In the most recent instalment of our Cultiv8 Employee Series, Jordan Holmes, Director of Talent Operations at Continent 8, engaged in a captivating conversation with Tej Pillay, our new South African-based Cloud Technical Specialist. Tej’s passion for the latest cloud advancements, coupled with his current projects and enthusiasm for the Continent 8 journey, promises an innovative and dynamic approach to our cloud initiatives.
Hi Tej! Can you tell us a little but about yourself and your role as a Cloud Technical Specialist at Continent 8?
Absolutely! I am deeply passionate about everything cloud and open source. My intrinsic drive lies in fostering innovation and streamlining processes through automation, which fuels my enthusiasm for each workday.
As a Cloud Technical Specialist, my primary objective is to harness my expertise and experience to enhance team efficiency through automation strategies. Additionally, I am dedicated to championing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and refined processes within Continent 8, thereby contributing to the organisation’s growth and success.
How will your previous experiences benefit the role?
My career journey has been a blend of software development and a deep dive into system design and operations within the IT sector. Initially, I honed my skills in software development, gaining insights into the end-to-end process of developing, maintaining and deploying enterprise software solutions. Transitioning to the latter half of my career, I delved into infrastructure and operations roles across diverse industries, including the dynamic field of iGaming.
During this phase, I had the privilege of collaborating with multifaceted business units, spanning infrastructure, platforms, monitoring, networking and security. By advocating for and implementing DevOps principles, I facilitated seamless coordination between these teams, fostering a culture of efficiency and innovation. Drawing from this rich tapestry of experiences, I am well-equipped to bring a holistic perspective to my role as a Cloud Technical Specialist at Continent 8, driving operational excellence and technological advancement within the organisation.
What attracted you to the role and to joining the Continent 8 team? What do you enjoy most about your job?
The allure of collaborating with diverse teams and empowering them to achieve their objectives through automation stands out as the most rewarding aspect of my role.
When it comes to what drew me to Continent 8, it was undoubtedly the people. The genuine sense of camaraderie and strong work ethic within the team resonated with me, creating a familial atmosphere that fosters collaboration and success. Moreover, Continent 8’s unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction played a pivotal role in my decision to join the organisation.
What I find most gratifying about my job is the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals who share a common goal of delivering excellence to our customers. The supportive environment at Continent 8 not only encourages innovation but also nurtures personal and professional growth, making each day a fulfilling journey of learning and achievement.
Can you describe some of the challenges you face as a Cloud Technical Specialist? How do you also stay up to date on the latest cloud developments?
As a Cloud Technical Specialist, one of the primary challenges I face is navigating the rapid evolution of the IT industry. With the landscape constantly changing, selecting the most suitable tools, processes and designs can be a daunting task. To address this challenge, I prioritise staying informed about the latest developments in cloud technology.
I employ a multifaceted approach to stay up to date, which includes regularly engaging with whitepapers, technology blogs, webinars and forums. These resources provide valuable insights into emerging trends, best practices and innovative solutions within the cloud domain. Additionally, active participation in the open-source community enables me to collaborate with industry experts and gain first-hand knowledge of what strategies and technologies are proving effective in the ever-expanding tech landscape.
By consistently immersing myself in these learning opportunities and leveraging the collective wisdom of the tech community, I ensure that I am well-equipped to address the challenges of my role and deliver optimal cloud solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
How do you align with Continent 8’s culture and values of Active Ownership, Purposeful Creativity and/or Genuine Care?
In my role, I find that my approach to automation and innovation naturally aligns with the company’s values of Active Ownership, Purposeful Creativity and Genuine Care.
I take pride in taking ownership of driving progress and efficiency within my team by actively working on automation solutions and collaborating with diverse teams to help them achieve their goals. This sense of Active Ownership resonates with Continent 8’s culture of taking responsibility and driving positive change within the organisation.
Can you talk through some of the new initiatives you will be working on?
One of the significant initiatives I am currently focusing on is our partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide our customers with a platform that leverages a hyperscale cloud environment that is both secure and compliant within the betting and gaming industry. This initiative is particularly exciting as it involves integrating cutting-edge cloud technologies to enhance our services and offer our clients a robust and regulated platform for their operations.
By collaborating with AWS, we aim to leverage their advanced cloud infrastructure and security capabilities to create a secure and scalable environment tailored to the specific needs of the betting and gaming industry.
Any final thoughts?
I’m thrilled to have joined the Continent 8 team and am eager to immerse myself in the iGaming industry. I see this opportunity as a platform for continuous learning, personal growth and professional development. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to Continent 8’s success and being part of a team that is dedicated to delivering excellence to our customers.
