EDUCATION BLOG

GestureTek is the pioneer, patent-holder and world leader in gesture-recognition technology and computer vision control for information, presentation and entertainment systems.  Their revolutionary video gesture control software allows users to control interactive content, access information, manipulate special effects or immerse themselves in a 3D virtual universe, all with simple hand and body movements.

  Their gesture-recognition technology is utilized by Fortune 500 firms, such as CNN, NASA, BMW, Ford, Oracle, Intel, IBM, Federal Express, Autodesk, and Panasonic, to name a few.  Their list of patent and software licensees includes Microsoft, Sony, Hasbro, and NTT DoCoMo.

  I had a chance to talk with Vincent John Vincent, President, co-founder and recognized gesture-technology guru recently about GestureTek, the work environment the company provides for the employees they hire and their plans for the future.

  "The world of gesture-recognition has taken off in the last few years Mr. Vincent, what are your firm's plans for future hiring pushes at GestureTek?"

  "In the past 5 years, GestureTek's employee growth has averaged approximately 30% per year.  Although we have no plans in 2008 for a major enterprise-wide hiring push, we are currently in need of software programmers, computer vision programmers, a product manager, sales and business development account reps for our interactive display business, as well as technicians for our interactive display business who would be responsible for setting up client installations and making them operational."

  "What technologies that your company currently uses appeals to customers and developers in your industry?"

  "Our gesture-recognition technologies appeal to application developers, original equipment manufacturers and game developers in many industries. This includes museums, science centres, location-based entertainment facilities, amusement parks, retail stores, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, trade show exhibitors, event planners, real estate presentation centres and showrooms, architects and designers, Fortune 500 corporations who have boardrooms, showrooms and presentation centres, healthcare organizations, television networks, original equipment manufacturers who make camera enabled hardware (such as mobile devices, pc's, set-top boxes, and consoles), application developers, game developers, audio visual integrators, advertisers and marketers, and digital signage solution providers.

  "What advice would you give to a prospective employee who wanted to obtain employment with GestureTek?"

  "Be patient.  Be persistent. Let us know how and why you will be able to help take GestureTek to the next level to which it is heading."

  "What does a typical day for an employee look like at GestureTek?"

  "This really depends on the nature of the job.  Let's assume we're talking about an operational employee involved in executing on client projects. A typical day would involve liaising with vendors to source or purchase services or components, scheduling various activities associated with the installation, liaising with clients on project-related issues, liaising with internal sales-representatives on project-related issues, liaising with development staff to resolve technical issues associated with client installations, shipping components to installation sites, documenting data and updating project plans. Whatever position you may occupy within the company there is plenty of opportunity to be creative and to help the company evolve the ideas and products for which it has become so famous."

   "Give our readers a rough outline of the background of your current employees."

  "Many are used to working for smaller companies.  Many have technical, application development or operational experience. Many have a production or manufacturing background.  Most are college or university educated.  Of those with university education, many have degrees in computer science or computer engineering."

  "What do you like best about working at GestureTek?"

   "It's great because no day is ever the same.  The fast-paced, competitive nature of the business can provide a real adrenalin rush because everyone is constantly shifting into high-gear to win a job or execute on a job.  As is typical in an entrepreneurial company, everyone has too much to do, too little time and too few resources.  It's always a challenge to execute client jobs with 100% accuracy at lightening speed."

  "Describe the office environment around GestureTek."

  "It's a fairly casual environment.  People work hard (sometimes too hard) but they also have fun.  As is common in an entrepreneurial company, everyone is so busy doing their own jobs that they don't always have the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the broader business strategy.  GestureTek is currently looking for ways to expand and enhance internal communications within the company, and to make the company an even more fun place to work."

  "What qualities does GestureTek look for most in prospective employees?"

  "What GestureTek looks for in an employee depends on the position.  Certainly specialized expertise in application development, vision programming, etc. is critical for certain technical positions.  In general, GestureTek needs what every other entrepreneurial company needs - positive employees who are self-starters, who demonstrate a can-do attitude, who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard, who are flexible enough to pitch in and do things that might not necessarily be in their job description, and who are nimble enough to switch gears when the needs of the business change. "

  "How many of your employees have been with GestureTek for over ten years?  How many were hired in the last year?"

  "Ten years ago, we were a small start-up with very minimal employees.  As a result, only a small number of our employees, with the exception of GestureTek's two co-founders, have been with the company for more than 10 years.  Last year, from January 07 until the present, about 12 employees were hired."

  "If an employee makes a mistake that costs the company money and negatively effects its image, what, if any, disciplinary action does the firm take?"

  "Mistakes are normal and human.  If this happened, the employee's manager would notify the employee of the error, discuss how the error could have been avoided, and agree on future strategies for minimizing the likelihood of the error happening again.  Serious errors are less likely to occur in environments where operational processes and financial guidelines are clearly documented.  It's incumbent upon senior management to share guidelines and procedures with employees so that they understand what is expected of them.  In an ideal environment, employees are praised and rewarded for conducting due diligence and for taking an active role in identifying and preventing mistakes that could cost the company money and negatively affect its image."

  "How would you describe the culture at GestureTek?"

  "Our culture is an interesting blend of traditional and new age management thinking.  As is common in many entrepreneurial companies, the co-founders feel an incredible sense of ownership and accountability to the company, so they enjoy being involved in many aspects of the day to day business.  As the company has grown and the skills and capabilities of the GestureTek management team has increased, we have naturally experienced a few ‘growing pains', since the role of the owners has changed to focus more on building the roadmap for future growth and success of the business.  Similarly, as is natural in an entrepreneurial business, employees are encouraged to show initiative and take responsibility for their actions, yet at the same time, they are encouraged to keep the co-founders in the loop. A great deal of knowledge and experience lies with the co-founders of the company which, if tapped, can help avoid mishaps."

  "How much authority and responsibility is given to employees?"

  "Employee ownership and accountability is encouraged and authority and responsibility is readily given to employees who prove they can handle it.  It's important to note, though, that the nature of our business in developing custom gesture-control applications requires thorough attention to detail, rigorous adherence to project specifications and constant communication and collaboration between team members to ensure the smooth execution of a project.  This business may not always be conducive to the ‘maverick' approach to doing business.  It's not good business practice to ‘reinvent the wheel' every time, or to try new and unproven processes or procedures in order to complete a project."

  On behalf of everyone at trenchmice.com, I would like to thank Mr. Vincent for talking with us today about GestureTek and answering our questions.