Meet the new team

A team biography collated by Austin Watene

Why did you apply for X4MIS?

Timothy Lopez

Computer System Engineering BE(Hons). University of Auckland,

I applied to work with X4MIS because I align with the fundamental vision and foundations of the company and believe I can make a valuable contribution to the overall goal of Open-Source change management.  I believe that effort should always be provided to projects that will have the most wide-reaching impact.  X4MIS is about enabling change and effective change.  By aligning with X4MIS I am able to tangibly contribute as a pivotal resource in the current business environment.

Jack Ruddenklau

Studying at Otago University. BACom Politics, Management, Information Science

When I was on the hunt for a job that I was passionate about and one that was interesting, I came across the content creation role for Change Management at X4MIS.  Initially, I was skeptical about the whole ‘change management’ methodology and the free online resources.  But then I met with Bruce Swain, the founder of X4MIS and I realised his passion for change management, which is about saving the world through practical solutions.  It became clear that I wanted to develop my knowledge and skills and expand my understanding of meaningful pragmatic solutions, so I accepted the opportunity to join the team.

Austin Watene

Studying at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato - University of Waikato.
BMS (hons) Degree, Strategic Management

I didn't really find X4MIS, X4MIS found me, and I don't mean that in a cheesy way either! I had signed up for Student Job Search a while back and had a notification set on my phone for 'Writing'.  I wasn't expecting anything, nor was I really looking. One day my phone goes off and it says "Content Writer at X4MIS Change Management Methodology" which immediately intrigued me as I study Strategic Management at university, but also had just finished a paper on Risk Management and studied Leadership Communication last year which was pretty much Change Management in disguise.  I figured there was no harm in applying and set to sending in the appropriate material.  The selfish part of me finds a lot of comfort in being skilled in Strategic, Risk and Change Management.  Making me best equipped to tackle the big stuff once university is over.  Long story short, I am extremely enjoying being a part of the X4MIS crew, the whole team shares a similar drive which contributes to the high-quality content you read.

What's your passion for change management?

Jack

I am passionate about the human aspect of change management.  The methodology provides a ‘human touch’ perspective.  In a summarised form of what, Bruce Swain said, ' if you make things difficult for people to do it, then they won’t change’.  It is a normal approach critical in implementing change into a business.  The people aspect is the driver behind whether the change should be implemented.  If it doesn’t improve something, please don’t implement it!  I care about pragmatic solutions that are versatile and easy to understand.  I am passionate about change as we should challenge the status quo to ‘make something better’. 

Austin

I once read a book that said "Humans are always the last animal to be domesticated" which isn't exactly true, but ties into our uniquely tribal nature that we are very hard to change.  This challenge has always interested me, and this position has continued to allow me to further understand human behaviour. Change Management has a unique goal in our society – helping others create sustainable change, which you would've heard a lot in my articles.  X4MIS takes this goal and creates a whole pathway towards it using the methodology, I strongly believe that we are on a path to revolutionising Change Management and the good thing about that is change doesn't come often, but when it does, just like a game of rugby, take it and run!

Tim

Change management is a critical function in any organisational success.  Proper systems must always improve with continuous feedback loops.  In business and life, change is inevitable, and it is important to align and manage change to create an overall net benefit. I help organisations successfully navigate through change so that they can achieve their desired outcomes.

What have you found to be most rewarding in your time at X4MIS?

Austin

I have been fortunate enough to work in multiple industries during my rather short professional career, I've worked in politics, Journalism and Current Affairs and Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Companies, but I have found X4MIS to be a safe place to call home, for however long I'm entitled to (Looking at you Bruce!) I'm no stranger to online content making, but this is the first position where I have been engrossed in working, I love seeing the new content Bruce has for me to write, while also being able to take my studies to another level with first-hand experience. So, my most rewarding moments at X4MIS must be seeing the finished content being uploaded and being proud of what others will read.

Jack

It’s rewarding to write something about change management that will go live on the website.  Seeing something you have spent a lot of time on and released to the world to help another business ultimately “save the world” is truly exciting and mind-blowing.

It’s good to point out that with me being a student at the University of Otago, there is a limit to who sees your work specifically.  Tertiary institutions don’t provide a platform where you can produce something published for the world to see – well, that’s unless you’re a PhD student (excuse the pun). X4MIS’s platform and methodology encapsulate the realm where I can help small or large businesses create meaningful change through written content.

Tim

Working towards a common goal and it is exciting to be surrounded by like-minded individuals. I have also found the impact that our work is having to be very rewarding. With any project monitoring and measuring the positive impact is always rewarding and creates a winning team.

Do you have a vision for your future? What does that look like?

Jack

On a personal level, I feel the urge to truly make a difference in the world. I always value the Māori proverb:

“He aha te mea nui o te ao?

(What is the most important thing in the world?)

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata

(It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.).”

My life, in essence, truly encapsulates the message above.  It is something that is a part of my Tikanga. To expand on my Tikanga principles in my life (my values), I ask myself, “how do we keep our values at the forefront in a constantly evolving world?”.  I enjoy the prospect of continuously challenging myself to gain new experiences to help my wider community, for which I have an unwavering passion.  I have a love for learning.  At a personal level, I believe that ‘Aroha’ is the essence of life, and ‘Rangatira’ weaves the people together – creating the whanau where we live on a day-to-day basis. 

Ultimately, I want to make a difference in the world.  Whether that is big or small, if I can improve something and make society function better, whether at the policy level or even at large businesses, then I have achieved my goal.

Austin

Despite writing these questions, I've always been a sceptic of this kind of language. I have always been taught "walk backwards in order to run forward" Which can be confusing when first read, but to me it says look at who you are, where you've come and where you've been in order to take stride in your future. I've learnt not to put labels on anything, because if you fall short, you feel like you've failed, failure isn't fatal, if you never fail, you can't become the best version of yourself. I would like to see myself finish my degree while still being associated with X4MIS, I'd like to incorporate it into my future and use it to further my ability to help people, whether it be business or not. The future can be scary! But as I learn more and more every day, I'm excited to see what it holds.

Tim

My vision for the future will always include growing and facing larger challenges while also enabling others to do so.  Because change management is fundamentally about people and solutions there is always more to understand and learn.  By enabling others, I am able to simultaneously learn and provide tangible value through the work we are doing at X4MIS. 

What's your favourite thing to do in your spare time, do you have any hobbies?



Austin

I have a rather extensive set of hobbies, from reading beginners' law and psychology to diving into history books, I find myself getting lost in different realms. I'm a keen journalist with an eye for politics after working in the field itself, I attend political discussions and help run local campaigns when I have the time. As with any other student, I love playing games and drinking with my mates (in moderation, not always in conjunction) I have found that you have to learn to make time as opposed to complaining you never have any free. I collect old vinyl's and cassettes and love to buy some LEGO to relive some of my younger days! Besides that, you'll see me listening to Elton John or Elvis while having some downtime or Bowie or Meatloaf when I'm singing in the shower. When I'm lucky enough I love to visit my family, however as I'm sure we can all relate, it has been harder given the past few years.

Tim

I am passionate about kickboxing, chess and writing software. I enjoy the challenge of learning new techniques and strategies in each of these areas and actively compete in all.  Continuous learning and competition are the only thing I have found that satisfies an active mind.  Any spare time which I have I spend with friends and family.

Jack

I am someone that has a rather versatile mindset!  I enjoy listening to talkback radio, watching Parliament TV, developing websites, integrating practical software into businesses, catching up with friends and family, and writing about my day-to-day experiences where I hope to launch a blog site eventually.  As a tertiary student, I love to research, to expand my knowledge, and challenge my professors.