The work has taken me from software to international business and payments. I've never lost my interest in what makes an idea useful.
There's a particular satisfaction in seeing something you've worked on become useful to somebody else. I found that early, and I still look for it.
After years at the commercial end of technology, I've returned to developing software through Design Soft. Corroboree and Digital Paper both began with practical frustrations that I wanted to solve.
Working on something you can use, test and improve keeps my judgement grounded. It also reminds me how much effort is hidden behind the word “simple”.
In Australia, I developed SCAMP, a management system for indoor sports centres. It combined daily operations and back-office tasks, and was later used by centres in Australia and New Zealand.
Writing the software was one challenge. Finding investment and building a business around it was another. That distinction has stayed with me.
Read the SCAMP story →Later work in telecommunications, international partnerships and infrastructure showed me how often a sound technical proposition depends on the commercial arrangements and people behind it.
I've enjoyed working with different organisations, disciplines and cultures. The interesting question is rarely whether an idea sounds convincing. It's whether the people involved can make it work together.
I welcome selective board and advisory conversations when an independent challenge might change a decision.
Board & advisoryI'm developing practical software and publishing independent perspectives on changing markets and technology.
Selected work