a promise I’ve personally made to a customer, that’s a really good feeling.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome while working at Paradise?
Well, we’ve recently started attending and sponsoring business exhibitions, like Your Business Expo at Sywell in February, as well as hosting our own events at Paradise, so I’m doing a lot more public speaking than I’ve ever done before! I’ve had to refine my presentation skills, but I’ve found that I actually really enjoy it. This experience has been immensely rewarding, allowing me to forge stronger connections with our audience and industry peers.
In your opinion, what makes Paradise stand out from other companies?
Paradise really is a partner, not just a supplier. I love that we embrace the complicated - everyone is keen to tackle a challenge. We do well with meeting our customers’ complex requirements and creating bespoke solutions that work for them. For example, there have been a number of projects where our software development team has done a really good job of connecting third-party systems into an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system like Sage 200, to give it extra functionality. These kinds of projects come with their own challenges. They’re all quite different so you have to create a solution tailored just for them. This philosophy is central to our ability to deliver value that truly meets our clients' needs.
On a personal note, how do you like to spend your free time?
I love being outdoors – going running and hiking with my wife Laura and our dog Luna - who’s also Paradise’s office dog! I love being in the mountains and travelling overseas. One of my favourite places is probably the Lake District, where we went hiking around the Haystacks.
Do you have any upcoming hikes planned?
Yes! This May I’ll be tackling the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge with four other guys from Paradise. We’ll have 24 hours to walk 100km along the coast, which is a crazy challenge but is for a great cause – raising money for the NSPCC. We’re also tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in March as a warm-up for our 100k challenge.
And finally, the most important question – what’s your favourite office snack?
I’m happy whenever anyone brings in cake, I love a classic Victoria sponge and a cup of tea!
Let's meet Paradise Computing's Project Manager, Gareth Whyley. Gareth has a background in IT consultancy and is a specialist in compliance and project management. He is passionate about helping our clients achieve their goals.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Rachmann Joubert, a Sage Support Specialist who has brought his wealth of software development experience to the role to help build solutions for our clients.
Today we're getting to know one of Paradise Computing's IT Support Engineers - Ashley Curtis. Ashley plays a vital role in supporting the IT infrastructure of our clients and supports them with his expert IT knowledge.