Michele Seminara, technical director and Binhexs co-founder, talks about the company’s foundation and explains its values and pillars. Besides, Michele tells us about the skills that a “good technician” should master to work in today’s IT.
What prompted you to start the company, how did the idea come about with the other two partners?
Michele Seminara: “The initial impetus was related to the need to find an environment in which we could express our potential as a group. Initially, the three of us were colleagues in a different business reality in which we were involved in different roles-some in sales and some as systems and technical people-and this reality was changing its skin; it had become a company that did very standardized activities, as opposed to us who operated with the hallmark of preparing custom solutions.
That’s why we decided to take matters into our own hands and try to create something of our own, which would allow us on the one hand to maintain the DNA of a reality that provides bespoke IT solutions and technology services, and on the other hand that could have a soul cherishing for its employees, by working in a “family” environment.
Founding Binhexs allowed us to continue to operate in a personalized way, making sure that even in information technology, a subject that is so scientific and seemingly more “rigid,” there was the use of creativity, continuing to offer tailored solutions as our added value.
Clearly and unexpectedly the company has grown a lot, and my daily work routine has changed more and more over time, because having to manage a company means you have to reinvent yourself and learn a new job, which is that of a manager, and that is not part of my background – I am an IT technician by extraction.
The growth of the company is very satisfying, and it makes me proud to know that a positive environment has been created and that our customers appreciate the way we work.”
What does it mean being a Technical Director and how are your working days?
M. Seminara: “My job as technical director is to govern the technical solutions that we are going to implement in Binhexs delivery area (the business area that gathers technical departments, ed.), especially regarding the systems group. In fact, I am in charge of identifying the technical and technological solutions that best fit the customer’s needs, both in terms of quality and spending capacity, by customizing the offer.
Another important part of my job is to improve the service and ensure the highest quality and standards, from the point of view of reliability and resilience, because the services we provide are often used by thousands of people all over the world and it is essential to ensure that there is immediate support and that everything is working at its best. Another important and related aspect is ensuring the availability of resources and directing them to the right activities, identifying any critical issues in advance.
I am also involved with colleagues in following the technological evolution of new IT solutions, that is, adapting what we do to the most effective and innovative technologies with good value for money, which is also the most beautiful and challenging part of this job, because it allows me to stay up to date, let’s say it “forces” me to never stop studying… but I say it in a positive way, because I would only do this if I could!
Moreover, I am usually involved in commercial opportunities in the pre-sales stage, for example when effort estimates for a customer must be made, especially for system and infrastructure activities, or data center and hosting solutions. I am responsible for that kind of guidance.”
What are the values that Binhexs should convey to its employees and Customers, in your opinion?
M.S.: “I always try to remind of a few concepts to co-workers when I get a chance. First of all, I insist that a career as technician is just as valuable, if not more so, than a career as manager. I notice that there is a trend in recent years, that when one reaches a certain seniority and age, they have the impression that they are in an inferior and less ‘relevant’ position than colleagues who have an organizational and managerial position. Actually I want to remind that this is not the case: there are people who have retired being technicians until the last day, and I still remember these colleagues them now, they were gurus, and these are, in my opinion, those who actually have a load-bearing role in the company, they are pillars of knowledge and, indeed, they are the ones who contribute the most to the company’s reputation and image. I also feel like an IT person myself, but unfortunately, I sometimes see that it is difficult for colleagues to see it that way. I would like to reiterate that technicians have a central role that is not comparable to an organizational role. They are the guardians of Binhexs’ core values, such as professionalism and reliability, as well as creativity, mentioned earlier.”
“One more thing: the ability to solve problems, which is the basis of technical computer work, is not only related to our notions and knowledge, instead I think it depends more on our mindset and on the ability to master a method to analyze the problem. Put simply: even if you don’t have the specific technical knowledge to solve a problem, you can deal with it by having an open and proactive attitude, having confidence in your abilities and having precise methods of analysis. That’s why, in my opinion, it would be nice to be taught in Binhexs to analyze methodically … which is sometimes more important than knowing academically a specific technology.”
Give some advice to people working in Binhexs, according to your experience…
M.S.: “Certainly, what I said a moment ago remains valid, which is being methodical and believing in yourself. But I would add, especially for techies, to identify a particular area within the vast world of technology and IT, and become an expert in it. That is how you will end up doing a job that will be like a well-paid hobby: you will have no problem in dealing with constant hard work, because there is a passion and a will to excel. Of course, work is work and it will still be tiring, and I don’t deny that dedication and sacrifice are needed; indeed, in technology, as I said before, considerable commitment and the ability to constantly update oneself is required, but by having passion and never settling for anything, one will reach their own piece of heaven, let’s say so… and the achievement and success won’t be lacking. I am a witness to that.”
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