Welcome to Industry Pulse where we delve into the intersection of technology, business, leadership, and innovation. In this inaugural post, well, technically not our first but the first on our newly rebranded website. Unfortunately, we couldn’t transfer all our other blogs from our previous site so, here we are and what better way to begin our journey on The Pulse than by sharing our story and take you back to the roots of Simple Scalable Solutions…giving you a glimpse into who we are and how we came to be as well as the purpose of Industry Pulse.
Who We Are
Imagine a dynamic duo bound by a relentless passion and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. Our story begins with our Founders, a husband and wife team, two individuals ignited by a shared vision to reshape the way businesses work—an encounter that seemed almost serendipitous in the bustling world of travel and technology.
Joana, a strategist and seasoned HR professional who, at the time, held the position of Director of HR for a group of companies consisting of two digital media firms and two travel companies. Then enters Damian, hired as the Chief Technology Officer for one of their travel brands, a global travel wholesaler with unwavering desire to revolutionise and reshape the future of the travel industry.
United by a shared passion to grow and scale the company, Joana and Damian joined forces. Joana’s expertise in unlocking human potential, combined with Damian’s technological brilliance, created a harmonious symphony that orchestrated the extraordinary and exponential growth of the travel wholesaler, propelling its revenue from 15 million to an astounding 150 million in just five years.
As the travel company soared to meteoric heights, Joana’s role evolved into that of the Global Director of Operations. She oversaw Sales, Marketing, Customer Experience, People & Culture, and played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s footprint to Thailand, Greece, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Meanwhile, Damian emerged as a technological maestro, his expertise spanning from front-end web technologies to intricate data management systems. However, he was much more than a CTO; he acted as the bridge between the complexities of technology and its tangible impact on business growth, infusing innovation into every facet of the company’s journey.
The Heartbreak
But, even as their success continued to rise, fate had its own script to unveil. Their friendship evolved into something deeper, culminating in the formation of a family. Eventually, they made the difficult decision to leave the travel wholesaler. Sadly, two years after their departure, the very company they had built collapsed, leaving behind a trail of shattered dreams, stranded clients, and unpaid debts—owing millions of dollars to creditors.
The devastation was heart-wrenching as Joana and Damian witnessed everything they had meticulously crafted crumble before their eyes. Suppliers, clients, and employees turned to them for help, but they found themselves in a heartrending situation: they were no longer part of the business and couldn’t offer aid. Additionally, they observed the struggles of small-scale agencies and SMEs that lacked the means to adopt transformative technology, pivot swiftly, and adapt.
Our Vision, Mission & Values
This adversity stirred an ember within them, igniting a fire fuelled by empathy and an unwavering desire for change. Joana and Damian were driven to assist business owners and their enterprises not only in solving complex organisational challenges but also in transforming these entities into sustainable, values and data-driven workplaces of productivity and happiness. Their mission was to empower businesses to flourish and expand in a manner that’s transparent, visible, and places clients and employees at the heart of every endeavour.
Our Vision: To make an extraordinary impact on the People around us, the Planet we live in, and the shared success of the Profits we make by continuously giving back to those who need it the most.
Our Mission: In today’s digital transformation race, organizations are constantly seeking ways to excel. Whether it’s delivering exceptional customer experiences, expanding to new markets, or scaling operations. We are on a mission to invest in, enable, and empower organizations with sustainable transformative growth and to help them navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape with confidence.
Our Values: We are dedicated to revolutionizing the way businesses operate and work. At the core of our approach lies a profound commitment to upholding a set of guiding principles and practices.
- Trust & Transparency: Trust and transparency, open communication, honesty, integrity responsibility and accountability guide our partnerships, decision-making process and our actions.
- People First: We prioritise people and connections above all else as they are at the heart of everything we do. Kindness, respect, and empathy drive our inclusive culture of growth and development.
- Innovate Fearlessly: We embrace a culture of experimentation and innovation. We know that mistakes are stepping stones to progress and a mindset of learn, adapt and change will deliver exceptional solutions and results.
- Service Excellence: We have an unwavering pursuit of service and operational excellence. Mastering our craft, exceeding expectations, serving others and exchanging in abundance will enable us to elevate our standards and measures of success.
These values are ingrained in our DNA and guide us each and every single day. They are the driving force behind our commitment to making a meaningful difference and shaping a future where technology and humanity converge in harmony.
When Passion Meets Purpose
And thus, in 2017, Simple Scalable Solutions was conceived, embodying the fusion of over 40 years of collective experience. Joana, with her two decades of leadership development, people and culture expertise, organisational design prowess, change management finesse, and business process improvement skills, teamed up with Damian, a technical virtuoso with a track record of shaping technology for renowned brands like Agoda and Wotif. They united with a shared purpose—to extend help, add value, and make a resounding difference.
As you embark on your journey with The Pulse blog, remember that behind these words lies a narrative of passion, purpose, and the unwavering belief in the transformative power of technology, leadership, and people. Stay tuned for thought-provoking insights, engaging narratives, and practical wisdom that will empower you to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business and innovation, growing and scaling organisations and unlocking the true potential of being a servant and transformational leader.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of growth and transformation. To learn more about us, go here or get in touch today!
