Profile: Paul Carter

I’d worked hard to get into that position and worked even harder to make it a success but increasingly found my ability to succeed being hindered by bureaucracy and politics. So I got out.

Now, through a combination of luck and good judgement, I’m working for Metaswitch. On the face of it I have a similar role, managing a sizeable software development team and tasked with delivering regular, high-quality, releases of one of our major products; whilst also developing the skills of my management team, their developers and our new starters. However, there the similarities end.

Here at Metaswitch, everyone is focussed on delivering success today and in the future. The business goals are clearly articulated, long-standing and understood by everyone – so the whole company is pulling in the same direction. There’s no need to pander to the needs (or egos) of multiple stakeholders – there’s no such concept here, everyone is expected to take personal responsibility for their work. I feel as though I’m given every opportunity to deliver on my responsibilities and that everyone else trusts me to do so – which is a liberating position to be in. Of course that also means that the CEO takes an active interest in how I’m doing – there’s no hiding places in this company!

The majority of people at Metaswitch joined the company straight from University and have stayed ever since. As such, there is a strong company culture and it was quite daunting at first; trying to get to grips with new processes and technology as well as integrate with a very friendly, social but quite tight-knit, group. Fortunately, everyone is very open, honest and ready to consider new ideas – if they’ll deliver real improvements then they’re worth trying out.

In summary, if you’re smart, results-focussed, take personal responsibility for your work and want to make an active contribution to the ongoing success of a smaller, friendly, but determined, company, then Metaswitch should certainly be on your shortlist.