Matthew Caine has been working in I.T. since 1987 at places such as Logica, SwissRe and Avaloq in places such as London and Berlin. In 2012 he created his own business focusing on Agile and Lean knowledge-working practices. He is the Founder and Director of M.C. Partners & Associates, NineAligned and is the author of 5 Steps from Corporate Hell to Freedom & Fun.
Here we talk Matthew about achieving great things in his business.
Hello!
Originally, I am from a little picturesque village between Liverpool and Manchester, where my relatives still live today.
In 1992, I graduated in computer science and was by any account, a computer geek. You know the type, lived in the cellar, preferring not talk to anyone. After a while however, you realise that there is more...
I have since lived and worked in London, Berlin, New York, Geneva and Zurich, where I live today.
It is of course here in Switzerland where I walk, hike, mountain bike and if possible ski - I should go to the mountains more often!
Tell us what you do!
In 2011 I created my own consulting business focusing on improving the effectiveness of knowledge-workers using so-called “Agile” practices. I did this as I saw the positive impact these approaches made on people and their lives.
How did you get started as an entrepreneur?
In 2014, I co-created NineAligned, a startup community with the goal of creating organisations fit for humans, from the very beginning, rather than try to change the company when it could already be full of fear due to poor management practices.
What do you love about the lifestyle?
I love the fact that I want to work with people I love working with and I am free, if I choose to be.
Latest project
We’ve just launched www.TrainersReview.com. It provides managers with the opportunity to search for trainers and their courses but also to view the trainer’s reviews. Besides offering transparency and convenience the site can be used as inspiration for training in the workplace. Think of it is a "TripAdvisors™ for Trainers".
Signature
Be Humble
Why?
You cannot fail to be open to new possibilities, new people and new ideas.
Most inspiring person you have ever met so far and why?
Andreas E (I keep his full name anonymous). I hired him as a junior developer in the late 1990s. He is now a partner at one of the “big four”. It is however, due to the fact that he achieved this with great humility and dignity having lost his wife and unborn child to cancer.
One piece of advice you would give your younger self
Just because things appear in a certain way, it does not mean it has to be that way. Seek to understand it, be curious and then challenge. Experiment with alternatives in order to learn, and keep learning.
Bravest thing you have ever had to do?
Going to live in a foreign country where you don't know anyone and don't speak the language (before mobile phones & the internet), however jumping off a mountain with 47deg slope and a cliff on a snowboard is not far behind.
Matthew Caine has been working in I.T. since 1987 at places such as Logica, SwissRe and Avaloq in places such as London and Berlin. In 2012 he created his own business focusing on Agile and Lean knowledge-working practices. He is the Founder and Director of M.C. Partners & Associates, NineAligned and is the author of 5 Steps from Corporate Hell to Freedom & Fun.
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