World’s Best Company Culture to Work for 2022 August2022

Storytelling, Workplace Culture, and the Golden Goose

Editor’s Desk

Everybody has heard the famous Aesop's tale of

the poor farmer who buys a goose that lays a golden egg every day. In his greed to get all the gold eggs, the farmer immediately kills the goose, only to find that there are none inside the goose's stomach.

The story conveys what a simple 'greed is bad' statement cannot – the foible of greed and shortsightedness, giving weight to wealth itself rather than what brings wealth, the cost of pursuing wealth without giving thought to actions, and much more. The context gives the simple statement more weight and makes it more memorable than it would be otherwise.

"Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals, and moral compasses." – Aleks Krotoski, academic, and journalist.

Stories are powerful. They shape us and tell us who we are, what we value, where we came from, and where we are going. Be it religions shaping civilizations, family stories shaping children, or moral values coached to us in stories in schools – stories have always been a powerful medium to communicate layers of meanings in a simple memorable format.

In the current world, companies use storytelling as a powerful tool to shape narratives about them in the mind of their customers. Marketing can be centered on coming up with effective stories that communicate the brand in a way that stays with the consumer. But what about the stories that companies tell their employees?

A simple definition of workplace culture is how employees act when the management isn't around. This culture is often propagated through the water cooler gossip and stories that employees tell each other about the organization. More than statements of mission and

vision, stories circulating about the company tell the employees what kind of behavior is expected and the standards they must strive towards. They also tell whether the dedication and efforts of the employees will be valued at the company or whether they should be looking for greener pastures.

"It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story." – Patrick Rothfuss, author

It's the story that will get whispered, exchanged, and repeated within the walls of the company that will shape its culture. And it's that thriving culture that will spawn the golden ideas which will help the company achieve the success it dreams of

In this edition of 'World's Best Company Culture to Work For,' we at Insight Success have brought you companies that have built great workplace cultures for their employees. Read ahead to find out how they have done so!

World's Best Company Culture to for 2022

CompanyName

121advisor 121advisor.com

AliceTechnologies alicetechnologies.com

FeaturedPerson

KevinSteer CEO

RenéMorkos Founder&CEO

FatPipeNetworks fatpipeinc.com

Kadence kadence.co

PikeCorporation pike.com

SanchaitaDatta President

DanBladen Co-founder&CEO

EricPike CEO

Sedicii sedicii.com

RobLeslie

FounderandCEO

Brief

Sinceitsincorporationin2010,121Advisorhaspioneered variousrevolutionarybusinesssolutionsindigitaltechnology, internetandmobileplatforms.

AliceTechnologiesdevelopsconstruction-engineeringsoftware forgeneralcontractors,subcontractors,andrealestate developers.

Overthelast12years,FatPipehashadthelargestinstalledbase ofcustomersinsoftware-definednetworkWANs,including numerousFortune1000companies.

Kadence'svisionistocreateaworldinwhicheverypersonhas accesstotheopportunity,thetools,andtheenvironmenttodo theirbestworkwherevertheyare.

MyBusinessConsultingDMCCisanexpertconsulting companyforBusinessSetup,BankAccountOpening, ImmigrationsupportandVATintheUAE.

Sediciihasbuiltasolutionthatenablesacitizentoverifyone orseveralaspectsoftheiridentityagainstoneorseveral identityproviders(IdPs).

World's Best Company Culture to Work for 2022.

Cover Story

Corporation Leading Infrastruure Modernization with a Strong Work Culture

Safety is paramount in the elerical industry, and at Pike, each one of us takes our commitment to safety extremely seriously.

Withournation'sincreasedfocusoninfrastructure modernizationandtheenergytransition,the abilitytoincorporateinnovativeprocessesand enhancedworkertraininghavebecomeessentialfor organizationstoexpandtheirexperienceandmaintaina strongfootholdinthiscriticalsector.Withits75-yeartrack recordprovidingservicesandsolutionsforthenation's infrastructurenetwork, isonethelargest PikeCorporation leadingengineeringandconstructioncompaniesintheUS, coveringelectric,renewable,telecomandgas infrastructure.

PikeCorporationhasaproventrackrecordofpartnering withutilitiesacrossthenationforitsinfrastructure upgrades;ithasgrownfromaregionaldistribution constructionsuppliertoanationalengineeringand constructionpartneracrossmultipleservicelines.Atthe helmofPikeCorporationis ,the and EricPike Chairman CEO,whocontinuouslyguidesthecompanytoward significantgrowth.

WhatmakesPikeCorporationarenownedorganizationin theindustryisitsqualityworkforceandthemethodsthey usetoperformtheirtasks.Thecompanyspecializesin designing,building,maintainingandupgradingcritical infrastructureintheUS.Italsomobilizesthousandsof stormrespondersannuallytorestorepowerandnormalcy afterahurricaneorothermajorweatherevent.

StrongSetofCoreValues

Foroversevendecades,Pikehasmaintainedastrongwork culturebyimplementingfine-tunedprocessesandstrategies thatfostersafety,integrity,andsolutionsateverylevelin theorganization.Ericshares, "Our customers and employees require industry-leading safety performance. We come to work every day to be the partner our customers can trust with their critical infrastructure. We provide them with solutions across our service lines. Our employees enjoy the challenge of what we do, the sense of accomplishment of safeguarding our nation's infrastructure, and being a part of something much bigger than the individual."

Service-OrientedWorkEthic

Goingaboveandbeyondthecallofdutyisasensibilitythat Pikeemployeesshare.PikeCorporationalsodoes communityprojectsandcharitableeventsinpartnership withitscustomersacrossitsoperatingareas.However, mostpeoplewitnessthemduringstormeventswhenPike's teamsworkaroundtheclocktorestorepowerto communitiesandhelplifegetbacktonormal.

FoundationforGrowth

Pikestatesthatheenjoysguidingthecompanytonew levelsofpartnershipandgrowthwithitscustomers.He says, "I take great pride in our company providing great jobs that often turn into lifelong careers. I believe we will continue to grow and provide new services and value to our customers as we see the sector transition to a more resilient grid with renewable generation sources, as well as all infrastructure being enhanced with digital communications capabilities."

We work hard to be a company where employees are proud to be part of the team, and customers tru stus.

EmployeeWords

Employeesconcurandsharetheirwordsofpraiseforthe company'scultureandworkethic.

IhavebeenatPikeElectricforfouryears.Istilllook forwardtogoingtoworkdailybecauseIfeellikethework

Iamcontributingtomakesadifference.Themanagement encouragescollaborationandlistenstoouropinions.Iam challengeddaily,andtherearemultipleopportunitiesfor growth.Mycoworkersareenergizedandalwayswillingto helpeachother.

• Cooper,Lineman

ItrulyvaluePike'scommitmenttofosteringbothEmployee andLeadershipDevelopment.Forexample,Pikeequipsits leaderswithcourses/materialsoutliningtheindustry'sbest practicesandstrategiesforsuccessfulleadership.

Additionally,Pikesupportsallemployeesinpursuing continuingeducationcourses,whichiscriticaltoupholding ProfessionalEngineering(PE)andProjectManagement Professional(PMP)licenses.

Whetherit'shostingperiodic“EmployeeAppreciation” eventsorsolicitingfeedbackfromitsemployeesto continuallyimprovetheworkplaceexperience,Pikeisa companywhereemployeesfeelvalued.Insummary,Pikeis agreatplacetoworkbecausePikevaluesitsemployeesand recognizestheimportanceofencouragingawork-life balance.

• Allyson,PE,PMP,

EngineeringManager

IttakesspecialindividualstobeagoodfitwithPike,andI attributethistoourstrongworkculture,whichinturn makesPikethecontractorofchoice.Pike'sworkcultureis madeupofhard-working,professional,tenacious employeesthatwillnottake“no”forananswer.Pike employeeshaveservinghearts–fromblue-collarfield employeestoleaders;weareallheretoserveandhelpeach other.Ourmaingoalistoperformourjobstonotonly betterourselvesbuttoensurethesuccessofeachandevery projectatPikeandthesuccessofthecompanyoverall.Our strongworkcultureprecedesitselfwithover75yearsof excellenceinthisindustry,andwecanattributethattothe characteristicspresentedbyeachandeveryemployee.

WhenIinterviewpotentialemployeesordescribePiketo newhires,Ialwaysmentionourstrongcultureandhow importantthisistoensuretheiremploymentsuccessat Pike.AsIstatedearlier,weareagroupofextremelyhard workersthatdonottake“no”forananswer,whichalso speaksvolumesforourleadership.

•

Molly,VicePresidentofHumanResources

InmytimewithPikeTelecomandRenewables,I'vefound thatthecompany'sleadershipdoesagoodjobofcultivating acommunityoftrustamongpeersandwithinchainsof command.Theculturelargelydiscourages micromanagementandallowsustoreallytakeownership andinitiativeforourrespectiveresponsibilities.Thiskind ofautonomyhasallowedmetospecializetomystrengths overtimeandbecomeadirectstakeholderinthesolutionsI propose.Thecompanytreatsemployeesassubject-matter expertsandisveryreceptivetoproposedprocess

innovations.It'sexcitingtobeinvolvedwithacompany thatallowsmetoeffectchangethatistangiblebothinthe organizationandintheindustrywesupport.

• Bronson,PikeTelecomandRenewablesBusiness Analyst

IstartedPikein2006withtheexpectationthatthiswasjust anothercompanytogetmebytillthenext.Iquicklyfound thatPikewasdifferent;theyinvestintheirpeopleatall levelsandgenuinelycareabouttheiremployees.Through theyearssinceI'vewatchedasPikehascontinuedtogrow yetkeptthesamecorevaluesoftakingcareofand investinginthegrowthoftheiremployees.AsIhave movedintodifferentlevelsofthecompany,ithasalways beenclearfromEricPikedownthattheemployeesarethe numberoneassetatPike,andthatwillneverchange.

AnotherdistinguishingpartofPikeishowforward-thinking weare,asweneverseemtobesatisfiedwiththestatusquo andarealwayslookingfornewcutting-edgewaystoserve andtraintheemployeesandserveourcustomers,whether throughnewvirtualtrainingornewonlineapplications.

Whetherworkinginternationallyorinaruraltownherein thestates,thereisalwaysnewopportunitiesandchallenges formeandconstantopportunityforself-growth,andthe relationshipsIhavemadeiswhyIloveworkingforthis company.

•

Dustin,AreaSupervisor

IfeelthattheculturehereatPikeisaculturethatbringsthe companyanditsemployeestogetherlikefamily ThewayI seeitiswearefamilyasweworktogetherasateam.The culturehereshowsthatnotjustonepersoncandoitallby themselves.ThecultureatPikegivesyouthefeelingthat youalwayshavesomeonethatislookingoutforyouand beingyourbrother'skeeper.Pikehasmanygreatcultures, butIthinkthecultureofteamworkisahugepartof success.

•

Michael,GeneralForeman

HereatPike,workcultureiseverything,anditallbegins withleadership.Weliketoleadbyexampleanduse teamworkbetweenallcrewmemberswitheverytaskwe arehanded.Itallstartswithuppermanagementkeepingus informedaboutwhatisgoingoncompanywide.Quality

leadershipplaysabigroleintheworkcultureatPikeby inspiringstrongandinnovativework.

OneofthebiggestpartsofourworkculturehereatPike thatwecannotpreachenoughissafety.Wewantevery employeetomakeithomesafeeveryday.Wemakeitour numberonegoaltobeourbrother'skeeper Tosummarize ourworkculturehereatPike,itisallaboutbeingsafe, workingtogetherasateam,andgettingthejobdonesafely

• Joseph,Foreman

"SafetyIsNotourGOAL;it'sourJOB."Thishereisa quotefromthefaceofourcompany,EricPike.Thisiswhat youhearthefirstdayyoustartwithPikeElectric, immediatelysettingthetonethatgoinghometoyourloved onesismoreimportantthanhowmuchprofityoumadeon thatjobyoucompletedthisweek.Toshowuptowork enduringthedangeroustaskswe'vesignedupforadayin anddayout,knowingthatthemanwhoselastnameyou wearonyourchestcaresmoreaboutyourlivelihoodrather thanhowhecanprofitoffofyoumakesyouwanttoshow upanddothisjobtoyourutmostpotential.Thecultureyou buyintowhenhiringonwithPikeElectriciswe'reafamily, andsafetycomesfirst.

• William,Foreman

121 Advisor Advisor 121

Imbuingateamoftalentedprofessionalswithatrack

recordofsuccesstoserveclientsacrosstheFinancial Insurance,Takaful&ServicessectorsinAsia, 121AdvisorwasfoundedbyKevinSteerwithafarsighted vision.121Advisorhaspioneeredvariousrevolutionary businesssolutionsindigitaltechnology,internet,mobile platforms,socialmediachannels,andregulatory-compliant cloudsolutionsformultinationalanddomesticclients.

121Advisordeliverscost-effectivesolutionsthatempower providerswithrobust,innovativetechnologysolutions enablingthegenerationofqualityleads,securesales,and buildingcustomerloyaltyinaprofessionalandregulatory compliantmanner Thecompanyadherestothecorevalues ofInnovation,Integrity,Teamwork,andQuality.Itworks collectivelytowardsaccomplishingitsvisionofbecominga renownedtechnologyenablerinitsfield.

WeatInsightsSuccesscaughtupwithKevintolearnmore aboutthecompany'sworkandvision.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Kindlytellourreadersaboutyourselfandyour professionaljourneysofar.Whatwasyourinspiration tostepintothetechnologysolutionsandconsulting servicessectors?

IgraduatedfromCambridgeUniversityin1978andthen workedforthecompanySchlumberger(inBrunei, Australia,Indonesia,China)forfiveyears.Thenseeinghow ITwasevolving,in1986,IdidaMastersinComputingat ImperialCollege,whereIfocusedonArtificialIntelligence. ThenImovedovertoMalaysiain1990toimplement solutionsinInsurance&Banking,wherewewereableto getbusinessinChina,India,Thailand&Indonesia.

AsaCEO&'techie,'Kevinhasalwaysbeenlookingfor newdisruptivesolutionstocontinueevolvingthebusiness. Hehasdevelopeddatabasetablesdesigns.Whatwas interestingwasthatheworkedforanArtificialIntelligence Companyin1986,andthatpiquedhisinterestinAI.

Tellusabout121Advisor,itsmission,anditsvision. Whatroledidyouplayinitsdevelopmentand outreach?

121Advisorgrewthebusinessto:

Ÿ

PredictiveAnalyticswithMachineLearning:This helpsinpredictingnewproductstobuy,churn& lapsation,underwriting,etc.

Ÿ

MultilingualChatbotforFinancial,Insurance& Takaful(FITbot):It'samultilingualchatbotandRobo Advisorthatuseshybridnetworksandnaturallanguage processing(NLP)tocommunicatewithconsumersand producemorereferrals.

Ÿ

WebPortalSolutionforSales&Servicing (WebPoS):Thismultilingualsystemoffersclientsa unified,tailoreddigitalexperience,withcontent,sales, marketing,andworkmanagementcentralizedrather thansiloed.

Ÿ

ReferralManagement&MarketingAutomation (ReMMA):Banksusethistoassignleadsautomatically andtrackandmanageleadreferralsandconversions basedonuser-definedworkflows.Marketingautomation assistsinpersonalizedcontentdelivery,targeted campaigns,andengagement.

Ÿ SalesActivityMobileApp(SAMA):Theappenables userstoorganizeandmanagesalesactivitieseffectively,

World's Best Company Culture to Work for 2022

KevinSteer, CEO 121Advisor

ensuringthatitaddressesallleadsandprospects.Also, managerscanmonitorthesituationinreal-timeand assistasneeded.

Ÿ MobilePointofSalesSolutions:TIMMS(Takafuland InsuranceMobilityMadeSimple)isaspecifically designedplatformtomeetthemobilityatthepointof saleforinsurance,takaful,andfinancialservices.Itisa cross-platformtoolthatallowssalespeopletomanage theirleads,tracktheirsalesactivities,conduct presentationstopotentialcustomers,buildquotations, generatesalesillustrations,finalizeproposalswithepayment,andexecutesmartunderwriting.

Ÿ

MultilingualFITBot:ARoboAdvisorandachatbot thatengageswithconsumersusinghybridnetworksand naturallanguageprocessing(NLP)toprovidea personalizedexperienceandgeneratemorereferrals. Theproductiscurrentlyindevelopmentandwillbe releasedsoon.

EnterpriseProductConfigurator(EPC):Itaidsin reducingthetimetomarketforinsuranceandtakaful products.Itallowsquickproductreleasebysettingup productrates,illustrations,avalidationengine,andan automatedtestingmodule.

121Advisordevelopedthesolutionsfortheanalysisofan aspiringenthusiast'sventureintotheconsultingservices business.

Wheredoyousee121Advisorinthefuture?Also,how doyouenvisionscalingitinthecomingyears?

121Advisorgrewthebusinessto20pluscompanies.

Giveusafewtestimonialsofyourclients/customersand awards/recognitionsthataccuratelyhighlightyour company'spositioninthemarket.

Ÿ

Multi-channelDistributionManagementSolution (McDMS):Generalagencies,IFAs,brokers,and AgencyLeaderCorporations(ALCs)canmergetheir differentrequirementstostreamlineoperations.It's proventoincreasesaleswithloweradministration expensesthankstobuilt-inperformancemonitoringand compensationcomputation.

COVID-19provedtobethebiggestdisruptorsincethe Dot-combubble.Whattacticsdidyouapplyat121 Advisortocontinueitsoperationsandgrowth?

121AdvisorbecametheCOVID-19biggestdisruptorinthe Dot-comBubble.

WedevelopedthevaccinesforKevinSteer&SylviaYong. Wewerefullyvaccinated.

Whatisyouropiniononthenecessityfortechnology solutionsandconsultingservicesproviderstoaligntheir offeringswithArtificialIntelligenceandMachine Learningtechnology,especiallywhenitcomestoserving clientsinthefinancialandinsurancesector?

121AdvisordevelopedArtificialIntelligenceandMachine Learningsolutions.

Whatarethebiggestchallengesthatyouhavefacedin 121Advisorsince2010?Whatarethemostimportant lessonsthatyouhavelearnedinyourvocationsofar?

121Advisordevelopedsolutionsin2010,andwebuiltthe solutionsforAmBankTakaful,AmBankLifeInsurancefor CustomerService,MCISSanlam,andManulife.

Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivetoaspiring enthusiastswhowishtoventureintotheconsulting servicesbusiness?

121Advisorwastypicaladvice,andoursolutionsarebased onthecompanies.

Whatisyouropiniononhowenhanceddigital technology,internet,andmobileplatformscanempower decision-makingabilityinbusinesses?

121Advisorwerecentlylaunchedanewknowledgeportal (www.u12know.com)providinglifestyleadviceon FinancialPlanningandHealth&Wellness.Weseethatthe MillennialsdonotunderstandtheirFinancialneedsand seemtogetintodebt.Wehavedevelopedanumberof healthcalculatorsandwillbeimplementinga“TotalHealth Score”solutioninthefuture.Inthefuture,wewillbe rollingouttheFinancialPlanningGoals(Loans, Retirement,Medical,ChildEducation,CriticalIllness) basedonaperson'sLifestyle(Single,Married,Young Children,GrownChildren,Retired).TheseFinancialGoals aremappedtotheperson'slifestyle.ThisKnowledgePortal hasgrowntomorethan4,000users.

FatPipe

WAN Edge Products with Advanced Visibility and Reporting Capabilities

UninterruptedinternetconnectionwiththeSoftwareDefinedWideAreaNetworks(SD-WANs)isan essentialneedintheincreasinglyinterconnected world.FatPipeNetworks,withitshighlyoptimizedand industry-leadingSD-WANsolution,isexceedingthe expectationsofcustomers.Atthecompany'shelmisa SanchaitaDattaasaPresident.Sanchaitahas24+years ofprofessionalexperienceintheITindustryandisaleader inthefield.FatPipeNetworksistheinventorandmultiple patentsholderoftechnologythatprovidesthehighest optimization,reliability,security,andaccelerationof WANs.FatPipeoffersdetailednetworkvisibilityand reportingcapabilities.

IndustryLeaderinSD-WANSolutions

ThefoundersofFatPipeNetworksobservedtheboomof investmentsinbroadbandbackinthe90sandthecoming tideofaconnectedworld.Theysawtheopportunityto provideasolutionthateliminatedgeographicmonopolies forbroadbandandWide-AreaNetworks.InFatPipe'sinitial productpitch,onenetworkcarrierheldamonopolyover NewYorkCityfornetworkconnectivity.ItsXtremeand WARPproductshelpedothercarriersenterthecityand connecttotheincumbent'scustomers.FatPipeNetworks sawmarkedimprovementsintheconnectivityqualityand satisfactionofcustomers.ThemodelFatPipeNetworks createdofdependenceonmultipleISPsratherthanasingle solutionevolvedintowhatisnowcalledSD-WAN. FatPipehasanextensiverangeofSD-WANfeatures, includingzero-touchconfiguration,centralized orchestration,multi-linereliability,networkredundancy, packetdeduplication,andSASEforsecurityandcloud-

centereddeployments.Overthelast12years,FatPipehas themostextensiveinstalledbaseofcustomersinSoftwareDefinednetworkWANs(SD-WAN),includingnumerous Fortune1000companies.TheFatPipesolutionisrelatively easytooperate,asallfunctionsareintegratedontoone platformandmanagedwithasinglehigh-leveluser interface.

ConstantlyInnovatingtoLeadtheMarket

TheprimaryobjectiveofFatPipeNetworksistoprovide thebest-of-breedproductbackedbyworld-classsupportto addresscustomers'WideAreaNetworkingneedsand exceedtheirexpectations.FatPipe'sphilosophycenters aroundanticipatingcustomerneed1-15yearsaheadand providingthebestandmostinnovativeproducttomeet theirneeds.FatPipeisconstantlyinnovatingtoleadthe market.

PavingthewayforUninterruptedCommunication

SD-WANandWANEdgeMPVPNsolutionsofFatPipe Networksareitsmostinnovativeproductsandarewidely recognizedinthenetworkingproductsindustry These productshelpconnectcustomerlocationsoverdisparate linesandconnectionoptions.AGartneranalystata SymposiuminNewYorkCitysaid'FatpipewasSD-WAN beforeSD-WANwascool".

Zeus Kerravala of ZK Research says, "FatPipe began offering SD-WAN solutions long before the term became part of our vernacular."

FatPipe Networks strives to exceed the expectations of its customers by providing best-of-breed products, services, and solutions.

Sanchaita Data, President FatPipe Networks

FatPipe'sEnterpriseViewnetworkmonitoringsolution providesbest-in-classmonitoringwithoutexisting solutions'setupandmaintenancechallenges.Finally,its excitingcollaborationwiththeDarwinInnovationGroup andpartners,includingVirginMediaO2,Hispasat,andthe EuropeanSpaceAgency,ispavingthewayforremote, uninterruptedconnectionstoautonomousvehiclesoverthe satellite,5G,andterrestrialnetworks.

OvercomingChallengeswithInnovativeSolutions

AsthecompanythatinventedSD-WAN,FatPipeNetworks hascreatedtheroadtothistechnologyandmade roadblocksbehinditwithitspatentsandproprietary technology.Otherwise,itfacesthesameroadblocksasany techcompanyovergrowingandaddressesthemasthey arise.

AddressingChangingMarketLandscape

FatPipeNetworkshasclosecontactwithitscustomersto identifypotentialtechnicalissuesandsolutions.Itinnovates toaddressachangingmarketlandscape.Forinstance,it determinedthatcompanieswereshiftingemployeesto remoteworkbeforelockdownsbegan.Withintwoweeks,

FatPipeNetworkswasabletolaunchitsremote-worker BusinessFirstsolutiontoaddresscustomers'needsasCovid lockdownsbegan.

InventingCutting-edgeProducts

FatPipeisatechnologyleaderintheSD-WANspaceand hasastrongtrackrecordofimplementinginnovative technologies.

FatPipehasalwaysbeenontheleadingedgeofinnovation foritsproductsandfeatures.Sinceitsinception,FatPipe hasleditscompetitiontoinnovateandinventcutting-edge productfeatures.ThesefeaturesincludeLoadBalancing, packetde-duplication,CentralOrchestration,Sub-Second seamlessFailover,Cloud-based,AItechnologiesandmany otherfeaturesthatitscompetitionstillstrugglestomatch duetoitspatents.

FatPipeNetworksenvisionsinnovatingandboldlygoing wherenoSD-WANandWANEdgecompanyhasgone before.

BeingActivelyInvolvedintheCommunities

SanchaitaDattahasparticipatedinseverallocalservice organizations,havingbeenaco-founderofanorganization forWomeninTechnologyinUtah.Sanchaitahasservedon theBoardofTrusteesfortheSaltLakeCommunityCollege andtheInternationalAdvisoryBoardfortheUtahValley College.TheGovernorappointedhertoserveontheUtah SystemofHigherEducationBoardofTrusteesandsubcommittees.

InIndia,FatPipeanditsdedicatedemployeestookseveral trucks(lorries)offood,cookingpotsandpans,and essentialsalongtheseacoastofTamilNaduafterthe tsunamitosupportdisplacedvillages.FatPipeNetworksis activelyinvolvedinthelocalcommunityinSaltLakeCity, havingsupportedtheRoadHomehomelessshelterby providingwoolblanketsthroughanIndianorganization.It helpedalocalNGOinChennaibyprovidingcapitalto provideGrameen-typeloanstowomen-ownedbusinesses. FatpipehasalsosupportedthelocaluniversitiesinUtah. ThecompanywasafoundingmemberoftheUtah TechnologyCouncil,whereitsCEOwasaTrustee.

FatPipe'sCEOhasservedonseveralboardsatthelocal UniversityandservedundertwogovernorsastheChairman oftheGovernor'sOfficeofEconomicDevelopment.

JD Engelbrecht Offering You Well-Suited Strategies

Withdigitalizationimmersedinthebusiness world,ithasbecomeeasiertocommunicate withclientsthroughvariousmarketing platforms.Havinganengagingmethodtoconnectwith potentialcanelevateabusinesstonewerheights.To providethesemethodswithextensiveexpertiseand experience,JDEngelbrecht,acommercialtechnologist, implementshisgraspofbusinessfundamentalstothose overallorganizationalfunctions.

AstheManagingDirectoratEverlytic,JDutilizeshis corecompetenciesthatincludeproductdevelopment, advanceddataanalytics,anddatascience,aswellas marketingtechnologyecosystems,andstrategicdistribution viabusinessdevelopmentandalliances.

Everlyticisyourcentralhubforhigh-volume communicationviaemail,SMS,voicebroadcasting,and pushnotifications.Inourventuretofind “The 10 Best Performing Tech Leaders in Africa,” wecameacrossJD Engelbrecht.Weinterviewedhimtoexperiencehisdigital journeyacrossthemedia,eCommerce,advertising,data science,andagricultureindustries.

Below are the highlights of the interview

Brieflydescribeyourjourneyasabusinessleaderuntil yourcurrentpositionatEverlytic. Ihavehadaninterestingcareerjourney.It’sincluded:

• Beingacorporatejournalist,

• DynamicallydigitizingtheIPofagricultural economistsandagronomists,

• Doingintegratedandsustainabilityreporting,

• Runningdigitalplatformsandapplications,

• Leadingbigdataanddatascienceprograms,

Dabblinginsomebleedingedgetechnology… …andthenIjoinedEverlytic,wheregreattechandpeople cometogethertodosomethingincredible.

I’mgenerallysomeonewhoispointedatanewchallenge, andthenIfigureitoutbeforemovingontothenextthing. Beingtoogoodatyourjobisasilentkillerofcareers,butI havebeenfortunatetohavehadpeoplewhocaredaboutmy development,whowereselflessenoughtoletmegowhen itwastime.

Itisalsotoughtomoveonfromplaceswhereyou’ve investedsomuchofyourtimeandenergy.Knowingwhen tomoveonisimportant.Sometimesyouneedabitofluck, andwhenitcomesaround,youneedtobereadytotakethe opportunity

TellussomethingmoreaboutEverlytic.

Everlyticisanall-in-onesoftware-as-a-service(SaaS) platformfordata-charged,automated,multi-channel messaging.Itempowersmarketersandcommunicatorsto createandsendemail,SMS,webpush,andautomated voicemessagesatscaleusingourbulkdistribution platform,transactionalmessagingservices,andautomation journeymanager.

EnterprisebusinesseschooseEverlyticfortheglobally competitivetechnologyweoffer,aswellasunmatched, engagedcustomerserviceandstrategicconsultation.

Undeniably,technologyisplayingasignificantrolein almosteverysector.Howareyouleveraging technologicaladvancementstomakeyoursolutions resourceful?

Competitioninourspaceishigh,withthousandsof competitorsaroundtheglobe.Stayingintouchandahead meanswemustconsistentlyevolvethewayweworkand solvechallenges. Weinvestheavilyinresearchanddevelopmentto,among otherthings:

• Buildthecapacityforcost-effectiveinfrastructure scaling.

Engelbrecht Managing Director Everlyc

JD

• Remainpricecompetitivewhilesendingbillionsof messages.

• Enhanceprofitmargins.

• Usedataanalyticstoolsandtechniquestocreate actionableinsights,likeournewinterest-based segmentationfeature,whichwe’lllaunchinthenext monthorso.

Ifgivenachance,whatchangewouldyouliketobring tothedigitalcommunicationindustry?

Thereisasignificantneedandopportunityforemailservice providers(ESPs)tocreatesolutionsthatwillsupport everyoneintheindustry.Forinstance,asaplatform,our customershaveaccesstoalotofpersonaldatathatis processedthroughournetwork.Apersonononeofour clients’listswilllikelybeonotherclients’lists.Thismeans thattheEverlyticplatformcould,intheory,andwiththe requiredapprovalfromregulatorsandclients,getamuch moredetailedviewofeachindividual’sneedsandinterests, andbehavior,basedonthevarietyofdatathey’veshared withmultiplecompanies.

Thiskindofinsightcouldhelpimprovetheindustryoverall –creatingawin-win-winscenarioforus,ourcustomers, andtheircontacts.Forexample,thetimedatasubjects receivetheiremailscouldbecustomizedtowhatworksbest forthemacrosstheboard.Andtheircommunication preferencescouldbecentrallymanaged,sotheyapplytoall marketingmessagestheyreceive.

Everlytic will cr eate an accessible and multifunctional integration layer that will assist clients, partners, and other vendors to seamlessly integrate Everlytic into their greater landscape.

Asitstands,however,ESPslikeusarepositionedasdata operatorswithlimitedrightsforadditionalprocessingof ourclients’personalinformation-wetakethisvery seriously.I’dliketopetitionregulatorstoallowidentified caseswheretherearewin-winopportunitiesforusto processthisinformationtooforimprovementofthe industry

What,accordingtoyou,couldbethenextbigchangein thedigitalcommunicationindustry?HowisEverlytic preparingtobeapartofthatchange?

Wealreadyseelarge-scaleverticalintegrationinthe industrybymultinationalplayers.They’rebuyingup customerdataplatforms,websitemonitoringtools, customerrelationshipmanagementsolutions,andanalytics businesses.

Thepurposeandunderlyingtrendlinktwohistorical shortcomingsofmanybusinesses:

1.Theso-whatofdataanalytics,i.e.,theactivationof insightsbymeansofcontentdistributionviadigital messagingservices;and

2.Over-contactingcustomersduetoalackofcontext.

Wheredoyouenvisionyourselfinthelongrun,and whatareyourfuturegoalsforEverlytic?

Everlyticisagreatplacetowork:thebusinessissolid,the platformisgloballycompetitive,thepeopleareexceptional, andourparentgroup,Vox(aleadingISP),isincredible.I’m havingfun.MyteamandIhavegrownEverlyticby roughly60%sinceIjoined2.5yearsago.Iwanttotriple thebusinesswithinthenextfiveyears,andmyplanisto stayatleastthislong.

Wearerejiggingthebusinesstosupportscaled internationalization,infinitelyscalingtheinfrastructure,and wearecreatingaworld-classsalesorganizationto complementanexcellentservicecompetency

Inthelongrun,Iwanttoinvestmoretimeintobleedingedgetechnologieswithglobalshiftingpotentialthat programsethicsintothefabricofthetechnologyofthe future.Thisinterestgenerallyrelatestocreatinganew digitalidentityanddatamanagementframeworkthatI believewillstanduptothecryptographicchallengesthat quantumcomputingwillpresentinthefuture.

World'sBestCompanyCulturetoWorkfor2022

Rob Leslie

Protecting thePrivacyofthePerson

Beingasuccessful businessleadertakesalotofselfdiscipline,determinationandhardwork.Oneneeds patience,perseverance,andpersistence tobeagood businessleader. To beaneffectiveleader oneneeds tohave visionandgoal-orientedapproachtomakeadifferencein theindustry. RobLeslieisonesuchvisionaryandgoalorientedbusinessleader HeistheCEOandFounderof Sedicii.RobLeslie’svisionforSediciiistomake technologyasafer,moreefficient,andrisk-freeplacefor everyonewhousestheinternet.Intandem,throughthe globalfederatedidentityplatformbusinessescanbemore costeffective,respected andtrustedusingSedicii’s services.Robdidnotsetouttobeaserialentrepreneuror aninnovator–ithappenedorganicallyforhim.

Asachildgrowing-upRobwantedtobeanengineerora pilot.Hechosetheformerrouteandgraduatedasan ElectronicEngineerintheearly1980sfromDublinCity University(DCU),Ireland. Followinggraduation,he movedtoJapanwhereheworkedfor20years,firstlywith establishedJapanesecompaniesandsubsequentlybecame partoftheinitialmanagementteamtolaunchDellintothe Japanesemarketandaspartoftheteamgrewthebusiness initsfirstfouryearsfromzeroto300employeesanda turnoverof$300m.

ThenRob’sreal entrepreneurial journeybeganasaPartner inPTSJapan.Afterfiveyears,havingachieved avaluation of$33matexit,hereturnedtoIreland.In2007,hecofoundedKyckr(ASX:KYK)nowlistedontheAustralian StockExchange.In2013,whilestillworkingatKyckr,he foundedSediciiandremainedindualrolesuntil2016when herelinquishedhisroleatKyckrandmovedtoconcentrate allhisenergieswithSedicii.Usinganovelcryptographic protocolknownasazeroknowledgeproof(ZKP),Sediciiis creatingtheKriptanNetworktofacilitatetheverificationof identity data without the need to expose the underlying data,therebyprotectingtheprivacyoftheperson.

StrongPrivacyFeatures

Sediciiisbuildingaglobalfederatedidentityplatformthat hasstrongprivacyfeaturesatitscore.Itisbeingdeployed byGovernments,financialinstitutions,telcos,andnational utilityserviceproviderstoverify,inreal-time,aperson’s identitywithouteitherpartydivulgingtheirinformationto

theotherparty,andwhilebeingGDPRcompliant.Thisis achieved usingSedicii’spatentedZeroKnowledgeProof (ZKP)protocolwhichisattheheartofitsKYC,KYBand AMLservices.

SediciihaswonmultipleindustryawardsforitsZero KnowledgeProof(ZKP)technology,mostnotablyits recognitionfromTheWorldEconomicForumasa TechnologyPioneer. UsingSedicii’sservices,customers andserviceprovidersreceivetransactioninformationin real-timewhichmakesorganizationsmoreefficient, cost-effective, reliableanddecreasesthethreatoffraud, theft,misappropriation,andimpersonationandheightens confidenceintheserviceproviders.

InspiredbyGreatLeaders

Thereareseveralbusinessleaders whoareonRob’sbucket listtomeet.BarackObamathe44thPresidentoftheUnited Statesisone.Obama’scharismaticleadershipskillsand “cando”nononsenseattitudetolife,buildingtrustand problemsolving arevery appealing to Rob. Havingspent 20yearsinJapananotherpersonthatRobgreatlyadmires anddrawsinspirationfromhisbook“MadeinJapan”is SonyCorporation’sfounder AkioMorita.Morita’swords ringtruetoRobwhenhesaid:“Ithenrealizedthathavinga uniquetechnologyandbeingabletomakeuniqueproducts /servicesarenotenoughtokeepabusinessgoing.You havetoselltheproduct/serviceandtodothatyouhaveto showthepotentialbuyertherealvalueofwhatyouare selling”,forallRob’ssixstart-upbusinessesbutespecially Sediciiwithitsstate-of-theartZKPcomponent.

ResponsibleLeadership

ThetruthisRobdoesnot–orcertainlydidn’t-havea goodworklifebalancepriortoCovid19.Pre2020,he probablytravelled40weeksoftheyear. However, withthe restrictionshehasfoundabetterbalance andwhenhecan heplaystennisandenjoyswalking.Inaperverseway,his work–lifebalanceisbettersinceMarch2020thanitwas formanyyears.Inhisdefence,beinganentrepreneur and runningastart-upbusinessmeansthatyouhavepeople dependentonyoufortheirlivelihoodsandthisisa responsibility, whichRobtakesextremely seriously. Certainly,thepast12monthshavemadehimrealizethat whensuccesshappens youneed totakethetimetoenjoyit.

Rob Leslie, CEO and Founder

RecognizingImportance ofMentor

BenjaminFranklinsaid,“Byfailingtoprepare youare preparing tofail”.InRob’sexperiencethisiscertainlytrue whenstartingupanewbusinessventure.Researchand preparationareparamountbeforeonestartsanewbusiness therebygivingtheenterpriseabetterchance insucceeding. So,Robwouldadviseanyonewithagoodbusinessideato doalotofresearch beforecommencing;haveagood–but realistic–businessplan. Initially,itmaybeaone-person business,soRobsuggeststonotbeafraidtoaskforhelp. Headvisestoseekoutatrustedmentorandother entrepreneurs inone’ssectorandlearnfromtheir challenges.Hesuggestsusingone’sresourceswisely. He advisestorefineone’splanasbusinessgrows,revisitone’s finances,hirehelpforthebestreturnatagivenstagein one’sbusiness.Heaskstoexpectandtakesetbacksas challengestoimproveandfine-tuneone’sproductor service. Andmostimportantly,whensuccesshappens,he advisestotakethetimetoreviewandenjoythefruitsof one’shardwork.

MindingtheWelfare ofStakeholders

Currently,Sediciiisamulti-locationalcompanyof14 employeesbasedinIreland, Belgium,CanaryIslandsand UnitedKingdom.ItsheadquartersareinWaterfordIreland withdevelopmentandfinanceatbase,innovationand strategyislocatedintheU.K.andsoftware developmentis dividedbetweenBelgiumandTenerife intheCanary Islands.Beingadiversegroup,thewelfareofitsemployees isparamount intheseCovid-19pandemictimes.So,

lookingafterstaff,continuingtofindGovernments, nationalagencies, andfinancialinstitutionstojoinits federated networkareitsimportantobjectives.Other objectivesofSediciiare:Growingthecompanytoscale andofcourse rewardingitsinvestorsfortheirbeliefinwhat thecompany isachievingandmakingtheBBVAFintech Awards predictionbytheformer HeadofOpenInnovation, MarisolMenendez,therealityof“Sediciibeingthestartup withthegreatestpotentialtotransform thefinancialsector in thenext10years.”