Malcolm Duffield understands technology He’s read the books. He’s listened to the tapes and podcasts. He’s watched the videos. He’s completed the online interactive stuff. Yes – he’s even got the T-shirts!
He’s been trained and mentored by the best. More importantly, he’s worked for them too – and refined all of that knowledge, through experience, into wisdom. He’s worked for British Telecom, Case/Dowty/Cray/Anite Networks (yes, they’re one and the same company), Motorola, Intergraph, Wang, CSC and SAP. He’s managed everything from super-computers through to massive outsourcing deals and whole-of-government ERP software. His commercial career spans over thirty years and across the globe – much of it in complex, high value IT.
Graduating in Applied Physics, he first made the quantum leap into Advertising – logically enough – where he learned that his innate passion for selling, or rather ‘spreading of enthusiasm’, which he’d had from childhood, could be enhanced by study, practice and experiment. Learning how to communicate ideas and emotions by taking-part in London’s ‘Creative Circle’ further strengthened his ‘urge to serve’ – the desire that drives people in their quest and propels the economic cycle. Learning about the critical role of strategy opened a whole new career for him, one that took him to numerous continents.
As well as products, he’s ‘sold’ ideas too – and having developed not only a strong understanding of technology but a strong understanding of human nature has even been successful at developing and disseminating government policy. Moreover he’s spent recent times as a consultant and advisor, and as CEO of an audio technology start-up.
Known for his creative/strategic planned approach, his ability to understand and explain new technologies, and for his dynamic and engaging presentation style, Malcolm’s focus is nevertheless always on the human element – after all, it is people who make, and must live with, the purchase decision. Upon this, he developed a successful career in complex IT outsourcing – working both sides of the fence.