Net master sees challenge in adapting to rapid changes

Andrew Wagg

Manager Internet Support

Business Registries Branch

Ministry of Commerce


What makes your day at work?


I'm part of a small team of people who create and support electronic products for use by our clients. It is extremely satisfying to quietly watch people using new electronic products in their offices.

They are all delighted that their business can be conducted faster and better on the internet. It is particularly special when I hear someone say how useful a feature I had a part in designing was to them.


How did you get to where you are today?


Staying in the same line of work for more than three
years is a waste I believe. You should be constantly
looking to innovate and improve the services of the
organisation in which you work.

That outlook presents opportunities on a daily basis. I've simply chosen the path which best suits the skills I have, leads to areas I feel would be most productive and agrees with my personal values. I've never had to invoke the three-year rule.


What is your management style?

Visualise our goals and empower people. I strive to share the management team's vision for the organisation and individual products with colleagues and clients. I encourage a common purpose and goals.


What is your advice to someone starting out in your field of work?


Good stuff is easy to sell. Invest in careful design and continuous improvement. I often say that 'I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I get to sell something that sells itself.'


Who was your most important mentor?


I look within our development team and to our IT development manager in particular for inspiration. So much care, effort and professionalism goes into our software development that I couldn't give less that 110 per cent when presenting and supporting it. Personalities, differences and the minor irritations of an ordinary day pale into insignificance when compared to my role as their representative and our clients' advocate.


What was your biggest career break?


Quite a few years ago now, a colleague said to me...have you been on the internet? No, I replied ... give us a look.


What's the biggest challenge for your organisation?


When I reflect on the fact that three years ago neither my job nor the technology which makes it possible existed, it amazes me that 75 per cent of such a substantial business could change so quickly. Developing the intellectual capital of our organisation at the same rate as our technology is a huge challenge.


How do you relax?


Pack the family into the car. Drive to a mutually agreeable cliff and jump off. The experience is enhanced by the use of a good mountain bike. Gravity enhanced cycling or downhill racing is fun. By the time you've made it to the bottom of the first run the troubles of the day are far behind you.


What skill would you like to have?


How do I answer that? Clairvoyance would be nice.

How important is it to keep a sense of humour in your job?


Things don't always go according to plan. We have internet products, so to build confidence in the internet as a business tool we always demonstrate using live internet. Now there are only two sorts of people who do live internet demonstrations.

Those who have been, and those who will be embarrassed. Very occasionally a laptop, phone cable or some other small thing comes unstuck and your demonstration grinds to a halt ... That's the time you need a sense of humour. The rules are: Tell accountant jokes to lawyers, lawyer jokes to accountants and if in doubt, go for the light bulb jokes.

* Andrew Wagg talked with Susan Jennison.