Q&A with Jaco Pieterse, MD of Gist

Where were you raised, and what did you study?

Jaco Pieterse: I was raised in Richards Bay, and after matriculating at Voortrekker High School I enrolled at the University of the Free State, where I obtained my Honours degree in Microbiology and Physiology.

Why the drastic change from medicine to IT?

Pieterse:I love science and technology, and I believe that IT is also a science. There seems to be a misperception about people working in the IT industry. You need to be a dynamic person who can enjoy challenges and adapt with ease. Nearly every 27 days, technology evolves and new systems with new hard- and software are put into place. It is up to us to manage these changes and ensure that all systems are compatible with each other, with minimal downtime during transitions. We need to be creative problem solvers, and often find ourselves faced with the "plug-and-pray" scenario.

How does an average morning at your office begin?

Pieterse: Always with a cup of coffee! After logging into our innovative new Navigator platform, I assess which clients and tasks need urgent attention. I then brief my staff accordingly, setting out clearly defined goals for the day. I like to hold myself accountable for everything that happens during the course of the working day.

What do you enjoy most about this industry?

Pieterse: At Gist, it is all about personal service. We strive to develop systems that suit each client's unique needs. At the end, when it all comes together and the systems are up and running (and remain running), is when I feel my best.

What daily challenges do you face?

Pieterse: Finding staff who are passionate about the industry and believe in our values. We also need to keep up with the latest innovations and trends, which becomes difficult when we are constantly managing people's IT systems. Managing our resources is also challenging.

We are a small team, with everyone involved in the daily running of the company in a hands-on capacity. We need to give our clients prompt and professional service, solving problems as well as building customer loyalty and market opportunities. We can find it challenging to merge open-source applications, which are not necessarily accompanied by industry-written standards, with current business solutions and systems.

How has social media influenced the IT industry?

Pieterse: IT is all about trust and personal connections. Most business leads come from friends who have used and recommended companies or services. Our presence on social media is, therefore, a key tool for us to network with existing and potential communities.

What are your predictions for the IT solution industry in the months ahead?

Pieterse: "The Internet of Things" - a big data revolution wherein mobility and cloud storage will become the future. We want to be part of it.

What IT advice would you offer someone starting his or her own business?

Pieterse: Approach a company who you can trust; who will give you the correct information and recommendations. They will assess your individual needs. The backbone of your infrastructure is important. A company without a solid technological foundation will struggle in the highly connected arena in which we operate today.