Doing business with Jianwei Fan

Title: General manager, Junawin System

How long have you been in your current role?

Two years, as general manager of my own company, Junawin System, in Lower Hutt.

What business technology issue is your organisation focusing on?

Our company is focusing on information technology consultancy and software services. We aim to provide a communication bridge between New Zealand IT companies and the Chinese market. We want to help increase the international influence of New Zealand’s high-tech industry. We also help companies from other countries enter the Chinese market. I have helped companies from Singapore, Australia and the US become established in China.

What are you reading at the moment?

I read widely. In addition to IT industry books, I prefer to read articles of historical and social themes. Currently I am reading the Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung.

We aim to provide a communication bridge between New Zealand IT companies and the Chinese market. Jianwei Fan, Junawin System

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“You can learn from everyone,” from the The Analects of Confucius and it means, “Everyone can be my teacher. I choose to learn from his good side, and compare any negative aspects with mine, and correct my shortcomings.”

How long have you been working in IT?

I have been in IT for more than 20 years. I think I have been fortunate to work in during the most magnificent time in the IT industry, from CPU 286 right through to the mobile internet. My IT work in China included working on the largest decision support system in China for rail transport, a multinational project management information system, a desktop security management system and a geological disaster warning system.

If you weren’t working in IT, What would you be doing?

I think I might have become a guidance counsellor to help young people choose what careers they would like to pursue.

What was your first job?

My first job was a technician working with the biggest measuring tools manufacturing company in Beijing, China.

What’s the best thing about working with IT executives?

The IT industry is not a simple, knowledge-intensive industry. There is so much information but the industry requires constant innovation, whether it is technical or how to market new IT technology. This continuous innovation and change is what makes me passionate about working with IT executives and inspires me every day.

What is the worst?

I find it very frustrating when people settle for mediocrity but fortunately people are keen to change when they see it is possible to do things a better way.

Can you share one key pointer for working across sectors, countries and with diverse staff?

Collaborate. The IT Industry is a modern, technical service and it requires a lot of links and teams. IT services are systematic services and collaboration needs to happen at the technical level, the market level and the human resource level too.

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