GET TO KNOW shift right now is towards digitalising payment methods , a movement which has of course been accelerated by the pandemic .
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in EMEA ?
While working for Paynetics , I helped to develop FinTech phos ’ Software Point of Sale ( SoftPOS ) technology , the first software solution which turns any Android NFC-enabled device into a Point of Sale ( PoS ) terminal . With one downloadable app , this solution enables merchants to accept payments using their mobile devices .
This will play a significant part in ensuring the cashless revolution is accessible to everyone . It ’ s also particularly relevant now that lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease and people will begin paying for goods and services via mobile in stores . Another hot topic is the growing popularity of the Application Programming Interface ( API ) first approach . This strategy means that before developing any code , we prioritise developing APIs that are consistent and reusable so that our customers can manage all of their online platforms to perform at their best across various devices .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
To be honest , I ’ m probably the wrong person to speak to – I work all the time because I love what I do . If the work made me stressed then I ’ d do something else but , when I get the chance to , I just relax by listening to music .
If you could go back and change one career decision what would it be ?
I ’ m not sure that I ’ d want to change anything because I ’ m happy with where I am now and how I got here . I always want to be doing something where I ’ m involved in the planning and decision making of a business and working at Paynetics enables me to do exactly that . As a FinTech , we ’ re involved in building some of the most exciting new products for the market and this remit to innovate comes with a lot of freedom .
With so many different types of payments regulation out there , every region has its own challenges . From a technology perspective , we need to create a solution that follows the specific guidelines of each country . We can ’ t take a ‘ one size fits all ’ approach . This means our products are tailored to the needs of these different markets and can be customised to create a sophisticated ‘ glocal ’ solution .
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 ?
At Paynetics , we ’ re fortunate to have avoided many of the difficulties other companies have experienced during the pandemic , as we are working with digital products . We don ’ t need to work together in an office to collaborate effectively and COVID-19 has accelerated the demand for our product .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain C-level position in your industry ?
Everything depends on how you work with your team . If you ’ re the type of person who wants to be involved in every aspect of product development , then you ’ ll go really far in the FinTech industry .
While traditional payment providers and big corporates often depend on hierarchical systems , newer , agile companies enable leaders to play an active role in business operations as well as have a seat at the table when it comes to decision making . In a start-up world , you can have input into everything – even the small details – together with your team . p
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
The central area companies are investing in right now is automation . There ’ s been a lot of progress when it comes to automating KYC and KYP processes but it ’ s a huge task . Currently , no one is able to automate everything . Over the next few years , firms will be pushing to drive operational efficiency and revenue , with a particular focus on accounting processes . We want to bridge this gap in the market to solve company ’ s payment problems with one solution .
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