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DATA MATRIX IS ON ITS 5TH YEAR

ITS ROOTS

Data Matrix marks another milestone as it celebrates its 5th year anniversary this month of September. As one of the pioneers of this young and fast growing company, do allow me to walk you through memory lane.

Officially established last July 1999, Data Matrix actually started its operations September 1, 1999 with a relatively small group of managers and staff who originally worked together from a former software development company. With barely 15 consultants in its headcount , it did pretty well on its first year as it closed body shop deals with such big companies like Headstrong , NCR Software Company, Smart , Unisys and Open Systems Innovations Ltd., a Singapore based consulting firm . The latter client opened its doors to Filipino programmers interested in working in Singapore via the offshore placement program of DMI. Aside from body shopping, DMI was also involved in providing software development projects for DTI. However the first year was also marked with rough times due to the shortage of high calibre programmers who were mostly recruited by US companies for the Year 2000 conversion.

STRONG DESPITE ODD TIMES

The following proved to be a difficult year for the company, what with the local political and economic condition coupled by the September 11 tragedy affecting the business atmosphere globally .Body shopping and Outsourcing then was not too lucrative as most companies were cost cutting. Despite that DMI struggled and survived generating revenues by further augmenting its roster of clients. With an aggressive sales force , it continued its body shopping efforts by acquiring new client companies like RCBC, UCPB, Citibank , SVI and Accenture to name a few . Truly, one of the great feats in the history of DMI as it sustained its operations despite odd times.

FINDING THEIR NICHE VIA DMI

Consultants come and go because of the rapid change in technology. However one of the consolations a recruiter gets from deploying a consultant is eventually seeing them discovering their niche in the market. A number of consultants that we have placed in OSI Singapore are still working there. A number of our former consultants have been absorbed by such clients like Smart, Fuji Xerox, Accenture and RSB. These consultants stayed for more than a year with DMI and their patience and technical competence has definitely earned their place in this big companies. Early this year, the Operations team successfully placed a top executive for a well known call center. He was sent to Los Angeles by his company for training and is now doing very well in his current position. Recently, he sent an email to our Operations Manager thanking DMI for placing him to such client company. These simple Thank you notes from applicants and consultants and recommendations from clients are just some the few things which make the Account Manager/Recruiter’s load lighter and more rewarding.

YEAR 2004- A PROMISING WORK FORCE

The second half of 2003 saw the launching of another business activity - Executive Search and Placement. This was made possible by a very promising work force headed by an equally competent and persevering Operations Manager, Ms. Rowena Santos. This year also marked a change in organization which cantered more on team efforts. Naturally, new targets and incentive schemes were introduced to cope up with the growing demands of the business. To allow teams to put their best foot forward in reaching their targets, we had two Planning Sessions held early and middle of this year. During these brainstorming sessions, teams were asked to formulate and implement their respective OGSMs (Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures) towards accomplishing their revenue targets. The company also sponsored in-house trainings for recruiters and account managers alike. And as sampled by the launching of our very first DMI newsletter, it is currently strengthening its branding efforts.

In my many years at DMI, I have never seen a group as hardworking and self driven as this current group. After barely 1 year, we have new clients coming from leading multinationals from various industries. However the greatest challenge that we are facing now is implementing new and innovative strategies to cope up with growing demands. What used to be effective may no longer be effective now thus the need for creativity.

After 5 years, DMI has endured rough times and will continue to remain strong and steadfast. It has seen prospective contracts come and go but we consider this as just one of the intricacies of a competitive industry. It has definitely earned its milestones but it continues to seek for excellence. Through the competence and drive of a highly spirited group of Operations and Support staff and IT Consultants, we see 2005 and the coming years with great promise and optimism.