GET TO KNOW...
On the lighter side of things, we ask the
industry experts what makes them tick. . . .
Ryan Barlow,
CEO of e4.
What would you describe as your
most memorable achievement? that I am available at all times for guidance,
support and help when required.
In 2009, I started a new subsidiary within
the e4 group (known as L@W at the time)
together with a colleague. After four years, we
managed to grow the business significantly
before we merged four of the subsidiaries
together to form e4, where I was appointed
as Group Chief Information Officer. What do you think is the current hot
technology talking point?
What first made you think of a
career in technology?
After completing a B Comm in Economics at
UCT, I opted to do a programming diploma
rather than continue with an honours
degree. I had always been drawn to IT;
however, I had not selected to study it at
university, mainly due to it being a relatively
new field of study. After my first week of
the diploma I knew that it was the right
profession for me.
What style of management
philosophy do you employ with
your current position?
I recently read a quote that states that the
more alignment there is, the more autonomy
can be granted. I subscribe to this philosophy
wholeheartedly. I employ a philosophy of
leadership over management and expect
people to self-manage in an environment
where it is understood what the strategic
objectives are. However, it is understood
www.intelligentcio.com
It’s obviously difficult to narrow it down to
one point, but I would list Blockchain as a
current hot topic. Although there has been a
tremendous amount of hype and creativity
when it comes to potential applications of
the technology, I would say that at this point
there have been very few success stories
around actual beneficial implementations
(other than cryptocurrencies).
In terms of trends affecting our
organisation specifically: public cloud, digital
transformation, big data and AI, robotics,
Regtech, FinTech and Proptech.
“
I RECENTLY READ
A QUOTE THAT
STATES THAT THE
MORE ALIGNMENT
THERE IS, THE
MORE AUTONOMY
CAN BE GRANTED.
I SUBSCRIBE TO
THIS PHILOSOPHY
WHOLE HEARTEDLY.
INTELLIGENTCIO
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