redPanda Software, which already serves some of the biggest retailers in the country, will grow 30% in 2025.
This astounding growth is not surprising; it is inspired by redPanda Software’s DNA: its bold decision to maintain its laser-sharp focus on retail. Beyond this, redPanda Software MD Gerhard Nortje says the growth, in both new business and staff, is testament to a company culture that infuses every aspect of work life.
“The surge in growth, built on the stability of the business, no doubt stems from our bold choice to stay highly focused on our speciality. While it may be tempting for software companies to chase the low-hanging fruit of working anywhere, we believe fervently in doing the opposite, in creating a flywheel effect. Deep retail expertise breeds trust, trust fuels growth, and growth sharpens expertise,” explains Nortje. “That’s our way, and the proof is in the numbers.”
He says that as the flywheel gains momentum, clients take notice. He says redPanda Software’s growth comes from expanding existing contracts as well as new business. Then, he says, in the longer-term cycle of signing up new business, the faster the flywheel is spinning, the more new proposals turn into business. “This is what is happening now. These three avenues of new business have translated into redPanda Software growing by a third this year alone!” says Nortje.
He says that another important ingredient in the business’s growth strategy is that it has remained independent. “We don’t push any agenda. What does this mean? It means we are beholden to no one and will not force any solution on anyone. Rather, we deeply understand customer needs and tailor a unique solution for each retailer. This builds experience and expertise, and it is a philosophy we boldly stand behind because history is the greatest judge and history, up to and including the present, tells us we are right.
“Over time, this unrelenting purpose to find solutions in the customer’s best interest results in even further growth. This reputation sticks. Recently, one of the biggest retailers in the country approached us to run their RFP process. This is because they trust our expertise and, importantly, trust our ethos to match the best possible solutions to their business needs,” he explains.
Turning the lens inwards, Nortje says the company’s growth has demanded a deep and deliberate investment in building a strong company culture. “Growth needs people. However, our recruitment is about more than just the required skills. Of course, those matter, but what matters more is finding the right fit for the company. We look for people who want to find a home in redPanda Software, especially for senior roles like architects and senior developers who form the company’s backbone,” says Nortje.
“And so, recruitment, just like our people management, is not a checklist. It is infused with finding people that resonate with redPanda Software’s values of accountability, harmony and pride. We talk about our values every day. Our culture is very much a living thing with a pulse.”
In the past year, six hires were former staff, he says. This is testament to staff leaving to broaden their horizons and then actively choosing to come back. “They left to see the world, had a good look, and then came back and said ‘nothing out there is better than redPanda!’ This talks about a successful recruitment, onboarding, career path and performance management strategy that makes people want to work at redPanda Software.
“It takes effort from everyone to create a culture like this that people want to be a part of. It is incredibly important to sustain the immense growth of the business. People give a lot of their time to their work, no matter if it’s through a flexi-hour or hybrid work model, because we are a business that understands life.
“This mutual give-and-take, between the company and staff, keeps the culture humming. It is powered by mature staff, staff who want to grow, who want to run with the opportunities given to them. We can’t do that for an employee; they must be self-driven, and so we actively recruit senior architects, developers and others with this lens.”
Nortje says that attracting the right senior people to power the rapid growth of redPanda Software is made easier by the business’s technology strategy. “Software architects and developers revel in a well-designed, stable and future-proofed tech strategy. There’s no trend for trend’s sake in our business.
“Our developers get to work on and reinforce their expertise in time-tested legacy systems as well as cutting-edge innovations. That’s important to senior-level developers and architects, the opportunity to work across a broad spectrum of technologies, including our partnerships with best-of-breed international brands such as Flooid, Toshiba, Loyal Guru, amongst others,” he says.
Are you looking for a high-energy, dynamic work environment where you can work on exciting projects with a talented team? redPanda Software could be the right fit for you. Visit our Careers Page to find the ideal position for you.