David Johnson, Fourteen IP’s Business Developement Director, shares his story with us
Tell us a bit about yourself; your career background?
From day one I was surrounded by business and sales. My father was a police officer but also was part owner of a fast food restaurant and a local tavern in Philadelphia. After retiring from the police department, he owned two clothing stores for over 10 years. During my high school and college days I worked for my father. This is where I learned the art of sales and customer service. My 1st job out of college was selling Radio advertisement on a local Philadelphia talk show radio station. WOW was this hard. However, it showed me about prospecting and handling rejection. People are not lined up to buy advertising spots on an AM station HA! HA!. After working at a collection agency, I joined RCA Business Telephone systems as a Tele-marker. This is where I developed the love for tele-communications. Also, this is where I met my beautiful wife Tonia, who was a dispatcher. While my wife later became a pharmacist and top pharmaceutical sales rep. I stayed with RCA, which later was purchased by Mitel. I moved up the ranks from installed base sales, to National Accounts and eventually Director of Hospitality Sales. During my days at Mitel I was able to sell Arlington County Government/Schools 85 PBX”s in one year. Also I developed the Mitel Hospitality program that enabled Mitel to experience record growth during the 2005 to 2010 timeframe. I left Mitel and continued to help grow Hospitality business/revenue at Cetis and Frontier Communication. My goal is to help grow Fourteen IP within the cloud space. I have two great kids David and Brielle who bring so much joy to my life. They have busy schedules with school and athletics. Tonia and are always on the move!
If you could choose anyone, who would you choose as your mentor?
I would have to choose my father because he was and still is my mentor. Although he passed away three years ago, I still use his wisdom and knowledge on a daily basis. One word would describe my father and that is “Class”.
Favourite location visited for work?
I would have to say Mexico. Being able to spend time in the Caribbean while working is awesome. Especially a few years back when my wife joined me on a business trip and we stayed at the Rosewood Mayakoba.What is the hardest challenge that you have overcome since working at Fourteen IP?
My hardest challenge has been getting some of the traditional on-premise contacts to understand and see the true value in a cloud-based phone system. Also, a simple return call. LOL!
What inspires you?
I gain inspiration by making the right decision and being successful. I used to think success meant money, fame and power but I now believe its more about what your family can inspire in you and how you can set an example for them. Making the right decision is hard but thinking before you go in the wrong direction will go along way in your life.
How do you relax?
I relax by spending time with my family. My wife and I love traveling and going to Happy Hours. Also supporting my kids. My son is a Musician and track athlete in College and my daughter also runs track, cheers and participates in the theatre. I love attending their events.
What would you say are the key challenges and opportunities currently faced by the industry?
I believe the key challenges within our industry revolve around the fast changing needs as far as the guest experience and security. The guest needs are changing much faster than say 5 years ago. At the same time, we have to be mindful about deploying secured applications. If we miss on these two aspects the hotel will surely lose revenue.
Given a chance, who would you like to be for the day?
I would love to be a professional Basketball player or my son. Being my son would be interesting because I could see the difference of being a college student in this day and age. Also, he is college athlete. That would be cool.For more information about this or any of our News Items call us on +44 1942 369196 or for US +1 407 204 1614
