On the lighter side of things, we ask André Dib, CEO, Framework Digital, what makes him tick.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
Having resilience at the beginning of my journey in Framework Digital to create, together with my partners, a company with solid foundations and a clear purpose was a great achievement. Today, we have a strong team, support our clients in building digital strategies and are recognized as high-value partners for their businesses. This shows how all the efforts were worthwhile.
What first made you think of a career in technology?
From the beginning, the desire to make a difference in people’s lives has been a great motivation for my career, and technology has caught my eye as a means to generate that impact. The possibilities created by innovation reach millions of lives, and it has transformed humanity into what it is today.
Leading a business that takes care of the digitalization of major brands is yet another accomplishment that makes my career worthwhile. I am very happy with my choice.
What style of management philosophy do you employ in your current position?
I always say that at Framework Digital, we have two pillars that sustain us: Autonomy and alignment. I apply a management philosophy where everyone has a voice, regardless of their position. They respect and complement each other to achieve the overall results of our company. I am very pleased to see people progressing professionally and personally through our company.
What do you think is the current hot technology conversation topic?
For many years, companies have been talking about innovation, and it should be seen beyond common sense. I believe that over time, companies have matured in this sense and are able to use innovation in its true and strategic sense, understanding that what really matters are the deliveries that optimize business indicators.
This also happens through the competence to predict and diagnose problems, generating intelligent outputs capable of solving each one of them, which directly impacts technology results.
As an example, I can mention Agile methodologies and Business Design methodologies used in Framework Digital to strengthen innovation processes, in addition to the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive data analysis, which are highly sought after by executives to drive change. These issues are current in technology and have the power to revolutionize company operations by focusing on delivering value.
How do you deal with stress and relax outside of the office?
Two years ago, I acquired the habit of having walking meetings around the office. I have them with some colleagues every week, and they last from one to two hours. Many situations in the company have already been resolved, and many incredible ideas have emerged from these meetings.
In addition, I practice swimming, pilates, and on weekends, mountain biking. Physical activity helps me oxygenate my mind and keep my body healthy.
If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?
At the beginning of my career, building Framework Digital, we started many innovation lines. This was positive because we had the opportunity to create startups. Creating multiple businesses was amazing for bringing experience and expertise, with a focus on optimizing results. This learning guides our current growth strategies and makes the Framework’s performance stronger every day.
What do you currently identify as the top investment areas in your industry?
I see many companies investing in digital strategies for sales, logistics and operational efficiency. I believe that, despite the layoffs, companies will continue to invest in technology solutions that optimize processes related to these sectors. The financial, healthcare and logistics segments will continue to grow in technology.
What are the specific challenges of the region when implementing new technologies in Latin America?
The economy can be a reason for retaining investment in new technologies. In difficult times, people tend to take fewer risks and work more in previously known scenarios than in new scenarios. But the reality is that technology is increasingly necessary to address economic challenges and support growth strategies. This same context applies to Latin America, which had its Digital Transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than ever, Digital Transformation is being realized as a strategic pillar to generate operational advancements and to support entrepreneurs in maintaining the health of their businesses.
What changes have you seen in your job role in the last year, and how do you think they will develop in the next 12 months?
It was a year of many political influences in people’s daily lives and in the economy, which contributed to a world with greater uncertainties and a rise in inflation. It is important to have clarity in the company’s strategy and to remain true to its principles.
The CEO must lead and direct the company to seek scenarios to maintain the growth of previous years, especially during the pandemic period, which opened a window of many opportunities for technology companies, and must have the ability to adapt the strategy quickly to face external business interferences.
I could not fail to mention a major change that we will witness even more impactfully with advances in AI-based solutions, such as Chat GPT. These innovations will change the way many commercial relationships, content generation, insights and production will be from now on.
What advice would you give someone aspiring to a C-level position in your industry?
Build a first-class team. We can only achieve above-average results with capable, motivated and engaged people who share the company’s purpose. Don’t let bureaucracy take root in your organization. Invest in a culture of collaboration. Give your team autonomy and create a healthy environment for sustainable growth through meritocracy. Be loyal to your team. Take responsibility.
