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What’s your journey in becoming a CEO?
I was one of the original founders of the Broadland Group and then decided to accept a position in the Senior Leadership Team at Vodafone as Head of Business Sales. Working at Vodafone for 7 years was a great experience where I learned how to manage a large business unit which required integrating two businesses when the 3 Mobile and Vodafone companies merged. In 2014 I rejoined Broadland as CEO with a goal to triple revenue and profit over 3 years. We achieved this and were acquired by United Networks Limited (UNL:ASX) last year at which time I was appointed CEO.

Tell us a bit about your business and how you are commercializing?
United Networks Ltd (ASX:UNL) purpose is to empower people and business through technology, to progress, perform and live better. We have two key divisions that drive the company’s revenues.

• Our small to medium business (“SMB”) division is a “Trusted Communications Advisory“- Our advisory is an end to end business that deploys and manages complete communications solutions for small to medium business including mobility, voice, data, Unified Communications and cybersecurity.
• Our enterprise solutions include a smart location data Global Duty of Care platform. The company has a significant history of assisting global insurance companies to innovate and engage directly with their customers. They do this by using our proprietary global alerting, messaging and tracking platform which keeps people safe and secure when they are most vulnerable.

How are you managing with the current COVID-19 pandemic on both business and personal front?
United Networks Ltd (ASX:UNL) solutions allow people to adjust to the new way of working.

• Our SMB division has a complete Unified Communications solution as its core offering, so when the world moved to remote working, we were already there and ready to help our clients deploy a communications system that enables their staff to work remotely.
• Our enterprise teams are focusing on using the United core location data platforms to assist businesses so that their staff can return to work in a safe and secure environment. Our extensive experience in managing global alerting using smart data puts our company at the forefront of technology lead solutions to keep people at work

As a business, we have been managing our response daily and keeping in constant contact with our staff and clients. We retained 100% of our team and have a strong cash position and balance sheet. I’m personally enjoying working from home and using our technology to connect with my team and customers. 

What’s the most exciting thing about running your business?
I really love the big wins and creating something new. Whether it’s hitting a big target, landing a big account or closing out a merger or acquisition. Anything that drives excitement within the team, our board and shareholders is fulfilling for me.

How do you measure success?
The key areas I focus on are customer satisfaction and employee engagement. These drive revenue, profit and the share price. Good leadership drives culture and good culture drives high performance. Having the right leaders in place is critical. Right person right seat. 

What do you think is the most important quality of being a CEO of a listed company?
You have to be a visionary and let your team look after the operation of the business. Keep your head in growth and plan and anticipate what the business will look like in 1, 3- and 10-year time. 

What is your favourite book?
Good to Great by Jim Collins. I remember being fascinated when I was first introduced to the Level 5 leader. I resonate with that, particularly the service-based leadership principles. It didn’t surprise me that the research Jim had done found that the most successful companies were led by quiet, reserved and even shy leaders. 

What message do you want to send to our readership in Asia?
Watch this space! We have big goals over the next 3 years to grow organically and aggressively through our acquisition strategy. On the global stage we’ll roll out our smart data IOT and location data platforms to keep people safe post COVID-19.

How can people connect with you?
Email:
Website: https://www.unitedglobalsim.com/

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The post AppsVillage (ASX:APV) – Max Bluvband appeared first on StockPal.

What’s your journey in becoming a CEO and Co-founder?
My journey to becoming a CEO began many years ago now when my wife and I ran a small bookshop just outside Tel Aviv. Like many small business owners we struggled with the challenge of attracting new customers and communicating with our existing ones. I knew there had to be a simple way of creating a platform that would enable customer interaction and marketing for SMBs. I had a background in technology so I began looking at different options. Social media was, by far, becoming the communication tool of choice for people so AppsVillage was born.

Tell us a bit about your business and how you are commercializing?
AppsVillage creates mobile apps from SME Facebook and Instagram pages. The apps allow customer interaction, marketing and the creation of Facebook advertising. The company also recently pivoted into fintech, partnering with a range of US and Australian lenders to provide small business loans to its subscribers. Having your own mobile application that customers can use is one of the most important marketing tools for a small business. It usually takes months and tens of thousands of dollars to build such an application. Our service enables these small businesses to compete with their much bigger rival and have the same digital and commerce capabilities.

How are you managing with the current COVID-19 pandemic on both business and personal front?
We are actually one of the lucky companies for whom COVID-19 is providing a tailwind. The social isolation and subsequent closure of many businesses has meant digital interaction with customers is more important than ever so the app creation side of the business is growing. Many SMBs are also desperately in need of capital so the fintech pivot has been a successful one. We recently introduced fast-approval SMB loans up to $10,000 with a 24-hour turnaround because we could see how very much SMBs needed them Government funding can only go so far and the gap between the announcement of Government help and its execution is sometimes so long many SMBs cannot endure without other help. We’re hoping to bridge that gap and, at the same time, establish ourselves as an essential service for SMBs which will hopefully extend beyond this time.

What’s the most exciting thing about running your business?
The most exciting aspect for me is being a part of SMBs’ journey. Capital and connection are two of the most important things for SMB growth and we are able to help substantially with both. Having owned and grown a couple of small businesses myself now, I know how hard it is to compete with the bigger players. Being able to help them level the playing field is really satisfying.

How do you measure success?
I honestly believe that life is a gift and one that should be recognized and cherished every day. I have a wonderful family and a business that I love. This is my measure of success.

What do you think is the most important quality of being a CEO and Co-founder of a listed company?
I think the most important is patience followed closely by focus and a general sense of happiness.

What is your favourite book?
I have several but one I read repeatedly is “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhard Tolle.

What message do you want to send to our readership in Asia?
These strange COVID-19 times teach us that we are all connected. There is no problem that is one individual’s problem alone. They are all shared. We must work together and stay connected during this social isolation to get through this as one globally connected world.

How can people connect with you?
Email:
Website: https://appsvillage.com/

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