South Asian Technologies (SAT) is a Sri Lankan-owned information technology distributor and enterprise solutions provider since 2009. With operations in Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Singapore, Bangladesh, the UAE and Indonesia, SAT serves thousands of clients through a partner network of over 150 companies. SAT also represents some of the leading global ICT brands and carries a service portfolio spreading across 62 products. It implemented an employee share option programme and its subsidiaries are now co-owned by employees. SAT has also been an IBM Partner since 2009 and has the distinction of being IBM Sri Lanka’s first Platinum Partner.

Q: How important is it for businesses to uphold corporate respect in times of crisis?

A: We saw this during the country’s economic crisis especially when the Sri Lankan Rupee had a drastic devaluation. A number of our customers and partners were adversely affected as were we. Instead of rushing to minimise our losses, we focussed on minimising the adverse impact on our stakeholders.

Our motto in itself is very different: ‘Facta non Verba,’ which means we believe that our actions speak louder than words. When we make a commitment to our principals, partners, customers, employees and other stakeholders, we believe in sticking to what we committed to. In times of crisis, we believe that it is important for us to remember we are in it for the long haul – and that earns you respect from your stakeholders.

Q: How costly is it to earn and maintain corporate respect today, given the volatile and uncertain business environment?

A: As the recent crisis showed, sometimes the price you have to pay for sticking to your commitments may be high. The negation of adverse impacts did come at a high resource cost for the entire SAT Group.

In the time of the economic crisis – especially following the drastic devaluation of the Sri Lankan Rupee – this meant a severe hit on our bottom line. But we ensured that not one of our partners or customers were adversely affected.

Q: In your opinion, what’s the main difference between ‘corporate reputation’ and ‘corporate respect’?

A: Reputation is loud – while respect is often silent. Reputation can always be built on the back of great campaigns and advertising; but respect must be earned over the years, and often painstakingly – with honest work and hard decisions.

Q: Is environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) making a sufficient impression on the ‘corporate respect’ equation?

A: I believe that it is. An increasing number of corporates are paying greater attention to not only their financial responsibilities but roles in terms of being environmentally conscious and socially responsible, as well as in terms of sound corporate governance. The idea that corporates must use their resources and reach to make things better is very much here to stay!

Q: What is the importance that corporates should place on continuous innovation as a means of garnering respect?

A: In the IT industry, innovation is not simply a buzzword – it is literally our lifeblood. Every day, the cyber and digital spaces demand innovation; not merely in terms of what the users want but also as regards regulator requirements and more importantly, security posture.

SAT conducts multiple knowledge sharing sessions with our stakeholders – especially employees, partners and customers – to ensure they are fully abreast of all the new developments

Q: How important are stakeholder perceptions – and why?

A: Our industry touches almost every person within the organisation. As the saying goes: ‘IT isn’t only for IT people anymore.’ We at SAT ensure that our solutions are architected with the customers’ challenges, present and future, in mind; and that all our solutions are backed by excellent services for training and implementation. Basically, we ensure that every stakeholder gets the maximum benefit of our solutions.

Q: What are the main attributes of your company’s image?

A: The fact that we live up to the motto of our company – Facta non Verba (‘Deeds not Words) – is one of main attributes to our company’s image.

A striking facet of SAT is living up to its motto. Despite losses of its own, SAT was ready to help its clients out during the economic crisis. Its recognition of innovation, together with providing personalised solutions to individual customer needs, plays a crucial role in the company’s regional expansion.

QUICK-FIRE ROUND

Three priorities for Sri Lankan corporates today

  • Think positive
  • Plan for ‘future proofed’ solutions
  • Keep an eye on your cyber and digital spaces

Three most vital professional values for business leaders

  • Empathy
  • Integrity
  • Awareness

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