Jamil Shabir

IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

Ensuring the smooth running of Bootcamp media, my digital marketing agency

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?

10 years

HOW DOES YOUR ROLE COMPARE NOW TO WHAT IT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO?

Within the last 5 years the team and business has grown, this brings a vast amount of responsibility compared to the running of Bootcamp Media five years ago. Also, networking is a huge part of my life. Social responsibility has very much grown - compared to five years ago when the majority of my efforts were on growing the business.

HAS THE FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC PRESENTED ANY OPPORTUNITIES?

The pandemic has provided a huge opportunity for Bootcamp Media. Throughout this pandemic, it has forced us to think even more strategically. As many business’s faced difficulties, this gave Bootcamp Media the opportunity to help them in the face of the pandemic.

Many of our clients looked to shift from an online/offline mix to purely online which meant a huge influx of work from existing clients and new client acquisitions mainly for ecommerce solutions and marketing.

CAN ONLINE MEETINGS SUCCESFULLY TAKE THE PLACE OF FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT?

I don’t believe online meetings can replace offline meetings. However, it can be an additional medium of communications.

HOW DO YOU GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR STAFF?

I equip my team to have a certain level of autonomy, in doing so it allows them to make use of their skills and experience. By allowing this responsibility, it means they naturally care more about the well being of our clients. I actively encourage my team to think for themselves but equally, they know they are able to come to me personally for mentoring and guidance.

HOW MANY EMAILS DO YOU TEND TO GET IN A DAY, AND HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO READ THEM?

Too much and never enough time. Emails tend to get looked at 3-4 times per day and prioritised into a to do list. But the spam is a real pain, for everyone I guess.

HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU?

As someone who is an ‘out the box’ thinker, I’d hope they see me as someone who is reliable in getting things done but also being there when needed. I’d like to think I provide value to the people I work with.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

I’m very happy to have run a profitable digital marketing business for over 10 years.

ANY PARTICULAR FAUX PAS OR EMBARRASSING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER YOU WOULD PREFER TO FORGET?

Hmm, there are too many to name, and too embarrassing to mention.

PET HATES?

People who can’t commit to a decision. Let your no be your no, and your yes be your yes.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Don’t worry as much.

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK?

I make it a priority to travel on holiday with my family and loved ones, this helps me relax and rejuvenate for the plans ahead.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS COMMUNITY?

The Birmingham business community is very open, very welcoming, very engaged and ready to business.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW.

I met Lenny Henry and Harold Bishop at Boots Optician.

YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Will (Will Smith’s Autobiography), The Shawshank Redemption, UB40’s Album.

YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE?

Imran Khan
Helen Mirren
Nelson Mandela
Harrison Ford
Stan Lee

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO EAT FOR YOUR LAST SUPPER?

Snack - Katlama. Mains - Chicken Jalfrezi