Eat IT Drink IT Ltd is an expert IT solutions provider for the hospitality industry. The company, founded in 2015 by IT expert Cliff Gurdin, offers a one-stop shop to businesses looking to optimise their operations with confidence. Providing diverse products such as networking, hosted services, CCTV, telephony and alarm systems, Eat IT Drink IT takes care of the tech, so its clients can give their customers the best possible service. We chat with Cliff about teams, challenges and plans for the future. Hospitality IT MD of the Year 2024: Cliff Gurdin Although the team at Eat IT Drink IT Ltd may not know how to make the perfect pastry or cocktail, the company has carved itself a niche and reputation as the go-to IT guru in the food and beverage industry. By taking the time to understand its clients’ needs and crafting the best solutions to enhance each business, Eat IT Drink IT consistently exceeds expectations. Despite the major challenges faced by the industry in recent years, Eat IT Drink IT’s winning formula has enabled the company to maintain consistent growth. We ask Cliff to tell us a little about his journey to becoming the MD of an award-winning IT company. He tells us, “I began working in IT in 2003. William Hill offered me a great opportunity to work at their headquarters in Leeds. Being promoted into supervisory and management roles, I was excited to learn more. I became the Head of IT at eBuyer and later spent some time contracting for Logica. Before founding Eat IT Drink IT in 2015, I was helping teams in America, China and India roll out new software suites to simplify localisation. I was still hungry for advancement and had a choice to make. Should I go for a director role and perhaps be able to step up to MD in four to eight years? Or should I start my own business and jump straight into the MD role? I opted to start my own business and have never looked back.” Starting life as Smart PC Solutions serving local clients in the Leeds area, the company soon evolved to focus on the bar and restaurant industry and now works with customers across the UK. Today, Eat IT Drink IT is a tight-knit team of nine, each with their own unique skillset. With many desk-based IT roles having little to no ‘hands-on’ time with the latest kit, Eat IT Drink IT stands out as an employer of choice for those looking to develop their skills. With around £50k of the latest equipment flowing through its office each month, the team is kept on its toes configuring, testing and commissioning hardware and software. Cliff says, “My team are the business. Without them, my customers wouldn’t have the services and support they rely on. We’re a very close team and although the office atmosphere is relaxed, we all know there’s a job to do and everyone has a part in getting it done. I always take the time to listen and engage with my team to ensure everyone is on board and understands what we are trying to achieve. It’s important to understand that markets change and employees are human and need support. There’s a lot to take on but it’s hugely rewarding. I learn something every week without fail.” Cliff sometimes finds it challenging to know what information to share with his team, and when and how to share it. He explains, “As Managing Director you’re aware of all the challenges. A lot is going on in your head and it’s your job to filter what you share. Having someone outside your team that you can trust to discuss things with is vital. I always put in 100% effort to get the result I want. That said, being an MD is the most challenging thing I’ve done so far.” And for budding entrepreneurs, Cliff leaves us with some generous final words, “I wish I had started my business sooner. If anyone is reading this wanting to know whether they should or shouldn’t start their own business, I’m happy to make myself available for a conversation. Networking is so fundamental to business. Helping people who are starting, or thinking about starting a business is important to me.” In the next 12 months, Cliff has his sights set on two major goals. The first is to bring on board another director to enable him to focus more on strategic growth and less on dayto-day operations. The second is to take the business to £1M turnover. Contact: Cliff Gurdin Company: Eat IT Drink IT Ltd Web Address: https://www.eatitdrinkit.co.uk/
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