Dale Waring
Dale is the commercial director for our communications products & services. He is responsible for managing our 300 plus channel partners & direct customers in this area. He is also responsible for the strategic direction of the business, developing new products/ solutions and building relationships with our extensive supply chain. Dale’s main role is to generate new customer projects focused around our communication services and to help his sales team be successful. Dale has over a decade of experience in the communication industry and has completed hundreds of projects around improving communication networks for customers.
Spotlight Questions
What is your favourite word?
“Baltic” or “Maftin” I’d say, if you aren’t from Teesside then you would be forgiven for not knowing they mean Cold and warm respectively.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I’ve never known what I wanted to do, I was just good with technology and ended up in Telecoms and I love it but if I were to change now and I could be anything I’d like to play Pool or Snooker for a living that’s a bit of a pipe dream though! Slightly more realistic maybe could be something with food as I’m a very keen cook.
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Pop through there your family are waiting with a pint.
Tell me about your background and how you came to this role.
I completed a Computer Science Degree at Teesside University and was looking for my first role in the industry when my mam forced me to take a day off from decorating for my cousins business to apply for some jobs I applied for an apprentice software developer role here (apparently) I can’t actually remember doing so I just applied for some jobs to get her off my back.
One day when decorating my phone died and my dad was ringing my cousin frantically to say somebody had rang the house phone to talk to me about the position so when I got home I called back and they said do you fancy starting Monday, no interview required, they just liked my CV and wanted to take a punt on me.
I wasn’t a bad developer I did a few projects that I enjoyed and did a good job with, but I didn’t feel that’s where my future lied I was interested in the IT and Telecoms side of the business and wanted to move into this.
Almost 11 years on I am still here I’ve been in technical as an engineer installing routers, dealing with some 1st and 2nd line IT issues before moving into more leadership roles and last year into the position of Commercial Director.
Are there any upcoming projects that you are excited about?
Yeah, we’re currently working on our customer portal with a brand-new quoting engine and online ordering facility, the possibilities are endless and will help kick the business on to the next level of that, I am sure.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Taking Livingston from Scottish League 2 to SPL Title winners in consecutive seasons on Football Manager was some feat but I’d have to say my 2:1 Degree in Computer Science is the one I’m most proud of.
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 items would you take with you and why?
Snooker Table, Cues and Balls and I will just keep playing everyday until I get a century break, surely with only snooker to play every day I’d get somewhere near I’ve already had a 38 break before.
If you had the ability to change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?
No more war, its 2024 after all how have we not learnt from previous generations?
What helpful resources do you rely on in your job role?
The task bar in outlook is an absolute god send, I tell everybody in the office never ask me to do something in person I need emailing so I can flag it.
Share an interesting or lesser-known fact about yourself that people would find surprising or amusing.
I’ve scored a penalty at the Riverside past Ex-Premier League Goalkeeper Marlon Beresford, I celebrated by doing the robot and Former Boro, Forest and England Player Colin Cooper complimented me on my dancing, and I turned into an absolute fan girl.
I have video proof of the penalty if anyone is interested…
Tell us a useless fact.
There is more Vitamin C in a pepper than an orange, my mams told me that one countless times.
What are your goals for the next year or so?
Become comfortable doing things I’m currently not very comfortable doing, I won’t lie things like Networking, Speaking in front of a group and Cold Calling I find difficult at times, I’m trying to do more of all three in 2024.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your job?
At any given time, I probably have about 50 plates spinning at once.
What is your favourite saying?
I’ll give you on funny one and one serious one:
“Even a blind squirrel finds a nut eventually”
“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never work a day in your life” I always thought my grandad was wise to come up with something like this, turns out it was Mark Twain!