Get all the inside scoop on new company Upscale from General Manager Jari Worsley in our exclusive interview.
Hi Jari, can you tell us a bit more about The Adaptavist Group’s newest brand, Upscale?
Why did you decide to create a new brand?
As a brand, what are you most focused on?
Work can be hard enough without tools getting in the way. We want to make every workday easier with apps that deliver real value. There is a lot of craft, insight, research, sweat, failure and learning that goes into doing this well. But we are more than ready to take on that challenge!
Can you tell us about your role at Upscale?
My role is both general and varied, which keeps it interesting. One moment, I could be working on strategy, looking years ahead, and then later in the day, tackling a current challenge, supporting partners, or mapping things out with Finance. Ultimately, my role is all about people, giving them direction, coaching, and asking the right questions (just ask my team about my questions!).
What’s important to you as a leader?
Great question. For me, it means continuing to learn and develop both for myself and to set an example for my team. For years now, I’ve been fortunate to have a coach who really helps me focus on this.
I value characteristics like curiosity, honesty, openness and empathy in those I’m fortunate enough to lead. Though, if I had to pick the trait I value most, it would be curiosity. The curious mind looks outside the self to the world and people around it. If we can be curious, act, and make tomorrow slightly better than today, then we can all go on to do great things.
What led you to a career in tech?
It might sound old-fashioned and quite basic, but at heart, I like to understand people and their problems and then build software that people find valuable. It’s why I got into software right at the beginning of my career. I like problem-solving, creating, and the gratification that comes with helping someone do something new or better than before.
How do you see Upscale improving how people work?
Let’s start with improving how people use work apps and grow from there. Making tomorrow better than today is a good place to start and see where that takes us.
Why the name Upscale?
We spent a lot of time thinking about the name of our brand. We wanted to find one that summed up the experience we want to offer customers and reflects the positive change we want to bring to the workplace. Upscale means to make something better, bigger, or more powerful, which we believe aligns perfectly with our goal to help customers excel every day.
What exciting plans does Upscale have in the near future?
What does success look like for Upscale?
Success? There are many measures of success that I could choose. That’s part of the challenge with any organisation. People have their own way of framing and thinking about their work and whether it is successful or not.
At Upscale, my view of success will be centred around the customer since that’s the only thing that matters in the end. Ultimately, I want our customers to value and love our apps so much that they recommend them to others.
In your spare time, how do you relax?
Like many of us, I struggle to switch off sometimes. It’s a peril of working at home. Luckily, I have a separate home office that I can close the door on at the end of the day. I find alternative focus helps. I have amassed far too many hobbies over the years.
All to try and satisfy my curiosity! I have a garden to cultivate and maintain, the longer-term perspective is really beneficial. I like to look after both mind and body, so I’ll always take you up on the offer of a good walk – or a good walk spoiled (yes, I’m a very average high handicap golfer). My gym card is not gathering dust – resistance training is really important for all ages. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!
