Who is Alex and what’s your story with Agama?
I grew up in Stockholm, spent a high school year in Cleveland, Ohio, and went to Curtin University in Perth, Australia, where I studied business and computer science. So I think it’s safe to say I’m someone who enjoys making connections across fields of expertise as well as international borders.
I was fresh out of university when the founders of Agama recruited me to the consulting business that they also ran at the time. I was contracted out to Motorola, where I worked closely with the project managers on two major set-top box development projects. I also had the pleasure of meeting and working with Ragnar Ouchterlony during this time.
After a couple of years, I joined Agama, originally in a sales role, soon moving to product management, and it was quickly clear that this is where I’m in my element. This way, I get to combine my skills and interests in ways that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
How is it to have “many hats” in the company?
The best thing about it is that I get to interact with customers as well as with just about every other part of the company, so you get a good view of how everything fits together. It also means that there is a lot of variety, and yes, sometimes, enough work that you have to prioritize. It helps to categorize things in terms of importance and urgency.
As a Solution Architect, I analyze customer requirements, design solutions that fit their needs and budgets. I also support deployment projects, conduct product training, and work closely with existing customers to make sure their deployments continue to serve their needs over time.
Frequent interaction with customers also informs the Product Management activities, as I get a better understanding of day-to-day needs as well as broader trends in the industry. This is important in creating strategic roadmaps as well as when planning and delivering individual features.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
There is no such thing, and that’s what I love about this role! Some days I get to interact with customers to figure out the best way to address their needs. Other times I get to geek out and collaborate hands-on with our brilliant architects and developers to come up with new features. And some days it’s all about looking to the future and scheming for world domination. Usually, it’s a mix of all the above – and then some.
What keeps you motivated? What makes you strive?
My focus is always to empower our customers to give their customers the best possible experience as efficiently as possible. It’s rewarding to see what a difference we can make in how video services are operated, especially when you think of the millions who enjoy those services. It’s also a privilege to work with really smart people. Even after more than a decade, I still learn something new every day.
What are, in your opinion, the key success factors in creating the perfect products for our customers?
You have to listen to all your customers, combine their feedback with your own vision, and figure out how to solve multiple problems with one solution to maximize its value. And you have to continue to do this as you work iteratively, making sure you do the right things in the right order.
Timing is important too. For example, when we have a short turnaround time for adding detection of a new type of incident, we can be instrumental in helping operators with their troubleshooting.
When he is not creating or fantasizing about the perfect agama product, how is Alex spending his free time?
I like cycling, both for fun and utility, on and off-road and in all weathers and seasons. I enjoy exploring the world, whether it’s a trail here in beautiful Östergötland or faraway cities with a camera in hand. And good food and drink are important to a happy life.
