On the lighter side of things, we ask George Moawad, Country Manager ANZ, Genetec, about what makes him tick.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
Completing my MBA in April last year. It’s, something I wanted to do for a long time. I’m looking forward to applying the insights to my leadership of the A/NZ Genetec team.
What first made you think of a career in technology?
I’m energised by constant evolution and change so I wanted to be part of a fast-moving industry. Technology fit the bill.
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?
I’m very much a ‘lead by example’ person. I like to empower the team to make decisions and complete tasks with efficiency and I encourage them on a daily basis to always learn, develop and challenge their capabilities.
What do you think is the current hot technology talking point?
Cybersecurity is top of mind. The pandemic has not slowed down cybercriminals – on the contrary it has given them more of a window of opportunity. This means we’re having more conversations with clients around the importance of deploying security solutions, both hardware and software, with cybersecurity baked in.
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office?
I find that outdoor exercise definitely takes the edge off the stress. I’m an ardent soccer player.
If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change a thing, Everything I’ve been through in my career to date has been a lesson which has put me where I am today. You cannot put a price on experience – and that includes both the mistakes made and the tough times.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
Government is a significant growth area for Genetec in A/NZ. No matter how the economy is traveling, Governments around the world tend to keep spending to stimulate the economy.
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in APAC?
APAC is a massive region with a diverse culture and a myriad of different ways of doing business. Australians and New Zealanders tend to embrace new technology and like to be the first to try things. In fact, whether it’s technology or Hollywood movies, ANZ is often used as the ‘test markets’ for soft launches by companies seeking to trial and tweak. Being the guinea pigs can be both positive and negative, but I believe the positives outweigh the negatives for sure.
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months?
As the A/NZ team has grown, I’ve become less involved in the day-to-day minor tasks. That means I’m much freer to concentrate on strategy and the long game for Genetec and our customers in the Oceania region.
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry?
Hard work is the key to success and having an open mind and being willing to learn new things will definitely help get you where you want to go.
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