56 min

E03: Donavan Hutchinson, SHI Corporation | Diversity & Inclusion in the IT Channel Disrupt by Distology

    • Technology

Welcome to this month’s episode of Disrupt! In this episode, Hayley sits down with Managing Director at SHI Corporation, Donavan Hutchinson, to discuss his journey into tech and how business leaders can be doing more to encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace, without it being a tick-box exercise.

Like many people who work in tech today, Donavan started on a completely different career path. After leaving school, Donavan joined the army at a very young age, but during his recovery time after having an accident he found a job working in sales for a value-added reseller (VAR), Insight, and eventually the top sales rep there. He is now the managing director of the award-winning IT company SHI Corporation and is passionate about making change within the IT channel - especially when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Listen to the full episode to learn more about creating diverse groups in the workplace and the steps business leaders can be taking towards encouraging open-mindedness.



Discussion Points

How did you get into the industry? From the army to tech

The transition from army to sales, what did you learn and why did you stay?

Pinkwashing, rainbow capitalism and copycat syndrome

What have you changed at SHI to make it more inclusive?

Have you seen productivity increase due to the groups you’ve created? 

What drives you? What hurdles have you jumped through to get to where you are today? Coming out during IT career. Challenging organisations and others. Becoming authentic self.

What advice would you give to other organisations/leaders to encourage open-mindedness?

What can we hire taking D&I into consideration, without tick-boxing? 

What do you see the next 5 years looking like for you and your organisation? Actions vs likes on social media

How can organisations do better to help with mental health?

Who inspires you the most?

Advice you’d give your younger self? 

Favourite pub snack: crisps, nuts or olives?



Follow Donavan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donavan-hutchinson-b767a811/

Follow Hayley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-roberts-69b5562/

Follow Distology - @Distology https://www.linkedin.com/company/9222136/



About Disrupt

Disrupt is a podcast where host Hayley Roberts, CEO of cybersecurity distributor, Distology, is joined by guests to challenge the stereotypes in the IT industry and highlight the innovative ways businesses are working and overcoming these issues. And generally just having a good time being disruptive!

Welcome to this month’s episode of Disrupt! In this episode, Hayley sits down with Managing Director at SHI Corporation, Donavan Hutchinson, to discuss his journey into tech and how business leaders can be doing more to encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace, without it being a tick-box exercise.

Like many people who work in tech today, Donavan started on a completely different career path. After leaving school, Donavan joined the army at a very young age, but during his recovery time after having an accident he found a job working in sales for a value-added reseller (VAR), Insight, and eventually the top sales rep there. He is now the managing director of the award-winning IT company SHI Corporation and is passionate about making change within the IT channel - especially when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Listen to the full episode to learn more about creating diverse groups in the workplace and the steps business leaders can be taking towards encouraging open-mindedness.



Discussion Points

How did you get into the industry? From the army to tech

The transition from army to sales, what did you learn and why did you stay?

Pinkwashing, rainbow capitalism and copycat syndrome

What have you changed at SHI to make it more inclusive?

Have you seen productivity increase due to the groups you’ve created? 

What drives you? What hurdles have you jumped through to get to where you are today? Coming out during IT career. Challenging organisations and others. Becoming authentic self.

What advice would you give to other organisations/leaders to encourage open-mindedness?

What can we hire taking D&I into consideration, without tick-boxing? 

What do you see the next 5 years looking like for you and your organisation? Actions vs likes on social media

How can organisations do better to help with mental health?

Who inspires you the most?

Advice you’d give your younger self? 

Favourite pub snack: crisps, nuts or olives?



Follow Donavan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donavan-hutchinson-b767a811/

Follow Hayley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-roberts-69b5562/

Follow Distology - @Distology https://www.linkedin.com/company/9222136/



About Disrupt

Disrupt is a podcast where host Hayley Roberts, CEO of cybersecurity distributor, Distology, is joined by guests to challenge the stereotypes in the IT industry and highlight the innovative ways businesses are working and overcoming these issues. And generally just having a good time being disruptive!

56 min

Top Podcasts In Technology

No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Technology | Startups
Conviction | Pod People
Lex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman
All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
All-In Podcast, LLC
Acquired
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal
Hard Fork
The New York Times
This Week in XR Podcast
Charlie Fink Productions