I work at Triad as a Technical Architect and Principal Consultant. This means that I either manage the technical side of a project or provide technical assurance to ensure that the planned work is technically feasible.
Technical Architecture
I am detail-oriented, happy to get into the weeds, understand the root causes, and always ask the ‘why’. However, I also enjoy seeing the bigger picture and watching it fit together as a whole. As a Technical Architect, I can embrace both sides of me!
I am currently supporting the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) on a project. My role was originally to provide options for a solution (which is highly technical), but it then extended into general consultancy, helping with requirements gathering and procurement preparation.
Learning
I love learning. I have a thirst for knowledge. I occasionally reflect and wonder whether I have been asking too many questions! But in my experience, if you ask questions in the right way, then you can never ask too many.
In any project, I always try to understand the big picture, even outside of the predefined scope. I often find that this knowledge assists either in the current project or in future projects.
I have learned to watch how other people work and recognise when there is something that you can learn from them, be that something technical, presentation skills or simply how somebody conducts a meeting.
For my technical skills, I try to keep broadly aware of major developments in my chosen fields (by reading articles, blogs, subscribing to newsletters, etc), but since you never know what you’re going to be working on next, the in-depth learning usually comes from a just-in-time blitz prior to the next engagement. For example, I am hurriedly researching the pros and cons of various content management systems at present in preparation for a new project.
Doing the right thing
I like the Triad culture. Here, we have a mantra of ‘doing the right thing’ for a client. It’s hard to make the wrong call when you get that kind of steer from the leadership.
From the day I joined, I felt welcome. It is easy to find a recognised expert to go to or call on when I have a specific challenge and need technical knowledge. People here are generous with their time, and they care about their teammates and the customer. That is refreshing.
Before Triad, my experience has been with small companies that grew through a series of acquisitions to become large companies. Inevitably, this had an impact on culture with the employee and customer experiences often suffering in favour of corporate politics. It’s good to be back in a smaller business again which values its employees and its customers.
It’s easy to say that you’re customer focused, but doing right by the customer is something that I have found to be reality at Triad. It is an approach that helps build trust with customers. And it leads to employees feeling valued by both the Triad and customer teams.
What I’d tell my younger self
If I could step back in time and pass on some words of wisdom to a younger me, then I’d offer this advice:
- Embrace working outside your comfort zone – Variety and diversity are something to be cherished.
- ‘Perfect is the enemy of the good’, but ‘aspiring to be simply good leads to mediocrity’. Always strive to find the right balance.
- Aim for hearts and minds. And be prepared to compromise.
- Favour long-term relationships over short-term gains.
- Work-life balance is important. When you are working, work on things that you enjoy, and you’ll be happy.
If you have a question for Marcus or the Triad team, please get in touch.
