K. Stavropoulos (iSquare): The pandemic brought a small revolution in technology

The pandemic has brought a small revolution in everything that has to do with technology, estimates Kostis Stavropoulos President and CEO of iSquare, the official distributor of Apple in Greece and Cyprus. And as technology explains, it became the bridge of communication between people during the pandemic. Regarding the role of CEO, he emphasizes that the leader of a company must first serve the goal himself and then guide others.

– During the pandemic period there was a strong demand for technology products. How did you manage the new data and what are the most important lessons you learned as a management and as a company?

The pandemic really brought a little revolution in what it has to do with technology. Demand has risen sharply and most have either renewed or purchased new technology products. The reason is simple since technology became the bridge of communication between people during the pandemic. It brought us closer either to those we love, to friends and family, but also to our work. Customers and partners. We, as the official distributor of Apple for Greece and Cyprus, are one of the lucky ones, since we are very familiar with the technology and we used all these tools already in our daily life. So the transition was relatively easy and painless. Nevertheless, as a company and as a management by extension, we have passed into a new reality. We have learned to work harmoniously and collaboratively from a distance, and we have seen in practice how technological tools, such as the ones we represent, can really help our daily lives and the world at large. As a management, I think the most important thing was our adaptability and the fast and flexible decision model we adopted.

– We see a global disruption in the supply chain. How does it affect iSquare performance and what challenges do you face?

ISquare is affected, like all commercial companies, by this major supply chain disruption, and I personally believe that this will take some time. What we learned was that people were not ready for such a big change as the one brought by the pandemic and that broke the supply chain that would take time to make. From the raw materials, to the manufacture of the products and to the transport, everything was affected. I believe that we will return to normalcy after the first half of 2022.

– How important do you consider the CEO’s reputation in terms of the value and future of his / her company?

I believe that the reputation of the CEO is inextricably linked to the reputation of the company and vice versa. One affects the other since the CEO’s decisions affect the company’s results and vice versa. This gives value to a leader, but at the same time it is a huge responsibility. The leader of a company must first serve the goal himself and then guide others.

– In addition to the widespread penetration of digital technology, how much has the pandemic changed culture, but also the role of leadership of an organization?

The culture of an organization is not a set of written rules, but our daily actions inside and outside the company. Culture is built through interpersonal relationships and affects the whole organism. It is the “character” of every business. With the pandemic, the culture is tested and weakened since the distance work relaxed the interpersonal relationships of the colleagues. So companies need to put more emphasis on their culture because only then will they stand the test of time and stand out from the competition. The culture of a company is shaped by the characters and actions of its employees and vice versa.

– What has changed due to a pandemic in employee leadership relationships and how much has this change affected the achievement of the organization’s goals?

Everything is changing rapidly around us and in fact we are talking about unprecedented changes and therefore the unknown usually dominates. Steve Jobs used to say that we have to find the 50 NO before we say 1 YES. He basically wanted to show the essence of the focus and how important it is to be focused on the goal you have set. Today, due to the speed, you need immediate analysis of the data, in fact by different people and characters, so that you probably have 2-3 visual and then quick decisions, based on other data and experience. Then along the way, if necessary, make corrections or adjust accordingly. This is a key difference with the recent past, where the decision to take took a lot of time, effort, data and scenarios. Now you first decide and then correct if necessary.

– What is the role of the CEO in retaining and developing his / her executives and who in attracting new executives from the market?

Trust, good psychology and participation. Going to work not because you have to, but because it “fills” you. To feel that you offer, that you are heard, that your voice and work are essential elements of the company’s success. While it sounds easy it is difficult to achieve. A good climate is like a lasting relationship. It is constantly being tested and you have to build it every day with actions and not with words. But when you do, it leads to mathematical precision in achieving even the most ambitious goals. If we achieve this as leaders and as a company, then attracting new capable people is a given.

– A new executive who has the ambition to become CEO, what would you advise?

To listen more and talk less. Focus more on people than on the dry result. To build for the (even in the near) future and not only for today. To be measured as he ascends the steps of the hierarchy. To accept the mistakes of his colleagues and the failure. Not everything always goes well in life. To apologize and reward his colleague for a success. Generally be a leader by example and not by theory.

– Is a CEO’s personal involvement with issues that concern society part of his / her role?

Certainly. The company is a small society and so just as things we do with our family or friends affect others, so as CEO decisions or results of our company concern and affect society in general. Just as we want to be a model in our company, so we must want to be a model in society. By our actions and not only by our words. After all, you are a leader when your colleagues and associates feel this way and accept you.