Here at Globant, our Globers represent and live our culture. Cover Stories are a space to feature recognized Globers. In this edition, meet Bill Bronske, Subject Matter Expert in the Artificial Intelligence Studio at Globant Seattle.
–What has your career path been like at Globant ?
My journey began just a bit over 2 years ago when Ratio was acquired. Since joining Globant, I continued supporting Signal, as its Chief Architect while building digital strategies and software solutions for our customers. In the last 9 months, I’ve worked as an AI Studio focal point, building a culture for a multi-disciplined group of people to invest their individual and collaborative passion for innovation, data science and artificial intelligence. I’ve also had the opportunity to help coordinate events around this technology, like Triad Digital Technology Conference. We aim to add value to our customers and elevate Globant as a trusted, capable and transformative brand throughout North America.
–What did you change along the way to adapt to new roles and projects?
Adaptation and change has been a constant throughout my career. Prior to 21 years in software, I spent 13 years in retail management. There have been countless lessons throughout. In each new role, project or technology, I find the opportunity to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills. The important thing is to never stop learning, adapting or challenging yourself. It continues to keep me young.
–Given how fast technology changes, how has your job evolved throughout the years?
There is a lot to say about this. My first career was serving people in retail: customers and employees. My employer was extremely proud of our reputation for best-in-class customer service. Employee and customer loyalty was unwavering despite our “premium price” position. The company’s owner exemplified genuine empathy and care for people. His example and the lessons that he demonstrated still instruct me today.
Mastery of my software craft was achieved through diverse software roles, experiences and amazing mentors. I began as a junior developer, improved through quality engineering, and matured as an enterprise systems engineer. I led engineering and systems teams as a development manager and solutions architect. Just prior to joining Ratio, I led engineering for back-testing and market-trading software and service platforms at a high-frequency trading investment portfolio.
My current focus is driving innovation and force multiplication for our customers and Globant teams through strategy, continuing education, and intersectional-technology solutions.
–What do you think are three good habits to keep up-to-date in tech?
First, encourage and grow curiosity, for yourself and others. Never stop asking questions. How does it work? Why was it designed that way? What else can be done to improve on the idea?
Secondly, remain humble. I haven’t and will never “arrive” in this lifetime. There is always more to learn and more perspectives to understand. Read everything. Watch documentaries. Interview others. Think critically. Seek information that conflicts with your biases. Experiment. Fail. Learn.
Thirdly, invest in others. Technology has become too broad and deep to master it all. I will need the complementary talents of those around me in order to continue my technology journey.
–Did you have moments or situations in your professional career that made you think you couldn’t make it through, but actually made you stronger? Which were those?
Absolutely. Like many people I’ve admired throughout my career, I’ve had moments of impostor syndrome. Rather than being paralyzed or limited by them, I’ve learned how to adapt previous experience patterns to new domains with absolute confidence. I am grateful for this strength because it’s made me an empathetic and impactful leader of others.
– Which five qualities should an expert in your field have?
I would list the following 5 foundational qualities:
●Analytical and data driven – We are tasked at finding valid solutions and making effective decisions.
●Vision and strategy – We are called to shape objectives and a means to achieve them within the current landscape.
●Empathetic listener and communicator – Respect and alignment to leadership begins with mutual understanding.
●Life-long learner – The rate of technology change will never be slower than it is today.
●Servant-leadership – Ideal leaders make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served first.
– If you could say only one phrase to people starting their professional path in tech, what would you say?
You own your craft: feed curiosity and grow in capacity. People are the most-valued treasure.
– Which 5 things cause you to love working at Globant?
● People – I’ve shared most of my last 7 years with people who have invested in me, and I in them. Trust, loyalty and value motivates me like no other.
● Talent diversity – I’m inspired by team members who exercise their technical and creative passions in meaningful ways.
● Project and customer diversity – Creativity and inspiration can originate from our customers, too! There is always something new around the corner.
● Customer success – Trust for the team and heartfelt gratitude expressed by a customer is absolutely satisfying.
● Leaders and mentors – I’m aware of folks around me that care for others sacrificially and without applause.
– What recommendations would you give someone that wants to join your team?
You are not joining in order to conform to an unwritten team norm. Bring your whole self. Be additive. Contribute. Challenge. Raise the bar. Your impact is measured by all of us performing better than we do today.
– Which 3 books you’d like to recommend us?
● The Cognitive Enterprise, Bob Lewis and Scott Lee
● Agile Data Science 2.0, Russell Jurney
● The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity, Amy Webb
– Tell us a fun fact about you…
Fun? OK… Growing up, I’d always wanted to be a performing magician. With my very limited income, I’d purchase magic tricks and props from a local hobby store. I also learned to ride a unicycle and perform random shows and stunts at my street corner, charging a very small fee for neighbors. I was shut down by a group of parents frustrated that their children kept begging them for money. Unfortunately, I haven’t done much with magic or unicycling since then.
– Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m a big fan of this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.”
