MYOB head's focus on life outside work

Craig Winkler

Craig Winkler is trying to change the world, one fishing trip at a time.

As co-founder and chief executive of business management software provider MYOB, Winkler is passionate about getting his clients home to their families and their lives outside the office a little quicker.

All the bells and whistles in the world won't do a thing for your bottom line if they don't do that, he believes.

"The intention in getting things out there is to make running a business as easy as possible," Winkler said during a visit to Auckland from his Melbourne base.

Although the early 1990s spelled the death knell for thousands of up-and-coming tech entrepreneurs, MYOB has carved a lucrative niche, providing a range of software and customer service suites from simple cash-book automation to full accounting services, all with the aim of making it easier for small and mid-sized businesses to manage their money more effectively.

"It's not really about technology. That's just a tool that we use. What we're trying to deliver is a better quality of life for our clients, to maybe give them a weekend home with their families," he said.

Administration of governmental responsibilities can be maddeningly difficult for a small-business owner, but MYOB provides tools that take the aggravation out, often with just a few keystrokes.

Instead of having to calculate pension deductions and maintain elaborate spreadsheets, MYOB's applications enable small-business owners to simply punch in the required fields, hit the submit button and the funds, with the required data, go to the appropriate agencies.

From humble beginnings in a bedroom in 1991, MYOB now has a listing on the ASE, market capitalisation of just over $500 billion and operations in eight countries.

Managing that growth is Winkler's biggest challenge.

As well as software packages such as BankConnect and WebConnect, MYOB offers 24-hour support through call centres and its online database.

A hands-on CEO, Winkler is frequently on the road, trying to visit his international operations at least twice a year. Maintaining that focus can be difficult, especially when tens of millions of dollars of capital are sloshing around for new product development.

The temptations to diversify can be great but, "if we are drifting, if we get to that point, it's over. The critical dividing line is delivering a good outcome for our customers." 

Craig Winkler

* Who: Co-founder and CEO of small-business accounting software solution provider MYOB.
* Favourite gadget: "iPod, particularly good for when I'm visiting offices."
* Next big thing: "I'm not too sure. There are too many more big bangs out there."
* Alternative career: "This is my alternate career, so this is it and I'm enjoying every minute of it."
* Spare time: "Walking out in the bush with my kids."
* Favourite sci-fi movie: Mars Attacks.