On the lighter side of things, we ask Ricardo Scheffer, CEO, SONDA Brazil, what makes him tick.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
After 21 years of trajectory, leading the company for which I have extreme admiration. I joined SONDA when the Brazilian operation was still small operation with 200 professionals and I have witnessed its entire growth.
Today, the significant contribution of the Brazilian operation attests that we have a more dynamic commercial activity, resulting in the closure of relevant contracts in the country.
What first made you think of a career in technology?
To be a very curious person who enjoys working with analysis and problem-solving.
What style of management philosophy do you employ in your current position?
There are different types of professionals with their hard and soft skills. For an organization to function cohesively, each of these individuals is irreplaceable. That’s why I pay great attention to always try to extract the most and the best from people.
What do you think is the current hot technology conversation topic?
I believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Transformation are two interconnected concepts. While Digital Transformation is still in demand as an ongoing digital journey for organizations, on the other hand, there is AI, which needs regulation.
We should consider that robots, by themselves, do not generate wealth, which is why we need to understand the future impact of the evolution of this topic on humanity. In other words, what will the people who perform today’s activities do in the future? It is necessary to think about how humans can continue to maintain a sustainable economic cycle.
How do you deal with stress and relax outside of the office?
I practice virtual motorsport. Professional drivers use this technology for training purposes. The sensation of ‘playing’ is like being in a racing car on the track, which brings me enjoyment and relaxation on my days off.
If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?
I wish I had entered the technology market earlier.
What do you currently identify as the top investment areas in your industry?
The solutions for business transformation are among the main demands of companies nowadays, especially because digitalization is a living organism. It is necessary to change the way of doing business and alter structures and mindsets – which is sometimes not a simple task but rather a journey.
What are the specific challenges of the region when implementing new technologies in Latin America?
There are many political and economic problems in the region. Therefore, sponsorship from public authorities is necessary to absorb and implement effective innovation concepts that involve taking risks.
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?
The fact is that relationships have changed after the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout 2022 it was necessary to adjust this model. From now on, it will be necessary to deal with this adaptation and keep up with this evolution.
What advice would you give someone aspiring to a C-level position in your industry?
To always be one step ahead, investing in technical capabilities, but also in relationships.
About SONDA
SONDA is a Chilean multinational IT company headquartered in Santiago. It is the biggest in the sector of Information Technology (IT) in Latin America.
Founded in 1974 in association with Copec, SONDA is engaged in the provision of consultancy services and IT.
SONDA’s services are structured in three divisions: IT Services, including IT outsourcing, systems integration projects, infrastructure support, professional services and consulting and BPO (Business Processes Operation) services; Applications, oriented to support its clients’ business processes through own or third-party software; and Platforms, which provides platforms as a service through a network of regional alliances and partnerships, such as Cisco, Autodesk, EMC, HP, IBM, VCE, Microsoft, Oracle and VMware among others.
Today the company is present in 10 countries: Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay and its main competitors are Totvs, Stefanini, Neoris and CPM Braxis.
