Aviram Eisenberg, Ignite Ltd
Tips for managing your business in stressful times based on Israel's experience
IT Spring, Dnipropetrovsk 2015
Are you Crazy?
“A lot of people ask me if I am crazy?““You are living in Ukraine? In these times???”
Well, I live in Israel, we are kinda used to state of war…
I am just replacing this:
With this:
2
About Me
Father of 3 wonderful children
High-Tech professional for the last 30 years
- computer geek in my teenage days
- platoon commander in the Army Intelligence (computer related)
- computer Science Graduate from the Technion
- chief Architect at Mind CTI
- founder and CEO Of Ignite – a global IT company
- chairman of the Israeli R&D Managers forum
Lives in Kiev (Ukraine is my second home!), 8 Years ago I came to Ukraine for the first time…
3
4
Where is Putin?
Where is Putin?A …B …C …D …We can’t lose him – how can we have a decent war without him???
Just like in Hollywood movies, the world need a good villain and Putin is just perfect!
5
Israel & Ukraine are young states
Wars
10 wars (every 5-10 years)
1947-1949, 1956, 1967, 1967-1970, 1973, 1982-2000, 2008-2009, 2010, 2012, 2014
Daily living under possible terrorist attacks
2014 - now
WarsWars
Back in 1948 all Israel had was- brave people with no weapons- 5 Arab state armies around - and a desert to live in…
5
67 years old 24 years old
How do I manage the company and risk?
6
War Factors
Low psychological threshold to risks of business failure
Boy, you are alive! And someone is not…
Strong desire to control your own fateNo fate but what we make (Terminator 2)
War creates opportunities…For those who are in the right mood to take advantage of it
War creates new circumstances and force you to reiventyourselfThe cycle of nature
7
The benefits of WAR
It’s an employer market again!!!
No one leaves you (unless they go abroad)
Better control of labor costs increaseDuring the crisis a lot of good people are moving around
Ability to reduce overhead expenses
8
The opportunities of WAR
Tighten the connection between employer and employee
The USD-UAH exchange rate
Credit shift
Invest!
Reinvent yourself
9
The Risks of WAR
The brain drain
Uncertain future There will be tax scheme changes – I don’t think they will be good to the
industry
Canceled projects + low credit = financial crisis
Ukraine will join EUIt’s a very good thing to Ukraine but not so good it its IT industry…
10
10 War Tips for IT companies
Create a safe and peaceful environment within your offices
Show that you are a rock solid against the storm
Help your employeesMobilization support
LoansProtect their salary value
Look for new available talentLarge American corporates hate wars - A lot of good people are
moving around…
11
10 War Tips for IT companies
Reduce your expenses A lot of things get cheaper and your $ is the king!
Raise cheap credit and use it wisely
Increase your investmentsthe Time to invest is when the blood is on the streets
Don’t avoid talks with your customers about risks Find back-up solutions to minimize possible risks together. Stress that Ukraine is huge and despite the war in 2014, Israelmade a record $15b. in high-tech exits that year
12
10 War Tips for IT companies
Focus on mid-range customersthey are more tolerant to the risks in Ukraine
Promote Ukraine as a place of change and opportunitiesBe active in media: comment and share your opinion, write articles. Not as
fast as we desire but positive changes do take place
Prepare fallback plans for changes in tax scheme
From IT to High-Tech – reinvent yourself!
13
www.igniteso.com
Questions?
Follow me
facebook.com/aviram.eisenberg
twitter.com/aviram
linkedin.com/in/AviramEisenberg
AviramEisenberg.com