This month, we’re spotlighting DJ Briggs, an Enterprise Account Executive who has been part of the xByte team for six years. Originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania, DJ has spent his time at xByte working with customers across a wide range of industries and learning how their technology needs continue to evolve.
From higher core counts and increased memory capacity to changes in cooling and power consumption, DJ has watched server technology become increasingly complex since he first joined the team.
Keeping Up With Changing Technology
A lot has changed since DJ started at xByte six years ago.
When he joined, 14th Generation Dell hardware was at the forefront. Since then, DJ has seen advancements across processing power, memory capacity, cooling, power consumption, and other areas of IT infrastructure.
Keeping up with those changes takes time, especially when you’re first entering the industry. DJ remembers how unfamiliar everything can seem in the beginning and encourages anyone getting started to stick with it.
It’s going to be difficult at first. It’ll look like a foreign language to you, but once you’re able to pick things up, lean on people who are knowledgeable and be open to learning new things.
Whether it’s reading, watching videos, attending seminars, or learning from experienced coworkers, DJ believes there is always an opportunity to build your knowledge.
Learning From Every Customer
One of DJ’s favorite things about working at xByte is getting to learn about different companies and the technology that supports them.
Because he isn’t limited to one specific industry, the customers he works with can look very different from one day to the next. He may help someone working on a home lab deployment and then work with a large financial firm, hospital, police department, or another organization with completely different IT requirements.
For DJ, getting a closer look at what those organizations do and understanding the infrastructure behind them is one of the most interesting parts of his role.
That variety has also taught him an important lesson: never assume anything.
IT directors and system administrators carry a significant responsibility, and the technology decisions they make can directly impact their organizations.
That’s why DJ believes asking questions is so important. When something isn’t clear, taking the time to ask and understand the customer’s needs is always better than making an assumption.
A Resourceful, Customer-Focused Team
When asked to describe xByte’s culture, one word immediately comes to mind for DJ: resourceful.
From knowledgeable Dell engineers to a responsive sales and support team, DJ sees the people around him as an important resource when helping customers find the right solutions.
He also describes the team as customer-centric, with an emphasis on responding quickly and putting customer needs first.
One of his favorite xByte memories has been seeing that team grow. Watching the company’s recent growth, coworkers earn promotions, and both the fulfillment and front office teams receive recognition for their work has been especially rewarding.
Outside of the Office
Outside of work, there’s a good chance you’ll find DJ on the golf course. He tries to play at least once a week, or twice if he gets lucky.
He’s also a Philadelphia Eagles fan, a coffee drinker, and a fan of the occasional Celsius. His go-to workday lunch is a grilled buffalo chicken wrap with sweet potato fries from Courtside Grill.
There are also two things you’re likely to find at his desk: his blue light glasses and an old-school calculator he’s had since his first job. His coworkers may give him a hard time about both, but he’s sticking with them.
And one fact you probably wouldn’t guess? While attending Coastal Carolina University, DJ won a contest during his sophomore year that gave him the chance to spend a day dressed as the school’s mascot, Chauncey the Chanticleer. According to DJ, the experience was memorable, and extremely hot.
Chauncey the Chanticleer
Always Learning, Always Asking Questions
After six years at xByte, DJ’s approach comes back to staying curious, continuing to learn, and never being afraid to ask questions.
That mindset carries over into the way he works with customers. Every organization has different requirements, and understanding those needs is an important part of finding the right technology for the job.
DJ also credits his family as a major source of motivation. The knowledge and work ethic they instilled in him continue to push him to go above and beyond and make the most of the opportunities he’s been given.
As technology continues to change, there will always be something new to learn, another problem to understand, and another customer with a unique IT environment.
Contact DJ Today
Phone: (941) 357-1934
Email: [email protected]