IT Whiz Kid - August, 2002: Howard Siow is a man on a mission. At just 23 years of age, he is founder and CEO of a successful software development company, Lightbulb, which boasts clients from around the world.

He has a double degree in Software Engineering (honours) and Commerce from Melbourne University, has worked for top-tier consulting firm, Accenture, delivers guest lectures at Melbourne Business School on startup business strategies, and has won a number of prestigious awards including Melbourne Business School Entrepreneur Challenge.

Ask him what he considers to be his biggest personal achievement to date, and he's cautiously modest.

-That's a tough question, because there's so much I'm yet to achieve," he said, speaking from his Collins Street office, right in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.

But ask Howard about the achievements of Lightbulb, the company he started at the tender age of 19, and he's effusive, claiming to have the best minds in the country working within the organisation.

-We have attracted some of the smartest programmers in Australia. People have even offered to move from the US to work with us. The calibre of our people is our clear competitive advantage," he said.

Much of his success, he believes, is largely due to his ability to build extensive networks. Besides being a member of the Australian Computer Society, Howard meets regularly with a range of people, and sits on a number of boards including the IT Skills Hub (Australian Youth Hub Committee) and Melbourne Business School Entrepreneur's Committee. He is also trying to find time to become a member of the ACS Foundation to support scholarship opportunities for young IT professionals.

The bigger picture

Howard may be just 23, but he demonstrates leadership qualities beyond his years. As CEO, he sees his job as that of a communicator, -keeping dialogue alive between the various stakeholders". He also focuses on building the team, attracting -an outstanding calibre" of people to work with the company, and keeping them happy.

Howard has created a liberal working environment that offers flexible working hours, he provides food and snacks for staff, and the office is filled with toys and gadgets.

Fun and frivolity aside, he also understands the need to invest in the future, and ploughs the bulk of the company's profits back into R&D.

-We have a team of eight, and we're small now compared to where we'll be in a few years time," he said. -Research and development is pivotal to the success of our business, so anything that comes through our services arm goes straight back in to R&D."

In addition to releasing cutting edge solutions in areas of network intrusion detection systems, wireless video conferencing and data encryption, he is on a mission to further expand into the Asian marketplace.

Big ambitions for a 23-year old, but Howard is there for the long haul.

-To be successful, you have to stay focussed, and be extremely good at what you do," he said. -There will always be setbacks - and I've had my share - but you have to get back on your feet, and keep thinking big," he said.

Howard Siow is a young professional who will no doubt make a significant contribution to the ICT industry in the years ahead. But for now, he's off to prepare a guest lecture to PhD students at Monash University on software engineering quality management.

Some would say mission already accomplished.

Top five IT Whiz Kid tips for success Work with the best people you can find. They are part of everything you do, so their needs and happiness are important. Be passionate about wanting to create extraordinary solutions, but don't let work become too personal. "It's not personal, it's business" Learn to be very sensitive to how your customers feel and think. "To catch a fish, think like a fish". It will also help you predict their problems and deliver value beyond their expectations. Believe if it is meant to be, then it will be. Neither stare down adversity nor feel that it is your fault that something did not succeed. Napoleon felt he was destined for greatness and had conquered Italy by the time he was 25. But (thankfully) this is not everyone's destiny. Enjoy yourself. I neither work nor play. I simply do what needs to be done to achieve my definition of excellence, and leave others to decide whether I am working or playing.

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