When the most important software is human beings
Gareth Hawkey is CEO of redPanda Software
Tell me about redPanda and the software you produce.
The company is a specialist enterprise retail software developer, providing customised software solutions.
I believe software is the bedrock of the retail business. Every strategy, promotion and business move retailers make is enabled through software. I started redPanda Software in 2009 with the vision of bridging the gap between what we offered in the market and what companies were searching for, which was software they co-create and control, without any licence fees.
What do you do at work each day?
My largest role is affecting company culture. We are a service-orientated company, which means we do not sell a product — we sell who we are and what we can deliver, which means it’s all about our people, their experience and the quality of service they can deliver for our clients.
Each day, I work on building a company culture where people are inspired when they come to work, where they feel like they are part of something bigger.
Creating a place where people are growing is of paramount importance to me because this means that the longer they stay, the more experienced they become and the better value they offer our clients.
How did you get to be where you are today?
I started my career temping at Firestone in Port Elizabeth, where I grew up. I saw the IT guy walking around fixing computers, and I liked the fact that this new skill could be accessed via mentorship. I asked him if I could work for him at no charge, following him around making notes and generally learning all I could. I worked for him for four months without getting paid and ultimately stayed working with him for another year.
I then moved to the UK and worked for the City of Westminster as an IT technician for a couple of years before coming back to SA to work for Red Computers. From there, I moved to the Lewis Group as a project manager. I then managed the project office, and later became IT manager before becoming the general manager for IT.
I started redPanda Software in November 2009.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I always wanted to have my own business but I didn’t know what that business was going to be. I started my first company at 17, tried my hand at eight more entrepreneurial start-ups, including redPanda Software. Entrepreneurship was instilled in me from an early age, and I’ve always been someone to embrace a challenge.
What do you find most meaningful about the work you do?
What I find most meaningful is the people. Coming to work with a group of individuals who are motivated and focused on delivering excellent service to our clients is a great privilege.
It creates an environment where you can really enjoy being at work while achieving results and growing your career.
Best career advice you have received?
“Don’t chase money, chase experience first. Financial growth will follow.”
These wise words came from my father.