Every Friday we profile a prominent figure from Australia’s IT, telecommunications or video gaming industries in the Friday Five.
Karthik Reddy is online social consultation firm Bang the Table‘s technical director. Between his work — Bang the Table specialises in connecting communities with organisations such as city councils on specific topical issues — and his kids, his sporting hobbies and keeping the BBQ hot, it doesn’t look like he’s got much free time. But then that looks like the way he likes it. He’s this week’s guest on the Friday Five.
What was your first job ever?
At a “cybercafe” in the mid-nineties, one of the earliest ones in India. It was flash – great coffee, a full kitchen, nice furniture, a satellite dish, Windows NT, 10 computers with Netscape Navigator on them and most customers spent their time in online chat rooms.
Actually, I did work at a supermarket for one day when I was about 12-13. The supermarket was about as big as most 7-11s are today and my day’s pay bought me one “Thums Up” (a popular Indian cola).
What do you most like about working in Australia’s technology industry?
Being able to work from home. Good broadband in my suburb. The debate about the NBN. The super smart and talented individuals I work with. The vibrant open source community, again super smart, talented and very giving (special shout out to #roro folks). The high ethical and moral standards that Australian technologists live by.
What’s your hobby?
I have two young boys, 3 and a half and nine months … they’ve taken over my hobby time.
I love sport, playing more than watching. Till a couple of years ago that meant turning out for Lindfield District Cricket Club every weekend in summer and squash for North Sydney Bears one weeknight most of the year. Now I focus my sporting efforts on getting the ball in the right spot so my eldest can kick/smash it out of the park!
Most weekends also find me in front of my barbie taking credit for my wife’s handiwork.
What can Australia do better to help grow a great technology sector?
Put the right incentives in place. We have an exceptional pool of talent here in Australia that have the potential to achieve big things. We just need everyone working on the right problems. A realistic price on goods would achieve that.
I would also love to see more investors for small software startups. Software is especially cheap to build, what we need is experienced business people that can provide advice and small amounts of seed funding to all those talented kids out there. There is an opportunity for our ageing population to get involved in this.
What/who has been the biggest inspiration in your career?
Many, many people that I have worked with. Too many to list here but I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have worked with some truly awesome folks.
Image credit: Bang the Table