Introduction

Today on The Pinpoint Asia Podcast, we welcome Christian Ward, CEO of Daxtra, a leading SaaS recruitment solution. Explore his journey from starting his own company to returning as Daxtra’s CEO, along with insights on scaling a global SaaS business and the impact of Generative AI.

Background

• Could you please tell us what Daxtra is? How big is the business and how many people do you have?
• Let's go back to the beginning - you were a teacher in Taiwan in 2003. Was that more of a explore-the-world phase or did you really think about being a teacher?
• How did the transition to working at Daxtra come about in 2004?
• Why did you leave Daxtra in 2012 and what prompted the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey?
• Your LI profile reads "African sneaker business owner" - tell us about it. How did that happen and what was your role in that business?
• You returned to Daxtra as a CEO last year in 2023. What prompted the return? What lessons did you learn from running your own business that you brought back to Daxtra?

Starting and Scaling a SAAS Business

• What is a SaaS business?
• From your experience, what are the critical first steps for someone with a technology background who wants to start a SAAS company?
• What were some of the most significant challenges Daxtra has faced and continues to face when scaling up?
• What strategies did you use to differentiate Daxtra’s offerings in a competitive SAAS market?

Managing Growth and Global Expansion

• Can you share specific strategies that were pivotal for scaling Daxtra’s operations internationally?
• How do you ensure that Daxtra’s technology and service offerings are adaptable to various markets and client needs?
• How do you manage the complexities of scaling a business while keeping the company culture intact across global teams?
• What is Daxtra's moat and how can you keep low-cost providers from taking away your market share?

Impact of Generative AI on Entrepreneurship

• In your view, how has Generative AI changed the landscape for launching and running a SAAS business?
• Are there particular aspects of building and scaling a SAAS company that have become easier due to advances in AI?
• How is Daxtra leveraging Generative AI in its recruitment solutions, and what impact has this had?
• What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs on using AI tools to their advantage?

Leadership and Team Dynamics

• What qualities do you think are essential for a leader in the SAAS industry?
• How do you foster innovation and keep your team motivated amidst the fast-paced changes in technology?
• Can you share any insights into your approach to hiring, especially for technical and leadership roles in a SAAS business?
• How do you manage collaboration and communication among diverse teams, especially in a remote or hybrid working environment?

Future Trends and Advice

• Where do you see the SAAS industry heading in the next 5 to 10 years, especially with the rapid evolution of AI?
• What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own SAAS businesses in today’s tech landscape?
• How do you stay ahead of competitors and maintain relevance in a constantly evolving industry?
• If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of business advice, what would it be?

Closing Thoughts

• What’s next for Daxtra under your leadership?
• Any final thoughts or words of encouragement for budding SAAS entrepreneurs?