Ryan Baker, CEO of Timely, shares why New Zealand is genuinely world leading in cloud software and how our distinctly Kiwi attributes are a big part of why we’re leading the way in this exciting new technology landscape.
New Zealand companies like Xero, with over 700,000 customers in 180 countries, are dominating the cloud accounting software space. Vend is cloud point-of-sale software that is growing insanely fast internationally. And after only four years, Timely is the most loved appointment software anywhere in the world as rated by more than 25,000 people in 85 countries who use it every day.
As an Apple Mobility Partner we’re working with some of the largest tech companies in the world. In our conversations, New Zealand isn’t dismissed as an unknown minnow in the game. We’re seen as the exemplar for cloud software. A place for other regions to model themselves on. Why is that we punch so ridiculously above our weight in this area?
It’s our culture
There’s been a landscape shift in the tech industry that plays right into the hands of the Kiwi culture. Software as a Service (SaaS) has changed the way small business owners choose software. Free trials are now expected – something that was extremely rare before the emergence of SaaS. Your pricing is expected to be published and have no hidden costs. Social communities, like Facebook, are buzzing with business owners and their peers making recommendations.
The power has shifted from the software vendor to the software buyer and New Zealand companies can thrive in this new economy because of our Kiwi culture. It’s the very things sometimes seen as weaknesses that make people love doing business with us:
• Humility: New Zealanders are, by nature, extremely humble people. We’re happy to downplay our own importance, especially where we can transfer those good feelings to someone else. In the SaaS economy there’s someone that’s infinitely more important than you. Your customer. The most successful SaaS companies in the world put their customer at the centre of their universe and Kiwis are great at doing that.
• Determination: Startup companies are encouraged to embrace failure because you can’t achieve big things if you’re afraid of failing. Kiwis hate to fail. We’re pretty good at taking it on the chin when it happens, but we’ll do everything we can to avoid it. And guess what? Small business owners don’t want a software vendor that’s gunning for a moonshot and will walk away if their business isn’t an overnight success. They want a determined partner who’ll be there with them through thick and thin.
• Transparency: Kiwis are an open book. We’re honest to a fault and tell it like it is. Again, the most successful SaaS companies in the world are those who are transparent with their customers. When you talk openly about how you’re going to build value for both your company and your customer, you create a trusting relationship. In the SaaS world, where an unhappy customer can cancel with one month’s notice, you’d best build great relationships.
• Scale: As kiwis we think globally from day one. It makes us hungry and audacious on the world stage. It makes us smart about how we reach markets. It makes us grateful every day that we get to do it from a beautiful place to call home.
• Diversity: As the last habitable landmass on earth settled by humans, New Zealand is one of the youngest countries in the world. We’re classed as “super diverse”, with more than 200 ethnicities and 160 languages. In the SaaS game the aim is to have millions of small business customers all around the world. That’s going to be a diverse bunch of users, right? On the whole, Kiwis embrace diversity and diverse teams build better products.
One of our customers in New York said it best. Megumi Kida runs a salon nestled amongst the eclectic, chic vibe of thrilling downtown New York. After discovering Timely and working with us to upgrade their salon appointment software, Megumi had this to say.
“The best thing is that you guys are not too business-like, you’re more friendly. When we work together I feel like I’m working with human beings and that I can trust you.”
Our Kiwi culture is the reason they love working with us. It’s a genuine and powerful competitive advantage on the world stage.