Leveraging Sales and Marketing Capabilities for Enhanced Productivity!
Amidst the pressure of globalization and rapid technological advancements, companies often struggle to synchronize their operations across diverse regions while nurturing innovation. The challenge lies in transforming fragmented systems and processes into cohesive, efficient strategies that drive sustainable growth. However, Jorge Ricardo Lopez, the EODB (Ease of Doing Business) and S/4 HANA Global Program Director at Syngenta Crop Protection, has turned this challenge into an opportunity for transformation.
With extensive leadership experience across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Jorge embodies the essence of making things happen. His unique ability to connect strategy with execution has led to the establishment of solid partnerships that drive sustainable business outcomes. “I believe in creating environments where multi-disciplinary teams can thrive,” Jorge explains. His unique ability to connect strategy with execution has led to the establishment of solid partnerships that drive sustainable business outcomes.
Jorge’s expertise extends to leading complex business integrations and transformation programs. He has a proven track record in setting up commercial capabilities and optimizing IT systems like SAP and SFDC. By deftly navigating outsourcing start-ups and operations, he has successfully developed innovative organizational models that enhance efficiency and productivity.
What sets Jorge apart is not just his technical acumen but also his interpersonal skills. He possesses a natural talent for fostering relationships within matrix organizations, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned with the company’s goals. This capability is crucial in today’s interconnected business environment, where collaboration often determines success.
As he continues to spearhead initiatives that tackle complex challenges from inception to completion, Jorge stands as a ray of effective leadership in the corporate world. His commitment to leveraging digital tools and enhancing customer experiences positions Syngenta Crop Protection at the forefront of industry innovation, proving that with the right vision and execution, sustainable success is indeed achievable.
Let us learn more about his journey:
Jorge’s Journey
The journey began at university when Jorge found inspiration in a professor’s lecture about the significance of ecosystems and the unique roles each individual plays in the continuous cycle of change. This concept resonated deeply with him, shaping his understanding of transformation.
Jorge likened driving transformation to conducting an orchestra. Just as a conductor brings out the best in each musician to create a harmonious performance, he believed that harnessing the talents of his team could lead to exceptional customer experiences. The ultimate goal was to ensure that clients received precisely what they desired.
Reflecting on the transformation process, Jorge recognized that witnessing the changes made and the positive impact on the business was profoundly rewarding. The joy experienced by everyone involved served as powerful motivation for future endeavors, igniting a passion for continued growth and improvement.
Making Ease of Doing Business for Our Customers
As an agri-technology enterprise, the end customer consists of farmers who play a crucial role in global food production. The initiative known as Ease of Doing Business (EODB) places customers at the forefront, aiming to enhance loyalty and streamline business operations while improving automation and productivity throughout the Order-to-Cash process. This strategic approach also positions the organization to transition smoothly to the new SAP S/4 HANA platform, which is integral to the overall plan.
With an end users exceeding 20,000 employees across various enterprise systems, the goal is to unify operations under a single ERP system, SAP S/4 HANA, by the end of this decade. This consolidation is expected to significantly enhance service delivery to customers.
Jorge has played a pivotal role in shaping this program from its inception. His focus has been on mobilizing the team, developing a unique methodology that draws on past experiences, engaging with the business community, and ultimately driving efforts toward achieving tangible business outcomes. So far, the initiative has involved collaboration with over 40 countries, interviews with more than 500 customers worldwide, and the delivery of over 100,000 hours dedicated to improving productivity. The migration of the Crop Protection business unit to SAP S/4 HANA is progressing well.
In summary, as Program Director, Jorge’s mission is to ensure these objectives are met by working closely with the business to serve customer needs effectively.
Lessons Learned from Experience
Through years marked by both failures and successes, Jorge has come to appreciate the significance of a few essential leadership principles. Here are his insights:
Clarity is vital for both the leader and the team. Understanding the vision, the goals, and the reasons behind them creates a strong foundation. This clarity helps in building alliances with fellow leaders, ensuring everyone is aligned and disciplined in executing the plan.
However, achieving this vision requires early engagement and empowerment of every team member. By valuing diversity and encouraging open communication, leaders can create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. And amidst the hard work, it’s important to remember to enjoy the journey!
Several colleagues, whom he would attribute as influencing his present leadership style, had molded Jorge to become a leader over the years. And still, he remains receptive to what new things he would learn and adapt to in various situations and cultures, for he believes that this will keep him constantly ready to face any new challenge that comes his way.
Empowering Teams for Success
Jorge highlighted the cultural fit aspect as an enabler to change the form of a global organization, and he felt that ownership through changing the team’s perception was necessary to be successful in any change initiative.
Jorge highlights the significance of empowering employees and providing them with a clear vision and guidelines. By encouraging soft influence, transparent rules, and a “One team, One Plan” mentality, Syngenta aims to create an environment conducive to sustainable transformations.
However, Jorge acknowledges that measuring business outcomes is essential to validating the effectiveness of these strategies. He credits his team’s efforts and the organization’s reputation as key factors in leading future changes.
Orchestrating Change through Collaboration
As a transformational leader, Jorge understands that the power to drive change in business lies in the hands of the line organization’s leaders. His role is to build and sustain an open and mutually beneficial partnership with these leaders, ensuring that they own, embrace, and execute the plan he provides. Jorge sees himself as the conductor of an orchestra, leading and coordinating the various elements to create harmonious transformation.
Jorge’s experience leading a reverse M&A project taught him the importance of building trust with leaders, even when they are unfamiliar with him. Over time, he was able to establish a strong relationship with the business lead, who eventually became a good friend.
For the current EODB (Ease of Doing Business) initiative, Jorge has found that colleagues are most motivated when they focus on putting the customer at the center of their efforts, driving simplification, and creating partnerships to facilitate the SAP migration. By prioritizing these key elements, Jorge and his team are able to drive meaningful change and achieve their transformation goals.
Acknowledging Diversity and Inclusion in Business
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) have become essential in the contemporary business landscape. Addressing complex challenges requires the insights and experiences of individuals from various backgrounds. Jorge has had the opportunity to collaborate with teams from over 70 countries, engaging with a rich array of cultures, religions, and languages. He believes that active listening, empowering team members, and fostering a sense of enjoyment are fundamental to motivating his colleagues.
In his current position, Jorge takes pride in witnessing an increasing number of individuals eager to embark on the EODB journey. Syngenta provides an exceptional platform for exploring new ideas, while the supportive company culture keeps everyone energized and engaged.
Balancing Act
Balancing his work and personal life has been difficult for him, as at times the career is so much entwined with the passion and hobbies. But he always derives strength from his wife and son who are very wonderful, helping him stay connected to his personal life in things that he loves doing.
A group of friends who are very close helps make his social interactions and relationships really worthwhile. To keep himself healthy and fit, he ensures that he walks daily, whatever the weather, with an ambitious target of 10,000 steps.
Approach to Technology
Jorge maintains a practice of regularly reading magazines and newspaper articles that cover various aspects of technology. As he leads transformations closely tied to sales and marketing, his colleagues in those fields also ensure he stays well-informed about the latest developments. Their collaborative efforts help him navigate the ever-changing landscape effectively.
Guiding Principles for Aspiring Leaders
Jorge offers valuable insights to those seeking to lead effectively during significant transformations. He emphasizes that large changes present excellent opportunities for managing complex structures, governance, and overall communication. His straightforward advice is to keep complexity within a small team while promoting simplicity outwardly, even in the context of extensive transformations.
From the outset, aspiring leaders should focus on creating a clear vision and empowering their team members. People are inclined to follow leaders who can engage them through inspiring narratives. Jorge likens a true transformational leader to a beloved fragrance, appreciated by many but often unseen. He believes that leaders should remain in the background, allowing their team members to take center stage.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that the desired business outcomes are achieved while highlighting the contributions of the people involved. Finally, have strong confidence in your approach and capabilities to help others to embrace new challenges. Every new transformation is a journey.
Vision for Leadership and Legacy
As Jorge reaches retirement age for his profession, he reflects on his goals. His short-term aspiration would be to mentor the next generation of leaders involved with transformation initiatives. Down the road, he’d like to author a book that crystallizes his experiences and insights, rendering some valuable lessons learned throughout his career.