Keeping on Track in Times of Change: An Overview of Flux IT’s 2019
2019 has come to an end and at Flux IT we left behind a complex year that constantly challenged us, in which the variables that we took into account at the beginning (and which we used to devise the annual strategic plan) were persistently challenged as well. A year during which we had inflation above 40%, a sharp devaluation of the local currency, elections within the national territory, new regulations, social tension and many other things that were ingredients to go through a year of uncertainty.
In these turbulent contexts, having a clear course, a long-term vision and a plan to achieve it were key aspects to stay on track. And at Flux IT we know how to do that. From the various spots that connect us (La Plata, Buenos Aires city, the rest of Argentina and our clients’ offices) fluxers did their best and worked together to achieve a growth outcome, aligning shared goals, keeping the synergy and playing key roles in our year.
These are the times when assessments and reviews are key to start the brand new year and, based on reflection, try to highlight the achieved goals to keep following that path and spot the weaknesses in order to take improvement measures. For Flux IT, 2019 has been a very positive year and through this text, I applaud the most significant milestones!
Service Design In Command for Internal Transformation
Corporate culture based on the fluxer has been a constant theme of work during 2019. That is why, at the beginning of that year, we dug into this concept and we decided to fully tackle the transformation of those processes that make up life at Flux IT. The main driver was to meet the fluxers’ need to simplify and shed light on the cross-functional processes of internal management such as leaves, travel expenses, professional goals, feedback, among others. We decided to approach this issue by focusing on those who operate the processes, trying to enhance their insight and operations.
With this driver in mind, we plunged into the challenge of attempting to combine the perspectives of various stakeholders and, through an internal Service Design carried out by our XD team, we managed to design a systemic solution and a matching work roadmap in order to turn a weakness into an opportunity for change. And we did it as we do it at Flux IT: in a creative and ambitious way.
That’s how our internal communication tool, RunRun, evolved and developed its digital personality: he began to understand us, talk to us, interact with all the fluxers through a chatbot that, in a very attractive way, assisted us turning all the processes that were boring and bureaucratic before into something simple and fun.
We managed to turn RunRun into a channel to carry out our internal transformation linked to administration, team management and fluxers’ satisfaction. It’s a very ambitious challenge that strengthens our culture, entertains us and allows us to defy our own limits.
A Growing Business
2019 has been a year of growth for Flux IT, with a billing above 60% in relation to 2018 and a turnover rate near 9%.
Within the local market, business related to the finance and insurance industries was strengthened and enhanced. With our expertise, we joined the digital transformation of clients that constantly challenge themselves to meet the demands of a generation of 100% digital users.
During the year, we also took firm steps into the strategic plan for Flux IT’s international expansion. As regards service exports, we had a 20% growth in relation to last year. Flux IT USA allowed us to consolidate the market and also to get closer to our clients, being able to approach new and more challenging projects.
In terms of trends, and within the innovation and research areas that Flux IT promotes, we have been testing IoT solutions to track objects within a limited area. We identified port terminal’s issues to monitor their trucks as a trigger and we applied it to the study of different related technologies to solve it and create value in the industry.
A Culture that Expresses Itself
Our ambassadors, who are the genuine voices of Flux IT’s culture and expertise, had leading roles in 2019. We took part in events of the software and design community, we traveled, attended and were speakers in many of them. Remaining faithful to our style and with a firm belief that we get the best results as a community, we opened our doors for meetups to share and learn with experts about Blockchain, IoT, conversational interfaces, Machine Learning and DevOps, among many other topics, with positive reception and feedback from the tech and UX community.
On the other hand, for several years the IT industry has been going through an issue regarding women’s presence and low participation in related careers. This topic concerns us at Flux IT since we are also influenced by the need to tackle society’s claims as regards gender diversity. During 2019, we decided to delve into the challenge of unlearning and breaking down our beliefs, and, through a series that we called “All Things Gender”, we were able to reflect, listen, ask and break the mold in every meetup. It was a cycle that helped us change our perspective, see ourselves in a new light, empathize and understand the diverse realities that surround us at Flux IT and every place where we interact, reflecting upon and discussing women’s role but also gaining sensitivity in the matter of gender diversity.
How Does the New Year Welcome Us?
Nowadays, the IT industry plays a key role in digital transformation and business growth. Through the recent passing of a law that benefits the IT industry, among others, we hope the State will continue boosting and supporting the development of this industry in Argentina, which has no limits and constantly challenges itself.
The need to meet the strong professional demand to keep growing will be another theme that will keep those members of this industry busy. At Flux IT we’ll sponsor training and sharing opportunities for the community and universities, which allow this industry’s professionals to have moments of connection and bonding that are quite rich and make us grow.
Another matter that will keep us busy this year is enhancing the innovation and technology opportunities that Flux IT promotes. We’ll seek to have more chances to experiment and do research on the trends that the market needs.
We’ll also keep working hard to express diversity within the fluxer culture: tolerance and respect for what is different from us. Accepting the individuality and differences of each human being leads to a valuable crew that gets disruptive results, and Flux IT will fly that flag.
And, of course, we’ll keep focusing on the expansion of our business, the quality of our services and our client’s satisfaction, improving our processes and communication channels to provide an amazing experience to the ones that choose us.
