Our guest as Professional of the month in this edition is Mauricio Alberto Zuluaga Ramírez, from the company Spectra Ingeniería, who is one of the most important allies of the Bosch company in Colombia, the Andean region and Central America.
By Santiago Jaramillo H.
Mauricio Alberto Zuluaga Ramírez was born 36 years ago in Cali, Colombia. He is an Electronic Engineer from the Universidad del Valle, with an MBA in Technology Business Management from the University of Nebrija, Spain. He is currently married to Nhora Quintero and is the proud father of Solomon (three years) and Maria Paz (ten months).
During his childhood he practiced Judo, becoming national champion in Colombia in 1991. Nowadays he plays football with less frequency and quality than he would like, but, as he himself affirms, it is a good space to share with friends and even integration into his company.
As for his relationship with the security industry, our Professional of the Month tells us that it was at the end of 2001, when he was hired by Telesat S.A., a company dedicated to the commercialization of the internet and links of communication networks. "This company won the execution of an important project for the supply and installation of a CCTV system with IP technology, which at that time was completely new. Fortunately, the operations manager of Telesat S.A. appointed me resident engineer of this project, and from that moment my professional career was completely oriented to electronic security, "he says.
In the same way, says our guest, he was later hired by the company Ascom of Colombia, in which he worked until 2003, when he made, in his own words, the best decision of his life, which was to create Spectra Ingeniería, his company. Soon two great friends joined the dream, and became partners.
"Last June we celebrated our ten years, in which we have gone from one employee, to more than 50. In Colombia we are in Cali, Bogotá, Eje Cafetero, Buenaventura and very soon Barranquilla and Medellín. Last year we opened our office in Panama, and this year in Costa Rica. Thanks to the commitment of the entire human team, the results have been given, putting customer satisfaction as a priority", adds Mauricio.
VENTAS DE SEGURIDAD wanted to talk with this proud representative of the Colombian industry, who expanded his particular vision of the current moment of electronic security in the Latin American region and, especially, in his country.
SECURITY SALES: What challenges do you face in technology, as a manager and in the relationship with your subordinates and collaborators?
MAURICIO ZULUAGA RAMIREZ: The main challenge in technology is to keep updated on all the news that are emerging day by day in our sector. Customers are becoming better prepared and expect to learn from us as technology providers.
Internally in the company the challenge is to keep the human team of the organization motivated, which has been achieved thanks to the fact that they are people who, in addition to being excellent professionals in the work that each one performs, have an attitude of serving and well-being among all, which make us have a very good work environment.
VDS: In a nutshell: what, or what are the objectives that a manager must achieve in the field of a security company? In the same vein: what, or what are the comprehensive goals (for customers and employees) that a security integration company should have?
MZR: The main objective that a manager must achieve in the field of security is to generate the trust that customers require, to feel that they are depositing a great responsibility, such as the security of their facilities, in a solid company, with great values and principles, and that all its staff is equally committed to the long-awaited permanent satisfaction of customers.
VDS: Briefly, describe a day of your work: time of arrival at work, tasks developed, problems and solutions, interpersonal exchange of opinions and concepts, transfers, personnel management, decision making, pending issues, departure time, etc?
MZR: Every day is different; there are days that I go to the office from 4:30 a.m., as there are others that I arrive after 10:00 a.m. I also don't have a certain departure time. The idea is to find a balance between the time that should be dedicated to work and the time for the family.
I like to make biweekly committees with the entire area of Projects and Engineering, but in general, I avoid the constant meetings of many people, because it seems more efficient to meet with the director of each of the areas and let each of them do their job.
I personally consider that one of the main functions of a manager is to sell, regardless of whether we have a great commercial director with an excellent team. Therefore I invest much of the time in the search for new clients and new projects.
VDS: Latin America has normalized economically: there are greater capital flows and foreign investors are turning their eyes to the region. How do you see the immediate future and the possibilities for industry expansion in the region?
MZR: We are very confident in continuing to grow in the region, and proof of this is our expansion in countries such as Panama and Costa Rica.
We are convinced that we are in a sector of long-term growth, not only because security is an intrinsic need of the human being, but because security technology advances by leaps and bounds. Obviously, macroeconomic factors affect the sector, but there are ways to take advantage of every moment, even in economic crises.
VDS: What, from your point of view, is the evolution that the security industry has had in your country in the years you have been working in it? What are the particularities of the electronic security industry in your country from the point of view of the technologies that are demanded and offered, the needs of customers and the solutions offered by companies?
MZR: In each area of security, the changes in these few years have been very significant. To give just one example, the type of video recording has evolved allowing recording times unthinkable a few years ago, when it was done with tapes in VCRs.
In Colombia I believe that for several years entrepreneurs and the government have understood that technology is the most efficient way to achieve high growth objectives. This has made the IT world, which seemed a few years ago alien to the world of security, today are completely linked.
VDS: What is your opinion regarding the education, training and updating of all personnel working in the field of security integration?
MZR: Those of us who sell electronic security integration projects come from two scenarios, or before they only sold security, therefore they have had to learn from the IT world, communications networks, servers, etc. Or they come from the IT world, and now they've had to learn about security. This aspect means that somehow we all remain in a constant learning, and with a high need to train our collaborators because whoever does not, will quickly be left behind.
Here manufacturers have a large part of responsibility in the success or failure of their solutions, since if the integrating company does not have the appropriate training to implement a project, it will be the image of that manufacturer that will be affected.
VDS: What do you think are the reasons for your recognition in the field of security in your country and Latin America?
It is a great pride to receive this recognition, and I do not feel that it is a personal award, but a recognition of the entire human group that makes up Spectra Ingeniería. It is a boost to continue working responsibly and with ambitious but real goals.
Five success factors
The following are some of the factors by which Mauritius claims to have a successful company:
1. Human group with excellent values and great professionalism.
2. Persistence.
3. Open-mindedness to change.
4. Honesty.
5. Constant search for customer satisfaction.
