Microsoft chief bent on a shake-up

Helen Robinson says embracing effective technology will get rid of mediocrity. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Microsoft's new country manager has taken a swipe at the "old boys' network" of IT professionals she says is more interested in self-preservation than economic development.

Helen Robinson, who took over as Microsoft New Zealand country manager in July, has accused some senior company managers with IT responsibilities of being too focused on building silo-type empires based around ineffective "sticking plaster" technology projects.

"New Zealand is at a very mediocre stage right now in terms of everything - in terms of our economy, our way of life, the way we work, everything," says Robinson.

Embracing effective technology is the way for the country to shake off that mediocrity.

"I would argue that there are some companies out there today that get it, but I would also argue that the majority of companies don't get it.

"There are many IT people in the market today who don't understand and that's our downfall. I would call those people an old boys' club - or old girls' club - in that they are self-preserving and building great big IT teams in businesses without focusing on the business's need."

Robinson says she was a rebellious teenager who "fell into computers when I was 17" through a clerical job in the IT department of a importing and distribution business.

She worked her way up to become the firm's data processing manager in the early 1980s and started her own IT business consultancy in 1987.

She headed the Australasian business of Pivotal Corp, a customer relationship management company, before joining Microsoft NZ last year as head of the small and medium-business arm.

A key goal for her now is to work with others in the industry to reverse the fall in the number of graduates choosing technology careers.

She recently organised a forum on the topic at the national advisory committee on computing qualifications' annual conference.

As well as making IT an attractive option for graduates, she also believes technology needs to be embraced at the top end of organisations.

"It's unacceptable today for a chief executive not to have some level of technology understanding.

"I believe we [Microsoft] have an ultimate responsibility to drive New Zealand's success by helping companies move along."

But that is not to suggest the world's largest software company has plans for world domination.

"We categorically are far more open in terms of our technology than many people give us credit for," Robinson says.

"We don't dictate Microsoft-based technology. We recommend that standards are adhered to so we do have systems that communicate, and we are continuously developing to help other platforms inter-operate."

HELEN ROBINSON

* Who: Managing director, Microsoft New Zealand.

* Next big thing: "We will continue to see how the evolution in technology maximises all areas of human interaction."

* Favourite gadget: "My smartphone follows me everywhere - much to my family's disgust."

* Spare time: An avid reader, enjoys entertaining family and friends, a gym fanatic, plays the piano for fun.

* Favourite sci-fi movie: Not really a sci-fi fan but enjoys movies such as Independence Day.