Nicole: Hi Kylie! Let’s get started. What do you remember most about the early days at OST?

Kylie: It started with just Glenn and I. I had met him through my previous employer. I used to deliver the rent invoices to him as he was a tenant in the building I worked in. And there was only one cafe locally so everybody went to that cafe. So I just got to know him there.

Nicole: That's so funny!

Kylie: We would sit and eat our lunch together. When he had a position going, he asked me and it sounded like a good opportunity. So I decided to give it a go.

Nicole: It sounds like you became friends first! So, you met by chance at the local café. Glenn had already founded OST and when he decided it was time to grow, naturally he thought of you haha. And that's how it all started?

Kylie: Yep.

Nicole: And how long was it just the two of you?

Kylie: Oh gosh. I actually don't know? Maybe it was only like a year. And then we hired our first developer Lydon, and as you know he’s still with us!

Nicole: Brilliant, so it was just the three of you conquering the world for a while and this was all happening in the early nineties yes?

Kylie: Yes.

Nicole: And it wasn't until 2012 that CouncilFirst was established?

Kylie: Yes, it became a division of OST. I guess the timing was right.

Nicole: You’ve said before that after spending many years consulting and providing various tech solutions for different sectors, you and Glenn saw there was a real opportunity in local government for modern ERP software. And that this would enable them to do what they needed to do to serve their communities better. This is a significant shift away from what you guys had previously been doing. So my question is, in the 30+ years you’ve been working for OST and CouncilFirst, what would you say are the most significant changes you’ve seen at CouncilFirst?

Kylie: That's a hard question! I mean, technology, really, I suppose, is the biggest thing that shifted over time. You know, when I first started, we didn't even have mobile phones. I had a pager. Technology has evolved immensely, and this has made a huge impact on our business and the way we operate. ERP evolved over time and became a really big thing, but that took quite a while. And the other obvious change was when everything shifted to the cloud. I’d say that has been the biggest change to our business and the whole industry.

Nicole: Wow, so ERP first and then the shift to cloud?

Kylie: We were keen on the cloud earlier, but it could often be a hard sell. It wasn't till COVID that everything changed. The reluctance from some councils to move to the cloud finally dissipated, and they realised this would be the new norm. Not just for local government, but most industries.

Nicole: So you guys were ready, but councils weren’t quite ready initially?

Kylie: Some IT managers typically wanted and were used to their servers being on-premises, and in the early days of the cloud, there was a perceived risk. But soon after, most councils realised there was a real benefit and need for cloud solutions when everyone’s working arrangements changed and people were suddenly working from home.

Nicole: Let’s talk more about CouncilFirst becoming a division of OST and the achievements or moments you are most proud of. So, what achievements or moments are you most proud of during your time here? I imagine the awesome team you’ve built is at the top of the proud achievements list, right? hahaha

Kylie: Haha! Maybe hanging in there for 30 years! Also, when we decided to have a primary focus and only service one sector, one customer, essentially, and make sure we do it really well.

Nicole: Yes, great answer! That’s a huge business decision!

Kylie: Yes, you're not spread too thin. You learn more and more about that one vertical, and it's better for you and your customers.

Nicole: Yes, I suppose that way you become specialists and industry leaders in that particular area, as opposed to a generalist who can provide lots of services but not really focusing on just one.

Kylie: Absolutely!

Nicole: Let’s talk more about your working relationship with Glenn. Are there any key achievements or milestones that stand out in your time together? You have a long history together, so it might not even be a work story? Something that happened in the good old days of OST?

Kylie: That's actually an impossible question!

Nicole: I bet there are too many!

Kylie: Glenn's always had the good ideas, is a real risk taker, and loves innovation. And I'm very responsible and manage the finances, so he doesn’t get too carried away. So we're actually a really good balance.

Nicole: Sounds like the perfect work marriage combo haha

Kylie: Haha, yes, yes, yes!

Nicole: What would you say is Glenn’s superpower?

Kylie: Glenn has embraced every change and everything the industry has thrown at him. He’s a real adopter and loves innovation. His strong suit is that he can look at a problem, work it out, the good bits, the bad bits, and where we can add value.

Nicole: When you guys set out to expand CouncilFirst, what kind of workplace and company culture did you want to create for people? What kind of team were you looking for?

Kylie: First and foremost, we always need people who are multifaceted with really good skill sets. And because we’re not a huge team, that’s even more important. But it’s not just about the technical skill, of course, that’s an integral part of it, because we need to ensure our solution surpasses expectations. But we also need people who are good with people. Because at the end of the day, we care a lot about the partnerships we have with our customers, so having a CF team who are invested in those relationships is really important. I think our team genuinely enjoys working together, we’re all friends! Some of the team have been around almost as long as I have! And I feel especially proud of the fact that we have so many working mums working at CouncilFirst. I raised my family while working here, and it’s good to see a number of the team members being able to productively do the same. We have a flexible working mindset, which certainly helps.

Nicole: Lastly, how do you feel about reaching this 30-year milestone? What do you think it says about you?

Kylie: It's a weird feeling. I can't actually believe it's been 30 years! I’ve been here more than half my life!!

Nicole: You know what they say, Kylie, time flies when you’re having fun!!