Expert to know: Chris Bryant (Q&A Interview)

Chris Bryant is a Director at OPMC (based in Sydney, Australia), listed on 50Pros as a top 50 firm in Ecommerce Development, Software, IT, and Cyber.

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What do you like most about your industry?

What I love about ecommerce and integrations is the huge leverage and return on investment that can be gained with smart planning. Imagine being able to save 10,000 hours a year by developing software that automates a key process well.

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What is the best piece of advice you've received in your career that pertains to your work, and how has it influenced your decisions?

The results you see today are the culmination of the hard work you've put in over the months and years prior. This advice has always reminded me to stay patient and persistent, understanding that success is a long-term game.

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How do you maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure long-term partnerships?

Being honest and reliable are two key strengths of OPMC. We set realistic expectations with clients, focus on what we are really good at, deliver what we say we’ll deliver, and communicate well throughout the relationship. This builds trust and fosters strong, lasting relationships.

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What activities or hobbies outside of work do you enjoy that help you recharge and stay creative?

Most definitely, walking across our lovely Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as regular meditation and gym visits keep me fresh and full of beans.

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When a company is interested in hiring your firm, how should they approach you and how should they do business with you?

Email is generally the best method to kick things off. Contact us via our website, outlining what your query is. We have a wide range of services, where the appropriate team member will be in touch with you, and generally within 24 hours.

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Can you share an experience where your agency went above and beyond to exceed client expectations?

We recently designed a sophisticated middleware for a large software provider, enabling them to move quickly on a large global project without hindrance to their internal resources. The project was complex, and by using OPMC as an expert in this field, the client achieved the desired outcome within their budget and timeframe, and beyond their expectations.

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How do you stay updated on the latest technologies and tools relevant to your industry?

The best resources I have found are YouTube and podcasts. There's a wealth of information shared by experts that is both current and highly relevant.

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If a company was looking to hire your firm, or a firm like yours, what questions should they ask themselves as a team before approaching you?

They should ask themselves "what is the key problem that they're trying to solve?" Understanding their core need is crucial for us to determine how best we can help them.

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How did you get into your industry?

20 years ago I was really passionate about the internet and saw the potential it had for businesses. Upon an encounter with a colleague who shared the same views, we launched OPMC, setting forth our journey into eCommerce development.

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What changes have you seen occur since you got into this business?

The subscription model for software has been a game-changer. It has allowed businesses of all sizes to access tools and services previously out of their reach, democratizing technology in a big way. Also accessibility and reliability with improved internet connections, and incredible mobile devices - this is the norm today but it’s easy to forget that 3G and phones that only send text messages are not in our distant past!

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How do you manage work-life balance as an agency owner or executive?

My belief is that if you are not physically and mentally well, it's impossible to perform at your best. By working on these two areas, it is easier to get the right balance, and the best results in both.