Answering the questions this week is Mike Henson who has just taken the helm at Brighton-based tech firm IDEAL

What work related worries keep you awake at night?

Well, most nights I sleep well but I am always thinking about what I need to do to provide the environment and circumstances for the business to flourish and our people to succeed.

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at your office and get to your desk?

I don’t have a designated desk – it’s great. We use Cisco technology so all you need is your laptop and a soft phone and you can work effectively anywhere.

I might be sitting in with our sales team or even working in the kitchen area.

After logging on to the network I grab a barista quality black Americano from our coffee machine.

Do you lunch in or out of the office?

That all depends on the shape of my day.

I spend a lot of time meeting people but if I’m in the office I’ll grab a sandwich.

It also gives me an opportunity to have a short walk and get some fresh air.

What’s the proudest you have been with a recent piece of work?

Prior to joining Ideal, establishing a think customer culture and mindset across a service provider organisation.

This is in part what attracted me to Ideal, the customer is absolutely front and centre of the company philosophy.

Where do you network?

Wherever I need to but particularly

customers, partners and across the significant network of friends and colleagues that I have developed over the years.

How do you exercise?

Swimming and gym, along with some golf, but not as routinely as I would like.

I’m a member of Virgin Active in Brighton.

What qualities do you look for when you are hiring a new recruit?

Customer focus, drive and personality. The technical skills can be taught.

We have been very lucky in that we have a great group of people in the business and they definitely show these characteristics.

We are recruiting at the moment so if people feel they fit this profile they should head to our website to view our current vacancies.

What is the best thing about business in Brighton and Hove?

There is a great quality of life that people appreciate.

I think there is more collaboration and cross fertilisation here than you

will see working in London or along the M4.

We have a strong local and contemporary business identity allied to

good national and international connections.

What one thing would improve the quality of your working life?

Joining Ideal has in part answered this question.

I have less commute time and I am based in the same location as the rest of the people in the company.

For many years I have worked in a more geographically distributed business.

Being together makes it so much easier to get to know people and create a real team identity and ethos.

If you could have your absolute dream job what would it be?

World top 10 tournament professional golfer!

What is your top tip for business success?

Take a holistic view and balance the needs of all stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders and partners. Adopt a win-win philosophy.