Project Manager, Professional Services
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am currently working as a Project Manager in the Professional Services division, after working as a Business Consultant, a Technical Writer, a Software Developer and doing some work in pre-sales. Prior to joining Intec in December 2000, I had worked in the banking industry as a credit analyst, and had quite a few years experience working for telecommunications carriers in a variety of roles: business sales, sales channel support, retail sales, and call centres.
Looking back, the wide experience I’ve had prepared me well for my role as a customer-facing person for Intec, as I’ve been involved in various parts of a telecommunications company and a multitude of different processes: some good, some not so good.
If any of you have a fear of public speaking, I can also recommend Toastmasters as a great way to learn about public speaking in a safe, supportive environment. I am a certified Toastmaster, having been introduced to it by a former colleague here at Intec. It certainly helped me in delivering customer presentations, and answering technical and business questions.
Why did you join Intec?
I had heard of Saville Systems (later Intec) as a good place to work from a former colleague of mine. I was then working for a major Australia bank as an analyst and was looking for a challenge, both intellectually and career-wise. I knew that the Brisbane office of Saville only took the brightest and best from university and other workplaces. Even though I was not the sharpest tool in the shed in a technical sense (and I’m still not), I knew I could contribute from a business perspective. I was looking to work somewhere with smart people, who I could learn something new from every day. I didn’t come from the typical IT background, and was curious to explore another industry other than those I had already experienced.
I continue to work at Intec because there is so much to learn and there are still many bright, intelligent people to work with. Not only are my colleagues intellectually stimulating to work with, they are also good people, some of whom I also call ‘friend’.
Share some of your experiences.
With Intec I have travelled to a multitude of countries, and have conducted business with or worked with people of many different cultures. My family and I have lived on three different continents and I have travelled to a couple more. I didn’t fly in a plane until I was in my twenties, whereas my young children have stamps from at least eight different countries in their passports.
I am convinced the best education is not to be found in university, it’s out in the world with real people and real experiences. By mixing with a wide variety of people, it has taught me to open myself to different points of view from a cultural perspective as well as a business perspective. I consider it a privilege and a personal achievement to be able to sit down at a meeting with people from different countries and backgrounds, and be able to appreciate their points of view. It’s not always possible to accommodate everyone’s point of view in the final decision, but at least they know you have listened to and considered their opinions.
Describe a typical day...
The day starts early in the morning, when I check e-mails before going to the office and check whether any ‘burning issues’ have surfaced that will change the priorities of the day.
I like to start the day at the office with a quick walk-around of the office to see what people are working on, and to make myself aware of ground-level issues. We have a blend of Intec people, people from our local partners, and people from the customer organisation all working side by side, so it’s also good for customer relations.
There are always meetings with the clients to attend, ranging from technical issues to management issues. Sometimes people will dial into meetings from Intec locations to support the meeting with their specific insights.
Intec people in other countries such as Canada and Australia are also part of the project team, and supporting services, so it is important to keep in contact with them as well. This is done at various times of the day (anywhere between 9.00am and midnight) using e-mail, Skype, or directly by phone.
What is the culture like where you work?
The popular image of South America is of salsa music, football, and bright colourful clothing. One out of three isn’t bad. Uruguay is a country that has been influenced by many colonising countries: historically, the Portugese and Spanish, later the English and other European countries such as Germany and Italy. The national language is Spanish (a local dialect common to Uruguay and Argentina is spoken), so learning to communicate in Spanish is important. Uruguayos favour a ‘freestyle’ driving methodology, so getting to and from work can be challenging at times.
What is the social life like in your area?
Family and socialising is very important to the Uruguayan way of life. While there aren’t a huge number of cultural attractions in Montevideo, there is always an asado (BBQ) somewhere at someone’s house every weekend. My wife and I have held a few ourselves.
For a variety of good ethnic restaurants Buenos Aires is across the river. Brazil is only a few hours drive north of the capital city of Uruguay, and offers a huge variety of cultural experiences.
What would you tell someone who was considering applying for a position at Intec?
Intec is a place to work if you want to be challenged intellectually by working with a bunch of smart, dedicated people. It’s incredibly stimulating to be part of conversations with people with a vast amount of experience and intellect. They mightn’t be sitting next to you; they might be two oceans away working away in the dead-of-night. There is always something to learn if you are willing to apply yourself, and be open to the knowledge of other people. The people at Intec are incredibly giving of their knowledge, but you have to make the effort to chase the knowledge and be prepared to be pointed in the direction of a document, and told to educate yourself.
Yes, it is all too common, and almost a canned phrase in today’s world to say ‘Your career is self-directed’, but it is absolutely true. If you take responsibility for your own career, identify your career goals, and are willing to work hard, working with Intec can make it happen.
