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The SPiCE Magazine • September 2019
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The SPiCE Magazine • September 2019
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Making the unexpected happen

By JP Reyes, AVP for Operations

In his speech during the launch of SPi Global’s 40th technologies where my interests lie. Being an only child, Along with supportive mentors, colleagues, and clients through the years, the
Anniversary, our President and CEO Ratan Datta said I’ve always had this need to be independent and help out internal training programs at SPi Global provided me with much needed
that he still doesn’t know how he became CEO, which my family as much as I can, which is why I immediately confidence boost. Apart from soft skills training for leadership, customer
got me thinking about my journey to becoming Associate accepted the first job offer I received. service, and quality assurance, I completed all aSPire medal programs, where I
Vice President. spearheaded ideation projects. I also submitted Yellow and Green belt projects
Months into my first job, a couple of companies invited me
under the Lean Six Sigma program, and worked on initiatives with SPi Global
Over the course of 15 years at SPi Global, I am fortunate to apply for roles in software engineering. One of them was
leaders in the US.
to have experienced career progression from entry-level, SPi Global, where my initial interview did not go well. When
individual contributor to more senior positions. At 37 years HR informed me that they’ll “be in touch,” I was definite The rest, as they say, is history.
old, I am managing multiple projects that revolve around that I’ll get passed up for another candidate.
Now, I’m a firm believer in teamwork as the driver to success. I teach my
content engineering, supporting clients’ platforms, and
The offer from “Company B” was very promising. Equally, teams to place an emphasis on collaboration, visibility, and open
data analytics. I provide direction to nearly 300 employees
the position I had applied for was interesting and challeng- communication in everyday leadership. Making an effort to regularly
consisting of software developers and engineers; produc-
ing. The only downside was that I would have had to travel engage in team consultations, business review and project status
tion, data and quality analysts; and, database designers,
a total of four to five hours a day to report to work. meetings, and even quick chats with team members on the floor
update editors, and content specialists across multiple sites
make a huge difference in team dynamics. Communication is a
The call-back from HR came several weeks later, inviting
to improve business services, boost financial performance,
two-way street, so in these encounters with colleagues and
me for another round of interviews. At that time, I was
and ensure operations processes are well-aligned with
superiors, keeping both lines open is always the best approach.
seriously considering taking the offer from “Company B”.
SPi Global’s overall vision.
But SPi Global was my first choice and I was willing to do Technology and collaboration should go together. SPi Global is
My team uses automation and engages in monitoring,
whatever it takes to be part of the company. transforming to a more technology-driven company to better
implementation, and change management for efficient
address our clients’ needs and stay ahead of the competition.
After more than six hours of one-on-one and panel in-
and timely delivery of content platforms of clients in the
If these two components are not aligned, it will take us a very
terviews with different teams – including team leads and
news, business, legal, regulatory, and health sectors. We
long time to go where we are going.
directors – SPi Global finally found a suitable project for me.
conduct analysis and development work for an analytics
In 2008, I went through one of the hardest hitting obsta- The kind of services my teams provide are better aligned to the
startup, and gather product requirements directly from
cles of my career, when a 10-year old project got pulled out company’s direction now than ever before. We are putting more
content providers across the globe including CNN, Japan
from my team, resulting to the layoff of over 90 employees. focus on robust technologies and best strategies that bring process
Times, Duns & Bradstreet, and Legal firms.
I was one of less than 20 staff members retained. improvement and value to clients through robotics process automation
What I love the most about my job is that I work and talk
(RPA), machine learning (ML), and analytics. Currently, the team is in
Going to unfamiliar terrain can be tough, as you have to
with different people in our and our clients’ organizations.
the middle of putting together a proposal that will revolutionize a client’s
acquire new knowledge to understand processes better
It is a never-ending opportunity to learn from people’s
systems using a new tool that has been created by revamping old processes
and faster. I remember the mental and physical stress of
experiences and skills. And I feel lucky that I am entrusted
and marrying them into SPi Global’s tech products. This exciting development
being a first-time team lead.
with multimillion projects, letting me create my own team
involves a more proactive approach and is going to impact how we do things.
structure, strategize based on business needs, and On most days, I spent 12 to 14 hours at the office to
Reflecting on my life as an employee of SPi Global, I realize that time truly is
experiment a little. My career wasn’t always this promising, assist my team and help them with their tasks. Such
always “of the essence”. Spending at least eight to nine hours a day at work must
though. From disagreements with colleagues to client situations force you to grow not just as a leader, but also
mean something. And it’s up to us to make them meaningful, by giving it our best.
escalations and project reassignments, I have experienced as a well-rounded person. Having the mindset of responsi-
Attitude is the great driver of altitude and we must keep the fire burning and do
any work challenge imaginable. ble acceptance was necessary and the knowledge that tons
the right thing, for it is in commitment and perseverance to excel that we can truly
of effort and sacrifice will ease the pressure and eventually
After graduating from Computer Engineering from MAPUA
make the unexpected happen.
normalize became our redemption.
University, I worked as a technical support engineer – a
different field from software development and hardware