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Following a merger with the previously separate Internet Applications Division (IAD)
of parent company Data Connection, MetaSwitch's newly appointed CEO Graeme MacArthur sat down with eNews editor,
Cory Boller, to discuss his new role within the company and his outlook on the future of telecom.
Question: Before we dive into the recent company happenings I would first like to ask you a
little about yourself. How long have you been with Data Connection and what was your role within the company previously?
I first joined Data Connection as an intern in 1984, and then full-time as a software
engineer in 1985 after graduating from Glasgow University with a degree in Computer Science. My career with the company
has taken me through engineering, sales, support - and for the past 8 years I have been CEO of the Internet Applications
Division.
Question: What did you do for employment before Data Connection?
Nothing - I was a student!
Question: What do you like to do outside of work?
I live with my wife and two boys in a village outside Edinburgh, in Scotland.
I'm rubbish but enthusiastic at home improvements, and my sporting passion is golf (being Scots,
it's in the blood).
Question: Who else do you admire who is currently a CEO?
Well, my colleague Phil McConnell, CEO of our sister group in Data Connection,
the Network Protocols Division, of course! Actually, it was Phil who interviewed me when I joined
the company all those years ago. He has a lot to answer for….
More generally, I admire any leader, in any field of endeavor, who inspires his
or her team to challenge, excel, and enjoy themselves - and I despair of any leader who sacrifices that
for short-term commercial gain.
Question: What excites you about the future of telecom?
From an industry perspective, there is so much to be excited about - new technology
and applications, bright young companies making waves, and a sense of genuine progress and innovation.
In a broad sense, it's fascinating to consider how telecoms can shape society. We no
longer have the "close-knit family communities" of previous generations - friends and family are spread
across the country (globe, even). It's great that I can chat to my kids and have them on the web-cam when
I'm travelling around the U.S., or that my wife can get a message through to me at any time, without knowing
where I am (except on the golf course, obviously!). Anything that encourages family bonds in this global,
distributed, hectic world is a very healthy thing for society - and therefore I find it personally very satisfying
that our MetaSwitch/MetaSphere portfolio directly enables these kinds of services to be made available.
Question: MetaSwitch has made a lot of recent changes; how do you see this
contributing to the company's success?
The recent merger may seem like a big change, but it is actually no more than a natural
evolution of our company strategy, where the two merged divisions (MetaSwitch and the Internet Applications
division) have been working more and more closely together over the past two years.
Bringing together these two divisions - already very successful in their specific fields,
already aligned in market strategy and product set, already bred from the same strong company culture and
philosophy - gives us a single, integrated organization with which to grow our business further and faster.
If ever there was a case for using the word "synergy", this is it (but I won't!).
Question: What is your vision for MetaSwitch?
To deliver on the promises that the vendor community has been making to the telecom
industry for the past 5 years - innovative, cost-effective, reliable IP-based solutions, from network
fabric through to user applications, with expert support and assistance, that together enable our customer
to evolve sensibly and cost-effectively from their current equipment, without the need for forklift replacement.
I believe we have the unique blend of people and product to do just that.
Question: What changes can MetaSwitch customers expect to see in the next year?
In some respects, the answer should be "very little" - it is very important that, as we
continue to grow, we retain our high level of support, care and attention to our existing customers, to help
them maintain and grow their business too.
That said, I want our customers to benefit from the wider range of products and services,
and the broader depth of expertise and resources, that the new MetaSwitch organization can bring to them - so
that their growth, and ours, can be accelerated.
Question: How was it decided that you would take on the role as CEO and John Lazar
as President and COO?
We arm-wrestled for it.
No, the important thing for John and me was not the titles, but the responsibilities.
With my background, the customer-facing Sales and Support functions are where I can bring most value - whereas
John's huge experience on the product development and marketing side made that a great fit for him.
Having both been with the company for 20+ years, we are very aligned in attitude, desire and
philosophy, and it's a great working relationship - no arm-wrestling required!
Question: What would be your ideal job? - other
than your current one, of course!
Tiger Woods' caddy.
Question: Do you have anything that you would like to add before our time is up?
Good luck to the U.S. Ryder Cup team next year, but Europe
will win - again :-)
Back to the November 2007 newsletter
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