Colombia, IT Talent, Outsourcing, Software Development
May 18, 2021
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Cristian Leonardo
Everis, the Spanish IT multinational, has launched its third software development center in Colombia.
A $171,806 USD investment provided by one of the greatest consulting firms in charge of offering business solutions will be the promoter of youth work in the country.
Everis, with SENA’S association, launched its third software development center in Chocó, Quibdó. With the purpose of granting 41 job positions for young apprentices to accomplish their studies.
Every task performed by the center will be made up to fulfill the national and international project needs of the Spanish consultant. For that reason, the apprentices are going to be able to supply the demand that the world is profoundly craving for. Meanwhile, stimulating the region’s industry.
The wide offices located next to the third most navigable river. Carry the best resources for professional development: fast internet connection and the latest generation tech equipment.
How does Colombia benefit from this software development center?
“We aim this strategy to reduce the unemployment rates among the region.” The associate director of Everis claimed.
Colombia certainly benefits from the increasing employment opportunities for the region. But at the same time, from the strengthening of the talent’s competencies. Considering that this talent ecosystem will reduce the digital gap and inequality in the country from technological apprentices in Data Network Management, from the Center for Natural Resources, Industry, and Biodiversity of SENA Chocó.
For the general director of Sena, Carlos Mario Estrada. This global tech firm’s foreign investment imparts to the Colombians the window of opportunity to have dignified, and stable jobs. As well as contributing to the Colombian GDP and the development of the software industry.
However, this multinational wanted to be prepared to provide the best service possible. But giving the apprentices the possibility to have the best tools to boost their apprenticeship in the Analysis and Development of Information Systems: advanced connectivity and the SOFIA Plus platform.
In contrast, at Everi’s new software development center they have elaborated the update of the robotic process. Besides that, they will connect these Colombian employees to the 27,000 company’s labor forces in the U.S, Europe, and Latin America. Unquestionably allowing them to develop communicative, cultural, and adapting skills in a multicultural environment.
“In each center, we have a team of experts who give support to the Sena’s apprentices so that after their training period ends, they can be linked to relevant projects.” Felipe Zaforteza
Definitely, Everi’s arrival will not pass by unnoticed. In fact, it will carry countless opportunities for young professionals. But, what do you think, will Chocó stimulate the country’s software industry?
Have you faced the dilemma of choosing between a tech company’s friendly culture and a salary offer? If that’s your case, you are not alone; in fact, this is the most common doubt when taking a job offer in the tech industry. But then, how do I make the best decision? Culture? or tech salary?
Let’s look at some suggestions to consider when joining a company!
Culture
The culture of a company is basically the personality. When you match a company’s culture is like finding a new friend. So, be cautious when selecting the friend that will be with you for the next months or years during a significant time of your day.
We can see the company’s culture from different approaches:
1. How the company influence positively your life experience
The global crisis is pushing employers to pay more attention to the environment they are creating for their teams. Considering that work is immersed in the life experience, daily work activities must be friendly with the usual routines (exercise, reading, cooking, or any other activity related to your roles within your family, like motherhood or fatherhood), in order to promote physical and mental health, productivity, and general performance.
Also, consider that it is very likely that you will spend the next 2 to 5 years (in our average tenure) on this job. Then the company is directly related to your personal and professional growth.
Before deciding to take the offer, try to identify employee development plans, in which you can work with managers to identify your personal and professional goals and a path to achieve them. Think about where you want to be in five years and determine the proper steps to get there.
2. Is the company open to diversity and inclusion?
Diversity and inclusion are two related concepts—but they are far from interchangeable. Diversity is about representation or the make-up of an entity. Inclusion is about how well the contributions, presence, and perspectives of different groups of people are valued and integrated into an environment.
An environment where many different genders, races, nationalities, and sexual orientations are present but only the perspectives of certain groups are valued or carry any authority or influence may be diverse, but not inclusive.
We are all aware of the need to collectively move towards a fairer and more just society. The role of tech companies includes embracing workplace diversity and equality of opportunity.
Therefore, consider whether the organization has open spaces for diversity and inclusion or how likely you are to be comfortable with the current cultural environment regarding acceptance and companionship.
3. Is the company remote-friendly?
Some companies were remote-friendly some time ago, but Covid-19 helped reshape the traditional urban work style in most technology companies. Pandemic taught us the importance of flexibility and trust from an economic, sustainability, and health perspective.
So, if working from home is essential to you, consider the following characteristics of a remote-friendly company:
Promotes the flexible mix of work and family life at home
It doesn’t have a rigid work schedule
Measures output more than the general set of hours
Meetings are scheduled with prior notice
“In 2021, I expect to see a rise of new jobs where employees will be measured by their output, as opposed to an agreed-upon set of hours.” – Harvard Business Review.
4. Wellness Programs
As a result of the home office, the sedentary demands placed on teams often increase mental and physical healthcare issues. Also, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought well-being to the forefront as people are more aware than ever about the impact of mental health on employees and, by association, the workplace.
Therefore, make sure that the company has a program for preventing injuries and illnesses caused by working conditions and protects and promotes your health.
Companies must always try to improve working conditions, environment, and health at work by promoting physical, mental, and social well-being.
Salary
We all know that salary is just a number, but beyond that, it is what that number means in life.
Now, it is clear that the industry is highly competitive, and tech salary offers are constantly increasing in the wake of the demand for talent. And it is normal that you are tempted to increase your income.
Then, we suggest that before leaving a company or joining a new one, you consider the following:
When you receive a tech salary offer, you must identify if it fits your goals, projections, and monthly expenses.
Is the salary directly proportional to the well-being it will bring to your life financially and emotionally?
Some companies have incentive plans that allow you to obtain additional income or volume and performance bonuses. So you can ask if the one you are applying to has these types of programs.
In the end, the final decision will depend on your personal expectations! ; )
Then … Culture vs. Salary, which is more important?
Although salary is critical when accepting a job offer, fulfillment and opportunities to grow within an organization have also become vital. Many have realized that money is not the most important factor in accepting a job offer.
Concerns about maintaining a healthy work-life balance, flexible working hours, and the ability to work remotely are among the factors that have led many to re-evaluate the importance they place on money.
Company culture is now a primary concern. Many industry leaders have sought to improve by investing countless resources to ensure that they provide a good working environment.
According to The Guardian, many people now prefer the prospect of a “good life with a standard amount of money” over a life driven by money.
Also, Glassdoor’s Top 10 Best Places to Work of 2020 helped research what happy employees value the most. Perhaps unsurprisingly, leadership was the most significant dimension for review scores. That is, if leadership was mentioned in a positive light, the reviewer likely viewed the company positively as well.
Therefore, consider joining a company whose values you believe in, prioritizing company culture and learning opportunities without underestimating the salary offer.
Finally, we hope this information helps you in your decision-making process about your current or next job.
BTW, you can check our open positions here! Or you can leave us your information in the link below to let you know about future careers according to your interests.
Etix Everywhere, has just launched one of the newest data centers in Colombia. The French data center operator invested USD 10 million to open its first Latin American data center in the city of Cali. However, this is not the first one opened in Colombia. Since, there are other four centers already established by IBM, AWS, along other companies. Furthermore, this will affect positively the nation’s economy and capacity of doing business. As well as, allowing to serve over 40 “top” Colombian companies in sectors, such as banking, finance, retail, and healthcare.
“Data centers are data storage centers in which companies house internal information, their users, transactions or any relevant data for the operation, which must be available 24 hours a day.”
Certainly, the factors pulling in these kinds of centers within Colombia are the constant growth, transformation, and the industry’s internationalization. However, is important to acknowledge the thorough support of the state strongly promoting the private initiatives in the ICT sector. Equally with the settling of the IBM centers; working together on projects related to science, technology, and innovation.
The increase in foreign investment: translated into a rise in the country’s GDP.
Reactivation of the country, more technology, and more jobs.
Technology entrance, less risk, and data security.
However, it’s important to highlight that the ‘Etix Cali # 1’ is one of the biggest in Colombia. It’s also the only one with Tier IV certification in design and construction that’s not located in Bogotá. Moreover, Etix Cali #1 provides a platform where an ecosystem of suppliers can be found. Integrators of private and public cloud solutions, cybersecurity, telecommunication channels, among others.
What does this mean for Colombia?
Flavia Santoro, current Procolombia´s president, says that Etix’s selection of Colombia to launch their first data center in the region demonstrates how the country is positioning itself as the Latin American hub of enterprise services to supply the local market and third parties.
Why Etix Everywhere launched its data center in Cali?
Alejandro Ossa, board member of Invest pacific affirms that “Cali has a digital economy cluster made up of more than 735 companies. He also says “320 are from the software development and information technology outsourcing sector -ITO- and 148 from the services outsourcing sector -BPO- and IT of local and foreign origin, which demonstrates the enormous potential offered by this sector of operations and technology development in the region ”.
In fact, “France’s investment in Colombia has registered amounts of US $ 2,353 million, positioning itself as the fourth largest investor in the European Union in the country” ProColombia
Colombia’s largest free zone for technology services located in Cali. Picture taken from www.semana.com
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