NetRefer would like to take a moment to honour one of our esteemed colleagues, Christian Cutajar. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and an unparalleled passion for technology, Christian has been an integral part of the NetRefer family for an astounding 15 years. Throughout his journey with the company, Christian’s career has evolved from its beginnings to his current position as the IT Infrastructure & Services Manager. As we sit down with Christian to reflect on his remarkable tenure, we delve into his experiences and accomplishments with NetRefer. Join us as we celebrate Christian’s extraordinary path and gain valuable insights into the growth of both a dedicated employee and our thriving organization.
I began my career with NetRefer fresh out of MCAST (The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology), with a Higher National Diploma at the age of 20, and I’ve never looked back. I assumed the role of a Junior System Administrator, where I was solely responsible for servicing around 30 employees, managing software and hardware inventory, administering our internal Kerio mail system, and contributing to ITS team maintenance. Navigating these tasks independently helped me gain practical skills, especially in troubleshooting and issue resolution.
It’s quite a feat to see where we first started to where we are now. In fact, our original headquarters was based in Gzira, and the office was over capacity to the extent that I had to manage the office move from Gzira to Valley Road, Birkirkara, which I believe was a huge project at the time to help the business expand further. Now, NetRefer is an industry leader with a bright future ahead. Overall, I feel that I contributed to significant projects that aided our business growth, while also acquiring hands-on experience – crucial for my first professional role.
During the first 4-5 years at NetRefer, I was in the thick of corporate IT, flying solo as the designated System Administrator of that department. My role expanded to encompass maintaining our production platform as the company grew. We hired a second System Administrator, allowing me to transition into an IT manager role.
In 2017, I started to build a fortified team to be able to handle multiple projects, manage the corporate side of things, security as well as the infrastructure forecasting and capacity planning. By 2020, I became IT Infrastructure and Service Manager, my current role, and began to focus more on my personal growth. In fact, I’m currently in the process of commencing a training plan which will provide me with the opportunity to excel further in my career.
Absolutely, the company’s potential was soaring due to a surge in clients. We were onboarding around two clients every month, and the demand was outstripping our capacity. At the time, we lacked a fully-fledged automation system to efficiently handle the influx of leads. If we brought in two new clients, we’d have another five prospective deals lined up, eagerly awaiting the onboarding process. In fact, some clients were requesting our services without us even needing to make a single call – it was like they were drawn to us like bees to honey.
Additionally, back in 2014, NetRefer was the first company in Malta to embrace the Office 365 wave – before they rebranded to Microsoft 365 – which we’re still using to this date. We’ve maintained our position as industry leaders, but there’s an ongoing journey to not just hold that status, but to reposition ourselves as true innovators. As we look ahead, the upcoming year holds promise for propelling the company to new heights, and I firmly believe that we’re destined for remarkable accomplishments.
Transitioning from overseeing a single team member to spearheading a team of four marks a substantial expansion in both roles and responsibilities. It demanded leadership skills, balancing delegation with hands-on involvement. Being a good manager means trusting your team members to handle the process and deliver results promptly and effectively. However, considering the persistent workload we continue to face, it’s also crucial to stay hands-on. Being technically inclined, I welcomed this opportunity.
Over time, the focus shifts to people management, strategic thinking, and decision-making. These aspects presented themselves as valuable opportunities during my time as IT Manager, leading a team of four.
When I first started out, I faced a number of challenges, but one in particular stands out. Migrating from Rackspace to the Azure Cloud infrastructure was a pivotal challenge early on. This was crucial in order to improve management efficiency and optimize infrastructure scalability to cater for exponential growth within our client-base.
What made this task particularly challenging was that I was working alone within the IT team. I had to coordinate the move with minimal disruption to the business. It was a huge undertaking, and I found myself working long hours to make it happen. Although demanding, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and contributed to my growth.
Transitioning from technical to managerial roles posed challenges, and required a shift in mindset, especially in balancing technical knowledge and leadership skills. However, over time, one becomes more confident in their team and learns to delegate effectively.
Managing both corporate IT and production required significant energy. So, I focused on the production platform, honing in on the role of Site Reliability. This choice provides a comprehensive view of the structural architecture, ensuring thorough monitoring coverage and consistent adherence to SLA uptimes.
In a nutshell, this journey has been transformative, encompassing technical, managerial, and strategic dimensions. It’s a testament to my commitment to the company’s evolution and driving it forward.
In terms of culture and values, NetRefer is home to a dynamic and diverse workforce. Therefore, upholding our core values – Clear, Fair, Trusted – is paramount in our interactions with clients and within the company itself. From my first managerial position, I prioritized transparency and encouraged a sense of belonging and commitment among team members. I ensured that everyone had a meaningful role to play, and we achieved remarkable progress through our collective efforts. This experience has been a significant part of my personal growth journey, and I remain focused and motivated to offer more.
Overall, my journey has been about fostering a collaborative culture that upholds our unwavering values and contributes to the organization’s growth trajectory.
In the past 5-7 years, I have closely observed the rapid rise of emerging technologies. I believe it is important that we focus on reliability and align our efforts to execute our strategic objectives by harnessing the best technologies available. Additionally, continual learning and skill development are crucial in this ever-evolving industry.
Our journey is about embracing the evolving landscape of technology and aligning with the best resources to ensure our platform stands as a beacon of innovation and reliability. I am thrilled to be part of the team driving these aspirations forward.
As I explained throughout this interview, my focus has always been about building on the foundational knowledge I gained in the workplace. While formal courses are valuable, practical application is crucial to delivering cutting-edge technologies and upholding important values. To achieve this, it’s essential to have a strong desire to learn and take initiative.
Aligning with the company’s values and setting clear and efficient goals are also crucial. Collaborating with your team is another fundamental pillar. Additionally, embracing change is necessary as resisting it can impede progress in the long run.
In short, this journey has been one of continuous growth, adaptability, and a deep-rooted commitment to personal and professional advancement. It’s a testament to the company’s values and my dedication to embodying and furthering its vision.
Our journey is about embracing the evolving landscape of technology and aligning with the best resources to ensure our platform stands as a beacon of innovation and reliability. I am thrilled to be part of the team driving these aspirations forward.
I’d like to thank NetRefer’s Founder and CEO, Raphael Arnold, for giving me such a great opportunity from day one. He was always there to help when I was in the dark. That was something fulfilling and what kept me going (and still does).
I feel that we’re on the right track; the company is taking shape in the organisational structure. And obviously, being committed and that you’re part of the journey and not on the sidelines is the way to go for a long-lasting career.
Thank you for taking the time to share your history with NetRefer, Christian. We extend our best wishes to you in all your future endeavours with the company.