This is a letter to my team. It’s the first time I’m going to talk about this topic. I am trying to avoid the word “employee” and use another word because I see everyone as a member of the Hilsoft family. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
When I started this business 17 years ago, I was so pumped up with the idea that I am going to have my own business and start creating something. I was in my early 20s and had a huge drive to develop something.
Looking back, I was able to gradually build the company’s DNA. Which is to continuously be creative and innovative in all aspects of being and working in Hilsoft. I radiated that mindset and attitude even outside of work.
The great Tony Robbins said, “Progress equals happiness” and the only way to have progress is thru innovation and creativity.
I’d like to request members of my Hilsoft family to step back and ask yourself the following questions: Why did you choose a career in this industry? Why did you choose to work at Hilsoft over any other company? These “whys” will give you the criteria in making the right choices at work, or even in life in general.
I am not writing this because we are in chaos. I am writing this to serve as a guide and a reminder that we can all be the best we can be when we have the proper mindset and attitude.
So what does it take to be working at Hilsoft in order for us to deliver our promise to our customers? I am well aware that I cannot do it on my own that is why I am reaching out to you to take time to read this.
1. Work with a sense of purpose. Here are the company’s purpose and vision.
“To constantly find ways to innovate in all aspects of delivering the best software product and service using cutting-edge technologies and the best software development methodology that will make every user look forward to more innovative products from us.”
“To be the leading software innovator in the Philippines and in Asia in the next five years. We want to be known as the brand that aims to improve people’s lives through automation and help the programmer community release their inner awesomeness.”
Work in alignment with our company’s mission.
If you’re a software implementor, QA or developer, the main purpose of why you work on any given task is to amaze our clients; that our product is useful to them and our product gives value to their work through automation. It is important that you understand their need, that you understand each task in detail, and that you deliver them with utmost quality at a timely manner.
If you’re in sales or marketing at Hilsoft, the purpose why we offer and sell our products is because we want to solve their problems in their business processes. The software we offer to them will be their edge over their competitors. Imagine their happy faces when we are able to deliver! It is so gratifying.
If you’re in HR, finance or admin, you are the support system of our team and our efforts to support the team is very important in product delivery. You are the motivator and the culture builder of our team.
2. Re-assess your values and align it with Hilsoft’s.
“Consistent progress with excellence and balance, integrity, resilience, creativity, and competence are our guideposts to success. We live and breathe these values, and we keep it close to our hearts.”
Try to step back and think it over while on your bed or having coffee: What are your values? Your values dictate your attitude and behavior. I believe you are mature enough to know what is right from wrong. With good habits and discipline, we’ll be able to achieve our purpose if all possess these values and align it with Hilsoft’s.
I am appealing to each and every one of you, without comparing notes with your seatmate, identify your values. Align it with the company’s.
3. Be proactive. If you have no idea on what you’re dealing with, ask and be assertive. If someone sent you a message, whether it came from a client or a colleague, have the respect to acknowledge it immediately and follow it through. Do not drop the ball.
If you feel our current process is not working, reach out to the management. If you do not understand your task, do not commit and ask questions. Never commit to a task that you don’t understand. Do not sign on a job order if there are unanswered questions or if it is not clear to anyone. You have all the right not to accept a task that you are not capable of doing. Speak up, justify, and communicate with your supervisors or team leads openly.
To the leaders, please practice democracy, not too tight and not too loose. Please remember that leaders are also servants, not the other way around. If your team needs your help, attend to them with sincere care and guidance.
Lastly, suggest products, features, and innovative ideas. You all know that we have an open door policy.
4. Keep an open mind, take care of yourself and your well-being. For me, working at Hilsoft is a way of life. Troubleshooting all company issues is my way of life. They say that being a CEO is the loneliest job in the world, but I know that with your help, I will never be lonely.
I listen to your needs and I need your open mind when we can’t agree or give in to all your wishes and demands. I want to let you know that I decide based on the benefit of the majority. I know I am not perfect, I make mistakes, too, but I am trying my best to solve each and every issue you have.
On top of work, you can only help me if you take care of yourself. Take care of your health. Make exercise and diet as a way of life. Read and meditate. Be mindful of your relationships with your significant other, your kids, your parents or siblings.
I discourage overtime, especially working overnight. Sleep well.
5. Last but not the least, be creative and innovative. This is our DNA. Exert efforts to be creative in everything that you do from your morning habits when you wake up, to eating habits, to work habits, etc. Be on top of the latest technologies. Like now, we hear artificial intelligence and blockchain every time. Spend some time to learn them and see how it can improve our product and serve our purpose.
Be creative in doing your tasks. Suggest tools to automate some of your codes, testing and some of the processes. Let’s not stop progressing and innovating.
Some of you may ask, “What’s in it for me?” More than the rewards, incentives and stock options that the company is more than willing to give, you will find contentment in being part of a family that is one with you in purpose. You will find happiness in the progress and growth that we will achieve together along the way.
I repeat, Hilsoft is my family. We are all family and what we do should be our way of life. Let’s be vigilant and not tolerant of the problems we see. Attend to the problems and attend to them fast. I don’t want to be lonely, guys. I need you to help me out because I can’t do it all by myself. Let’s own our tasks, let’s own our projects, let’s own the company.
Let me take a moment and give thanks to every one of you for being part of Hilsoft. I value your needs first, then the customers’, the shareholders’, and then myself.
Now, after all is said and done, do you have what it takes?
Finally, I’ve stumbled upon a great Filipino leader. No regret that I clicked and watched your video ad on youtube and found Kababayan with the same mindset. I am on process of self transformation for a year now and all motivational coaches and leaders I followed were from other countries. Grateful I found your blog sir that gives inspiration and motivation for someone like me who chose not to QUIT…Kudos Sir!