On the lighter side of things, we ask Marcelo Ferri, COO of OutTech, what makes him tick.
Can you tell us what your most memorable achievement is?
I consider a significant milestone in my journey the first international trip I made representing the company Procwork. It was at an IT forum in California, and I was invited to speak about innovation. This made a mark on me because, besides being chosen among so many brilliant directors, the post-presentation recognition was very gratifying.
What can you tell us about your career in technology?
I belonged to the financial area, working at Banco Real, but in 1990, influenced by my older brother, I was convinced that the world of bytes was more exciting than that of bank slips. And since then, I have been in the field.
How would you describe your management philosophy?
In the technological environment, which is full of codes, I always remember that it’s the people who make the magic happen. Therefore, my philosophy is always to believe in the potential of people.
What are the current topics in the technology sphere?
AI is taking over the world! It’s a technology that, through Machine Learning, learns quickly, processes billions of information in seconds, and brings alternatives to solve problems that previously took weeks or even months. Soon, as said in the programmers’ universe, AI will even be in your toaster, making smarter toast.
How do you deal with stress?
When stress hits, I turn to my family for relaxation, and occasionally, I escape to the embrace of Mother Nature. She always has the best advice.
Have you experienced a career changing decision?
Even my mistakes are VIPs in my journey. Nothing is by chance, not even that disastrous PowerPoint from the 2011 presentation.
What are going to be your key investment areas in the technology sector?
We are heavily investing in security to keep hackers at bay and in predictive automation to foresee when the coffee machine will break down.
Are there any key challenges in implementing technology in Latin America?
Around here, the exchange rate is more unpredictable than the weather forecast and finding talent is like looking for a unicorn in the jungle. Due to these factors, technology and skilled labor, the implementation of technologies becomes a challenge.
Have there been any changes in your position in the last 12 months?
My job is like a chameleon, always adapting, and now, it seems that tax issues are coming to the party. If the changes are approved, we will have to live with the current tax system and the new one for eight years, that is, a more simplified one and the old one with its complexities. It’s chaos. What a mess!
What advice would you give to those aspiring to progress to a C-level position in the future?
If you want to get there, have resilience to overcome challenges. And remember, it’s just work – what really matters is the happy hour after the shift!