About

This is the personal blog of Des Paroz, a technology marketing professional and professional trainer based in Sydney, Australia. I’ve long had an interest in mobile and web based technology, and how these can be used to be personal and organisational effectiveness.

I worked for many years in the information technology industry, while concurrently teaching scuba diving and first aid courses on the weekends. In 2008 I made the shift to focus on training professionals in a variety of areas, including scuba diving, first aid/CPR, business skills and more.

Before starting my own business, I spent 10 years with Acer Computer Australia, the last 8 of which I served as eBusiness Director for Australia/NZ. In this role I was responsible for the development, management, support and marketing of Acer’s eBusiness platform, which achieved of $1 billion in sales during my tenure. I also oversw Acer’s eLearning and Financing business operations. Prior to working with Acer, I worked with Galileo Southern Cross and NCR Corporation.

I have a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Commerce in Marketing from the University of NSW. With a career in technology strategic marketing and operations, I am a fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute and a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia. I am a PADI Course Director, and hold Instructor Trainer ratings with Emergency First Response (first aid/CPR), DAN (first aid/CPR), AUSI (snorkeling and free diving) and DSAT.

I teach PADI Instructor Development Courses and first aid/CPR instructor courses on a regular basis in Wollongong, Sydney, Fremantle and Batemans Bay/Canberra.

My personal interest areas are how to make technology work for the individual and for the organisation. I believe that technology can help productivity on a personal and organisational level, and enjoy working to make these things happen – whether it be with web based technology, hardware, gadgets, etc.

This blog is really a place for my personal views, insights and opinions on a variety of topics that relate to technology, productivity and whatever else crosses my mind.

You can also find me on the web in the following places:

• DivingIDC.com – my website for PADI, DSAT, DAN and EFR instructor training
• BlueBeyond.com.au – information on scuba diving, underwater photo/video and related topics, with a particular focus on the fabulous coastline of NSW, Australia
• The Surface Interval Show – a podcast about diving by divers
• @desparoz on Twitter
• My Facebook Profile