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Home Blog Lessons from an ASX-listed CEO
25Mar

EP#58 – Lessons from an ASX-listed CEO

By Claire Wescombe | Blog, Podcast, Real Talk With Outperformers, The Outperformer, Brad Eisenhuth, CEO, TELCO, LEADER | 25 Mar 2024 |
🎧 LISTEN ON SPOTIFY🎙️LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS
On this week’s episode of Real Talk With Outperformers, Brad welcomes Alex West. Alex West is the CEO of Swoop (ASX:SWP), an ASX-listed Australian founded fixed wireless and wholesale network infrastructure provider, backed by some of Australia’s most impressive entrepreneurs.
Since listing, Swoop has successfully acquired eight businesses including, Speedweb, Countrytell, Voicehub, Luminet, iFibre, Beam Internet and Community Communications.
In this episode, Alex and Brad discuss all things business, including climbing the corporate ladder, going from graduate engineer to CEO, as well as taking a private company to IPO.


Alex’s Journey to CEO

Alex started his career as a graduate engineer at Telstra, before rising through the ranks to join the senior management teams at Superloop, Vocus and PIPE Networks (now TPG). He eventually climbed up the ranks and was selected as CEO of Swoop.

Swoop is an Australian founded fixed wireless infrastructure provider looking to shake up the telecommunications landscape – and Alex has a very strong vision for his team.


Successful IPO and acquisition growth

Alex offers valuable lessons on successful IPO and acquisition growth, highlighting the importance of adaptability, strategic decision-making, and investing in people. By prioritizing the well-being and development of employees, leaders can create a strong foundation for growth, innovation, and long-term success in the competitive business landscape.
One key takeaway is the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities in a rapidly changing market. The company's decision to change course and pursue acquisitions and a listing journey, despite initial plans to wait and get everything right, demonstrates the agility and strategic thinking required for success in the business world. By capitalizing on the favorable market conditions and raising significant funds through IPOs, Swoop was able to fuel its growth and expansion through acquisitions.


Maintain culture through clear communication

Brad and Alex discuss how maintaining culture through clear communication is essential in the context of mergers and acquisitions. The podcast highlights the importance of preserving the culture of the acquiring company while integrating the culture of the acquired company. This process involves understanding the values, behaviours, and expectations of both organizations and aligning them to create a cohesive and productive work environment.

One key aspect of maintaining culture through clear communication is being transparent and upfront about the expectations and goals of the integration process. By clearly communicating the vision, values, and objectives of the combined entity, employees from both companies can understand their roles and responsibilities, as well as how they contribute to the overall success of the organization. This transparency helps to build trust and engagement among employees, which is crucial for retaining talent and driving performance.

Another important element of maintaining culture through clear communication is involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process. This includes not only employees but also executives, founders, and other key individuals from both companies. By soliciting feedback, addressing concerns, and actively listening to the needs of all parties involved, organizations can ensure that everyone feels valued and included in the integration process. This inclusive approach fosters collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of ownership among employees, which are essential for building a strong and resilient organizational culture.


Hard conversations are necessary

As a CEO, Alex reflects on hard conversations, and how they are to ensure the success and sustainability of any company. Alex emphasizes the importance of having difficult conversations with executives and team members to address issues such as conflicting roles, unclear leadership structures, and cultural misalignments. These conversations are crucial for resolving conflicts, making tough decisions, and ultimately driving the integration process forward.

By being transparent, inclusive, and proactive in their communication efforts, organizations can ensure that the values, behaviors, and expectations of both companies are aligned and integrated effectively. This not only promotes a positive work environment but also drives employee engagement, retention, and overall organizational success.


Humble, smart, serving leadership.

Alex highlights three key characteristics of a good CEO: being humble, smart, and practicing serving leadership. These qualities are essential for creating a positive work environment, fostering trust, and driving organizational success.

Firstly, humility is emphasized as a crucial trait for effective leadership. A humble leader does not believe they are the best or know everything. Instead, they are open to feedback, willing to learn from others, and acknowledge their own limitations. By being humble, a leader can earn the respect and trust of their team, creating a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Secondly, intelligence and expertise are highlighted as important qualities for a CEO. A smart leader is knowledgeable in their field, capable of making informed decisions, and skilled at problem-solving. By being smart, a leader can inspire confidence in their team, drive innovation, and lead the organization towards success.

Lastly, serving leadership is identified as a key aspect of effective leadership. A serving leader prioritizes the needs of their team, recognizing that their role is to support and empower their employees. By practicing serving leadership, a leader can build strong relationships, foster a sense of community within the organization, and create a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.


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