One minute with...Alan Macdonald

CRN chats with Alan Macdonald, marketing manager — IT division, at Samsung.

Your job title?
Marketing manager — IT division, Samsung.

What do you like about your job?
In terms of being an IT marketer, working for Samsung I have (arguably) one of the top jobs in the country.

What do you dislike about your job?
Budgets, meetings, budgets (I really hate budgeting!).

Your strangest job?
Software trainer in Japan — teaching students who would never admit when they didn’t understand the instructions, and too polite to ask (not like Koreans — they’ll let you know!). Eventually I had to bow and apologise ‘for being a BAD teacher’ every morning before they would ask questions.

Your biggest mistake?
Not following a friend’s advice on Apple stock, just before their massive rise on the stock market.

Yourself in one word?
Passionate and enthusiastic (plus I can’t count!).

Favourite pastime?
Photography — more like an obsession, the word ‘pastime’ just doesn’t go far enough!

Favourite food?
Thai food — anything aromatic and spicy.

What are you reading?
Absolute Friends by John Le Carre.

What are you listening to?
I listened to Coldplay’s X&Y on the way to work this morning — a great way to start the day!