C2S Talks 2021 With The Team at Bamboo Technology
Following a fast-paced 2019, our official sponsors Bamboo Technology Group get their Operations board and CEO together to share their outlook of the year ahead as we ask them, what does your business look like in 2021? What new opportunities are there? What changes have you made? What are your predictions for the year ahead and what good things will you take forward from 2020?
Hello Kevin, what does 2021 look like?
Kevin Harris, Managing Director
Like most businesses we have successfully adapted to cater for remote-working and we will continue to support employees that need flexibility and the choice to work from the comfort of their own homes. We see that continued change to working practices as an opportunity to support other companies too as they cater to their work-at-home employees – they need powerful, reliable equipment, software platforms and related services. Companies need to know that there are flexible options available to support the procurement of high-quality equipment, SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms and fast, reliable connectivity that streamline remote communications and enhance productivity.
How does this present opportunity for Bamboo? Customers respond well to authentic companies that deliver on their promises. Having a customer focus makes it much easier for small and medium businesses to cater to targeted segments and possibly outcompete large enterprises that are too big to maintain this focus. While it is difficult to predict exactly what customers will look for post-pandemic, it stands to reason that businesses that are able to focus on their customers will have a better chance of success once the crisis ends.
And the future? We are now in an era of when a good connectivity experience is essential; this much we know. Having it enables society to build upon the social and digital networks that we have all played a role in developing. We can continue to create fresh ideas and bring people together that might have otherwise remained distant. The biggest change we will take forward will not come in the form of any visible technology; it will occur in those places we know best: our own hearts and minds.
Barbara, you are the Director of Finance at Bamboo, tell us about your 2020 and your hopes for 2021.
Barbara Mabombo, Director of Finance
My overriding thought is that “as one door closes another one opens”.
After months of difficulties, the mood of many businesses understandably is cautious. Many companies may not be looking into the future with great optimism. However, we as a business worked hard over the last 12 months to ensure we are stable and strong enough to overcome any crisis. We proactively look for new opportunities and continue to grow and improve. Our message to other business is to focus on what we are focusing on ourselves, digital/technology transformation, cyber security and customer service.
For me personally, 2020 was both very difficult and surprisingly good. The pandemic completely took over our lives, forming part of every conversation and every distanced interaction with another person. We have though had a lot of time to reflect on our lives and to re-evaluate our priorities. Some have found this a challenge, both from a mental wellbeing perspective and a place of knowing their value. Some have used it to focus on what they have not for too many years. For me it means we have arrived in 2021 with some different life priorities and some people around me are even enjoying living life a little slower.
From the business point of view a year of change has opened the door to many new opportunities. Most importantly, many of us can now work from any place in the world so long as there is an internet connection! Just brilliant.
Hello Phil, you joined Bamboo just three months prior to the first lockdown, what are you hoping for as you go into your second year with the team?
Phil Thomas, Director of Business Architecture and Technology
I believe we are in a good position to move forward in 2021 after a very busy 2020, however we all need to continue to examine and reflect on our ways of working to continuously improve and be flexible for any new bumps in the road ahead.
I would like to see greater understanding and willingness to embrace full digital transformation. Many companies have been forced to adopt new ways of working however through properly managed digital transformation and a focus on the customer experience we can really begin to use technology to improve business process and efficiencies in the right way.
The positive of 2020 was the changes to work life balance. We are fortunate to have been very busy throughout 2020 however it has provided opportunities to spend more time with the family through less travel and working at home. It has also helped with a reduction in expenses and our carbon emissions which I am in favour of
Debbie, who has been with the business for over 15 years is used to change, but what have 2020 and the start of 2021 meant for her?
Debbie Lerwill, Director of Products and Services
We are in a fortunate position within the IT and connectivity market in that we have seen little change in terms of our day-to-day service requirements. Customer Service is still key and at the forefront of our minds. The new lockdown may mean that there is a slowdown with some decision making and the resulting conversion of pipelines to meet budgets may be slower than normal.
Baba Vanga I am not, however, my 2021 predictions are around Cyber services and Roam Like at Home (RLAH) charging. We are already focussed on Cyber and Digital Assurance. There is an increased awareness across the UK of the implications of not putting digital assurance on the board room agenda. My belief is that there will be a huge increase on people/businesses procuring services to protect against attacks and become more resilient. Roam Like at Home will remain, for the time being……..but watch this space!
The new “norm” has meant that staff are able to work from anywhere. MS Teams has been invaluable for enabling this. Work life balance is far improved so on a personal note, my house, which was a complete refurbishment when I moved in in February is almost complete. Lockdown has meant we could balance work and knuckle down into home projects with ease.
Ray, what are you expecting the business to see from a Sales perspective?
Raymond Kay, Director of Sales
The general move to remote working will not go away and has opened up new business opportunities for Connectivity, IT and Cyber support.
How do you feel that lockdown will affect sales activity?
I expect Q1 for 2021 will be slower than normal, in a similar way that Q2 was in 2020. However, with the start of the new financial year for many businesses being in April, Q2 could deliver a sense of new beginnings. As Brexit, COVID and recessionary pressures start to fade I fully expect businesses in resilient sectors to return to a level of hope and possible normality and we are well prepared for it.
Lorrin, you’ve been with Bamboo since 2002, could you have foreseen a year like 2020 and what do you expect and wish for in 2021?
Lorrin White, CEO
As a group of companies in the technology and connectivity arena we are always looking at change and like many other years 2020 gave us new challenges. At Bamboo we thrive under pressure and I for one see crisis as a catalyst for change. Therefore, I look forward to a positive 2021. We remain agile, flexible and open to change in whatever form it takes. We will continue to spread the word to SMEs and corporates that digital assurance is the name of the game. We will help more businesses with their connectivity, operational resilience, transformation plans, sustainable technology aims, cyber and compliance management. Our commitment to positively developing business futures and people’s lives is never more important.
I expect to see big changes with movers and shakers across all industries. As 2021 lockdown ensues people continue to review their work/life priorities. I’ve already seen a number of surprise mergers and acquisitions, senior moves and early retirements.
My hope for 2021 is that the greater good prevails. I would like to see people, community and business continue to pursue collaborative efforts to benefit all. 2020 delivered a sense of community and ‘in it together’ spirit that I would love to see carried forward. Mother Teresa’s quote springs to mind, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot. Together we can do great things.”
Contact the team at Bamboo for all your technology needs. From Telcoms, Data Connectivity and IoT, to remote working and Cyber Security. Making your business stronger and safer and more effective and efficient.
