KEY POINTS:
Name: Bryce Day
Age: 31
Role: Managing director of Catch Limited, a business analysis and project management consultancy.
Working hours: 60+ though this can vary depending on major bids or contracts in progress.
Average salary: Around $100,000 for general manager of less than 50 staff. Senior business analyst - $80,000 to $120,000
for commercial contracts.
Qualifications and institution: Bachelor of Science (Physics) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) from Canterbury University. Project management professional qualification from Project Management Institute.
Describe what you do
I am the managing director of Catch Limited, a business and IT [information technology] consulting company with 12 staff.
This entails being a jack-of-all-trades; sales, marketing, project management, human resource management, infrastructure management, financial analysis, negotiation, entrepreneurship and innovation.
We do project management, analysis and testing and then partner with others to do the development and implementation. Often we are working on business improvement projects, such as streamlining an inefficient process to save time and money.
Why did you choose this line of work?
IT is a great field to work in. It is a field where innovation allows you to alter the boundaries of what is possible. If you can think it you can do it.
I also get a kick out of assisting or observing my employees assist organisations. I really enjoy working with people and seeing people challenge themselves to grow and be the best they can.
What kind of clients do you have?
A variety. We started in the local government sector. Through word of mouth we have expanded into financial services and retail sector clients.
What sort of training or experience do you need to do the job?
Some sort of IT and or technical training is essential, preferably in the areas of business analysis and project management. It is also important to have a good understanding of the software development process and experience in different implementation methods.
It is beneficial to have gained broad experience and expertise in specific areas in which your business is focused, in my case testing, business analysis and project management.
Your history?
After university I was recruited into a graduate developer training course with EDS [global technology services company that provides business solutions to clients]. I spent several years with them as a mainframe assembler and COBOL developer before assisting with ATM testing.
I then worked in London at Citibank test managing a new retail system and an upgrade to their financial system. After this I moved to Vancouver to work in a test management role with the IT division of a management consulting company. I gained experience in business and systems analysis, project management and management consulting roles before returning to Auckland to work as a consultant. The Foundation of Research Science and Technology asked me to become a specialist reviewer in the IT and communications area in 2003. I started Catch about the same time.
What skills or qualities do you need?
Business analysts need to be independent thinkers that grasp concepts quickly and are highly motivated. It is great to have a background in IT but the big picture stuff is really important. Therefore people with creative backgrounds can do well in this area. If people can communicate well, are presentable, get on with staff and customers and are quick to learn, they can be upskilled into the role.
As a director, you need the ability to attract, hire and retain great employees as well as the ability to negotiate. You need pragmatism, communication skills and a passion and drive for what you are doing.
Best part of the job?
Seeing the light go on when someone finally gets it. Seeing projects completed successfully.
Most challenging part?
Balancing the needs of employees, clients and the company so the operation runs smoothly and successfully.
Any interesting one-off projects?
We've been looking at how, we too, can do our work better. We're building a prototyping product that will allow us to streamline the analysis and user interface design project phases. We believe it will be a first in the world and we plan to release it in April.
Advice to someone wanting to do the same thing?
Do your homework. Have a plan but don't be afraid to revisit and review where you are going.
