David Hallam, Founder and Managing Director of Saxilby-based software specialist OrderWise recently headed back to the classroom to talk to students from the University of Lincoln.
David gave a lecture to forty-five second-year Innovation and Business Management MBA students who took time out from their studies to hear his story, which stems from humble beginnings in the early 90s when a lack of job opportunities meant writing his own code and creating the basis for what OrderWise is today.
David said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to speak to the next generation of business entrepreneurs. I hope that my story inspired them to continue on their own paths. The one thing I hope they took away with them was my sense of determination from my early days and the respect for people and their personalities that I try and bring to the surface in our everyday business.”
The lecture included how David manages a team of nearly 180 staff and touched on the future of the company, which is to include automation and robotics.
Professor David Charles, Deputy Head of the Business School, said: “It was great to have David come and speak to our students. OrderWise is a fascinating company and their success locally and David’s fresh take on business was why we invited him to speak. Our students appreciate any insight into startups, sustaining growth and decision-making and David gave excellent examples of all three.”
OrderWise has grown quickly over the past six years. Earlier in the year the firm completed a £1.3 million expansion, increasing its premises by 14,000 square feet in line with its ambitious growth plans. Over the past 12 months it has also opened a staff café and invested in internal training and development.
Pictured are: (L-R) Jialin Hardwick, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Lincoln, David Hallam, Managing Director of OrderWise and Professor David Charles, Deputy Head of the Business School at the University of Lincoln.
