In this, the seventh of a series of ‘In our shoes’ blogs, Triad Managing Director Adrian Leer talks about everything from spotting superpowers to what makes Triad different.
You’re Triad’s Managing Director. How would you describe this role, and what is a typical day at Triad like for you?
As Managing Director, I need to be across all aspects of the business, from sales to operations, finance to people management, without getting in the way of those responsible for running those functions. I also have a key part to play in communicating with our staff, clients, and other stakeholders about what we are doing as a business and where we are heading. Some days are like others, but it’s important not to have too many typical days; otherwise, there’s a risk of standing still.
What’s the hardest thing about your role?
I guess it’s keeping everyone motivated whilst pushing us all to challenge ourselves and to keep looking for ways of improving our performance. It’s hard as in difficult, but that doesn’t mean that it’s unenjoyable!
What do you love most about your role?
I love it when colleagues come up to me spontaneously and talk about why they love doing the job they do at Triad. One of our recent recruits told me a couple of weeks ago that their Mum told them how proud they were of their daughter after she told them what she was doing for one of our clients. Moments like that are so precious.
What’s your superpower?
I don’t have a superpower. However, I think I am pretty good at spotting other people’s superpowers and ensuring they can use them within the business. Not that they would admit to them being superpowers, as we are quite a humble bunch here at Triad!
How long have you been at Triad? And what achievement at Triad are you most proud of?
I joined Triad in 2009 as a part-time consultant, and I think it’s a testament to the company that my journey so far has resulted in me becoming MD. I am most proud of the culture we have built at Triad, where I think everyone shares the same understanding of what we are trying to achieve and that we have an open environment where we can share ideas on how we will achieve it.
Do you have a role model? And if so, how have they influenced you?
I have had some great role models over the years, often people in more senior positions to me whose experience I could tap into. Nowadays, I mainly get inspiration from the energy and enthusiasm of our next generation of young Triad consultants who exude a selfless drive to help the company move forward.
Marketing spin aside, what do you think makes Triad different from other IT Consultancies?
Being as objective as possible and using my experience of engaging consultancies like Triad to work as suppliers, I can point to two things. One, is the friendly approach of our teams, helping our clients to feel comfortable and confident about our ability to do the work. Second, is the ability to produce high quality outcomes at speed – our ability to get things over the finishing line that do what they are supposed to do is a key strength.
How would you describe the Triad culture, and how do you think it has changed since you joined Triad?
I touched on culture earlier. It is very open nowadays with a deep sense of one Triad, focused on delighting our customers. We have a strong family feel to the business, with people looking out for each other in a very supportive and caring way.
If you have a question for Adrian Leer or the Triad team, please get in touch.
