Q&A with Daren, Business Development Manager at FutureLab Digital

[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]Daren recently joined FutureLab in the newly created role of Business Development Manager. Daren is on board to help manage our business growth and provide strategic vision for the overall development of the company.

Welcome to FutureLab Digital, Daren! Can you start by telling us a bit about your previous roles and experience?

In my previous life I spent 15 years in Telecommunications with the likes of Vodafone, WXC, and Digital Island. Signed Digital Islands largest client in Armourguard NZ and stole it off both Gen-I and Vodafone at the time from a cold start. When I started text messaging was still cutting edge. Nowadays those same phone companies are now IT, Web, phone system and Application based companies.

What excites you about working in the IT industry?

Technology changes mean you never get stale. If you don’t get your head around what the changes are, you’ll have no idea how to position your services in relation to the client need.

Even in the last year, Google made changes as to how they rank websites meaning that you’ve already got something new to discuss with potential and existing clients as to how to make sure they stay relevant with the way people now consume or make their choices. Winning significant businesses is always a kick.

Why FutureLab Digital? What, in your opinion, is the point of difference compared to other companies in the Auckland market?

The level of customisation that can be delivered in comparison to template-based approaches, at non creative agency pricing.

 What do you hope to achieve at FutureLab this year?

Expanding the company! If we can grow the business to the point we start to have enough work for additional staff that would be grand. From a sales perspective, ideally I want to develop partnerships that then provide a pipeline that doesn’t leave you chasing business cold. In my experience, getting new business off the back of relationships has always worked well.

You’ve come on board at FutureLab after a year of fast growth. How do you see the company continuing to evolve?

 It got to this size based on good client relationships. If we grow the amount of people we have relationships with that will grow revenue so long as we always ask ourselves “What is the compelling reason for this potential client to use us” and then communicate that well. It may be at some point in the future we expand on what we do product- or service-wise. The more products or services we can offer to clients, the more likely they are to stick with us. Plus, people are very risk adverse – especially if they think you’ve done a great job.

Finally, any predictions for the year ahead?

 No. Technology is also a disruption to some businesses in that if something great is released it can sometimes impact you. Look at the way the internet has affected traditional media sales, or how Uber has affected the taxi industry, what’s next? It’s unpredictable and that’s what motivates me.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” up=”30″ down=”40″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”18926″ img_size=”medium” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Thanks Daren. Here at FutureLab we are excited by the new developments happening this year and we believe Daren is a valuable and necessary addition to our small team. If you’ve got any questions, please drop us a line at contact@futurelab.co.nz, or say hello to Daren at daren@futurelab.co.nz.

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