Formative Technical Career

1981 - 1991

Rick began his career as a Radio Technician with the NZPO and later worked as a Radio Inspector. During this time, he was directly involved in the development of remote radio systems designed to overcome the geographical limitations of the existing copper wire network. This project was a direct precursor to the mobile telephone network in New Zealand, marking his first foray into a world-changing technology and establishing a career-long pattern as an early adopter. His technical qualifications from this period include:

• NZ Radio Technician Certificate (1983)

• NZCE (Telecommunications) (1991)

Transition to the Corporate World

1991 - 2003

Shifting from pure technology to the commercial sector, Rick progressed rapidly through a series of sales and management roles at companies including Securacopy (part of Blue Star Print Group) and BJ Ball Papers (part of Carter Holt Harvey). His impact was significant, culminating in an executive role at BJ Ball Papers, where he was a member of the Company Leadership Team managing national sales of $100M/year and a local team generating $1M/month. Even then, he demonstrated his technological foresight by championing the improvement of internal business systems, advocating for tools like early paper-based CRM systems and newer digital tools like the Palm Pilot.

His desire to apply this extensive corporate and technical experience more directly to smaller, more agile organizations prompted his next major career move, leading him away from the executive suite and toward entrepreneurship.

The Mission and Growth of Real Digital Ltd

Founded in 2003 and run successfully until late 2018, Real Digital Ltd evolved from a company focused on building websites into a full-service digital agency. Rick guided clients through successive waves of digital transformation, including the rise of Google search, the complexities of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the new landscape of online advertising, and the emergence of social media marketing. At its peak, the agency grew to include ten employees serving 250 ongoing clients, a testament to its effectiveness and market reputation. As Founder and Managing Director, his responsibilities were comprehensive, encompassing business management, sales, marketing strategy, and a commitment to constant personal and professional upskilling.

Multiple Google Certifications

• Multiple Google Certifications (2007 - 2018)

• Microsoft Cloud Certification (2013)

This era solidified his reputation as a trusted digital advisor for SMEs. Having successfully built and run his agency for over fifteen years, he took time for personal reflection, which led to a new and purposeful application for his skills.

Rick's dedication to staying at the forefront of the industry is reflected in the professional qualifications he earned during this period:

A Synthesis of Vision, Creativity, and Practicality

Throughout a career spanning four decades of profound technological change, a set of defining characteristics has remained constant in Rick Wallace's professional identity. He is a "serial early adopter of new technologies," driven by a passion for leveraging digital tools to do things better. This forward-looking perspective is balanced with a unique ability to bring a "fresh new look to a company" and identify non-obvious opportunities that others may have missed.

Core Philosophy:

At the core of his approach is a "natural creative problem-solving ability," which allows him to devise elegant digital solutions and automations that tangibly improve business efficiency. This is all grounded in a foundational commitment to helping small and medium-sized businesses harness the power of technology to achieve their strategic objectives. As he embarks on his latest venture, Rick Wallace stands as a uniquely qualified and visionary partner for businesses seeking to successfully implement AI and navigate the next frontier of digital transformation.