Interview: Martín Migoya
In what ways is digital transformation changing the business environment?
MARTIN MIGOYA: The first so-called digital tsunami arrived with the introduction of the smartphones to the mass consumer. Artificial intelligence is set to bring the next wave, as its implementation in the professional world will radically change the way business is conducted. No company can avoid digital transformation. Consumers have increasingly high expectations for how businesses behave and engage with them. Efficient and effective communication – as well as intelligent understanding of consumer needs – is becoming the baseline, with no distinction made between multinational corporations, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Beyond final consumers, digital transformation involves a new style of interaction with other stakeholders such as employees, partners, investors and suppliers. These changes are causing the entire business framework to be updated to digital operations, leaving few sectors unaffected by the digital era. Every CEO and company owner – of any enterprise, large or small – must spend a significant portion of their time working to meet the needs and expectations of their stakeholders. Companies must be open to change and prepare to integrate these technologies into their businesses.
What are the effects of globalisation on domestic IT companies, and how has this changed?
MIGOYA: Argentina is a great place to generate technological products and services for the world, and we cannot avoid globalisation. For any enterprise involved in technology, having a global perspective is more an obligation than an option. There really is no alternative, as larger customers can be anywhere in the world. Thus, every IT company must include an international approach in its business plan even from its earliest stages. Despite this need, entrepreneurs and business owners in Argentina have been somewhat reluctant to expand into international markets, especially beyond Latin America. This is largely due to decades of market closure – there have been very few new multinationals founded in Argentina in the last several decades.
In 2018 there are several examples proving that domestic IT firms are as effective as the leading international service providers. We hope that this positive environment will inspire a generation of entrepreneurs with a global vision and a desire to demonstrate what can be done from Argentina.
How could human capital development help Argentina become a regional technological centre?
MIGOYA: We have to define the difference between talent and skills – talent is intrinsically within every society, but on certain occasions skills might be lacking. Generally speaking, Argentina has an abundance of talent, but we must employ the right tools to channel that creative capacity into technological fields. We have already seen the progress in terms of growth in domestic IT, but there is much more room for development in this arena.
That said, Argentina should not try to replicate Silicon Valley. Every nation and city is unique in its essence, and Argentina has different strategic advantages than other regional economies. Therefore, the question of who might become the technological or digital power in the region is irrelevant. It does make sense, however, to understand each community and work to help entrepreneurs transform the region through innovation and risk-taking. We have to consider how to facilitate regional development and generate employment.
In this sense, Argentina is very well positioned. This potential – if properly managed – can help us lead a new generation of nations focused on the development of opportunities for young people.
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