CEO and founder of IT system integrator Kinetics Group Ltd, Andrew Hunt has always had a passion for technology and the benefits it brings to society when harnessed to its full potential.

Over the last 16 years Andrew and his team of highly skilled computer coaches have been providing Kiwi businesses with proactive IT planning and network support – ensuring that there are a lot of people in New Zealand who feel passionate about ICT, but few express their love for the business with the same enthusiasm as Andrew Hunt. From developing a software programme that sold internationally at the tender age of 15 to owning and running his own company – Andrew likes to see businesses get the most from their technology for optimum results.

What inspired you to start up Kinetics Group?

I come from a family of business entrepreneurs, so I always knew that I would start up my own company someday. My intention was to set up an IT business that would help other businesses realise the potential of their IT systems. I strongly believe in technology as atool which can empower us to do great things. The vision behind Kinetics is to work with businesses to achieve the best results possible.

You are also one of the co-founders of the New Zealand Information and Communications Technology (NZICT) industry representative group. How did the group come about?

A team of us started up the NZICT industry representative group four years ago to give the technology industry the collective voice it needed to spread the word about the contributionit makes in this country. As an organisation, we share a common interest in ensuring critical business issues for the industry are debated and heard by government, media, the public  and our members. ICT is vital to NZ’s success, both as an export industry in its own rightand for its role powering other industries. We’ve got a story and it’s a great career path for young Kiwis.

What satisfaction do you derive from running your own business?

I love the fact that I am answerable to my clients, my staff and myself. I love being empowered to make decisions and to own the outcomes. Hopefully I get more right than wrong, but being in business means that I can do what I love, be responsible and drive results. It’s a great feeling!

I have a strong affinity for small to medium businesses and my experience building and running my own business gives me a great insight into the pressures that they face in New

Zealand. SME owners are a vital part of the economy. They are the people who take risks, work long hours and put their futures on the line every day as they back themselves to build successful businesses, create employment and drive the economy forward.

It’s an honour to be responsible to so many great New Zealand businesses for their IT requirements and of course for my great team.

Who is the person who has inspired you the most, and why?

The list seems to grow every day; often buried in the papers there are amazing stories about incredible New Zealanders. We have a proud legacy of people like Richard Pearse, Graeme McRae, Burt Munro and John Britten who each led the world in their fields. They didn’t have much in the way of resources; they just had tremendous ingenuity and determination.

I admire people who against all odds just get on and do great things. There is a huge list of accomplished New Zealanders and I love learning about them and being inspired by their achievements.

What motivates you?

Empowering businesses to get the most out of their IT systems so they are more productive and therefore profitable. If fully harnessed and used effectively, computer technology can deliver extraordinary results for a business. Many companies make huge investments in their systems, but they don’t take into account the knowledge base of the people that areusing them. Our computer coaching division works onsite to train employees how to get the most out of the systems, so that they are more productive which in turn leads to increased staff satisfaction and, more often than not, cost savings for the business. There’s nothing more rewarding than the impact that this new learning has on staff confidence and morale and in turn on the business as a whole.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I’m proud of my team and I’m particularly proud that we’ve been Microsoft NZ’s Small Business Partner of the Year for five years running. While these are steps in the journey, I know that there is much more out there waiting to be achieved.

What are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Completing my old car restoration. I’ve been working on my old 1962 Jag for about 6 years and it’s finally nearing completion. It’s 50 this year and it’ll be good to have it finished so I can celebrate that! Of course after all this effort, I’ll be paranoid about supermarket dings and the like!

When you’re not working in the office, what are you doing?

So many things! As well as family time, I enjoy running, gardening and travel. But the truth is when I’m not working in the office, I am probably still working, just from my phone and tablet instead!