The 10 Best Performing CEOs to Watch In 2020 June2020

Editor’s Desk

Agood business is not just a result of hard

Leading with Good Decisions!

work and determination, but making the right decisions by the leader too. Being decisive, is an important trait that every leader must possess. The chief executive officer is the representative as well as the sole leader who is capable to take organizations to its utter most heights

One of the most cherished person, who was also a pioneer in the success and introduction of personal computing, Steve Jobs was fond of quality and how it can affect business. He always have focused on creating better quality products in an attempt to entice his consumers as well as earn their satisfaction with the product. He stands as a perfect example on how one or a company must emphasize over better quality and understands its significance created on consumers’ experience.

Insights Success understands such leaders’ hectic journey and appreciates their wholesome contribution to their respective sectors. And takes pride in featuring various such leaders in its special edition, “The 10 Best Performing CEOs to Watch in 2020 ” This issue focuses on some best performing CEOs out there who have made a significant mark in the industry

Here is the cover for the edition, “An inspiring mission is the most powerful motivation engine. My team does not wake up in the morning to grow our EBITDA, they wake up because what they do during the day contributes to potentially lifesaving initiatives,” says Benoit Bouche. He is the CEO of Nexelis, a leading provider of assay development and advanced laboratory testing services in the infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, and oncology fields Infectious diseases is a core business for Nexelis and according to Benoit “the COVID19 has placed our different labs at the core of multiple R&D initiatives with an incredible number of projects initiated in a very short period of time. I can feel every day the pride of our scientists to contribute to the effort.”

Let’s unveil such alike, inspiring stories and interviews of many such passionate leaders in this special edition and spread a word about their contribution in making this world a better place. Also, while flipping the pages, don’t forget to go through the articles and CXOs written by our in-house editorial team and industry experts respectively

Bhushan Ghate

Benoit Bouche CEO

enoit OUCHEB

A Proficient of Pharmaceutical

I view politics and lack of transparency as the main poisons against efficiency in a corporation.‘‘

An inspiring mission is the most powerful motivation engine. My team does not wake up in the morning to grow our EBITDA, they wake up because what they do during the day contributes to potentially lifesaving initiatives,” saysBenoitBouche HeistheCEOofNexelis,aleadingproviderofassay developmentandadvancedlaboratorytestingservicesin theinfectiousdiseases,metabolicdiseases,andoncology fields.

InfectiousdiseasesisacorebusinessforNexelisand accordingtoBenoit “the COVID-19 has placed our different labs at the core of multiple R&D initiatives with an incredible number of projects initiated in a very short period of time. I can feel every day the pride of our scientists to contribute to the effort.”

AProficientandTheCompany

Benoithasspentover30yearsgrowinghealthcare businessesandsolvingfastgrowth-relatedissuesasan entrepreneur,investor,advisor,orboardmember.Hehas adualscientific(PharmDPharmacy1984;PhD PharmaceuticalSciences/Biotechnology1986)and business(AdvancedManagementProgramHarvard

BusinessSchool2002)education.Hisprofessional backgroundenabledhimtogainanin-depthknowledge ofallaspectsofahealthcareventurestagecompanyand toknowhowtofavorunderstandingandcollaboration betweenscientificandbusinesspersons.Hejoined NEOMED-LABSin2017withtheassignmentto transformavaccineR&Dunitthathadbeenspun-off fromGSKin2015with55peopleintoanimmunologycentricglobaladvancedlabtestingservicesprovider.He ledaMBObackedbyAmpersandCapitalinJuly2018, acquiredPacificBiomarkers,PAIRimmune,and ImmunXpertssincethatdateandthecompanynow rebrandedasNexelishasmorethanquadrupleditssize intwoyears.

Benoitcameonboardwiththestrongconvictionthatthe concentrationintheContractResearchOrganization (“CRO”)marketleftbroadopenincredibleopportunities tocompaniescapableofshowingsuperioragilitythan multinationalCROgiantswhosesizeandoverheadsare ahandicapforturnaroundtimeoptimizationpurposes Commentingwhathasbeendonetodate,headds “Having built an organization working with top 10 global pharmaceutical companies or innovative

biotechnology companies and partnering with the most prestigious academic institutions in the world in a few years is our pride. The foundations are in place to bring Nexelis to the next level and become the obvious option in the therapeutic areas the company is targeting”.The companyforeseestheoutstandinggrowthtrajectory experiencedtheselastyearstonotslowdowninthe yearstocome.

AnAdvancedAnalyticalPlatform

Nexelisisaglobalimmunologycentricadvancedlab serviceproviderwiththreeoperatingsitesinNorth America(EastandWestCoast)andEurope(Belgium), andastrategicpartnershipinplacewithPublicHealth England,PortonDown,intheUK.

Spun-offfromGSKvaccinesin2015,thecompanyhas grownexponentiallythroughorganicandinorganic initiatives,positioningitasareferenceadvancedlab servicesproviderinanumberofsegmentsincluding infectiousvaccines,oncology(immunotherapy,geneand cell therapy),ormetabolicdiseases.Theversatileteam ofscientists,workingwithstateofthearttechnology platforms,hasbeeninstrumentalinthedevelopment, qualification,validation,andlargescalesampletestingof assaysthatsupportedtheFDAfilingofmorethan100 newmolecularentities,includingblockbustervaccines andlargemolecules.

Thecompanybelieves “Our name is our vision.” Itis thenextgenerationofcontractresearchorganization, bornwhencompaniesofglobalstatureagreedtounify andadvancetonewlevelsofdynamicmanagementand fast-tracksophistication.Itexcelsbycombiningrobust protocolswithscientificdiscipline,humanagilityand clientpartnershipinordertoanswerthemostdemanding missionrequirements.Nexelisfocuseson ImmunoScienceswithastrongreputationforaccelerated results

NodoubtthatgiantCROsarewellpositionedtocapture mainstreamclinicalopportunitieswhereglobalcoverage andlogisticcapabilitiesfirstmatter.Nichesegmentssuch asadvancedlaboratorytestingareatotallydifferent worldrequiringorganizationscenteredonsenior scientificleadersandaimingatfavoringversatilityand ingenuity Thecompanybelievestobeoneamonga handfulofmid-sizeorganizationsinapositiontobuilda worldclasschampionprovidinghighlyspecializedlab testingservices.

Nexelisbuiltatrulytranslationalscopeofservices, aimingatansweringalldesiredandundesired immunogenicityrelatedscientificquestionsfromthe leadselectionstagetophaseIII.

Nexelis in vitro state-of-the-artanalyticalplatforms includeimmunochemistry,cellularimmunology,viral

andbacterialfunctional,flowcytometry,Elispot,and PCR/qPCRplatforms.

ApplaudingforCOVIDWarriors

“Quoting the name of a super star researcher in infectiology would be the obvious option. We are seeing their name every day at Nexelis while our meeting rooms bear their names,” saysBenoit.Buttherearesomany scientificandbusinessleadersintheinfectiousfield deservingdeepestadmiration!Andthisisjustimpossible forhimtonotthinkofandapplaudallindividuals strugglingtoimproveaccesstocareindeveloping countries,BillGatesobviouslybeingiconicinthat regard.

Themostimportantvirtuesinculcatedbythosepeople arethatrealmedicalprogressesarealwaysresulting frominitiativesbasedoncollaborativeapproaches. Nexelisissignatoryofapublicstatementfromagroup ofexpertsunderWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)’s coordinationforcollaborationonCOVID-19vaccine development: “we will continue efforts to strengthen the unprecedented worldwide collaboration, cooperation and sharing of data already underway. We believe these efforts will help reduce inefficiencies and duplication of effort, and we will work tenaciously to increase the likelihood that one or more safe and effective vaccines will soon be made available to all”.

TheworldisconvincedthattheCOVID-19willhave changedforevertheexistingparadigminthestruggle againstlifethreateningillnesses.ItwillmakeR&Dmore cooperativeandrequireacompanysuchasNexelisto changeitsbusinessmodeltodevelopuniversalassays endorsedbymajorinstitutionsacceleratingdevelopment programsandeasingtrialsread-outanalysisby regulatorybodies.

BalancingWorkandLife

Talkingaboutmaintainingbalancebetweenworkand lifeBenoitsays, “I am not sure that my beloved wife with whom I got married almost 40 years ago would tell that I am maintaining the right balance between my professional & personal life to be honest.” Hehashad thegoodfortunetobeplacedinajobwhichisjust fantasticandmustadmitthatitledhimtodevelopa ratherworkaholicattitude.Thisbeingsaid,headdsthat“ I would never cope with the level of stress coming with the job if I was not with her most of time after work time whether I am in North America or in Europe. To make it possible, she decided to stop her chiropractor activities

and I am extremely grateful to her for this because I could not do what I am doing if she was not on my side.”

EmpoweringOthers

“Likely true for many businesses, but the CRO business truly is a people business. Not making my team empowered and accountable would just be a suicide,” saysBenoit.Heavows “In my job as a CEO, what I can make to help them excel might be two things at the end of the day: remind every day the global picture and be totally transparent with them.”

CopingwithAdvancement

Nexelisisinvestingmillionsinnewsystemsand platformseveryyearwiththeaimtomaintainstateofthe artlabs.ForBenoititisnotthemostimportantelement inthemixhowever. “A brilliant scientist is somebody capable of ingenuity, equip him with an average platform and he will still do the job,” saysBenoit.Hefurtheradds “Buy an incredibly fancy new toy to an average scientist and one will still very likely get garbage at the end.”

AnadviceforUpcomingLeaders

Benoitasserts “Keep your ego back to earth, beware flattery, acknowledge publicly your fallibility and be totally transparent with your team.” Hedoesn’tfeel entitledtogivealectureaboutwhoaCEOshouldbeor shouldnotbe.Therealityofthejobandskillsrequired mightalsobequitedifferentforamid-sizecompany suchasNexelisandforamultinationalgiant.Headded, “If I was to write the job desc of my successor, but it might be something I don’t need to do several years in advance, I would insist on listening and strategic thinking skills, capacity to form a decision, and resilience, I believe.”

VisioningtoGetAdvance

Nexelismanagementaimsatbringingthecompanyto thenextlevelandfurtherexpandsitsscopeofservicesto becomeaonestopshopfromtheearlydevelopment stagetothelateclinicalstageforcompaniestowhom desiredorundesiredimmunogenicityisacoretopic.

Thecompany’sfutureresidesinitscapacitytomaintain anentrepreneurialmindset,focusingonleveragingthe skillsofthebestscientistsintownandinvestmassively intheinnovativetechnologiesrequiredtostaythe referenceCROintheadvancedlabtestingsegment.

ChristopherCarter Founder&CEO Approyo

CHRISTOPHER CARTER

Leading a Charge in SAP Solutions

WhenthefocusofattentionisontheIT sector,SAPisconsideredtobethe mostimportantITinfrastructurethat hasalwaysbeenusefulincopingwithallthe changes.Astechnologicaladvancementshave affectedeverysectoreffectively,SAPhasseen rapidgrowthanddemandoverthelastfewyears. Withthisever-growingtechnology,itbecomes essentialtopossessafirmunderstandingofhowit canbeappliedadequately

MeetChristopherCarter,Founder&CEOof Approyo,whohasoverthreedecadesof experienceworkingintheSAPindustry A confidentleaderwhohasalwaysledhiscompany towardssuccessbycreatingaclear-sightedvision anddeliveringground-breakingresults.

BelowaretheHighlightsoftheinterviewbetween Christopher Carter and Insights Success

Describeyourbackgroundand,whatdidyou dobeforeyoustarted,or cameintothisbusiness?

IliketosayIhavealwaysbeenatechnologist.I wenttocollegewithaCommodoreVic20under onearmandanApple2eundertheother They weremyfirstcomputers,andit’swhatIlearnedto codeon.Myfirstcodewastomakebirdsfly acrossmyscreen,itwasfunandexcitingforme. ThisishowIgotstartedincomputers,whatgot

meontheroadtoSAP,andwhatledmeto owningandcreatingbusinesses.

Describeyourcompanyanditscutting-edge franchiseserviceswhichaddressalltheneeds ofyourcustomers.

ApproyoisapartoftheSAPPartnerEdge Ecosystem.AsapartnerofSAP,weprovideSAP softwareasaservice.WeprovideSAP consultation,hosting,andmanagedservices,as wellasimplementationsandmigrationsontoSAP platformsystems.Approyoismadeupofaglobal teamofSAPexperts,whocurrentlymanageover 200+SAPlandscapesandhavedoneover100 migrationsforourcustomersaroundtheglobe. Overtheyears,wehaveworkedtobringfirms runningR/3uptoS/41909.

Whatstrategiesdoyouundertaketomake youremployeesresourceful?

Theeasiestwaytomakesureyouremployeesare mostresourcefulintheSAPindustryistoprovide themwiththetoolstheyneedtodoso.At Approyo,weprovideouremployeeswithaccess toanytrainingtheydesire.Iftheywanttolearna newplatformorgetanewcertification,whoare wetostopthem?Wewillpaytoallowour employeestogrowandsucceed.Themore successtheyexperienceinsidetheirjob,themore successwewillexperienceasateam.Themost

importantthingistomakesurethatyourteamisreadyto gothroughanimplementationormigrationatalltimes.

Whataresomeofthevitalattributes,inyouropinion, thateveryleadershouldpossess?

Inmyopinion,thereareafew.First,behumble,butknow thebuckstopswithyou,somakethedecisionandgoon withit.Donotsecondguessyourself.Ifullybelievethat onceyoumakethedecision,youmustlivewithit. Next,yourstaffisyourlifelinealways,youtreatthemlike gold,andtheywilltreatyourcompany,yourclients,and you,withtherespectyoushow Yougetwhatyougive. Lastly,learnyournumbers.Youaretheleader,soyou shouldknowyourdataonallcustomersonaday-to-day basis,includingtheROI,thespending,therevenues,etc. It’sonyouandnooneelse.

Whatisyourgreatestlifeachievement?

MygreatestpersonallifeachievementisthefamilyI’ve beenblessedwith,havingmytwoincredibledaughterswith mywife.Business-wise,itisthatwecreatedthefirst virtualizedSAPR/3andS/4environmentsforproduction usagebyrealcustomers.Ourteamhadcustomersreadyfor launchpre-certificationandthenweheldacertifiedlaunch attheSAPSapphireNowEvent.Myeverydayachievement IamproudofisthatIamabletohelpandeducate customersaroundtheglobewithSAPlandscapes.

Wheredoyouseeyourindustryinfiveyears?

Iseetheindustrygrowing.Infiveyears,itwillbe2025, leavingjusttwoyearsuntiltheSAPS/4HANAdeadline. Withsuchanimportantdeadlineinplace,thosewhoare currentlyonSAPplatformswillbeforcedtomovetothe nextbiggestandbrightestplatform.Withthesuccessthat SAPhassharedoverthepastyearalone,Ithinkthatitwill attractmoreandmorecompaniestojointheSAP

community.Ourworldisrunoffofbusiness,andsuccessful businesseshaveERPsystemsinplace.Thosewhohavenot implementedoneyetwillsoonrealizethathavingoneis trulytheonlywaytotakethemtothenextlevel.

Whatonething,morethananythingelse,doyouwant toaccomplishinyourbusinessbeforeyougetout?

IwanttoprovidetheSAPecosystemwithqualitySAP Managedserviceandsupport,allowingtheclientstosleep wellatnight.Ourgoalistohelpinanywayshapeorform. WhenIleavethisplanet,Iwanttohavemadeanimpacton people,andIwantthemtosaythatIwasabletohelpthem personallyandprofessionally.

Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivetotheemerging entrepreneurs?

Justdoit.Findthedetailsofapathyouwanttogodown, getthemotivation,anddoit.Ifyouwanttogrowand,get goingthenjumpintoit,butmakesurethatyouare passionateanddedicatedtoyourmission.Youcando whateveryouputyourmindtoifyoubelievethat,inthe end,youwillgettheresultsyouworkfor.

Howdoyousustainyourentrepreneurialspiritinthis changingtechnologicalera?

Ilovetechnology,anditallowsmeandeveryonetogrow!I meditateeverymorningat6:00a.m.togetmymindready.I spendalotoftimelearningaboutnewtechnologyinthe marketplace.IlovetolearnandIlovetosharemy knowledgewiththeworld.I’mconstantlyontheinternet, doingresearchandlearningaboutnewtechnology,whether itbeaboutSAP,ArtificialIntelligenceorDigital Transformations.

FERAS EL HAJJAR

Feras El Hajjar Founder & Chairman of Infosysta, Founder & CEO ofApp4Legal

An Ingenious Leader in Digital Transformation and Business Management

Digitaltransformationisvital/crucialforany business.Ithasbecomemandatoryforbusiness leaderstorethinkoldoperatingmodelswiththe newone,tobecomemoreexperimental,andmoreagilein theabilitytorespondtocustomersandcompetitors.

FerasElHajjar,Founder&ChairmanofInfosysta,and Founder&CEOofApp4Legalisanexceptionalleader whohasmanagedtomakehismarkinthebusinessworld withhisoutstandingperformanceinITaswellas managementsector

Usually,theintegrationofdigitaltechnologyintoallareas ofbusinessresultsinfundamentalchangesregarding businesstactics.Ifdonecorrectly,thiscanprovemuch morebeneficialforthecompany Infosystaisoneofthe leadingcompaniestoprovidedigitaltransformation solutionsforyourbusinessbychallengingthestatusquo withmarket-provenstrategies.

Moreover,Legaltechnologyisquiteessential,asit particularlyprovidesandaidslegalservices.Currently, mostofthecompaniesstruggletoacclimatizetheir practicesandarefallingbehindhence,theriseoflegaltech hasconsiderablyinfluencedtheconcurrentlegalmarkets. App4Legalisaproviderofbest-of-breedLegalPractice ManagementSoftwarethatprovidessolutionstokeepyour LegalTeamsaheadoftimewithadetailedandorganized approach.

IntotheShoesofLeader

MeetFerasElHajjar,theFounder&ChairmanofInfosysta, acompanyspecializedintheDigitalTransformationin EMEAandtheFounder&CEOofApp4Legalacompany specializedinLegalTechnology.Withmorethan18years ofmulti-nationalexperienceintheSoftwareindustry includingCRM,ERP&HRMSsolutions,Ferasproved himselfasanexpertinInformationSystems.Beinga SoftwareEngineerwithsolidManagementandleadership skills,graduatedfromEcoleParisTechin2002&Paris Dauphine(ParisIX)in2003,hasearnedyearsof experienceinmulti-nationalcompaniesinParis,Singapore, Dublin,Beirut,Riyadh,Cairo,&Dubai.Thissolid experienceinthedomainofInformationTechnology,with themostknownsolutionsinthemarket,isthesuccesskey tobuildingasustainabletwomaturemulti-national companies.

Moreover,heisapermanentspeakeratAgileSummitsin theMiddleEastandaboardmemberofdifferent organizationsincludingHeriot-WattUniversityinDubai, IndustryAdvisoryBoardandalsoatAtlassianPartners BoardMemberinSanFrancisco.

“

Nowadays, it is crucial to align the business with technology. Follow the right processes and, using the right tools can be a game-changer when it comes to reaching objectives, on-time,”addsFeras.

AppreciatingtheTalent

Ferasstatesthatwithaclearstrategyandcommunication plan,employeesofhiscompanyareinvolvedattheearly stageofstrategicdecisionsandcompany’syearly objectives.Employeesarebecomingpartnersofdecisions insteadofTaskAchievers.Talentsarecompensatedand acceleratingtheircareersbygivingthemalltheneeded sponsorshiptoexcel.

OvercomingtheVolatilityintheMarkets

Ferasstatesthat,heandhisteamfirmlyfocusesontheongoingaswellasupcomingtechnologyandthemarketneeds toswiftlyovercomeanydilemmas.Thecompanyhelps peopletobeagileandhowtobemoreflexibleinorderto adapttochanges.Italsobuildquarterlyobjectivesatthe managementlevelandcascadethemdowntoallteamsand employees.Healsoaddressesthattheobjectivemayorcan

Enjoy what you are doing every day. Focus on the positive side.

changefromaquartertoanotherandthedynamicsofthe marketarethemaindriversofthecompany’sobjectives.

Eye-openerforBetterLifeAppraoch

In2012,FerasresignedfromhisjobasanITDirectorina multi-nationalcompanyinParistoexercisehis entrepreneurshipskillsandbuildhisfirstcompany, InfosystafromBeiruttobecomeinlessthan6yearsthe leaderintheMiddleEastintheAgile&Digital Transformation.Later,helaunchedauniquesolutioncalled App4Legal,helpinglawyersandlegalpractitionersto resolvetheirdailyissueswithonecompletesolutionto innovatetheirlegalpractice.In2019,App4Legalbecamea leaderinGCCandamajorplayerworldwiderecognizedby GartnerasaLegalTechnologyleader

movebysmalliterationstoclosemilestonebymilestone untilonereachitsgoal.Alsosuggestingthatonemust acceptthefactthateveryindividualneedtosacrificesome ‘lessimportant’activitieswhilefocusingonthe‘criticaland high’ones.

Healsoemphasizesonsomeoftheattributesthatevery leadermustposses.Byquoting,“the Skill to stay macro and to go micro when needed are the ingredient of a successful CEO”,hestatesthat Genuine Leadership isshowingthe waytoothers.Anexcellentcommunicatorwhocanbya simpleemailorameetingpitchgetsactionsintoefficient executions.

Healsoputsomelight,onwhyisitnecessarytobean organizedpersondrivenbyobjectives.Ashestates,an objective-drivenorganizedpersonknowswheretostop puttingeffortsandwheretofocus.

AdvicetoRelyOn

FerasbelievesinthewordFocus.Headvicethat,onemust

Gary Olson

Protecting People and Businesses Through the Use of Artificial Intelligence.

ArtificialIntelligence(AI)istransformingalmost everythingconnectedtohumanlife,including employment,economy,communication,public safety,privacy,security,healthcare,etc..Tomaketheworld abetterplacetoliveandsavelivesusingAI,GTDigital Ltd.,usesCognitiveIntelligencetechnologythatconnects thedotsfromaccessibleandavailabledigitalinformationto helpidentifypotentialthreatsandintentiontoprevent eventsthatwillprotectlivesandproperty

GTDigitalLtd.isledbyGaryOlson,Founder&CEO,a thoughtleader,technologydesignerandstrategistinthe mediatechnologyindustry. GarydesignedGTDigital’s flagshipArtificialIntelligencesolutionMediaMaestro,the firsttechnologythatconnectsthedotsbycorrelatingvideo anddatatouncoverandpreventphysicalthreats.

FirmFoundation

Asaserialentrepreneur,Garystartedandoperatedseveral successfulbusinesses.Eachofthesebusinessesfocusedon designingnewtechnologysolutionsforthemedia productionindustrymergingvideowithdata.Garyhasbeen ontheforefrontasthebroadcastandproductionindustry transitionstocomputer-basedtechnologyfromproprietary technology

Garyisoneoftheindustryleadersandhasbeenan evangelistintheconvergenceofvideoanddataasmedia productionanddistributionmovedtofilebasedandIP technology The2ndEditionofhisbook"Planningand DesigningtheIPBroadcastFacility"wasjustreleasedafter thesuccessoftheFirstEdition.

Theproblemourfirstrespondersandpublicsafetyservices faceispreventinghorrificandviolentattacksonsociety. To addressthischallenge,Garydevelopedtheconcepttouse artificialintelligenceconnectingthedotsbycorrelating videoanddatafromallavailableandaccessibleopen sources. Thisideawasanaturaloutgrowththat brought togetherallhisareasofknowledgeandexpertise.

Cutting-EdgeServices

Accordingtothecompany,organizationsineveryindustry aredrowninginvideoanddata.Theseorganizationsareall challengedbytheoverwhelmingamountofdatacollected thatappearsinmanyformatsandtypescomingfrom multiplesources. AItoolscanhelpanalyzethisdataand quicklyprovideinformationthatallowsanalyststodiscover solutions.

Garystates,nohumancanmanageorprocessthe overwhelmingamountofdigitalinformation,including video,socialmedia,online,sensors,andothersources beingcollectedforresearchandsecurity.Thereisa need forartificialintelligencetechnologytohelpidentifystrange behaviororannouncedintentionstocommitcrimes.GT DigitalisthefirstAItechnologythatcananalyzeand correlateallthisdatato helpprofessionalspreventviolence andcriminalintent. UsingArtificialIntelligencetosave livesandprotectpropertyisessentialtoday

WhattheFutureHolds?

GaryknowsthatAIcontinuestoevolve,andasthetools andtechnologyimprove,AIwillbebeneficialinallaspects ofsocietyandbusinessservices.Assciencecontinuesto progressonquantumcomputingsolutions,thiswillvastly improvetheabilityofAItechnologiesandexpandsomeof theexactcapabilities.

GivingBacktotheWorld

Garystatesstatisticsshowthatover75%ofmassshootings arecommittedbypeoplewhospendalotofenergy announcingtheirintentlongbeforetheycommittheact.It is timetosavelivesfromthesemassshootingsandactsof domesticterrorism.Hewouldliketoseehistechnology helppredicttopreventasmanyoftheseaspossible.

DifferentPerspectiveonTechnologicalAdvancements

Garyisfortunatethathewasraisedwithaninnatesenseof curiosityandwonder.Continuallyexcitedaboutthe

Gary Olson Founder & CEO

changesintechnologyheisalsoabitofapragmatistinitsapplication. Hethrivesonnewchallengesandlovesfiguringoutnewtechnology solutionsor"inventing,"asolutionusingcomponentsfromtypically disassociatedsourcesorindustries.

PaveYourOwnWay

Garybelievesleadershipisteambuilding.It’scrucialtoanysuccessful businesstohavefullparticipationandsupportfromyourteam.Find therightpeopleandtrustthem.It’smoreimportanttohavesmart peopleonyourteamthanhavethemthinkyouarethemostintelligent personintheroom.Anotheressentialruletorememberiseveryone hastheirstyleandwayofdoingthings.Differentisnotwrong,just becauseitisnotthewayyouwoulddoit,aslongasitgetsthesame result. Donotimposeyourwayofdoingthingsonothers.

Beinganentrepreneurdoesn’tmeandoingeverythingorknowing everything.Itmeanssurroundingyourselfwithateamthathasthe knowledgeandskillsthatarenotyourstrength.Noteveryoneisstrong inbusinessorisafinancialexpert,andsometimesagreattechnologist isahorriblemanager.Hireotherswiththeskillsyoulackandallow themtoexcelandtrustthem.Garysays, “If you can’t trust your team, you brought in the wrong people!”

“Connecting the Dots - Predict to Prevent to Protect!”

Dynamics of

Participation in the Ever-changing Modern Workforce

Gonearethedayswhenwomenwerestereotypedto acertainsetofskillsandprofessions,restricting themfromexploringtheworldofendless opportunities.Today,womenhaveannouncedtheirarrival inmanyfieldsofthebusinessworld.Therefore,itseems moreimportantthaneverbeforetorecognizefemale contributionsineveryprofession.

Fightingthroughbiasedworkcultureinfavourofmale dominance,womenhaveconqueredtheunconqueredonthe accountoftheirdistinctcalibreandpredilections.Inthe timeswhentheworldfemaleparticipationrateistothe dispiritinglevelsofaround67%andpay-offrateofabout 63%,achievementsbywomengo-gettersarepraiseworthy.

Listeningcapabilitiesisoneofthe distinguishingaspectsoffemininespeciesascomparedto theirmalecounterparts.Instillingandpursuingones thoughtsisundoubtedlyimportantforeffectiveworking. Butbeingabetterlistenerissomethingthatcanmakea differenceasstudiesshowthatthecustomervaluesand truststhefirmsiftheyperceivethattheyarebeinglistened tobythefirms.Withinherentcaringandaffectionatetraits, womenoutclassmenwhenitcomestounderstanding criticaldemandsofthecustomers.

EmotionalIntelligence(EI)-theabilitytoidentifyand manageone’sownemotionsaswellastheemotionsof others-isanessentialskillwhenitcomestodealingwitha diverseclassofconsumers.Womenarenaturallygifted withhigherEImakingthembettersuitedforpressure situationsandavoidingcounter-productivedecisionswhile keepingemotionsincheck.

EmotionalIntelligenceencompassestwomajordimensions –awarenessofone’sselfandawarenessofothers.Boththe attributesareverymuchsignificantforthesurvivaland successofanyorganisation.Self-awarenessinvolvesbeing familiarwithtriggerpointsandbehaviouraltraitswhenput tothetest.This,inturn,helpstomodulateimpulses avoidingconclusionswhichareharmfulforthewelfareof business.Inadditiontoself-awareness,anawarenessof othersisequallycriticalinbusiness.Analysingand decodingnon-verbalcommunication–thatamountsto93% ofthemessage–eventuallybenefitsinconvincingand convertingaleadintoaclient.

Collaboration,andnotthecutthroatcompetition,isthe modernera’sprinciplevirtuetoachievesuccess.Many endeavourswhichseemtobebeyondtheboundsof

possibilitycanbeattainedbycombiningeffortsfrom differentresources,channelsanddepartments.Further, collaboratingproductswithconsumerexperienceare enormouslyimportant.Itleadstocraftingthebestsolutions forcustomer’spainpointsandcompellingvalue propositionsthatreflecttheiroverallbusinessobjectives.

Multiplestudieshavefoundthatwomenprefertoworkin teams,whilemenprefertoworkalone.Anunfaltering affinitytowardscollaborationprimeswomentogarner successindifferentfieldsofbusinesswhichgivestheman edgeoverothers.

Increasedprofitabilitycanbeamotivatingfactorformany firmstohiremorepooloffemaletalentsasmanystudies supportthefact.StatisticalresearchshowsthatFortune500 companieswiththehighestrepresentationofwomenon boardsfinanciallyoutperformcompanieswiththelowest representationofwomenonboards.Moreover,genderdiverseteamshavehighersalesandprofitscomparedto male-dominatedteams,andarecentGallupstudyfound thatgender-diversebusinessunitshavehigheraverage revenuethanlessdiversebusinessunits.

Trustoverfemaleleadersisanattributewhichneedstobe reciprocatedwhilemakingthechoice.MoreAmerican workersperceivefemaleexecutivesashonestandethical thanmaleexecutives.Pew’s“WomenandLeadership” surveyedAmericansin2015andfoundthat34%say womenarebetteratthis,whileonly3%saymenarebetter atit(64%saythere’snodifference).

Whileit’sunclearwhetherthismeanswomenareactually morehonest,it’sasubtlereminderofhowtangledsome businessdecisionscanbe.Leadersareoftentaskedwith choosingbetweenoptionsthataren’tblackandwhite, ethicallyspeaking,andthecapacitytoleadhonestlyis importanttotheentirecompany’ssuccessandjob satisfaction.

Nottomention,increasedjobsatisfactionand organizationaldedicationtocitepositiveandmeaningful businessculturearetheaddedadvantagesfeminine employeescarrytotheorganisation. However,thejourneyisnotallmerrygoroundeverytime. Hindrances–seen,unseen–aretheretocheckthe unrelentingzealofwomenaspirantstothriveinthe industry.Theseobstructionsneedtobepointedoutand rectifiedtocreateanenvironmentthatfuelswomen empowerment.

Lackofconfidence,accordingtomanyexperts,isone primereasonwomentendtoquestionthemselvesanddoubt theirworthiness.Inordertoadvance,theymustcoachtheir innercritics.

Out-speakanddefinewhatwomenwantprofessionallyif theywanttogetsucceeded.Toooftentheydon’tknowor relyuponotherstodefineitforthem.

“Buildingrelationshipswiththoseinpositionsof leadershipiscritical,”SusanBrady,executivevice presidentofLinkageInc.says.“Putdowntheto-dolistlong enoughtoconnectwithdecisionmakersacrossthe organization,andhelpthemunderstandwhoyouareand whatyoubringtothetable.”

Womenaregenerallyuneasyaboutaskingforwhatthey want.Theymuststopthinkingaboutwhattheyneedasa self-servingrequest.Theymustdevelopthecourageand fortitudetostandupandaskforwhattheywant.

Whileprovingvalue,womentendtoovercompensatein ordertodemonstratethattheyareaddingvalue.Instead ofdoingitallalone,changetheparadigmandtrackto encourageotherstotakeonmoreresponsibility,thus enablingthemtoscaleandmultiplytheirownimpact.

Nottoforget,biasedworkcultureandregional barriersarethecrucialobstaclesintheroadofwomen workparticipation.But,todaywomenarebreakingthese shacklesandcomingoutboldlytobeapartofeconomic processesshoulderingtheirmalecounterparts. Therehasbeenobviousprogressinachievinggender equalityaroundtheworldoverthepasttwodecades: moregirlsareattendingschool,morewomenare workingandarebeingelectedtopublicoffices,more womenholdmanagementpositions,andthesituation involvingwomen’slegalaswellassocialrightshave alsoimproved.

However,agreatdealstillremainstobedonetoachieve equaloutcomesforwomenandmen.Recognizing women’sabilities,thevaluestheybringtothe organisation,thetransformationtheyachieveasfaras workenvironmentisconcerned,andconsidering monetarybenefitsassociatedwiththefemalework participation,corporatesectorneedtowelcometheir emergencewithopenarms.Nofutureisfarwheremaledominatedworkplaceswillbeataleofextinct, webelieve.

Karsten Boehrs CEO & Co-investor

Technologicalinnovationstaketimetoenterthe growingmarket.Foranentrepreneur,monitoring andprovidingthebestuserexperienceisaquest thatcan’tbeachievedovernight.Openconservationsabout settinggoalsanddefiningtimelinesfortheproduct development,pavesacreativewaytowardssuccess. Besides,learning,adapting,andimprovingarethekeysfor becomingasuccessfulCEOofanorganization.

Onesuchagilepersonality,havingafocusedvisionto achievehisgoalsisKarstenBoehrs.Whilehelpinghis childreninstudies,Karstenrealizedthateducationand learningprocessesarecontinuallywitnessingchanges.His son’spassionforgainingknowledgethroughonlinevideos inspiredKarstentremendously.Thisadventoftechnology intheeducationsectoranditsrapiddigitaltransformation motivatedhimtobecomeaCo-investorandCEOof simpleshow

Karstenstartedhiscareerworkinginthelogisticsandsales industry.Hehasanexcellentexperienceofworkingat managementpositionswithvariousmultinationals includingAxelSpringerandOttoGroupforovertwo

decades.Now,inhisroleatsimpleshowhisfocusisonthe strategicexpansionofthecompany’smarketposition throughinternationalizationandfocusedtechnology development.

Aboutsimpleshow simpleshowistheleadingprofessionalexplainervideo productionwithseveralthousandsofvideosproducedinthe globalmarket.Thecompanywithitsproductionteam deliversservicesessentialincreatingvideosandinteractive eLearningcoursesforcorporatecustomersinavarietyof differentstylesandformats.Withthemissiontoprovide simpleandeffectiveexplanationsforeveryoneand anytime,thecompanyisdevelopingintelligentsolutionsfor widetargetgroups,suchastheonlineDIYvideomaker mysimpleshow.com

mysimpleshow.comoffersbusinessandenterpriseplans withpremiumfeaturesdirectedacrossallsmall-scaleand large-scalecompanies.Theintelligencebehindthe applicationincludestextinputsrunningthroughasemantic analysis,anaturallanguageprocessingstack,andan integratedworldknowledgedatabasetoproduceiconic

visuals.Thesearethenarrangedandanimatedbyan intelligentlayoutalgorithmresultinginavideo,whichthe usercanindividualize,download,andshare.

Withoverofficesintencountries,thecompanybuildsona universalandscientificallyprovenmethodologythatblends simplemessageswithvisualsthatstayinmind.Under Karsten’sguidanceallofthecompany’sofferingsfollow thisapproach,focusingonfivefundamentalelements:

Context— Aneffectiveexplanation,looksatthetopicfrom thetargetgroup’sperspective,providingacontextthe audiencecanreferto.

Simplification— Aneffectiveexplanationfocusesonthe essentials.Thisentailsreducingthetopictoitscore messagesandsimplifyingthelanguage.

Storytelling— Aneffectiveexplanationisembeddedina story,asstorieshelptocreateidentificationandareeasyto remember

Visualization— Aneffectiveexplanationusesthepowerof visuals.

Multisensory— Aneffectiveexplanationstimulatedseveral senses.

AVisionaryLeader

Karsten’sloveforthesportsmadehimanenthusiastic cyclistasitcombinesallthequalitiesandvaluesmandatory forunderstandingtherolesofaCEO.Hebelieves,thekey enablersforhisachievementsarepassion,perseverance, strategicthinking,smartlyadaptingwithchanges,constant learningandimprovement.Withthevisionthatthepeople arethemostvaluableresourcesofacompanyhestates “I always try and develop my corporate family to be the best they can be”

Anexampleofhisleadershipstylethatfocuseson empoweringothers,KarstenrecalledameetinginNew York,wherehewasreallyimpressedmeetingayoung freelancecreativewriter.Hekeptsupportinghim throughouttheyearsthatmadethewriteraconfidentanda trusteddecision-maker Todaytheformerconceptwritercoleadsthecompany’s50peopleoperationsintheUS.

Besides,leadingandnurturingasmartandloyalteam,he states “We have so much potential to seize opportunities, tackle challenges, and grow our business”.

As simple as possible, but as complex as necessary.

UndertheleadershipofKarsten,histeamhascreatedan onlinebrowser-basedtool ‘mysimpleshow’.Thistoolallows itsuserstocreatetheirownsimpleexplainervideos, transformingthewaypeoplecommunicate.Thecompany hasintegratedAIintothistool,whichisreferredtoasits ‘Explainer Engine’

Karsten’sentrepreneurialvisionistochangetheworldfor thebetter Withsimpleshowhisideaistorevolutionize communicationandlearningthroughsimpleandaccessible resources.

CatalyzingtheMarketChange

Karsten’sideaofcreatinglearningandcommunication resourcesischangingday-by-daywiththegrowing digitalization.simpleshowisinvestingtimeandresources intocreatingamazingtools,products,andcontentresources tocatalyzetothisevolvingchange.Theyareconstantly improvingmysimpleshow.comasasoftwareproductand establishingbrandawarenesstobethego-toDIYexplainer videocreationtool.

AdviceforBuddingEntrepreneurs

Karsten’sadvicetonew-ageentrepreneursistostay focused.Definingthegoalswithagilitywillhelpthemto achievemilestones.Inadditiontoproduceabusiness model,headds, “Decide how your product and methodology will stand out from your competitors and make those distinctions your unique selling points”.

An Excellent Dedicated Professional

Withmorethan80successfulimplementationsand

ahighlyqualifiedteamwithmorethan20years ofexperienceleadingthemostchallenging projectsinthecountry,SoftwareandServicesConsulting SRLispositionedasthenumberonepartnerinParaguayof SAPBusinessOne.Confidence,ClarityandConstant Accompanimentaresomeofthetermsusedbyitsclientsto describewhatSSCmeanstothembecauseineachstepthe companytakestogether,asateam,itlooksforwaystohelp itsclientsstrengthentheirprojectsandevolvesustainably, whattodaymakesitdifferentiatethecompanyfromthe competition.Onesuchhighlyqualifiedteammemberis KatherineColombino–ChiefExecutiveOfficerwitha veryclearobjectivetopullallitsenergiestowardsasingle focus:Customersatisfaction.

StrongKnowledgeofBusiness KatherinecompletedhereducationfromAsuncion PolytechnicFacultyandtheNationalUniversityof Asuncion.ShejoinedConsulmaticaSRLasSystems DevelopmentManager After5yearsinthatpositionand havingputthesystemonthemarketwithgreatsuccess, KatherineheldthepositionofSupportManagerformore than6years,soherorientationwascustomersatisfaction. Shehasincorporatedmorethan50%ofclientsasSales ManageratInfocenterS.A.actively,shehadcollaborated withmarketingcampaignsandeventsforSAP development,conflictresolution,inaddition,tosupport tasksofdefinitionanddevelopmentofsolutionstospecific problemsoftheclient,alwayshavingasfocus,excellence inattentiontothecustomer

Teachinghowtowork,howtoconfrontdifficulties,skills thatonewaslearninginhercareerthroughtheyearsand theexampleitselfareherstrategiesthatshetriestomake everyoneimitatetothebestoftheirability Thecompany alsoparticipatedcontinuouslyintrainingcoursesand interpersonalskills.

AGlimpseintoKatherine’sJourney

Currently,KatherineColombinoistheCEOofSSCSoftware&ServicesConsultingSRL.Sheisaspecialized

consultantinSales,Implementation,Development, Training,andSupportofSAPsystems,alsoholdsaDegree inSystemsAnalysis,Post-degreesinUniversityDidactics andEnglishTeachingStaff.Withextensiveexperiencein theareaofmanagementofWorkTeams,Katherineholds variouspositionsofHeadquartersformorethantwo decades.BeforetheopeningofSSCSRL,for4years,she wasinchargeoftheBusinessUnitofSAPBusinessOnein InfocenterS.A.,aParaguayanpartnerofSAPandanIT companywithanexemplarytrackrecordinthenational marketandwithmorethan20consultantsindifferentareas. ItisalsoanSAPCertifiedConsultant“FI”and“MM”.She hasdevelopedfromMarketplans,sales,personal motivationpoliciesamongotherswithintheunitand contributedprogresstowardstheprojectgoal.

MillennialParadigm

Beinginformedisessential,andknowledgeisnecessaryto understandthegreatchangesthatarealreadythereand whichSSCfaces.Justasithappenedwiththemillennial paradigm,telework,etc.thatbreakintotheliveswithout askingpermission.Thecompanyhastobeinconstant changetoadapteasily.Itworksnowadaysexclusivelywith SAPBUSINESSONESystems,andeverythingthat involvesdevelopment,deploying,licensessales,support.

The 10 Best Performing CEOs to Watch In

KatherineColombino ChiefExecutiveOfficer

Anycompanymust-havetechnology,withouttechnology, thecompanyisgoingtodie.Weareintheeraof Technology Youcanchoose,youarein,oryouareout.But thatdecisionwillmarkthefutureofyourbusiness.

StrengthandCommitment

KatherineColombinohadacaraccident,withherfather,at theageof8years.Thediagnosiswasaparalysisinherlegs duetoaspinalinjury Althoughshehastomovewith wheelchairs,shehadallthesamecapabilitiesasanyperson. Thatincidentmadeherstronger,andwithagreatcapacity toadapttodifficultsituations,shealsodevelopedherbest inseveralareas.Theyhavetobestrongbecauseleadership mustbesomethingthatothershavetofeelaboutyou.Many timesallisnotgivenbyknowledge,butthestrengthofyour heartandyourcommitmentistransmittedbyyourvoice, yourgestures,yourlife.

“Inspire the ordinary to become extraordinary. Be resilient. Set goals and motivate continuously to achieve. Encourage feedback without judgment. Hire people who align with your culture and aligned with the goals of the company. Put the right person in the right role. Get to know your team. Empower employees to unlock their ‘zone of genius. ‘Remember that leading is an inside job”, saysKatherine.

OptimizingProcessesinTime

SoftwareandServicesConsultingwantsitsclientsto recognizethemasstrategicpartnerstoaccompanythemin

theirgrowthandexpansionprocesses.Thecompanyis highlycompetentprofessionals,motivatedandalignedwith aninternalknowledgemanagementpolicyandthe developmentofhumancapital.Itprovidescommercially attractivesolutionsthatrespondtotherealneedsofthe customers.Collaboratewiththecountry,generatinghighly qualifiedprofessionals.Reachthesources(universities, colleges,companies)andprovidetheirtrainingservices. Educationdoesthecountrywell,producescitizensawareof theirdutiesandobligations.Andaboveall,first-rate professionals,withoutdiscrimination,“exportable”toany firstworldcountry

SSC’sgreatestvalueiscustomersatisfaction,honesty,the obligationtobethebestintheareaitchooses,the company’scommitmenttothepresentandthefutureof keepinguptodatewiththetechnologicalareasand providingfirst-levelknowledgeandservices.

The limitations in life are not given by your physical or situation itself, they are given by you, if your mind changes, your world too.

Leading by Example

Everythingstartsandstopswithyou,thefounderor CEOofthebusiness,thepersonwhoeveryone lookstowhenitcomestosettinganexample.As theleaderofyourcompany,yourjobistoinspirethepeople aroundyoutopushthemselvesand,inturnthecompany,to excelineverythingtheydo.Todothis,theleadermust showthewaybydoingitthemselves,bywalkingthewalk andtalkingthetalk.

WarrenBenniswasanAmericanscholarandorganizational consultant.Heiswidelyregardedasapioneerofthe contemporaryfieldofleadershipstudiesandisknownto havecreatedthefamousquote“Managersarepeoplewho dothingsright;leadersarepeoplewhodotherightthing.”

Astheleader,youknowthatkeepingyourteamtogether, workingtowardsacommongoal,gettingthemtosupport andhelpeachotherisyourjob.Ifyousucceed,theywill succeed;moralewillriseandmoresuccesswillfollow.

There’salmostnothingworseforcompanymoralethan leaderswhofollowthe“DoasIsay,notasIdo” philosophy Whenthishappens,thelossofenthusiasm, energyandgoodwillamongstaffislikewatchingatyre deflatewithfrustration,cynicismandmistrustreplacingany positivitythatpreviouslyexisted.

Nomatterwhatthesituation,doublestandards,where peopledoonething,andthensayanotherisalwaysarecipe foradisaster.Itcanbeverydestructive.Ifthishasever happenedtoyou,Iamcertainthefeelingsthatyou rememberareofdeepfrustration,asenseofdisappointment andtotallet-down.Itcanbeenergysappingandveryhard tobreakoutofonceithashappened.

Asaleaderyouknowthatyouhavearesponsibilitytoyour team.Theylooktoyouforguidanceandstrength;itisthe essenceofwhatbeingaleaderis.Andabigpartofyour responsibilityistoleadthemwithandbyyourownactions.

So,whyisitsoimportantandwhathappenswhenyoufail todothis?Whenyouleadbyexample,itisthecreationof theartofthepossible.Peoplecanlookatyouandsay,

“Well,ifheiswillingtodoit,thensocanI.”Whenyouset thetoneofanyactivity,youbecomeasourceofinspiration andyoumakeiteasyforotherstofollowyou.

ThisbringsmeontoTrust.Itistheinevitableby-productof havingdoneyourjobasaleaderwell.Trusttakestimeto nurtureandbuild.But,whenyoustaytruetoyourbeliefs, toyourcoreprinciplesandwhenyoukeepyourwordyour staffwillknow.Consequently,yourteamwillfollowyour lead.Theywillputtheirtrustinyou,evenwhenthingsare toughinabusiness.Byopeningyourselfuptoyourteam andshowingthemtheway,theoddsarethattheywill followyouanywhere.

Goodleadersdrivetheirpeopleforwardwithenergy, excitement,vision,inspirationandtrust.Ateamwithout trustintheirleaderwillseepoorproductivity,higher absenteeismandgreaterstaffturnover.Enthusiasmmay disappearandtheteammayfallapart.Thevisionyou’re tryingsohardtomakehappenwillloseitsappeal,all becauseyourteamdoesn’ttrustyouanymore.

Goodleadershiptakesrealstrengthofcharacterandafirm commitmenttodotherightthing,attherighttime,forthe rightreason…..evenifitishard.Thismeansdoingwhat yousay,whenyousayit.Ifyourteamcan’ttrustyou, you’llneverbegreatandyouwontsucceed.It’slike runningaracewithyourshoelacestiedtogether.Ifyour teamknowsthatyou’llalsodowhateveryouexpectfrom them,they’lllikelyworkhardtohelpyouachieveyour collectivegoal.

Greatleadershavechangedtheworldbecausetheylivedby theirownexample.Theymadeaccomplishinggreatthings thenormandnottheexception.So,ifyouaskacolleague todosomething,makesureyouarewillingtodoit yourself.Makesureyousettheexample.Lookcloselyat yourownbehaviour.Showrespecttoothersandthatrespect willbereturned.Ifyouwantpeopletolistentoallopinions andpointsofview,makesureyoulistenyourself.Wewere giventwoearsandjustonemouthforareason!

About the Leader

Rob Leslie is the Founder and CEO of Sedicii. Rob is a serial entrepreneur has a successful track record of establishing and growing businesses to considerable scale.

Sedicii was founded in 2013 and has won over 15 technology and innovations awards to date including, most recently, the BBVA Open Innovation “Fintech for Future” Award. BBVA is the oldest and largest Fintech Innovation Program in the world and has highlighted Sedicii as “the start-up with the greatest potential to transform the financial sector in the next 10 years!” Sedicii has developed a patented zero knowledge proof protocol to help people and businesses prove their identities in real-time without compromising their right to privacy.

Rob is a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer for his work on the zero-knowledge proof protocol and has spoken at Davos on cybersecurity, digital identity and other technology issues affecting the world’s economies.

Prior to Sedicii he co-founded Kyckr (ASX:KYK) which is now listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and provides organisational identity services for KYC & AML services to banks and other regulated financial institutions across the globe. Rob was also part of the original management team in Dell Japan that established and grew the business to almost 300 employees and $300M turnover in its first 4 years.

Rob Leslie Founder & CEO Sedicii

Advancing Business Practices with Digital Identity

Driven, persistent, optimistic, a multi-tasker while at

the same time listening to and being unafraid to ask for help” saysRobLeslie.ForRob,thesearethe vitalattributesofaleader.Headdsbeingaleadercanbea verylonelyplace.However,heopines “the benefits far outweigh everything else. There is no better feeling in the world than taking an idea and seeing it blossom into a successful, vibrant, profitable business.”

RobistheCEOandfounderofSedicii,afederated,global identityverificationnetworkwhichenablesreal-time identityverification.In2018,SediciiwontheBBVA Open Talent/FintechAwardanditwascommentedthat “Sedicii has the greatest possibility of transforming the financial sector in the next 10 years”.Asavisionaryleader,Rob wantstoseethisbecomearealitytogetherwithhaving enrichedthelivesofallhiscompany'semployeesby leavingahealthy,profitablecompanybeforemovingonto hisnextchallenge!!

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterviewconducted between Insights Success and Rob Leslie:

Describeyourbackgroundandwhatdidyoudobefore youstarted,orcameintothisbusiness?

IamanElectronicEngineerbyprofessionhavinggraduated fromDublinCityUniversity(DCU)inIrelandinthe 1980's.I'maserialentrepreneur–Sediciibeingmyseventh (7th)start-upcompany.PriortoSediciiIwasco-founderof KyckrwhichwasfloatedontheAustralianStockExchange in2016.InmyearlierprofessionallifeIworkedinJapan for20yearsbeforereturningtoIrelandwhereIam currentlybased.WhileinJapanIwaspartoftheinitial managementteaminDellJapanthatestablishedandgrew

thebusinesstheretoalmost300employeesand$300M turnoverinitsfirstfouryears.Itisnowabillion-dollar business.IwasalsoapartnerinaJapanesecomputer servicescompanycalledPTSwhichwasacquiredin2000 byaSingaporeanfirmaspartoftheirentryintothe Japanesemarket.

Describeyourcompanyanditscutting-edgeservices whichaddressalltheneedsofyourcustomers. Sediciiisdevelopingaplatformtomanagedigitalidentity WedevelopsoftwareasaserviceforKYC,AMLandfor theidentificationandauthenticationofpeople,vehicles, productsandotherphysicalandvirtualgoodsusingour unique,patentedZKP(ZeroKnowledgeProof)protocol. Sediciiiscreatingafederated,globalidentityverification networkwhichenablesreal-timeidentityverificationby certified,trustedidentityproviders(governments,banks, telco's,utilities),ensuringthatbusinessescanreactquickly tonewgovernment,regulatoryandindustrydemandsfor real-timeidentityverification,authenticationandtrust services.Includedinouridentitynetworkareproducts includingauthenticationsoftware,aKYCandCustomer OnboardingsolutionandaCollaborativeAMLMonitoring Platformwhichwebelieveisuniqueintheworldasit assessesbothsidesofapaymentforAMLriskcompliance.

Whatstrategiesdoyouundertaketomakeyour employeesresourceful?

Sediciiiscurrentlyasmallteamof15.Wehaveanallinclusivestrategyholdingweeklymeetingswiththeteam whicharemulti-locationalinBelgium,UnitedKingdom, theCanaryIslandofTenerifeandourheadquartersin Waterfordinthesouth-eastofIreland.Thisisahigh-level meetingwhereeveryoneisencouraged,anddareIsay,

expectedtoparticipate.Ideasarebouncedandexpanded uponandtheteamfeelempoweredandanintegralpartof Sedicii.Ibelievethatthesuccessofacompanyis dependentuponitspeopleandIencourageeveryoneto sharetheirideaswhichinturndrivethemtoberesourceful. There'snothinglikeafeelingofbeingvaluedandlistened to,nomatteryourroleinacompany,tospuryouontodo betterandgotheextramileinmyopinion.

Whatisyourgreatestlifeachievement?

Thepinnacleofmyprofessionallifetodatewouldcertainly betheaccoladeofbeingnamedaWorldEconomicForum (WEF)TechnologyPioneerandspeakingatDavos;theonly softwarecompanyinIrelandtobeaffordedthisaccolade

makestheachievementallthemorerewarding.Addtothis thefactthatSediciihasconsistentlywon–yearonyear–varyingtechnologyawardswhichnownumberover20.

Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivetotheemerging entrepreneurs?

Bepreparedtolistentoadvice.Don'tbeafraidtoaskfor help.Refineyourthoughtsandhavegoodsoundingboards fromtrustedadvisors. Bepreparedforgoodtimesand challengingtimesbeforeyousucceed–nevergiveupon yourvisionandbelieveinyourself.Berealisticintermsof whatonepersoncanachieve.Persist.Persevere.

Howdoyousustainyourentrepreneurialspiritinthis changingtechnologicalera?

Aperson'ssustainabilityisapositiveattributeratherthan somethingtobetolerated.Technologyisanintegralpartof ourday-to-daylives,likeitornot,it'sheretostay.I'vebeen describedasaglasshalf-fullpersonandbelievein technologyandembracingitforthebetterment(ratherthan thedetriment)ofeveryone.Iseeourtechnologyasaway andmeanstopreserveaperson'sfundamentalrightto privacywhilst,atthesametime,theabsoluteneedtoensure thatfraudandcriminalitycanbetackledthroughbetter complianceandalwaysup-to-dateidentityrecords.Thisis forthebenefitoftheworldeconomyandtheprotectionof allofus.

“ Never lose your vision and always believe in yourself.

Attributes of aGood Leader

Leadershipisaboutusingthe powerofapositionto empoweragroupofpeoplein ordertoattainacommongoal.A leader’staskistoimplementtheplans thatusuallylookgoodonpaper, throughadelegatedteam,inaspecific timewithanongoingmotion.She/he mayusethetraditionalmethodormay thinkoutofthebox.Itdependsonthe leaderashowtodoit;theultimate motiveistogetthejobdone.

Although,eachandeveryindividual hasadifferentapproachonleadership, somemightsayitisaboutsetting examples,somemightsayitisabout sharingtheauthority;whatmattersis, takingtherightdecisionwhenitis mostneeded.

Leadershipvariesfromone organizationtoanother An organizationisadynamicbodyand createsnewprobabilitieseverynow andthen.Andwithnewprobabilities, comenewchallenges.

Although,itisimpossibletoovercome everychallenge,thebusiness environmenthasadoptedcertain leadership styles fortheefficiencyof business:

TheParticipativeLeader ParticipativeLeadershipistheprocess ofsharingauthoritywiththework forceinordertogetoptimum efficiency.Theteam,aftergetting accesstocertainpowers,works responsiblytoaccomplishthegoalsset byitsleader Thesharedleadership alsohelpsincaseofanyrequirement ofchange,astheemployeesadapt quicklyinsuchenvironment. Incidentally,thisstyleofleadershipfits bestinascenariowhenthereisa limitationoftime.

TheTransformationalLeader

Atransformationalleaderinspiresthe teamthrougheffectivecommunication andanintellectualenvironment. However,theseindividualsrequire

moredetailorientedmanagersto successfullyimplementtheirstrategies.

TransformationalLeadershipis consideredamongthemosteffective employeesoftheorganization.Oneof theexamplesofthistypeofleadership iswhenaleaderisassignedonahigher levelforeffectiveenvironment.

TheTransactionalleader

Thetransactionalleadership,asthe namesuggests,enablestheleaderto incentivizetheteamcorrespondingto theirperformance.Theteamgets rewardedwhenitattainsthegoalsand theLeaderhasthepowertoreviewthe resultsandactaccordinglywhenthe teamfailstodothesame.Thegoals andthestrategytoattainthemare decidedbytheleaderandtheteam itself.

TheSituationalleader

Situationalleadershipisatheorythat thebestleaderwilladapttothe requiredleadershipstyleaccordingto needofthehour ASituationalleader mayadoptdemocraticstylewhile discussionbusinesswithsenior executive,butmayswitchto transactionalatthetimeofteam review.Howevereveryindividualhas anaturalstyleofleadershipanditmay bedifficulttoswitchrolesatacertain pointoftime.

Qualitiesofagoodleader

Thereisanoldproverbthatsays, “Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man to Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.” So isthecasewithleadership.Oneofthe basicqualitiesofaLeaderistopasson theleadershipskills.

Followingaresomeofthequalitiesof agoodleader:

Ÿ CommunicationSkills

Communicationisthebasic requirementforefficiencyina business.Asthelevelofhierarchy elevates,therequirementof

communicationgrows.Especially, whenitcomestoleadership,thereisno scopeforlackofcommunication.A Leaderwhofailstodevelopthisskillis lookedupasincompetent,becauseitis hisjobtosendthemessageloudand clear Although,itisalsoimportantto listenasitisanintegralpartof communication.

Ÿ

Integrity

C.S.Lewissaid, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” Beitgivingcredittooneof theteammembersorbeitadmittinga mistake,aleaderwearsintegrityasa badgeofhonor Theydowhatisright, nomatterwhat.

Ÿ

Empowerment

Asmentionedearlier,Leadershipis aboutusingthepowerofone’sposition toempoweragroupofpeopleinorder toattainacommongoal.Agoodleader shareshisauthoritywiththeteamin ordertogetthejobdone.Bydoing this,heshowsconfidenceintheteam andobligedbythegesture,theteam workswithfullenthusiasmto accomplishthegoal.

Ÿ Decision

making

Thereisriskindecisiontomaking. Greatleaderstakegreatdecisions whenthestakeishighanditisthe successofthosedecisionsthatmake themgreat.Toaddup,agoodleader takesrightdecisionattherighttime. Inconclusion,agoodleadercanbe definedbythedynamicsofhisstylein leadership,thevaluesthathebringsto theorganization,themethodsheuses tomakethebestoftheresources,and thekindofdecisionhemakesinthe givensituations.Attheenditisabout theattitudeofanindividualtobring thechangeforgood.

Shanaz Ramzi Chief Executive Officer

Shanaz Ramzi

Bringing Perfection in PR and Event Management

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Shanaz Ramzi ChiefExecutiveOfficerofStarLinks emphasizesonherimpeccablejourneyofgaininga successfulstatureincurrenthecticmarkets.Herunique ideologiesandmethodsassistedinachievingmany milestonesinherpathway.

Shanazstartedhercareerasafreelancejournalistin 1994andwroteprolificallyforvariouspublications,both localandinternational,includingfortheirleading EnglishnewspaperDawn.In2004,shewashiredas HeadofPRandPublicationsbyanupcomingtelevision network,HUM,andwhilecontinuingherwriting,she joinedtheorganizationasoneofthefoundingteam members.Shestoodwiththemforelevenyears,finally resigninginNovember2015fromherpositionasGM PRandPublicationstostartherownPRandevent managementcompanycalledStarLinks.

AbriefonStarLinks

StarLinksPRandEventsisbasicallyaPRandevent managementcompanythathasastrongCSRcomponent aswell.Whilethecompanyoffersprobonoservicesfor variouscharitableinstitutions,sheandherteamalsotry toinvolvethecompany’sclientsinCSRactivitiesto enablethemtogivebacktotheircountry.Theybelieve ingoingtheextramileforalltheirclientsandhavefast developedthereputationofunder-committingandoverdelivering.Company’ssmallteamof12peopleworks dedicatedlythroughitsheadofficeinKarachi,whileit haslinkagesinothercitiesofPakistanaswell,asin

differentpartsoftheworld,whichhavehelpedStarLinks todoPRforeventsinDubai,London,Houston,Toronto andColombo.

IncreasingEfficiency

Shanazandherteamholdsdailymeetingstodiscussthe progressofprojects/clientsonhandandtobrainstormfor futureendeavors.Shestatesthatdailytargetsaresetby theentireteamandendofthedayreportsistobe submittedsothereisclarityinhowmucheachhas succeededinmeetingtheirtargets.Anincrementsystem hasalsobeenputinplacebasedontheemployee’s productivity,pro-activeness,resourcefulnessand creativitywhichworkswonderstomotivatetheteamto putintheirbest.Furthersheaddsthatafixed commissionisalsogiventothoseemployeesthatbring innewclientsorprojects.

HertraitsledImpeccableAchievements

Shanazstronglyfeelsthateveryleader,andparticularly oneinthePRbusiness,shouldandmusthaveacool head,tonsofpatience,andtheabilitytolisten,aswellas delegate.Throughquoting,“A good leader is one who is accessible at all times, and who inspires confidence and respect,”Shanazimpliesthattheleadershouldbehandsonandknowtheirworkthoroughly,sothattheycan’tbe hoodwinked.

Moreover,shealsomentionssomeofherachievements, yetsheoftenwonderedwhatsheconsideredasher

greatestlifeachievement–hermarriageoffortyyearsto herchildhoodsweetheart;hertwobeautifulchildren;her book,FoodPrintspublishedbyOUP,thefirstofitskind inPakistan;orhertwointernationalawardsreceived soonafterestablishinghercompanyforStart-upofthe Year,andBestCEOoftheWorld.Shestates,perhaps,in retrospect,inapostCovid-19worlditissimplystaying healthyandbeingintouchwithherchildhoodfriendsall acrosstheglobedigitally.

Havingsaidthat,shewouldliketoaddherethatthere aretwoprojectsthatsheconsidershergreatestwork achievementtodate,whichshewouldliketospecifically mention.Thefirstisthelaunchofthebiggestmallin SouthAsia,LuckyOneMall,whichsheandherteam wereentrustedwithintheveryfirstyearofher company’sexistence.Itwashumblingenoughthatthe companylandedthemammothprojectinthefaceofstiff, andfarmoreexperiencedcompetition,butwhatwas evenmoreover-whelmingwasthatitlandedup extendingitslaunchactivitiesfromthreedaystothirteen fulldays,withherteamstayingatthemalldayand night,inordertoensurefootfall,formostimportant shopshadnotopenedupontime.

Shealsostatesthatthesecondprojectwasathree-day internationalconferenceforINTBAUPakistan— InternationalNetworkforTraditionalBuilding, ArchitectureandUrbanism–thatsheandherteam carriedoutlastNovember.With30foreigndelegates,

fiveforeignstudents,andover250localparticipants takingpartintheconference,whichprovidedboarding andlodgingtoalltheforeigners,aswellastoover60 localdelegatesintheinteriorofSindh–incustom-made, eco-friendlyresorts–aswellasinKarachi,themost challengingpartoftheeventwasnotthelogisticsorthe conferenceitself,butthefactthatthepresidentof Pakistanandhisentourageattendedtheopeningday.The nightmareofmeetingtheprotocolrequirementsand securitymeasuresmadeeverythingelsepaleinto insignificance,butthefactthatthecompanymanagedto pullitofftoravereviewsbyoneandall,wasafeatthey areallveryproudof.

AnadviceforTriumphinTech-orientedWorld Shanazfindsherworkextremelychallengingandthe timesweliveinconstantlyevolving,andfeelsonemust begratefultothisever-changingtechnologicalera.She statesthatsheislearningsomethingnewfromheryoung colleaguesdaily,andwhilethereistheoccasionaltime whenshemissesthewayitusedtobe,byandlargeshe isgratefulforthechangesforitdoesmakeconnectivity, gatheringinformation,keepingrecordsandsomuch more,aloteasierandquicker.Onehastolearntomove withthetimes,andratherthanbeingdauntedbythe head-spinningtechnology,shefinditexhilaratingand exciting.

Shealsostatesthefactthattherearemanyemerging entrepreneursintheirindustryasithasbeengrowing rapidlythispastdecade,butmanyofthemareonepersonshowswithnooverheads,nolegalstanding,and arenotregisteredastaxpayers.Heradvicetoallthese youngstersisthattherearenoshortcutsinlife–ifthey wanttotrulysucceedandmaketheirmark,theyneedto goaboutittherightaway,evenifitmeansmakinga substantialinvestmentintotheirbusiness.

“My parting words -- Never fear competition; help others to succeed, forge partnerships, and success will be yours.”