Shawn de Roock
Marketing and Sales Manager

Shawn de Roock started his career studying electrical engineering - he had previously entertained himself by fixing audio equipment - but soon found himself bored and looking for something that stimulated his mind and made use of his technical skills.

Computers proved to be the challenge he was looking for. Despite not even knowing how to switch one on when he started working for a retailer back in 1991, he discovered he had found his niche in the constantly evolving world of Internet technology.

De Roock worked his way through the ranks, from working the floor to managing a retail outlet, operating in the arena of dealers and distribution, studying the technical aspects of computers before managing projects and becoming a solutions consultant.

It is this background that has given him the skills and confidence to handle Software Colors' marketing and sales requirements. 'I've been lucky in that I've worked for small companies where you become versatile,' says De Roock.

In between, he did a course on small business management - 'It's strange how these things happen. It was just something I thought I should do and now it's come in so handy as I have to be able to write business plans.'

He met Software Colors managing director Celestine Donough at a meeting in 2001 and the pair started talking about SAP. 'We clicked. He had an inspiring vision for e-marketing and he asked me to make a business case for e-marketing in the tourism sector.'

Shortly afterwards, De Roock joined Donough and Wehrle at Software Colors. 'For the first year, I worked from home but I believed implicitly in the company. Then the tender for Cape Town Routes Unlimited was announced and we were awarded the contract to implement the Tiscover destination management system, so we were in business,' De Roock explained.

It is an exciting time to be in the technology sector, he says. 'The IT sector has come full circle. IT started out by driving business, and now business drives IT.'

De Roock is single. 'I'm devoted to business,' he laughs. 'I can't switch off. If I was married, I couldn't take the risks in my career that I have.'

Nevertheless, he has a stressful job, one that is challenging perceptions of e-commerce, of destination marketing and most importantly, of those working in the tourism sector who are just plain afraid of the technology required to take tourism into the 21st Century.

How does he relax? De Roock laughs. 'I go to gym, I love walking on the beach and there's nothing better than hitting the road and going for a long drive. Destination unknown!'