At Dyrand, we believe technology is most effective when it’s human-centric and driven with purpose. As a boutique Managed IT Services firm in Vancouver, it's important for us to not only deliver curated and progressive technology but also drive the human-aspect of 'all things tech'.
Focus on the person behind the desktop, not just the technology.
One of our biggest differentiators is our Team; the 'Technical Curators' and 'Stewards' that support and deliver technology solutions to our Clients. Showcasing (and celebrating) our Team is the driving force behind this series. Our 'Studio Spotlight' series provides an ongoing 'Behind the Scenes' peek and highlights the people who bring our support, curated technology, and strategies to life.
For this edition of our Spotlight, we met with Joe Lynch, Systems Specialist, to learn more about his experience and gain insight into his mindset as he delivers leading technology curation and support to our Clients.
I. The Person
Q: Describe your professional journey and background.
A: I'm originally from Wexford, Ireland, where my IT journey began in 2019, and have been living in Vancouver since November 2023. I Completed a 4-year Honours Bachelor’s degree in 2020 and after meeting my Partner and new friends here in Canada, I quickly realized Vancouver would be my new home! My background and experience are mainly in Project Services/Service roles across industries, including Insurance, Telecoms, Pharma, and of course, Managed IT Services. I also love to travel and have travelled extensively, including to Egypt, South America, and throughout Europe.
Q: When you’re not in the "Studio" (aka head office), where are we most likely to find you exploring?
A: I’m a big gym goer and have been for the past 2/3 years now! I like to spend my weekends year-round playing pool and during the winter season hitting the slopes. I also enjoy getting (slightly) frustrated playing pickleball in the summer and participate in local rec leagues and enjoy trying new sports.
Q: What is one personal habit or hobby that surprisingly makes you better at your job?
A: Being an extroverted person (from what I'm told)! Both in my personal and career life I enjoy being around people and creating meaningful connections. I feel energized by teamwork, meeting new people, and having open conversations. This helps me further communicate clearly and confidently with others, and it works especially well when building strong relationships with our clients!
Q: If you were hosting a dinner for the Team, what’s the one dish you’d be famous for making?
A: For a healthier choice, I’d go with grilled salmon served with creamy mash (spuds) and fresh asparagus. If it’s a treat, it has to be my wet and dry ribs, tender, messy, and full of flavour. Definitely not the healthiest option, but worth it every time!!
II. The Craft
Q: In your role, what is one "technical detail or duty" that you treat like an art form?
A: I believe my method of teaching and adding value for new team members is one of my strongest skills. The best way to train in my opinion, is to look back on what I struggled with while learning the processes and systems, and make sure they fully understand what is to be done. This will avoid issues while working and make the team feel more confident in the person’s ability. It also helps to create strong connections with new members of the team and help further establish trust.
Q: What does our "boutique" approach to service mean to you when solving complex problems for our Clients?
A: The boutique approach allows us to be more personal with Client requests or issues. We have the ability to spend more time with them and drive root cause resolution. An example of this is how we communicate with Client new hires; we help them run through their first login, make sure they know what applications they mainly use, and we give them a rundown of how Dyrand is here to help!
Q: If you had to describe the "signature style" of how you work and collaborate with the Team, what would it be?
A: My signature style is openness and friendliness. I provide reliable information, while keeping things light with a bit of humor. This approach works especially well on busy days, giving colleagues a chance to chat, reset, and get a fresh perspective on the issue at hand.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of working at Dyrand?
A: Hands down, the team! I have developed many personal friendships with the team, and when it comes to being able to rely on a group of people, there is no better team in the industry! The level of skill and knowledge from such a boutique-sized team is something that amazes me daily.
III. The Vision
Q: What is a piece of technology that you can’t live without?
A: I’m a sucker for small, lightweight software! Anything from storage tools to networking analyzers. They can tell you the facts that are needed instead of jumping around different systems.
Q: What is an industry shift you are most excited to "craft" or tackle for this year?
A: The big one is standardization, especially for an MSP. It is important that a smaller collection of systems is used for the heavy lifting (Hosting/Collaboration/RMM). It allows techs to get more familiar with the system, rather than it being removed or a similar tool being added that requires even more training and time. This also helps the Client know where they need to go to complete a task or change a setting as we provide support.
IV. The Studio Signature
Dyrand's Studio Spotlight series is more than just a 'Meet the Team' post; it is a tribute to the 'Technical Curators' who define our boutique approach. We believe that exceptional IT isn’t a commodity, it’s a curated experience built on historic trust and personable support.
While the technology behind the scenes is constantly evolving, our commitment to human-centric, hand-tailored strategy remains the anchor of everything we do.