Welcome to ID – Kevin Alexander

In January of this year, as many of us faced up to the fact we would be plunged into another lockdown, Kevin Alexander made the fantastic decision to join Interdirect as an Account Director. Since his arrival he’s been instrumental in our team, liaising between our digital clients and developers, designers and our website/touchscreen build team. Basically, he finds out what our clients want, finds out from our guys what’s possible and then works out the best way to reach the end goal – while keeping the solution as cost and time effective as possible, for everyone.

Before joining Interdirect, Kevin was working with an automotive client base, including the likes of Vauxhall, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Ford, Holden (in Australia), and Euro Car Parts. He was also Account & Production Director at White Clarke Creative – a full-service design and marketing agency that specialise in the vehicle aftermarket.

Kevin has quickly become an integral part of the Interdirect team, so we thought we’d ask him a few questions, so that we can all get to know him a little better:

1: Welcome to Interdirect Kevin. How have you found the last few months?

The last few months have been very interesting, if a bit of a challenge at times. Working with a new team and settling into different ways of working, new systems and procedures after a long time in my last role was a bigger task than I thought it would be, to be honest. But I am now feeling confident in most areas and the Interdirect Team have been a great help and very understanding!

2: What has been the best thing you’ve found about the role so far?

Working with the Interdirect team. They are a great bunch of people. It’s what attracted me to the role. Before joining I ‘met’ with the MD prior to being introduced to the Account Directors, whom I liaised with a few times on the task they had set me. I really got on well with both of them and we had a lot in common. Even meeting Nick in person didn’t put me off I’m also enjoying the challenges of working with clients that are all new to me and slowly building relationships with them and getting to know the ID team better.

3: What has been the hardest thing about the role so far?

Without question, doing everything virtually. Until last week, when I met up with the three AMs, the only person I’d met in real life was Nick. Doing all of my induction and learning about the company, its systems, procedures and clients and all internal meetings on Teams calls was really hard. It’s not that I don’t like video calls, if you already know the people or at least have met them before that’s ok, but when you have never seen them it’s difficult. And not being in an office, where you can easily ask someone about anything, is also really hard.

4: If money was no object, what would you implement in your role, (or in business in general) to make things easier?

This is a difficult one! If money was no object, then we could provide all of our clients with the very best of everything they wanted without having to justify how much what they want costs! For example, we could provide a bespoke site for the cost of a themed site…!

I would also try to implement a shorter working week, 35 or maybe less hours for a full week, perhaps finishing at lunchtime on a Friday. Or do 35 hours over 4 days and have one day a week off. Work/life balance is very important for everyone’s mental health

5: What would your dream job be?

Being a test driver for Ferrari or Sunseeker! Or perhaps more realistically, the Account Director for someone like Tesla or Aston Martin, or perhaps the RAF Museum at Hendon, or Duxford. Something to feed my interest in cars and old aircraft.

6: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?

New Zealand is probably at the top of this list. It’s a beautiful county with many contrasts and cultures. And jet boats! And, of course, earthquakes, so I wouldn’t want to live there!

7: If you had a superpower, what would it be, and why?

That’s an easy one – Time travel. Go back in time and rectify mistakes you wished you hadn’t made, and spend more time with people that are no longer with you. Important stuff. And of course, go forward in time, get next week’s lottery numbers, go back and buy the winning ticket. Just do this once, with a big jackpot and spend the money very wisely, helping out all of the good causes and people close to your heart.

8: If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

I couldn’t eat just one thing for the rest of my life, I would get very bored and fed up with it!

But favourite treats are Fish & Chips, and just about anything Italian. Or Mexican. Love Indian food as well! And roast beef. Can’t choose an absolute favourite I’m afraid.

9: What was the first thing you did after lockdown restrictions were eased?

Went to see my children and grandchildren in Aylesbury. Then to the pub on the way home!

10: Tell us something about yourself that you’re proud of, that no-one else would know.

If I tell you, then someone else will know!

One thing that came to light recently, after being made redundant in September 2020, is that I have only been unemployed for one month since starting my Engineering Apprenticeship in 1976.