Heading the technological team of a data processing company is no mean feat. But it comes easily to Jorge Allen Adajar, Chief Technology Officer of KA1ROS Data Processing Services, a company that helps its clients adopt digital innovation in a very short span of time and even became the number one IT service provider in the Philippines to give quick and effective solutions against COVID-19.
In an incisive interview with Business Frontier, Jorge reveals how he combines technological punditry with expert leadership to emerge on the top of his trade.
Q. Over the years, there has been a phenomenal rise in data processing as industries rely heavily on data as a vital resource. Can you share your insights into the scope and potential of the data processing industry in transforming various business sectors, and throw light on the opportunities and challenges?
In addition to the normal services related to data processing, we also undertake consultation jobs for business technologies helping companies with innovations and digital transformations. In addition, we provide manpower up to a certain level and our company helps IT businesses complete their projects in an efficient manner by using different methodologies and best practices. As far as challenges for the company go, it is the white hot competition in the sector. To rise above the competition we make sure that our products are unique and stand out. For example, we have an application on tourism that includes a module on healthcare, which makes it different. It’s a combination of different solutions, but on a single platform.
Q. How have you seen data help different business sectors evolve?
We believe data is very important for any business organisation. Once a company has the data, which can be transformed into information, the top management including C-suite officers or CTOs can take important decisions at the right time. Without proper data, there is no reference point for effective decision making.
Q. Can you throw some light on the latest trends that you are seeing in the industry?
Automation is very common in these times as there are many IT companies which provide common solutions for automation. However, the number one trend now is data analytics and science, which is useful for companies to reach their business goals. Another top trending technology is, of course, artificial intelligence which can be used to provide mathematical models for decision making. These are the broad trends in the industry today.
Q. Everyone is talking about AI and the way it has changed the way we function. But there is a dark side to AI as people are getting heavily reliant on it. How do you think we should adapt to AI so that it can help us become better?
As the CTO of our company, I can see the advantages of AI which can provide us with different approaches to the solutions or systems to automation. But it is not imparting the best practices followed globally by the industry. Yes, it addresses the requirements of the business in terms of the specific solution. Using AI, we have different available frameworks with the help of which you can provide solutions. For example, if you have a certain solution but you forgot to fortify it with the necessary security, it will lead to different holes in the project. However, using AI you come across different recommendations that let you plug the holes in the project.
Q. How do you define your leadership style and how do you feel being a successful leader in the industry?
In the world of technology, you have problems and challenges that can be resolved with different technological solutions. But when it comes to the management of people, the leader’s skill is tested when there is a crisis. One of the things that I observed when I was not a leader is that my former boss was autocratic in his approach, which did not make him open to new ideas. Such leaders have an employee-employer relationship with the staff in the company where the rank and file consciousness is highly pronounced. So, when I became a leader, I adopted a transformational leadership style. It’s a tough leadership approach where you need to bring together people from various attitudes and cultural backgrounds in your team. As a transformational leader, you need to have a vision which can lead members of your team towards the vision of the organisation. Another leadership approach that I largely lean on is the democratic leadership style in which you can involve teams with different tracking levels. This style of leadership lets me listen to recommendations from teams and allows me to gauge the real potential and aptitude of people rendering the advice. Last but not the least, I am very strict about rules and regulations pertaining to the mission and vision of the company. So, I go strictly by the rulebook —following the bureaucratic leadership style.
Q. Is there anyone who inspires you and you look up to to become a better leader?
Of course, many people have inspired me in my leadership journey. One of them is John Maxwell, the famous leadership coach and mentor. He has written so much about leadership which has been topped up by his great experience in the industry. In fact, I would want to be like him. He says that you have to understand where a problem is coming from in order to resolve it — which is a good take away from his teachings.
Q. What are your plans and goals keeping in mind the industry you are in?
As data processing is now covered under the Department of Information Technology of the Philippines, we are helping the local government units embrace digital transformation. There are challenges in terms of government services in the Philippines. As a means to address these, we are providing our expertise to help different sectors like tourism, health care, and transportation embrace digital innovation. So, our goal is to recognise the beauty of data together with technology and automation in the Philippines.
Q. Personally, how do you envision your future as a leader?
For me, it is rather simple. Here in the Philippines, the role of technology down the rungs in the government is not recognised. I aim to bridge this gap and see that all strata of government embrace technology and benefit from it.
