GET TO KNOW solutions that tend to be born out of a particular region or geography . Expanding internationally necessitates adapting those solutions to meet the needs of new markets and their various different ways of working . Being dynamic and responsive is essential . into SaaS products across the board . It ’ s exciting to observe the routine , real world application of a concept that was highly theoretical for such a long time .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
My two biggest hobbies – snow skiing in winter and scuba diving in summer – have been very rudely interrupted for the last couple of years . In lieu of pursuing them , I ’ ve gotten into keeping a very large tank of tropical fish at home : Nemo , Dory and the rest of the shoal ! As a Melburnian , I could get out there in Port Phillip Bay on the weekend – there ’ s a couple of reefs and some really good diving – but you ’ ve got to be impervious to the cold water , or wear a super thick wetsuit . That ’ s not my idea of a great time – I much prefer it when the water is more like a bath ! Aside from that , I have been known to play the odd computer game and I enjoy going to the movies and eating out .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
Ultimately , I wouldn ’ t change anything because I ’ ve come to learn that , in the long run , adversity can be the precursor to opportunity . Constant success doesn ’ t
necessarily lead to growth and if I ’ d practised ‘ perfect ’ decision making all the way through my career I ’ m not sure I ’ d be where I am today .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
Across the SaaS world , globalization of product suites is a major focus . Companies like Sana have
What are the region specific challenges when implementing new technologies in APAC ?
The ICT landscape here is very fragmented . Major vendors don ’ t necessarily dominate the market , as they do in other parts of the world . There are lots of small to medium sized players and it ’ s far less common for organizations to have an ICT strategy that ’ s centered around a single vendor or solution . Best of breed approaches are more the norm and that means having to work with multiple third parties and ensure your solutions can integrate with theirs .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months ?
Moving from another SaaS company to Sana in October 2021 was a massive change ! My remit is to build a team and grow our capability in APAC . Prior to my joining , Sana had a couple of individual contributors whose success on the sales front was the catalyst for the company committing to invest heavily in the region . I came on as employee number three and I ’ m expecting there ’ ll be at least 12 of us by mid- 2022 . We ’ ll be developing support , implementation , marketing and specialized consulting functions over the next year – lots to do !
What advice would you offer to someone aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry ?
You shouldn ’ t aspire to become a C-level executive just because it seems like a good idea to get to the top of the tree ; don ’ t make that , in itself , your goal . Throughout your career , continue to validate that it ’ s the right choice for you because it does come at a price .
Nothing ’ s come up in Antarctica yet but when we start selling software to penguins , I ’ m there !
As you climb higher up the ladder , your responsibility and stress levels will increase and work life balance becomes harder to achieve , so it ’ s got to be something that gives you professional and personal satisfaction . Re-evaluate each time you take a step up , rather than pushing blindly ahead ; that way you can manage your career in a healthy way and take it in a direction that will provide you with genuine fulfillment . p
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