Global CEO Magazine recently connected with Mr Lasantha Bogoda, Director and CEO of DMS Software Technologies Pvt. Ltd., to gain insights into how his organisation has successfully navigated through unprecedented challenges.
From the global pandemic to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, DMS Software Technologies has emerged stronger, showcasing resilience and innovation under Mr Bogoda’s leadership. In this interview, he shares the strategies employed to steer the company through turbulent times, the importance of adaptability in the ever-evolving IT industry, and how the organisation is positioning itself for future success amidst global and local challenges.
Q: Over the past few years, Sri Lanka has faced numerous challenges, from the pandemic to the economic crisis. Despite these hurdles, DMS Software Technologies has continued to thrive. What leadership strategies have you employed to ensure your organisation moves forward during these uncertain times?
Lasantha Bogoda: You’re absolutely right. The last four to five years have been particularly challenging, not just in Sri Lanka but globally. DMS Software Technologies, which has nearly a five-decade history, has weathered many storms since the 1970s, and this resilience has helped us navigate the current environment.
One of the most important leadership strategies we implemented during these crises was clear communication with our employees. During the pandemic, no one really knew how to handle such a situation. So, it was essential to inform our employees about what was happening globally and how we planned to support our customers. Many of the clients we served were mission-critical businesses, not just in Sri Lanka but globally as well.
Communication was key to ensuring that our team understood our priorities.
Additionally, we were firm in our decisions. For instance, we created a supportive structure for both employees and customers during COVID-19. We recognised the uncertainty around people’s health and the overall situation, so fostering a supportive culture helped us sustain operations and support our customers. These strategies have been crucial in helping us weather these crises.
Q: The IT industry evolves faster than most, and it’s critical to keep up with trends and innovations. How has DMS adapted and innovated to stay ahead in this fast-paced market?
Lasantha Bogoda: Being in the IT industry means we are always part of an innovative culture. Over the past few years, we’ve strengthened our collaborations with global companies like Google, Oracle, and Salesforce. We take the innovations they implement and localise them for our market. This has allowed us to introduce cutting-edge solutions to our customers.
Adaptation has also been critical. During the pandemic, when we faced unprecedented challenges, we continuously trained our employees on how to handle the situation. We tapped into global expertise, not just locally, but internationally, to help our team adjust and thrive. For example, we looked at companies like Zoom, which saw a tremendous rise during the pandemic. We learned from their strategies and adapted similar innovations within our organisation.
We also focused on retaining employees during the economic crisis. As many professionals began migrating, we recruited interns and scholarship students, offering them a sustainable career path within DMS. This long-term strategy sent a strong message to both our customers and our team: we are here for the long haul.
Q: Leadership is critical in turbulent times. What do you believe are the essential qualities a leader must possess to guide an organisation through such uncertainty?
Lasantha Bogoda: During uncertain times, a leader must remain calm. If the leader panics, the whole organisation panics, and that can create a domino effect with customers. At DMS, we made sure to stay composed, even during crises like the Easter Sunday attacks and the pandemic. Being firm in our decisions, despite the challenges, was crucial. We didn’t waver from our strategy. Our focus remained on supporting our customers and retaining our employees.
It’s definitely easier said than done, but it’s important to not let panic dictate your actions. Remaining steady and having clear, thought-out strategies will help guide both the organisation and the people within it through turbulent times.
Q: Looking beyond IT, how do you foresee the broader business landscape in Sri Lanka evolving over the next five years?
Lasantha Bogoda: The next five years will be challenging for Sri Lanka as we continue to recover from the economic crisis. Certain issues still need resolution, and as a country, we need a sustainable strategy moving forward. I believe innovation will play a key role, but we must be selective about what innovations we adopt in the Sri Lankan market.
We have a strong younger generation coming up, and it’s critical to educate and train them to contribute to the country’s future. Retaining talent in Sri Lanka will be one of the biggest challenges, and ensuring we create opportunities for young professionals to grow locally will be vital for the country’s success.
Q: In terms of balancing local and global challenges, how do you plan to keep DMS competitive on the global stage?
Lasantha Bogoda: Fortunately, we began our global operations over 15 years ago, well before these crises. We have offices in Singapore, Australia, Ireland, Bangladesh, and the Middle East, and we have strengthened these during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
To remain competitive, we focused on developing young talent. We recruited, trained, and offered them opportunities to work in our global offices. This not only gave them a chance to gain international experience but also encouraged them to stay with DMS, even if they were working in different regions. By doing this, we’re helping to retain local talent and support Sri Lanka’s future while continuing to grow globally.
Our global offices have become marketing engines, while we provide the necessary resources and expertise. We’ve also expanded into new markets like the Maldives and the Philippines, and these strategies have helped us remain competitive in the face of global challenges.
