In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, I talk to John Grant. John is the Executive Chairman at FirstWave Cloud Limited. FirstWave Cloud Limited is an Australian headquartered global cloud security technology company, providing unique telco orchestration platforms. The company develops and sells locally produced technology to a global SME market via an international network of partners.

He has also held positions including Inaugural Chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission and Managing Director and CEO of ASX-listed technology company, Data#3 Limited.

He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Uniquest Pty Ltd, the commercialisation company of the University of Queensland, and Stadiums Queensland, the owner and operator of the Queensland Government's $1.8 billion investment in elite and community stadium and entertainment assets.

Listen to him as he tells his journey of how he transitioned from civil engineer to MD and CEO. He also shares his working experience with companies like IBM, ASX, Data#3 etc., how he revived a company that has gone through three crises, what new product his company FirstWave Cloud is planning to release and much more.

Episode Highlights: 
- Uniquest is the leading commercialisation entity within Australia in terms of the tertiary University IP area, and it's one of the top 10 in the world.
- COVID has been the greatest inducer of technological change.
- He was born in Brisbane and has done civil engineering from the University of Queensland, under a scholarship. 
- After graduating, he joined the Business City Council and stayed there for nine years. 
- After leaving The Business City Council, he worked for IBM and Power Pocket Associates. 
- The launch of PC IBM IN 1994 validated the PC transition.
- His company converted typewriter research and office equipment reselling business to PC distributorship and became the first IBM PC dealership.
- In 1994, he became a partner of Data#3 Limited.
- In 1997, John became the CEO and Managing Director of an ASX-listed technology company.
- Data#3 is a $1.6 billion company now and has no debt.
- His company's joint venture went through three crises, so he led the business towards customer centricity.
- Customer centricity as a culture was in place in the business from when it was formed and is still a legacy in terms of wider enterprise.
- "You have to always tell the truth but the market needs to hear it in the best possible way."
- During his career in Data#3, he was involved in the IT industry and participated in advisory groups for the Australian government. 
- John was also a professional cricket player. In 1972 he toured with the Australian Cricket team to the UK and France.
- FirstWave Cloud developed an intellectual property platform, which takes cyber security services from vendors and converts them to all sorts of software.
- 43% of today's cyberattacks are occurring on SMBs.
- FirstWave is going to develop a product that will have an opt-out model rather than opt-in.
- What SMBs are really good at doing is not wasting money.

Useful Links: 
John Grant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-grant-023b8313b/ 
First Wave Cloud Website: https://www.firstwavecloud.com/about-us 
Richard Triggs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs/
Arete Website: https://www.areteexecutive.com.au/

Arete Podcast 

176 - John Grant - Executive Chairman - First Wave Cloud

Arete Executive Podcast hosted by Managing Partner Richard Triggs. 

Interview with Paul Pisasale, Mayor, City of Ipswich

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Paul Pisasale LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/paulpisasale

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

City of Ipswich website: http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/

Richard's book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-Job-Market-Executive-ebook/dp/B00WCQ5U46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445566942&sr=8-1&keywords=uncover+the+hidden+job+market

LinkedIn CEO Incubator Group: https://www.linkedin.com/grps/CEO-Incubator-6948255/about?

Theme music by Simon Gardner "Sunny" from the album "Choose Your Own Adventure": http://simongardnerguitarist.com

Arete Podcast - Episode 59 - Paul Pisasale - Former Mayor - City of Ipswich

Arete Executive Podcast hosted by Managing Partner Richard Triggs. 

Interview with Page Maxson, CEO, Australia Pacific LNG

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Page Maxson LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/page-maxson-3ba15113

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

APLNG website: https://www.aplng.com.au/

Richard's book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-Job-Market-Executive-ebook/dp/B00WCQ5U46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445566942&sr=8-1&keywords=uncover+the+hidden+job+market

LinkedIn CEO Incubator Group: https://www.linkedin.com/grps/CEO-Incubator-6948255/about?

Theme music by Simon Gardner "Sunny" from the album "Choose Your Own Adventure": http://simongardnerguitarist.com

Arete Podcast - Episode 70 - Page Maxson - Former CEO - Australia Pacific LNG

Diversity among executive ranks is important and comes up for discussion regularly in our field. Most often it’s in relation to gender but also in the context of sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious orientation, age, disability, and so on. 

As someone who literally sits between the job market and the employers, and who has done so for the past 17 years, I’ve had plenty of first hand experience in understanding the agendas of employers and the dynamic of the market applying for the roles. And while there have definitely been problems with diversity at the executive and board  level in the past, I’m pretty optimistic about the changes that are happening and the trends we can expect in the coming years. 

Episode Highlights: 

Breaking the glass ceiling for women
The changing working life span
Proven performers
Breaking the bamboo ceiling
Male, pale and stale
Getting a jump on the market

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: areteexecutive.com.au/free-book/

Arete Podcast

105 - The Diversity Debate In Executive Recruitment

I often get approached by people looking to build a board career. Many are just starting out, while others might already have one or sometimes two board roles, and are looking to grow a full portfolio of boards to keep them occupied after retiring from their executive life. 

Other times people have a desire to move into a board career earlier in their life. The good news is there are more opportunities than ever as the desire for diversity increases, not only in terms of gender, but also age and other attributes. 

There a few things you can do to ensure success that I outline in this episode. 

Episode highlights:

The desire for diversity on boards - more opportunities for young people and female executives
Start off small and work to build a full portfolio
Starting a board career is like starting a new career altogether
Don’t bank on your current skill set - complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course
The importance of being on the board of a not-for-profit
Using not-for-profits to learn and grow, and network for other opportunities 
Joining a board you have a genuine connection with - a cause that sits close to your heart
Examples from podcasts with Ian Klug and Grant Murdoch
Following the steps outlined in my book, Uncover The Hidden Job Market
Building a rapport with the chair of boards to ensure you receive opportunities 
Don’t pigeonhole yourself - keep your options open

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-J…idden+job+market

107 - How To Build A Career As A Board Executive

I spoke in this episode of the Arete Podcast to Tim Dwyer, business growth specialist, mentor and leader, about building a solid foundation, how to avoid recruiting mistakes, and investing in future growth. 

Tim’s philosophy is that good business is about creating the most amount of value in the shortest amount of time. 

He says a lot of people start a business with grandeur in mind but end up lost along the way because of simple mistakes. 

Tim is currently the Managing Director of Sunshine Coast-based Shirlaws Group and Group Partner at Business Of Brand and Growth Metrics. All three companies offer expert business consulting on everything from basic foundations, to sales and revenue, and consistent growth. 

I’m sure you’ll find this episode as interesting as I did...

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-J…idden+job+market

108 - Tim Dwyer Interview - Building A Brand Ready For Growth

There’s one topic in the recruitment industry that continues to divide people: the fees charged by recruiters, especially those in the executive search space, for their services.

Despite it being a hot topic for years now, little has changed, although it definitely needs to. 

This episode covers: 

Who’s who in the zoo 
The power of LinkedIn - 99% of white-collar executives have a profile
Research is no longer difficult
Blue-chip brands no longer a guarantee for a successful search
Are you wasting your money? 
Arete Headhunted Shortlists package offering
The change in technology and the need for change in the industry

Richard Triggs LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs

Arete Executive website: www.areteexecutive.com.au

Richard's book on Amazon: www.amazon.com.au/Uncover-Hidden-J…idden+job+market

109 - Are You Wasting Money On Expensive Executive Search Fees

Arete is a Greek word that essentially means “the fulfilment of one’s full potential”. Or as the famous Greek author Homer wrote, “where heroes gather to realise their full potential”.

The Arete podcast is designed to showcase the careers of leading CEOs, Chairs and other successful senior leaders.  Rather than a formal interview, this is a relaxed “fireside chat” style conversation, where Richard Triggs talks to the guest about their careers, key achievements, lessons learned along the way, and other interesting elements about how their careers have unfolded over the years.

The idea is that aspiring and incumbent C-Suite executives and Non Executive Directors will have the ability to listen to those “who have walked the path before them”, in order to gain some insights and wisdom, and thereby accelerate the listener’s own career to its fullest potential.

Richard is the Managing Partner of Arete Executive, a boutique executive search firm based in Brisbane. 

Richard Triggs’ new book “Uncover the Hidden Job Market – How to find and win your next Senior Executive role” was released in 2015.


176 - John Grant - Executive Chairman - First Wave Cloud

Richard Triggs

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