Google Kenya boss chats about luck, work and shoes

He lives by the mantra that life is 80 per cent luck and 20 per cent you taking advantage of it.

With an educational background in psychology and architecture, Charles Murito entered the media world by chance. Today as the Google Kenya country manager he is keen to tell anyone who cares to listen how they can use technology as a means to an end and boost their business by going online.

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So how best would you describe yourself?

I am very pragmatic and blunt about things in my life. I say what I think even if it’s not the generally accepted practice.

You must get into a lot of conflicts?

Not really. I think in life you have to value what each person brings to the table because we are passionate and believe in what we do.

You studied architecture. How did you end up working in tech?

Architecture and technology actually use the same fundamentals in terms of structure – physics, math, statistics and even quantitative methods. I only did one year of architecture before I settled into a degree in psychology and management. Then I stumbled upon media by chance and have ended up working in it for my entire career.

Stumbled into media?

It was not my intention. I wanted to actually run a business so I sent out a bunch of CVs to companies I knew had management training programmes, including Goldman Sachs, General Electric and JP Morgan. One of the people to call me back was a recruiting company retained by Warner Brothers and I thought it would be interesting for me to work in the media.

Any memorable times?

Best moments was when we started looking at the possibility of delivering content online, which was new because the debate at the time was how big is your TV screen. Getting episodes of Two and a Half Men for a catch-up basis online every week provided us with another revenue generation platform for advertising.

So it must have been a smooth transition to Turner Broadcasting?

No. Actually I quit my job in the US and moved to London even before I got the job. I felt I needed a change and around 2008, Europe was just opening up in terms of the opportunities available on the Internet. Kind of where Kenya is today.

Is that when you left TV?

Interestingly, I left TV 10 months ago when I moved to Google. I came back to Kenya in 2013 as the chief commercial officer for Zuku but I am still in the media (laughs). I haven’t left yet.

You didn’t have any tech experience and still applied for the job at Google?

It was a great leap of faith because I had not worked for a purely technology company but at the end of the day, there are very similar parallels. When I was at Zuku, one of the things I did was sell advertising which is close to what I am doing here by giving brands an online platform to reach customers through Google advertising.

So there was no fear?

At the time I thought it was really interesting to work for an organisation like Google. Not exactly the right time because I loved what I was doing at Zuku, but hey, how often does a role like that come up?

How is your workday?

I wake up between 5am and 5.30am. For me, no day is the same – what remains constant is the fact that we always have to find solutions for various clients. I usually get home around 8pm or 9pm depending on whether I have evening meetings. My wife really doesn’t like that so whenever I can, I take her along because I believe it is important for me to spend time with her.

Charming. So where is the most romantic place you’ve taken her recently?

I would have to say, The Maji in Diani right after we got married last October.

So you are recently married and in a new job. How is that going?

My job is actually an extension of who I am as an individual.

Explain.

If you enjoy what you do, then the whole issue of work-life balance is overrated. I only do what I love, and yes, there are days when I am frustrated, but on the whole I have fun when I am working.

What is the one thing people don’t know about you?

I have always been a business person since I can remember. Back in the day when I was in Nairobi Primary, I started selling marbles and I discovered that I could buy 20 marbles in a sachet for Sh5 and sell each marble for a shilling.

What is your favourite meal?

Bhajias from Slush.

You are not health conscious?

It’s my favourite food but that doesn’t mean I eat it all the time.

What is your favourite attire?

I am in jeans, a shirt and a jacket when it’s a formal occasion but mostly T-shirts. I love shoes.

Really, how many pairs?

Haven’t really counted them but I think I have more pairs than my wife. My shoes, mostly sneakers, always have to match the colour of the T-shirt I am wearing.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is fear itself. Saying what the worst that could happen is and taking calculated risks. I quit my job after being promoted and moved to London which was risky but that has led me to where I am today.

Aside from work, what else do you love doing?

I do a lot of mentoring. I’m currently working with some youth enrolled in the presidential digital programme. I am also working with many artists locally and hopefully, by the end of the year, I will be able to set up an online art exchange where customers can directly buy their amazing paintings without any middle-men.

What’s the one advice you are always giving?

Everything you do is a business. You have to think about it in dollars and cents, looking at how it impacts the society that you live in to actually make the lives of people better.

Any preferred holiday destination?

I haven’t been on holiday since I moved back home. I just never have the time though I am hoping to take one very soon and see what Kenya has to offer.

I have to ask, do you actually use Google stuff?

One of the things I actually can’t live without is Waze. It’s one of the best tools for me driving around Nairobi. (Laughing) There was a day I was taking the whole team out to a restaurant in Lavington, Mama Ashanti, we got lost a couple of times and actually found our way through Maps.

Traffic must be your biggest irritant?

Surprisingly, I do not mind Nairobi’s traffic .What really irritates me is people who are selfish. I strongly believe if people were more thoughtful, the world would be a much better place.

What car are you driving?

No. I don’t want to talk about material possessions. But I do love cars.

So what do you value the most?

At this point of my life, the most important thing is having impact in everything I do. When I was younger, career and getting ahead was very important but I am content with what I have achieved. Being able to actually help others and impact their lives is really important.

What’s your key to success?

There is no get-rich-quick shortcut in life. You have to work extremely hard then take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. Life is 80 per cent luck and 20 per cent you taking advantage of this luck.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

God-willing, I want to be here doing the same thing I am doing. Hopefully, by then, it will be easier.