We’re asking some of our industry’s leading figures to nominate their digital hero and to explain what’s so special about them.
Jozef Wallis has 18 years’ experience in the European digital and media industries. He is a serial entrepreneur with three successful exits at founder level. His latest venture Booxscale recently won in the Alexa World Cup for UK and Europe.
Who is your digital hero?
Wow this is a difficult one, I have been incredibly lucky to work with some outstanding people from when I first set out at the tender age of 16 on this entrepreneurial roller coaster. I am going to pick Alain Sanjaume as my digital hero.
What has he done to win hero status in your eyes?
Over many years and across numerous businesses Alain has been a guiding light. Responsive and balanced with his advice and a true believer in good people.
He’s is always to the point and relevant often with an uncanny visibility of what’s around the corner.
How has his heroism helped drive digital?
Alain knew the value of big data before it was even a thing. Behind some of our biggest digital success stories you will often find Alain somewhere in the background making things happen.
Espotting, Wunderloop, Excelate and Teads to name just a few. I rarely come across anyone that he is not already connected with. His true borderless network, start-up experience and wisdom has proven time and time again to be a winning combination.
What are the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?
Google’s original benchmark for success was how quickly it could pass a user from its search engine to a destination site. Now it’s the opposite, how long can it keep you on the website servicing your needs in a session.
As more platforms become transactional and the big four fight it out creating ever taller and stronger walled gardens, the new hero will seamlessly stitch these platforms and channels together for a truly frictionless transactional experience.
Users now expect on demand services and products at anytime, anywhere and ordered from any device. Through marketplaces, local suppliers can now compete on the digital stage and it’s going to be fascinating to see how these ecosystems mature as they embrace last mile on-demand characteristics and the heroes that will be created along the way.
What is your most heroic personal achievement so far in digital?
For me, there is no one example, but from time to time you get that feeling (mini fist bump) where the underdog prevails .I am a massive believer that you should always look for the best partnership on the planet and go after it for your business.
Brush naysayers and doubt aside and schedule in a coffee with your prospect, you might just surprise yourself with the outcome. I was always too young, then I was too old, we had not raised enough money or did not have enough of a track record etc.
On many occasions, these proved to be false barriers and glass ceilings!
