Let's know the story of the Professional of the month of this edition: Jorge Bardales, president of the integrating company with presence in Central America, TAS.
By Duván Chaverra Agudelo
Jorge Bardales leads one of the most important security integrator companies in Guatemala and Latin America, which has been the winner in different years of our Top 100 Security Integrators Ranking in Latin America and which has a presence in much of Central America: TAS (Technology, Access and Security).
Although Jorge is a mechanical engineer, curiously his professional career began in the administrative and operational area; First in a shoe factory, then in the largest supermarket chain in the country and later managing a chain of locksmiths.
This experience, added to his studies in mechanical engineering, with a master's degree in administration and reinforcements in his preparation in recognized educational facilities such as INCAE and Tecnológico de Monterrey, allowed him to identify an opportunity in the security business.
This is how in 1996 he founded TAS: "The first 15 years I dedicated to replicating the concept in other Central American countries where I looked for a local partner, then we became a holding company and currently operate under the franchise scheme, "said the Professional of the month about the model of his business.
His other passion is motorcycling in different modalities, a sport he has practiced since his youth and for many years and a hobby that he now shares with his children.
Security Sales: What are your personal challenges and your next goals to accomplish personally and professionally?
Jorge Bardales: This year I reached the age of 55 and one begins to think differently when it is imminent that the last stage of life is just around the corner. I am currently a partner in five companies (four technology and one hardware) and I would like to found another before sixty, one related to my passion for motorcycling where I already started some investment.
The main challenge is to continue working on forming a good team of professionals who can guarantee the future of companies, my latest ventures have been in the area of digital payments and continuing to venture into that path also attracts my attention.
My family goal is to support my children in their studies and in their own projects. Support my wife in her aid projects and my mother in her last years of life; Consolidate good friendships and continue to employ hundreds of people who I have had the opportunity to work in my companies.
VDS: What analysis do you make as a professional about the importance of the relationship with employees and collaborators, staff training and the objectives that must be met?
Jorge: Companies are basically your collaborators; Working in that they feel part of the team is very important and that they perceive a company where they know that there is a future and that they care about them.
Training in a company cannot stop and employees must be very clear about what is expected of them and how important the work they perform is, no matter what part of the organization chart they are in at this time.
VDS: What do you think are the reasons for your recognition in this market?
Jorge: TAS has been recognized for several consecutive years as the No. 1 integrator in Central America and the Caribbean, our strategic planning and a group of managers who live to give the best care and where to be responsible with what we do. That is our way of being and what makes us different.
VDS: What has been the evolution of the industry in your country and in Latin America in the years you have been working in it?
Jorge: When we started the company we didn't even have internet. There was no concept of being integrative, the companies that were in the market were focused on armed guards, alarm monitoring and there were no companies specialized in access control; Very little in fire detection and almost no automation of parking lots or buildings.
Today we have the honor of being a reference. When we launch a solution, soon competing companies come out with a similar product, that encourages us to not stop innovating, to represent the best world-class manufacturers and not to forget our origins, where customer service and honesty is the most important.
On the other hand, today security solutions are already offered by telecommunications companies, which previously only sold computer products, large retailers and even in hardware stores we can find products for security, without forgetting the internet; It's a more competitive market, with a lot of new players, with tech companies on our court. We must be innovative and provide state-of-the-art solutions to continue maintaining leadership.
VDS: How do you see the future of this industry in Latin America?
Jorge: In Central America we have learned to live in a constant crisis, from the political and social issue to the advance of trends that threaten our markets. This is not going to stop, customers increasingly have access to more information and to acquire their solutions by digital means.
International companies will continue to arrive, it is time to adapt, to create the differentiator, to become more expert in their area, to be more strategic and to take advantage of "playing local" with solutions adapted to our markets at competitive prices for our customers.
Family and motorcycles
In 1996, when he created TAS, Jorge also married whom he considers a great support throughout his life and mother of three sons reflecting his blessings from God, he says.
Motorcycles are the favorite pastime of the Professional of the month a passion he shares with his family: "I practiced motorcycling in my 20's and left it for 20 years to dedicate quality time to my family, but currently I have returned to my passion on two wheels and it is rare the weekend that I do not have a motorcycle ride. I do route, I like enduro too and this year I was certified with my son in Superbikes at level II; I like to "customize" motorcycles, some I have sold and I keep a small collection of my favorites."
About his childhood, he affirms that it was not easy, because he considers his father as a born entrepreneur and Jorge grew up with that DNA during his childhood: "I lived what it costs to get a business ahead, unfortunately I lost my father when I was 12 years old and adolescence was full of challenges with my beloved mother and my 4 brothers, I had two excellent and much-loved father's brothers."
Finally, he claims to spend and enjoy the company of his friends and has as a personal purpose to continue fighting to master his strong temperament.
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