Meet the team - Mike Simcoe

Hello, Mike! Let’s get straight into it - tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in Plymouth to a Naval family but grew up in Manchester.

I’m Head of Technical Operations here at Venditan and I’ve been with the company for over 11 years. In my role, I support both our client services and development teams in assessing, specifying and ultimately managing our schedule of platform and front-end updates.

I’ve held several positions since I joined in 2013, progressing into management within our software development team. I then moved sideways to take the operational role in 2022.

What’s one thing that people may not know about you?

When I was 11 years old, I excelled in Shotokan Karate, earning high grades in the discipline.

Fast forward to 2022, when my kids started their own Karate training, I was sitting on the sidelines watching them. A thought struck me: "Why aren't I joining in?"

That moment sparked a return to Karate for me, and since then, I haven't looked back. Despite a significant time gap, I managed to reclaim my Brown belt in November, a remarkable 27 years after first achieving it! Now, I'm on a mission to work my way back up the ranks, aiming to achieve that elusive Black belt once again.

So, there you have it—a little glimpse into my ongoing pursuit of martial arts mastery.

What does your average day at Venditan look like?

My typical day at Venditan kicks off with a dive into my email inbox, catching up on any automated alerts and updates to stay in the loop. Then, it's all about checking out the development schedule to see what everyone's up to and where I fit in.

Next up, I like to write out a daily to-do list, building on what I tackled yesterday and focusing on the top priorities for the day ahead. This is where things deviate—each day brings something different.

On occasion, I’m deep in hands-on development work, diving into code and troubleshooting. Other days, it's all about the operational side of things, mapping out projects, touching base with clients, and hashing out details in meetings with them and my colleagues.

So, while my mornings might start with a plan, by the time the afternoon rolls around, I may be embracing the unexpected and rolling with whatever the day has thrown my way. It's all part of the variety that comes with my role.

What is the best advice you could give someone starting in our industry?

The best advice I could offer to someone just starting out in our industry is to embrace a positive attitude and clear communication from the get-go. They are guiding principles that shape your entire professional path, and can be the bedrock upon which you build your skills, share knowledge, navigate successes, and even weather failures.

If I could turn back the clock and share some wisdom with my younger self when I first started, I'd emphasise the importance of patience. It's not about sitting idle; rather, it's about waiting to take the best action appropriate for the situation.

Stay positive, communicate openly, and don't rush the process. Success in this field often hinges on a combination of perseverance, adaptability, and a healthy dose of patience. Trust me, it's a winning formula for the long haul.

Are there any eCommerce or retail trends you find particularly interesting for the year ahead?

One trend that I particularly find interesting is the expansion of payment methods available in-store at the till.

It’s a tactic we see in eCommerce a lot, where you increase the number of payment options for users to help increase the conversion rate. Everyone has a different financial situation, and it may help push some users over the line to convert if they’re able to do so on their terms.

This same methodology is making its way in-store. Many stores are now offering financial options like Klarna in-store, but the real interesting piece has been how they market the solution and make the option a quick, viable solution - no one likes hanging around in a shop while filling in a financial application.

Give us an example of something you have learned over your 11 years at Venditan.

When it comes to tackling client challenges, I've found that doing thorough due diligence is key. Instead of just going for quick fixes or dealing with surface-level issues, I've learned the importance of getting to the root cause of the problem.

By really digging deep, we not only provide better solutions for our clients but also benefit our own business in the long run. It's all about understanding the real issues at hand and addressing them head-on for the best possible outcome.