Who got that job?

By STEVE HART

Key account manager, Alcatel

Why did you apply for this job - what was the main attraction to the position?

I wanted to get more involved in the convergence of IT and communications.

This area of convergence is a major part of investment in the business and government sectors and promises some significant business advantages to those organisations.

I was keen to become involved with such a major player, and a big attraction to the role was the opportunity to deal with the larger organisations within New Zealand.

What was your previous job?

General manager sales and marketing for Sunesis Group, an IT startup company focusing on secure electronic messaging.

What are the major challenges ahead of you in your new position?

Alcatel is a superb engineering company, the challenge is getting the message to the major organisations in New Zealand that Alcatel's Enterprise Solutions are world class and well worth investigating

What does being an account manager mean to you?

While we are all results-driven I believe those results are best achieved by understanding the client's business well and working on how to add value and impact positively on business processes.

Building relationships that stand the test of time is key to successful account management and this is done as much by listening as it is by talking.

If you had not gone into account management what else might you have done?

Prior to getting involved with account management I completed an accounting degree and so could well have ended up as a CFO or business manager.

Early on, I harboured thoughts of being an architect. However, I soon realised this required more creative skills than I appear blessed with.

What do you do in your spare time?

With two young boys I spend a fair bit of my time involved in their activities, such as coaching rugby, cricket in the summer, biking, swimming, etc.

I enjoy golf when time permits and like to immerse myself in a good book as well.


POCKET CV

Name: Liam Denton

* 2002-2004 Sunesis Group, general manager sales & marketing

* 2000-2002 QED, GM sales & marketing

* 1996-2000 Axon, relationship manager