EBR Celebrity Interview #1

1. If you could be any sports star who would you be?
Kelly Slater, it has to be Kelly Slater!
Why?
Be paid to surf, travel the world…live out of a suitcase.
He has the life!

2. What types of music do you like listening to?
I’m not that into music, but if I had to pick….
Heavy metal, rock…favourite band it Metallica…the old Metallica!

3. How long have you been working with Sensis?
I have been with Sensis for 11 years now!

4. How did you get into the industry of Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?
It was actually through a family friend, we went to the Land Information Centre in Bathurst, they gave us an overview of the whole company. There was a massive picture of the globe on the wall, looked awesome! It was then I knew I wanted to get into GIS.

5. What are the most enjoyable things about coming to work?
Umm…this might sound lame, but the mix of people in the team, we have all sorts of people there. That’s the best thing about it, we’re all from different cultures and there’s great integration between everyone. The communication is just open all the time, its great.

6. Do you have a positive experience you can share about where you work or what you do?
I am lucky, I am in the front line of development and the things I work on are always new for the business. I get to deal with the more advanced stuff, not just street names or small attributes, but advanced attributes, advanced technology.

7. What is your thought on the current economic situation?

Ummm.. its how do you say it…
(Rocky does the Homer strangles Bart action)
Strangle I reply?
Yes, it’s a strangle on the opportunities for us. For Sensis. Especially with the development of the map database. If we did not have restrictions, decisions would be made with the company’s best interest in mind. Now we have to base decisions on what is viable.

8. Do you see this affecting you or your work place?
Yes…
I will just take the above as the example.
Yeah that’s fine

9. What are the 3 most important traits you look for when hiring employees?
1. I want experience.
Experience in GIS?
I want someone with experience in the workplace and GIS, a person who does not need to be micro- managed, if I give them a task they can run with it and also think for themselves.
2. Honesty! I give staff enough rope to be flexible, but I don’t want them to abuse it. If they do, they’re out. No 2nd chance. Just be honest
3. Switched on, someone on the ball, where I don’t have to spoon-feed , they can pick up things fast.

10. What are the 3 most important things in your life?
1. Without any hesitation Rocky responds ‘family’
2. Friends
3. My career

11. Who is someone you look up to most?
A family friend,
Why?
Because of the way he handles himself, in his life, everything. He has 5 kids, still successful and he is always there for the family. He is honest and gives good advice.

(Pls note: No personal details have been given for privacy reasons)

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