FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS: Switched on to customers' needs

Name: Todd Harding
Age: 34
Location: We're located at 4/90 Birch Ave but we are a mobile company and cover an area from Katikati through to Te Puke.
What is your job? I am the manager and also a technician for Alliance TV Aerials. We supply, service and install TV and home entertainment systems for homes, businesses, holiday homes, motorhomes and caravans.
How long have you been working here? 15 years.
Why did you get into it? I guess I've always had an interest in electronic goodies so thought why not work with them.
What's your favourite part of the job? Meeting new and interesting people (it's amazing who you meet over the years) and then, of course, being able to help them get the best out of their TV systems.
What were you doing before this? I was an electronics technician apprentice, all those years ago.
What was your most memorable or embarrassing day? Some of my best memories are of my trips to Motiti Island. It's great! They fly me out to take care of the TV system. Sometimes it's a minor job and, because the plane only flies at certain times, I normally get a chance to take a look around, walk the beach, ride a motorbike round the island, go fishing or something. So if anyone needs some help with their TV systems on any island, near or far, I'm more than happy to help. Rarotonga also sounds good.
Number of employees? Three.
Tell us about your workmates: We are a pretty down to earth bunch here and you will always be greeted with a smile. We like to make sure our clients are well looked after and that the job is completed to a high standard.
How do you go the extra mile for your customers? In all of our vans we carry a vacuum cleaner and make sure we leave our client's property as clean, if not cleaner, than when we arrived. We also carry a TV cleaning kit and give the TVs a once over to make sure we don't leave any nasty finger marks.
What do you do after work (in your spare time) to unwind? I like to keep active, when I'm not running around after my two growing boys, I get out on my mountainbike. I have a weekly game of squash with a mate and have recently taken up running again, with my goal to run a half marathon in September.
What does the future hold for you? With the end of analogue television transmission expected in the next two to five years and Freeview digital taking over, people are having to upgrade their TV systems to receive television reception, so I see a busy few years coming up. I also plan to build on our AV (audio/video) installation work as there is a growing demand for this kind of work from our clients. It is becoming more common for people to expect to be able to have all their entertainment gear hidden away in a cupboard and be able to use and control it all around the home. With more entertaining being done outside, speakers to outside areas are becoming a must-have item. I also see further growth in our motorhome section of the business. We currently supply and install TV, satellite, solar charging and backing camera systems but plan to add further products and services to our range.