Data#3 General Manager for NSW, Paul Crouch, has announced his retirement after more than two decades of outstanding service. Since starting at Data#3 in 2003, Paul has displayed unmatched dedication, integrity and connection to our customers and teams.
Data#3 Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Brad Colledge, commented, “Paul’s leadership and customer-first approach have left a lasting mark on our business and culture and we’re deeply grateful for his commitment over these 22 years. I wish him every success and happiness in retirement.”
Before swapping out our Sydney office for well-earned sleep-ins and sunny beaches, Paul sat down with us to chat all things Data#3 and his incredible career with us.
When I look back at what makes me most proud of my time here, it’s invariably the moments when, as a team, we made our aspirational goals a reality. This applies to us winning tenders and contracts that were challenging. It’s affirming when we win in a commercial competition after all, but also when I could see the team grow as they challenged themselves and supported each other through the pressures those competitions create. As a result of that tenacity, we secured huge contracts that from the outset may have looked like insurmountable tasks, but we got there by working together.
Some of the most powerful things that I’ve seen at Data#3 have been a result of simply making something happen for a customer that makes sense for them and their needs. It seems straightforward, but it’s easy to get caught up and lose focus. I believe we’re different, in that we are always looking for what actually helps the customer. You can see that at every level, from our CEO across the rest of our organisation.
Secondly, I’d like to say that I respect everyone that I have worked with here over the years. And that is due in no small part because they have a growth mindset. This is something that Data#3 encourages and supports, and that’s why it’s such a special place.
If I knew what was going to happen with technology in 10 to 20 years’ time, I’d be far wealthier than I am right now! When thinking about Data#3’s future, I believe past behaviour is the best indication of future behaviour. I know we have a history of dealing with change well, and I think the combination of being an Australian organisation and a public organisation, with all of the attributes those characteristics bring, has a lot to do with that. Data#3 is practical and sensible in what it does for its customers.
So given the way that we operate, the way we support our people and challenge them to focus on what our customers are trying to do, I have every confidence that Data#3 will continue to be relevant and successful irrespective of what changing technology brings to the marketplace.
Data#3 is a unique organisation. Its people really care about making our customers successful. I’ve seen that time and time again. So, all I can say to our people is to continue to drive not only a systems and process connection to our customers because it’s efficient, but more importantly a personal connection. Ultimately, it’s about people after all. I’d also encourage our customers to work with us on that journey as we want to share our knowledge where it’s applicable and can help.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone at Data#3 for making my time here so enjoyable and fulfilling. Thank you very much.