Marketing & Communications Head
Describe Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
TCS is an IT and business consulting firm, headquartered in India, that currently boasts a diverse workforce of over 608,000 employees representing 152 nationalities. We have presence in 55 countries across the world.
In Latin America, TCS embarked on its journey in 2002, and today we operate in 17 cities across 9 countries in the region, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay, with a workforce of approximately 28,000 dedicated professionals.
Our goal is to be a strategic ally for our clients and accompany them in their digital transformation journey. Our purpose is to build a better future through the power of innovation and contextual knowledge, and we help our clients to realize their own purpose and make a significant impact, bringing organizational aspirations to life.
The company's recent growth has been driven by cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, and digital engineering, and we’re also working in developing innovative technologies that are already changing the way we’ll work and live in the future, such as Generative AI, digital twins and more.
How does TCS stand out from its competitors in Latin America? How does the company get its new clientele?
TCS stands out from its competitors in Latin America by focusing on three main priorities:
Talent development: In TCS, we believe that our main asset is our talent, and that’s why we have programs to detect, foster and grow talent throughout their careers. We offer upskilling and reskilling opportunities to people, enabling them to be more competitive in the digital era. We also invest in education and social initiatives, such as the goIT program, which aims to inspire young students to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Contextual knowledge: We leverage our team’s deep understanding of the local markets, cultures, and challenges to be a better digital transformation partner for our clients and to help them fulfill their purpose and achieve their business objectives by providing customized solutions that address their specific needs and expectations.
Innovation: TCS has innovation as part of its DNA, and we constantly explore new ways to create value for our clients. As part of this principle, we collaborate with local innovation ecosystems, such as startups, universities, and research centers, to co-create solutions that leverage emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, blockchain, internet of things, etcetera. TCS also showcases its innovation capabilities through its Co-Innovation Network (COIN), which connects its clients with a global network of technology partners, and we collaborate with local academic institutions, industry associations, and government agencies to promote the development of the digital ecosystem in Latin America.
What are the biggest needs in terms of Information Technologies for the companies in Latin America?
The biggest needs in Information Technologies for companies in Latin America are driven by several factors that have transformed the IT industry in the region. These factors include qualified talent demand vs. offer, digital transformation, rapid advancements in technology and knowledge-based services, and the democratization of technology. As a result, there is a clear and growing demand for technology services, and for opening opportunities in significant regions, such as the recent establishment of TCS Monterrey in 2023.
Critical technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital twins, and machine learning are increasingly sought after by companies across all sectors. This demand is fueled by the need to streamline operations and stay competitive in the current business landscape.
To continue developing the Latin American IT market and drive innovation in the region, a key focus should be on fostering commitment and collaboration among academia, public, and private sectors. This collaboration is essential for nurturing talent, especially in the skills that industries are currently seeking. By bridging the gap between education and industry demands, Latin American companies can better address their IT needs and remain at the forefront of technological advancements.
Another point to consider is the need to foster diversity in the industry. Securing diversity in terms of gender, ages, backgrounds and life views brings different perspectives, experiences, and skills that can enhance creativity, innovation, and problem-solving in the IT sector. It can also help us better understand and serve the diverse needs and preferences of our customers and stakeholders in Latin America and beyond, by providing more inclusive and customized solutions.
In that sense, what are the challenges of implementing new technologies in countries that are not fully digitalized?
The lack of innovation can cause a company to fall behind in its industry and become obsolete. Many companies and governments tend to view innovation development as an expense rather than an essential investment that should permeate the entire organization. In TCS, for example, open collaboration and innovation are part of our DNA. Our corporate vision is to build a better future through innovation and collective knowledge.
Driving innovation is a pressing need for the region, and this can only be achieved through collaboration among academia, the private sector, and governments:
Education should adapt to current technological demands by offering relevant programs and courses.
Companies should invest in young talent and employee training and collaborate with academic institutions.
Governments should facilitate the creation of policies that promote technology investment and talent retention.
Innovation is an ongoing process nurtured by collaboration among technology experts, businesses, startups, academia, and the community.
A standout global example of innovation is India, a country that has made rapid advancements in technology and knowledge-based services through investment in training and the democratization of technology, becoming a global benchmark in IT and innovation.
How are you dealing with economic turmoil around the world? How is it impacting the way you do business?
Considering the economic turmoil around the world, we recognize the need for agility and innovation in our business approach. Economic uncertainty can lead to all kinds of disruptions in the industry, and we firmly believe that innovation and adaptability are key to overcoming these challenges.
The rise of digital technologies has completely revolutionized industries, consumer behaviour and in general, the way we work and live, offering numerous opportunities to redefine all aspects of business. One notable challenge in this dynamic environment is the urgent need to find and create specialized talent.
At TCS, our greatest strength lies in our talent pool. Fostering the continuous development and learning of our team members is a top priority. In TCS, an individual may enter with specific skills for a particular role, and just a couple of years later, thanks to our focus on reskilling and career development, they could be engaged in an entirely different role.
Lastly, I would like to emphasize the importance of diversity. Our team comprises 28,000 individuals from 45 different nationalities, and more than 35% of our LATAM team is composed of women, surpassing industry averages. While there is still much progress to be made, we firmly believe that diversity is a catalyst for innovation.
Our commitment to innovation, adaptability, and a diverse and skilled workforce puts us in a good position to manage the current landscape, but to also capitalize on the opportunities that emerge in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The technology industry is constantly evolving. How does TCS manage to stay at the forefront with your services and products?
In the ever-evolving technology industry, staying at the forefront with our services and products is key for TCS. One of the central challenges we face, as mentioned previously, is finding, and retaining talent with the necessary skills. This has become a recurring concern in a context where demand consistently outpaces the supply, primarily due to the high demand for technology skills driven by new businesses entering the region and the accelerated pace of digital transformation in enterprises. Additionally, there is the issue of talent attrition, which further complicates the situation.
Recognizing that nurturing talent in the technology sector is critical for both ensuring the sustainability of tech companies and their global competitiveness, as well as contributing to the economic development of the region by offering high-quality, well-paid employment opportunities, we have established strategies to address these challenges.
As previously highlighted, these strategies include adapting education to meet current technological demands, investing in employee training and collaborating with academic institutions, and encouraging government support in the form of tax incentives and policies that promote technology investment and talent retention.
It's imperative for us to unite and take action to build a strong foundation for retaining this valuable source of knowledge and fully harness the talent that Latin America has to offer in the technology world. By doing so, we can continue to innovate and provide cutting-edge solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients and the global tech industry.
How do you imagine the industry in the next couple of years?
While we don't possess the ability to predict the future with absolute certainty, we can certainly envision the technology industry in the next couple of years based on current trends and the potential offered by emerging technologies such as AI, digital twins, VR, AR, etc. With the capabilities provided by these futuristic technologies, and as long as we have commitment from the public and private sectors and the society to make a real impact, I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to revert the effects of climate change and create a future for ourselves and the ones that will come after us, through innovation and technology.
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