Why & How I did enter consulting?

(11-Dec-21 clearing out old drafts cache 2012-2016, articles I didn't get round to finishing) 

Another one penned but not published. 

I did experiment with my own consultancy for 4.5 years, created Africa Systems and Software Services and subcontracted with TPI Africa Computer Services.... So I did take the leap and go out on my own 🤷🏽‍♂️

I provide specialist Software and Systems Engineering Management Consulting in the following areas:

The sector I offer immediate and expert use is in the Digital TV sector, covering Set-Top-Box software & hardware, Headend systems - for TV services such as EPG (Electronic Program Guide), VOD (Video-on-Demand) and other OTT (Over-the-Top Internet) services. I have a detailed track record of successful engagements in this sector.

These skills, experiences and best practices are easily transferrable to other sectors that touch on Software/Systems Engineering, including Telco, Healthcare & Banking systems.

I operate at Mid-Senior management level to craft strategy, process & operational improvements across departments, including providing high level strategic plans, implementation & delivery plans for delivery projects if required. I am also able to slot into interim management positions, as well as program management rescue...

Click here for my Detailed CV / Resume

Click here to read what people have to say about my work!

Digging a little deeper

Companies in Africa are really struggling with sourcing the right Software Engineering talent, with proven experience, the right mindset, etc!

I have been involved in the Software Industry for close to fifteen (15) years now - with real world software experience. I have worked on & delivered on both real products as well as cutting edge, advance blue-sky research projects. Of the real world projects that I've personally written code for or managed, the real home user base of customers span over 40 million people. Of the research projects I've worked on, almost all of them were a few years ahead of its time and are only just coming to fruition (e.g. Speech Synthesis, TV Recommendations, In-Home Networking, etc). I have written great code and managed great projects. I have worked with the best and brightest of people from all over the world, who are leaders and pioneers of really interesting technology, specifically in the domain of Software Systems in Digital TV products. The expertise thus gained in Software Engineering, Product & Program Management can be applied to almost any kind of software development enterprise.

From humble beginnings coming from South Africa where the Software industry was fairly young and product development was in its infancy, and the education not really that world-class at the time (1990s), I went on to studying further at a world-class university in Ireland, and spent just under a decade working for one of the best software companies in the world (NDS/Cisco Systems), starting as an engineer and working my way upwards into management, on a product that is by far, best-in-breed and an absolute fore-runner in its class.

I have grown into Software & Systems Engineering Management from the ground up, I have first hand experience of what it takes to be an engineer, architect, integrator to a manager of development projects; dealing with customers; showcasing R&D projects and running innovation projects. I now work directly with top-level management to help save and rescue failing programs; deliver both project & organisational transformation through a careful process of people and change management interventions. I steer & facilitate high-level discussions with EXCO & MANCO on future strategy, technology partnerships and collaborations, as well as high level strategic planning, including shaping department & project structures, setting up Development/Integration teams as well as providing the starting point for planning large-scale systems projects.

I provide the map & starting points for the program & organisation, which people follow, lead teams by example, often coaching & mentoring engineers and mid-level managers alike, until the team is ready to let go and run on its own. I value self-organisation, autonomous teams, a firm supporter of Open Source culture and fully embrace an Agile Mindset to Project Delivery as long as it's done the right way. I stay clear of reinventing the wheel, working hard to push & challenge every status quo possible when I know first-hand there are better ways of working. I offer a good balance of academic credentials backed by real world experiences. My passion for doing things the right way & passion for Software Engineering Best Practices sometimes is misunderstood for being a "Politician". I believe that Certifcations does not make a good Leader or Program Manager, it is through working with people that ultimately brings out successes; wisdom is the result of hard-won life/work experiences, not being on 5-day certification course...

My track record is undeniable and fully traceable.  Check out my LinkedIn profile if you would like to dig deeper. Read all the recommendations professional colleagues have left for me. Technical skills, specifically around Digital TV, is very hard to come by in Africa. Software professionals in general are also very hard to find in Africa. Scarcity creates value. I have worked with multi-million dollar projects, accumulating a wealth of experience and knowledge of industry best practices to help any company leap frog into the 21st century to deliver first-class, quality products! The projects I've worked with have a user base of more than 40 million people, worldwide....I've worked with both small and large teams alike, ranging from 12-350 people, across borders, geographically dispersed teams. I can handle the cultural challenges of globalization with relative calm and ease...

I am in a position to offer consulting in almost any area relating to Software Product Development, Management, Programme Management & Delivery. My skills and competencies cover a diverse range of areas, you can think of me as a Generalist with Specialist skills in certain areas, a Jack-of-all-Trades, but Master of Some - A Versatilist!

I recently decided I had enough of the corporate pigeon-holing; I felt stifled in the current organization structure, that the company was not utilizing me to the best of my abilities; and thus branched out on my own as Consultant. My main pitch around consultancy is really covered by this slide:

My Value Proposition

I'm exposing myself to the rest of the world through this blog, but specifically for South African companies & headhunters located in Johannesburg.

• If you're in the area of Digital TV, Set-top-Boxes or Back-end systems, I can help you solve many, if not most of your challenges. I can run your Product Development Team, or consult on improving your Development/Integration & Business Processes.
• This has been my primary area of focus - but the knowledge is easily transferable to almost any software-related products
• I have worked with the best companies in the world, managed world-class products and can truly say the South Africa is lagging far behind industry big players...

• If you're interested in Agile Software Development - I can help. No, I don't have formal Agile/Scrum certifications. I am well read, and have real world practical experience. I won't give you textbook stuff that consultants (who went on a course and never really ran a really big project) sell you.

• If you're looking for a way of running projects more Agile, and tired of PRINCE2 or PMBOK methodologies - I can help here too. Again, I'm not one for formal certifications - I've worked with the best VPs who ran highly successful projects, and have no qualifications to show for it, apart from sound intuition & wisdom gained from experience.

• ....there's more - get in touch, tell me what problems & challenges you're facing...Feel free to engage with me through LinkedIn.

Other Stuff:

Highlights:

As a Technical Development Project/Programme Manager, from delivering small (~12 people) projects for mature HeadEnd subsystems; to managing large scale STB Middleware/EPG/Headend projects (300+people, £10million+ cost, £millions ROI) working with world-class companies, world-wide.

As a software/integration/architect engineer, 6+ years of real-world (not just R&D blue-sky, but real products deployed in 30+ million homes): from embedded STB drivers, STB Middleware, complex EPGs, accessible Talking EPGs speech synthesis; to large-scale, highly available Server systems in C++. With System Integration & on-site customer-support experience. Personally written over 100k+ lines of code (LOC), intimate with codebases spanning 700k+ LOC. Comfortable in context switching between coding & management, adapting easily to change (new technologies & process).

Specialties: 

Software & Systems Management. Digital TV: Headends & STB software -EPG Applications & STB Middleware. Reliable Server Systems (Headend) IPTV. Software Project/Product/Development/Architecture Management. Accessibility & Speech Synthesis.

Disclaimer: 

Please do not assume from this writing that I am an arrogant or an egotistical person, actually it's quite the opposite! I am however quite confident in my skills and abilities, and have a fully traceable track record to prove it.  I have complete trust and belief in myself to conquer any task given to me - I am of sound mind and reason in writing this...

We are now living in a new age, an age where Linchpins are needed, Generalists are valued, and society in need of people who put themselves out-there.  I am putting myself out-there. I am taking a chance. And this is the platform I'm starting with. 

If you're looking for someone who has not only grit & perseverance, but also exceptional ability to deliver whilst at the same time deal with complex people-dynamics, then look no further...