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Anton Perkin. I will send you a photo as soon as we create the XOR flag

Interview with Anton Perkin. Let's skip his position here, because it’s the subject of the interview. Be great together powered by Tekwill Section

#INTERVIEW

I don’t know why, but I remember forever one less important conversation that I had many years ago. At that time, the Russian newspaper “КоммерсантЪ” was still a style icon for business publications in all the CIS countries. “Ъ” had a column called “Переходы”. About how top managers of the largest companies change jobs. Because it was absolutely clear that if the director of “Gazprom” went to work for the bank “X”, then the bank “X” was not a simple bank.

At that time, Liliana Urschi, who was director of a large network advertising agency, asked me: “Pasha, why don’t you make such a column on allmoldova?”. I had a burning desire to do so, but I didn’t made the column.

When I was preparing this interview, I recalled that conversation. It perfectly matches the reason for the interview. And here is the conversation itself.

Hi, Anton. As long as I know you, for me you are the owner and director of FusionWorks. But now everything has changed, hasn’t it?

No, why. My partner and I have remained the owners of FusionWorks. But if previously we have used to spend on FusionWorks all our time, now we will have at least 150% of the time. We will dedicate 100% to XOR, but FusionWorks will not be left without our attention. In addition, we have not been building business processes at FusionWorks for so many years in vain! The company has reliable hands that will deal with operational management.

I have heard from Nikolai about your negotiations, but waited until they ended. So?

Nikolai and I have known each other for a very long time. For many years our paths have crossed on various issues; he have spoke at our conferences, my sister has worked for him, so we have a decent experience of knowing each other. Well, this autumn, Nikolai made me an offer to lead the development of the XOR product.

Given that it’s winter now, even if it is more like autumn, the negotiations weren’t easy, were they?

Pavel, you probably already know that the best marriage is a marriage of convenience. My decision was not a split-second decision, we had something to discuss, but this helped to make a balanced decision. For me, this is a very serious and important step. I have been outsourcing for many years. Our experiments with our own products were a hobby rather than a serious business. And now I immerse myself in the “grocery” story.

You have a rather large team at FusionWorks. I remember that you hardly accommodated in the mansion that you occupied at that time. And at XOR?

My new development team is not small, 30 people. We deal with product development and testing.

If this does not violate the non-disclosure provisions, how do you assess the XOR product from the outside?

XOR is now on its way from a start-up to a corporation. All this time the product was rapidly growing. It is clear that with all the product features, which is made quickly and has many small “turns” and adjustments along the development path. Now we shall structure and develop it subject to the needs of a mature business while keeping the product core.

Will the profile be kept?

Certainly. The XOR product is a tool for recruiting companies and large companies that recruit. It’s a tool to quickly and conveniently hire new employees.

Have you previously faced the challenges of building artificial intelligence?

No. And this aspect of the XOR tasks has influenced my final decision about the transition. Professionally, it is very interesting to directly engage in such tasks.

How are the first days of work? How has the team welcomed you?

I have introduced myself to the team and had exactly as many conversations as there have been people in the team, i.e. thirty. In each conversation, two questions have been important to me. What each team member would like to improve for him/herself after my arrival, and what he/she would like to improve in the company or in the product. It is clear that it’s a little unusual to claim to be a “captain” again after so many years of work in my company, but it’s even interesting. It’s a kind of challenge.

As far as I remember you, team building has never been in the last place for you…

I and my partner will bring to XOR all the best that forms a team. Today, whatever one may say, XOR is the most popular and most powerful start-up in Moldova. And we want our team to be the best as well. I want the best developers to be eager to work for us. For professional tasks, for salary and for the atmosphere of work.

Will you recruit people?

Yes. There are more tasks and new specialists will be needed, I think, throughout the whole year. But the shoemaker will definitely not remain without boots in our case. Staff selection and development is one of the priority tasks for me. Fortunately, given our office in San Francisco, it will be easier to plan education and advanced training. We are already looking for a .NET developer  and a QA Automation Engineer 

Will you have time for the next trip to Nepal or Kilimanjaro this year?

No, this year will be for me like for an aging rock star. I will post from time to time old hits with signatures on social networks: “When I was young and climbed Kilimanjaro”. Although there is a plan to climb the highest points this year in several countries. It will rather be Ukraine and Romania than Tibet. By the way, Pavel, has anyone ever send regards in your interviews?

Like at Yakubovich show? Nobody so far…

May I send regards to Andrey Elistratov, my adventure partner, with wishes not to go anywhere this year, and also to finally make a normal discount for me for Jaguar or LandRover?

Anton, I can’t refuse. I’m even teasing Andrey. And, since we have relaxed, then advise what TV series about “IT people” is worth watching for both entertainment and enlightenment?

“Silicon Valley”. And do not repeat the common mistake; do not say “siliceous”. It is not siliceous, but silicon. But better watch the series that I have just finished watching. “Why Women Kill”. It’s …

Anton, I will interrupt you. The two of us will not be suspected of paid advertising. I have just watched it. Only ten episodes and I could not tear myself away. I even know how to describe it briefly. This is the “pin up” version of “Fargo”. Those who like “Fargo” will understand. Required to be viewed.

Pavel Zingan

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